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.
11.09.2023
“This is a much older person in this picture.”
“And what, his hair colour just changed from grey to black?”
“Photoshopped or colours redone by artificial intelligence, a child’s hair doesn’t look like that.”
Boaze from Ntamugenga hasn’t eaten for days and his hairstyle is the last thing on his mind. In general, we would like him to think about typically childish things – when to play a prank on his mum, whether there are any toys in this hospital, or whether the other children will skip rope with him.
The boy looks around the hospital room with vigilant eyes, and his eyes light up brighter every time he sees a plate. Will the next one be for him? For a long time to come, he will carry this anxiety inside him that there won’t be enough food. But not only will Boaze leave today full, but his mum will also get a solid food parcel for the days ahead.
When we show a baby like this, there are often questions in the comments that display disbelief. Because how can this be – a child with grey hair?
We don’t see this in Poland anymore, but this is what extreme malnutrition looks like. Older generations may remember grey or yellowish hair on children who were sent to concentration camps. Here we are in 2023 and the same problems, albeit caused in a different way. It is unbelievable that such an easily treatable disease as famine continues to take a deadly toll.
When the hair grows healthy, we know we are winning the battle. We know that with you, Boaze will win it too. Did you know that you can donate a bouffant of healthy curls to him today through GoodWorks 24/7? For every therapeutic meal purchased, 100% of the amount donated goes to the nutrition centre. With these funds, we buy the most necessary products and prepare several dozen meals and rations on site every week. You don’t have to wait long for the results – you can watch them every month on our website ? .
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 […]