“Two-day-old Tulu is the last-born in a family of two children,” says our medical partner in Kenya, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). “They live in a traditional hut and often move from one location to another in search of pasture for their livestock. His parents are pastoralists and earn their income from the proceeds of livestock selling. Following recent tribal clashes in their community, they have lost a significant number of livestock to cattle raiders.”
Tulu was born with spina bifida – a leaking, open mass on his back. “Tulu is at a risk of infection, developing tethered cord, paralysis in the lower limbs and trauma in the initial days of his life if not treated,” says AMHF.
“Both of Tulu’s parents have not gone to school and did not know how to handle the condition their son was born with. Through assistance from a neighbor, they were directed to seek specialized treatment. Tulu’s parents are however not able to raise funds required for his treatment,” AMHF continues.
For $805, we can fund a spina bifida closure procedure. This will heal the mass and ensure Tulu can grow up without complications in his spine and legs.
Tulu’s father tells us through a translator: “we hope that our son gets well. We want all our children to go to school now that we did not have that opportunity.”
