Provide Surgery for Children in Ethiopia

Adere is a 14 year old boy living in rural Ethiopia. He is 1 of 12 children to his parents and enjoys listening to country music and dancing with his friends.

Unfortunately, Adere was born with 2 birth defects affecting his urination and had an opening on his abdomen into his bladder. The opening allowed his bladder to constantly leak and get painful infections. When Adere was young his parents took him to their local clinic but the staff there was unable to perform the surgeries needed to help him and they knew they would not be able to afford it either way.

Adere's mother said "The situation of families who lost a loved one and grieved is better than the situation of ours who weep watching our child suffer and can't do anything about it."

As time passed the family struggled with the stigma with which their community saw them. While other students could sit wherever they pleased in class, Adere had a special table in the back of the room with his name on it. The children would not play with him because of the smell of his leaking bladder and he kept mainly to himself even at home. 

A few months ago Adere's older brother, Solomon, became so concerned for him and their family's mental health that he started to look into medical options. Eventually he learned about us!

When they first reached out the family was uncomfortable because they didn't know what to expect but we set up a time to meet and told them not to worry about medical or travel expenses. 

Today Adere is a changed person! He has now recieved 2 surguries to restore normal bladder and urination function and because of the much improved quality of life and mental health he is more confident and outgoing. He plays with friends and sits wherever he likes in class! 

Thank you for making Adere's surgery possible! Because of you he will now live a much better life.