Beatrice A., 14

Akinyi is a 14-year-old Grade Eight pupil at Nyakunguru Primary School and the third-born in a family of five children. Her father relies on small-scale farming as the family’s main source of livelihood, and the limited income is often insufficient for food, school fees and other basic needs. During school holidays, Akinyi and her siblings help on the farm and collect firewood for sale to contribute towards their school expenses. She is hardworking and dreams of becoming a nurse so she can support her family. Akinyi had previously been healthy until she developed multiple wounds on different parts of her body. Over the following 1–3 months, the wounds progressively increased and significantly affected her daily life, including regular school attendance and interaction with friends. Unable to afford hospital care, the family attempted to manage her condition at home without improvement. During a community awareness activity, a team from Awasi Catholic Mission Health Centre identified Akinyi and informed the family about Helpster Charity support.

Akinyi was diagnosed with urticaria, sepsis, severe malaria and hidradenitis suppurativa. The presence of sepsis and severe malaria made her condition potentially life-threatening and warranted urgent admission, appropriate antimicrobial and antimalarial treatment, supportive care, and close monitoring. Her skin conditions also require appropriate treatment and follow-up to control inflammation and prevent recurrent infection or scarring. With timely treatment and a good clinical response, her prognosis is favourable, although continued follow-up is important.