This is Victor, an adorable two-year-old boy from Kenya. Victor has an inguinal hernia on his right side, which causes him pain and discomfort. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), explains, “Victor is the last-born in a family of three children. He was born with spina bifida and developed hydrocephalus later. His parents used to the little savings they had for his surgeries then. Recently, Victor’s parents noticed swelling on his groin area that requires surgical care, but having exhausted all they had, they are not able to raise the funds required.”
AMHF continues, “The family lives in a two-room rental house. Victor’s father is a stonemason, and works at a construction site on casual basis, while his mother is a housewife. Victor’s father earns an average of $3 daily, which unfortunately does not meet the family’s basic needs. The family owns neither land nor livestock and depends entirely on the little income Victor’s father gets.” The family’s current employment situation, in addition to Victor’s medical history, makes it impossible to afford treatment.
If left untreated, “the hernia could lead to strangulation of the intestines, thus cutting off blood supply,” AMHF tells us. As it is, Victor has already been experiencing pain and swelling on the right side of his groin.
For $430, Victor will undergo inguinal hernia repair surgery, in which an incision is made into the abdominal cavity and the hernia is either pushed back into place or removed. With this surgery, Victor will become a much healthier young boy.
“It was a big shock to our family when we were informed that Victor needed more surgery. We have exhausted all our resources and thank God that we have come to a hospital where we will be assisted,” shares Victor’s mother.
