The second largest country of Africa, full of paradoxes. On one hand, it is rich in natural resources (including cobalt, copper, coltan, crude oil, diamonds, gold); on the other hand, its inhabitants are among the poorest in the world. For decades, the DRC has been suffering from prolonged conflicts that have led to one of the most severe humanitarian crises in the world.
21.04.2021
Ombeni is six years old. A few weeks ago, he came to us in a critical state. Severely malnourished, his life was in danger.
Malnutrition can lead to kwashiorkor, a disease resulting from low protein levels that causes visible changes, such as swelling of the face, belly and legs, cracked skin, dull and greying hair in children, as well as damage to internal organs and the brain. Without an early intervention, the brain is robbed of its chance to develop properly, and the child will never fully develop its potential. Unfortunately, Ombeni has lost his eyesight as a result of malnutrition. He’s one of the few severe cases we’ve seen recently.
We managed to stabilize his condition. His life is no longer in danger but he still has a long way to go before he regains full strength. He still cannot see, so as soon as his condition improved enough for him to be able to travel the long and bumpy road leading to neighboring Rwanda, sister Agnieszka got straight to work. Since it’s virtually impossible to find an appropriate ophthalmologist in Congo, she had to arrange for him to receive his travel documents and organized the journey across the border along with a few other patients.
Ombeni has surgery scheduled for October and will travel to Rwanda again. Doctors are hopeful that they will be able to save at least one eye and that he will regain eyesight.
His story reveals what an impact your donations have. It is truly remarkable what we can accomplish with your support. By visiting our Goodworks24 store, you help us treat malnourished children. Thanks to you, we have the tools at our feeding center to save lives. Our support extends beyond providing immediate aid. We are also able to help treat the long-term effects of malnutrition. Together, we can fight back against the extreme injustices of hunger.
Each subsequent month of the pandemic with its lockdowns and closed borders is difficult for all of us, but for vulnerable residents of the poorest countries it can be a matter of life and death. The economic downturn has led to declining incomes. Those who don’t have work today are bound to see their families go hungry tomorrow.
You can do something to help! One therapeutic meal for a child suffering from malnutrition costs just 15 PLN. Visit Goodworks24 and help us feed a hungry child!
11.09.2024
Little Fabien needs urgent help! Congenital hypertrophic pyloric stenosis sounds mysterious, although it’s estimated that this anatomical defect occurs in as many as 8 in 1,000 children. For Fabien, born in the heart of the Congolese bush, this diagnosis could mean a slow death from starvation and dehydration. His mother was at a loss—her son […]
21.08.2024
A woman who loses her husband is called a widow. A child who loses their parents becomes an orphan. We have words for so many things, but there is no word for a parent who loses a child. Perhaps it’s because such a reversal of the natural order is beyond what our hearts, let alone […]
28.06.2024
When I was leaving for tests with other patients, I asked the physiotherapist to bring Dawid some juice – maybe he will wake up from this coma, maybe he will be thirsty? The news of Dawid’s passing reached Sister Agnieszka the same day. She had fought for him for many months, providing him with treatment […]
