04/30/2024
Last night, a little boy about 5 years old was brought to me with a third-degree burn that had occurred a few days prior. It turns out that his mother had left him with a caregiver, who was not paying attention to him and he unfortunately stepped into hot oil. I was shocked to learn that the boy had not received any medical treatment or been taken to the hospital due to a lack of finances, and to make matters worse, he hadn't eaten either. The severity of the wound left me worried that if proper care wasn't provided, he might even lose his leg. Adding to the unfortunate circumstances, the family couldn't afford transportation, so the little one had to walk all the way to my house. In an attempt to alleviate their immediate needs, I provided them with money for food and transportation. I also administered some first aid and instructed them to bring the boy back the following morning, so I could ensure he wasn't dehydrated and take him to the hospital for proper treatment. This heartbreaking situation is unfortunately not an isolated incident since my arrival in Nigeria a week ago. I have already paid tuition fees for numerous children and provided meals for those in need. Witnessing school-age children begging for food on the streets deeply saddens me. Hence, I feel compelled to share this story in the hopes that if anyone is able to offer assistance to people, they won't hesitate to do so. It's disheartening to see that our leaders prioritize their own enrichment while disregarding the welfare of the masses. As I speak, the scarcity of fuel further restricts my ability to move around. Thisbis a country that supplies petroleum to other countries. May God help us through these trying times.
