Dennis, a 17-year-old student from Kiambu County in Kenya, faced unimaginable tragedy at a tender age. In 2011, his mother fell gravely ill. One night, a candle left burning in their home went out of control, setting the house ablaze. With his mother too sick to save him, Dennis was trapped in the fire. Tragically, his mother lost her life, leaving Dennis an orphan. Though he was rescued, Dennis suffered severe burns on his head, face, hands, and body. With no one left to care for him, he ended up on the streets, which hindered the healing of his wounds.
In 2012, hope arrived when a children’s home took Dennis in, providing him with food, clothing, shelter, and education. However, the scars from his injuries made him a target for teasing by his classmates, which deeply affected his self-esteem.
In 2016, Dennis’s journey to recovery began at our medical partner’s care center, AIC Kijabe Hospital. He underwent a series of surgeries to treat his forehead, cheeks, face, and nose. By 2018, a surgery successfully opened one of his blocked nostrils, greatly improving his ability to breathe. For a while, Dennis enjoyed a sense of normalcy and the joy of playing with other children.
However, after six years of relying on a single nostril to breathe, it became increasingly ineffective. Dennis now struggles with breathing and requires constant monitoring at night to prevent suffocation. During a visit to the hospital this year, doctors recommended surgery to create a new nostril and enhance his breathing. Unfortunately, the children’s home cannot afford the cost of this essential surgery.
Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Dennis receive treatment. On August 12th, surgeons will perform a debridement and skin graft procedure to help him breathe properly and alleviate the fears he experiences due to his condition. Now, Dennis needs help to fund this $1,185 procedure.
Dennis says, “I want to be an engineer in the future and build beautiful houses.”