Ghana (MNN) — There’s a life on the line right now, and with your help, that life could be saved.
Rody Rodeheaver of International Needs recently received news about a child in Ghana from the International Needs partners.
Kelvin (Photo courtesy International Needs)
“They have a 10-year-old boy. His name is Kelvin,” Rodeheaver says.
Kelvin’s parents are separated, and he lives with his mom. It’s a difficult situation, but the problem is even worse than that. Less than two years ago, Kelvin started experiencing various symptoms. Something was wrong, and eventually he was diagnosed with a severely defective heart valve. Because of his health, his mom has to stay home and take care of him. He can’t go to school, and she can’t go to work.
“His health has deteriorated, and Kelvin needs open heart surgery, needs a valve replaced. He has been accepted at the cardiac hospital, the national cardio center,” Rodeheaver says.
There is another step to take before Kelvin can get this surgery, however. The surgery will cost somewhere around $12,000–less expensive than the surgery would be in the United States but still too expensive for Kelvin’s family to afford.
“We’re able to assist in getting this young boy a chance at a full life; right now his life is less than quality. He’s very weak and needs the heart valve replaced as soon as possible,” Rodeheaver says.
International Needs is assisting their partner in Ghana to get Kelvin the help he needs. The money is needed in less than 30 days to cover the surgery, anesthesia, hospital stay, and follow-up care.
To help, International Needs has set up a benevolent fund in Kelvin’s name.
“As soon as they know that we’re able to cover the cost, then they will schedule the surgery, get this young boy in, and get him back to the road of recovery.”
If you would like to contribute to this fund, click here.
As the money is raised, there are some ways you can pray.
First of all, it’s not just his heart threatening his health. Rodeheaver says, “They need to pray that his condition won’t get any worse before he is able to get the surgery. We’re a little concerned because I think Kelvin has malaria, which is not unusual for children.”
Pray for him to get healthy so he can go back to school and a normal lifestyle.
“Until he is able to really recover from this, his mother is having to stay home to take care of him,” says Rodeheaver.
International Needs works to see lives transformed by the knowledge and truth of Jesus Christ.
