Daniel — what is a human life worth to us?
What is a human life worth to us?
Requests for help reach us from Uganda constantly. There are many, because poverty in the country is severe, and we cannot help everyone however much we would like to.
Recently a message reached us that kept us awake. From Harriet, our colleague on the ground, we learned that one of our orphans — Daniel, seven years old — had a swollen belly and could not attend school. Medical treatment at the hospital in Soroti was urgently needed.
After a short appeal among the members of Apwoyo e. V., many helpers came forward spontaneously to finance the treatment and give Daniel a new life without fear and pain. Once funding was secured, the examinations could be arranged the same day.
A health system that barely deserves the name
Uganda has no health system comparable to ours. There is no health insurance. Patients pay for their hospital stay, their care and their medicines themselves. Only the wealthy can afford medical treatment. Orphans and the poor are usually left behind — the country is full of people with crippled limbs because the money for surgery was missing.
The diagnosis
In Daniel’s case it turned out that an inflammation of the spleen was causing the pain. He was also severely malnourished. Thanks to the funds raised at short notice, Daniel could be taken to hospital and examined by specialists. Ultrasound scans and blood analyses were carried out, he received medication and stayed several days under observation.
According to the treating doctor, Daniel would not have survived the past year without this help.
And then came more
Finally a family from Serrig donated a whole year’s food for Daniel. Along with storable supplies he received two female goats, a mattress and a blanket — until then he had slept on the bare floor.
On my last visit in April I saw Daniel again. He received another large food donation. He looked healthy and had even put on a little weight. The finest gift he could give me was his laughter — something he had lost for a long time.
A proverb says: “Whoever saves the life of a child saves the whole world.”
Thank you to all helpers and supporters.
Ingbert
For emergencies like this one we maintain the account “Orphans in need” — see Get involved & donate.
