Leg injury threatens teen boy’s life; here’s how you can help!

In June 2017, Ekiru Lokwawi was running an errand for his dad on a motorbike when he seriously burned his leg, and his life became filled with constant pain.

“Despite treatment, the wound became infected,” said nurse Raelyn Nicholson, the Health Quality Assurance and Liaison Coordinator at Missions of Hope International in Nairobi, Kenya. “As the months passed, the infection worsened due to Ekiru’s limited access to quality health services in his rural community and poor living conditions.

Now, two years later, the 13-year-old, who attend’s MOHI’s Napuu Center in rural Turkana, Kenya, Ekiru has developed a serious condition called chronic osteomyelitis, which is an infection of the bone.

“If left untreated, Ekiru is at risk of permanent disability, amputation, or even death,” said Raelyn.

Help from MOHI

A team of leaders from MOHI learned about Ekiru when visiting Turkana in January.

“MOHI flew the boy and his father to Nairobi, where he was immediately seen by a pediatric orthopedic surgeon,” said Raelyn. “The surgeon said that Ekiru will need a series of five surgeries to remove the dead bone and long-term antibiotics to clear the infection.”

Even though he’s in constant pain, Ekiru is a tough kid, notes Raelyn.

“He still manages to fetch water, sweep the home, play with his eight siblings, and walk nearly 2 miles to school and back,” she said. “His father, Isaya, is a firewood vendor. Unfortunately, he does not earn enough to pay for Ekiru’s surgery while caring for his large family.”

But Ekiru remains hopeful that his life will change.

“Every day when I wake up, I pray that God watches over my family and that my leg will get better,” he said

Will you join us in praying for Ekiru’s healing and help MOHI cover the cost of his medical care? Will you be the answer to his prayer?

Go here to give now!