Yohana is an infant boy from Kenya, and is the last-born in a family of four children. He lives with his siblings and parents in their small, traditional house. They own four goats, and they hope that Yohana’s older siblings will get an education. Yohana’s mother is a stay at home mom. His father is a middle-man in a goat market, and the little he makes is barely enough to sustain their basic needs.
Yohana was born five days ago with a mass swell on his back known as spina bifida, which is a congenital defect of the spine in which part of the spinal cord and its meninges are exposed through a gap in the backbone.
Yohana’s parents sought for help from the nearest local dispensary. Yohana was confirmed to have spina bifida and advised to see a specialist at Bethany Kids Hospital. If left untreated, the effects would include paralysis on the lower limbs, and development of tethered cord syndrome that can result in curving or bending of the spine.
Yohana was reviewed by a specialist, and surgery has been recommended. Unfortunately, the surgery is at a cost that Yohana’s parents cannot afford. For $1,097, Yohana will undergo the spina bifida closure surgery he needs to be healthy.
“I will be happy if I get help towards Yohana’s treatment. This was so unexpected but I believe we will get through. My husband was opting for traditional treatment but I refused because I believe he will get great and quality treatment here,” shared Yohana’s mother.