Two-month-old Kibet lives with his parents and older brother in a two-room house in Kenya.
At birth, Kibet was diagnosed with spina bifida—a birth defect in which several vertebrae in the lower back do not close properly, leaving the baby’s spinal canal exposed. The spinal cord and its surrounding membranes protrude through the opening in the backbone, forming a sac on the baby’s lower back. Kibet underwent an operation to close the open lesion on his spine when he was only one week old.
Kibet’s parents were happy that their son was treated in time to prevent serious complications, but they were saddened by the fast growth of Kibet’s head—a result that they had been told was likely to occur. They immediately took him to a hospital to seek for further assistance. There, Kibet was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which there is an accumulation of fluid in the brain. Too much fluid can increase pressure on the brain and inside the skull, leading to an enlarged head.
Kibet needs to undergo surgery immediately to place a shunt to drain the excess fluid from his brain and transport it to his abdomen, where it can be resorbed by the body. The procedure will prevent further enlargement of his head and the effects that come with it, such as delayed developmental milestones and brainstem compression.
Kibet’s parents have exhausted the little savings they had to pay for his spina bifida treatment and are not able to raise the funds required for the operation he now needs. Kibet’s father, who studied engineering in school, has not been able to land a job in his field. He currently earns his income from casual tasks at construction sites while Kibet’s mother stays at home.
“I feel so drained and have no one to look to,” shares Kibet’s father. “I will appreciate if I get help of any sort to effect my son’s treatment.”
$685 pays for Kibet’s surgery as well as five days of hospital care, imaging, lab tests, and medicine. Let’s help fund surgery for Kibet!
