Faith W., 10

Faith is a 10-year-old girl who lives in the village with her grandfather and four other siblings. The children depend entirely on their grandparents for their basic needs. The family resides in a small two-roomed house, gets their drinking water from a tap, and uses a pit latrine for sanitation. They live on a modest piece of land. Faith is currently in Grade 4 at a nearby primary school. She performs well academically, enjoys reading books and newspapers, and has a keen interest in current affairs. She dreams of becoming an engineer one day. Three days ago, Faith began experiencing abdominal pain. She was initially given painkillers at home, but her condition did not improve. Following advice from a neighbor, her grandfather took her to the nearest health facility, Bokoli Sub-County Hospital. Although they did not have the money to pay for treatment upon arrival, they were fortunate to be identified by Helpster Charity Heroes, who facilitated free medical care. Upon assessment, Faith was found to have a headache and abdominal pain. She was diagnosed with malaria and peptic ulcers.

Faith was diagnosed with malaria and acute gastritis, conditions that left her weak and in need of prompt medical attention. She received appropriate treatment at the facility, and once her symptoms improved and she was stable, she was discharged to continue her recovery at home. During the follow-up call, Faith’s family happily shared that she was feeling much better and had already returned to school, energetic and back to her normal routine. Her grandfather expressed deep gratitude to Helpster Charity Organization for stepping in during a difficult time and ensuring that Faith received free, life-saving medical care.

If Faith was left untreated, both malaria and acute gastritis could have lead to serious, potentially life-threatening complications. Malaria can progress to severe, even fatal, conditions like cerebral malaria, severe anemia, or organ failure. Untreated acute gastritis can lead to stomach ulcers, bleeding, and an increased risk of stomach cancer.