Edward, a nine-month-old boy from Tanzania, was born on October 16, 2015. He had a twin, but the twin died before birth. Edward is the seventh born in the family. Sometimes he is very serious, but he is also a happy and active baby. He likes to hold things in his hands and put them in his mouth. He is able to sit alone and tries to crawl.
Unfortunately, Edward has had trouble breathing properly ever since he was a little baby. He had trouble breastfeeding and he still has trouble eating well. His mother feels that he is not gaining weight as well as he could because he eats with difficulty. Edward was taken to different hospitals, but the medications he was given gave him only temporary relief.
Edward has enlarged adenoids. Adenoids are the masses of lymphatic tissue between the back of the nose and throat. It is quite common for adenoids to hinder the speaking / breathing of young children, as is the case with Edward. His enlarged adenoids are the cause of his restless sleep and consistent snoring.
He needs surgery to allow him to breathe with ease, eat properly, and sleep well at night, but his parents are small scale farmers and thus don’t bring in enough income to pay for such treatment. Edwards parents rely on growing and selling maize, beans and vegetables. They work hard to care for their large family. Four children are going to school and they expect two more to start going to school next year. What they earn is not enough to cover their basic needs as well as the cost of surgery which Edward needs.
With $488 in funding, an adenoidectomy–the surgical removal of the adenoids–will be possible for Edward. Once his adenoids have been taken out he should be able to live a much healthier life. His breathing will be easier, he will snore less, and he will eat better, subsequently improving his quality of life and his development.