Mary—fondly called “Cucu,” the local name for “grandmother”—is a 70-year-old woman who lives in Kenya. She has six children, all of whom have left home and started their own families.
Mary knows the benefits of traditional foods. She cultivates, prepares, and eats arrowroot, sweet potatoes, and other traditional foods daily to prevent lifestyle diseases. Unfortunately, in November of 2016, as Mary was preparing her sweet potatoes, her right foot was burned by hot water. Her toes were amputated, and she spent several days in the hospital, where her burns were treated and dressed.
In April 2016, Mary’s family noticed that the wound from her burn had not healed and took her to AIC Kijabe Hospital, a facility associated with our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Mary will need to undergo a skin graft to help the wound heal, but her family is unable to cover the costs. Her children support her daily needs, but they are drained financially due to her past medical bills. Without treatment, Mary could develop an infection, requiring amputation of her right foot.
AMHF requests $1,129 to pay for a skin graft on Mary’s foot. Funding also covers the costs of 14 nights in the hospital, lab tests, pain medicine, and antibiotics. Mary’s surgery is scheduled for May 17.
“I want to be well and continue working for myself,” shares Mary. “I am still strong.”
