Meet Shem, age 16 yrs. The OKOA team encountered him when he was at risk of losing his life. Shem comes from a humble background and is the second born of six siblings. While playing with friends, he was hit by a blunt object. A Ct-scan taken at the doctor revealed that he had a blood clot on the left part of his brain. The doctors recommended neurosurgery. Shem’s family could not afford the surgery and therefore they decided to medicate him with painkiller drugs, as this was the best they could do. While making visits in the community, Uncle Jerald made a visit Shem’s home.
Shem was lying on the floor in pain and had lost sight in one eye. Shem was also paralyzed on one side as well. Uncle Jerald was able to take Shem to a hospital to receive care from a neurosurgeon. The surgery was a success! While Shem was healing, the matter of the hospital bill posed a major challenge to Shem’s family. Uncle Jerald representing OKOA and child welfare partnered with the local administration to advocate for Shem at the hospital and in the community.
OKOA’s intervention was a vital part in the dismissal of a significant amount of the hospital’s charges. Shem is now home, continuing to heal, and has been able to come attend school. Shem is preparing for his final primary school exam!.