On the 27th of November 2021, Abu Bakarr M. Kamara was diagnosed with ventricular septal defect, a congenital heart defect of the heart in which there is a hole in the wall (septum) that separates the two lower chambers (ventricles) of the heart.
It all started in his infancy stage. He was always that sick child that couldn’t give his mother a rest. This unbearing sick marathon became worrisome for his mother who could not help but take his son to the nearest hospital for medical treatment given into account that a day or two won’t go by without him being ill. Even though he was born not slim and not fat, given his health condition at that time, his body size began to shrink - unknowingly to his mother he had a congenital heart defect. As any caring mother would do, Abu Bakarr’s mother took his son to another hospital this time Jui Government Hospital.
At Jui Government Hospital, after rigorous medical check-ups and scans his mother was told that without treatment, his son could develop heart failure which may result in an unpleasant situation for the family and that if nothing is done he could lose his son in the next three months. They were then referred to the University of Sierra Leone Teaching Hospital where they were told in a medical report that he needed urgent heart surgery and that the hospital cannot perform such a medical procedure. This medical report by the doctors had Abu Bakarr’s mother losing all hopes - especially for a low-income family like hers.
After seeing how troubled and worrisome Abu Bakarr’s mother was, a kindhearted individual from Jui Government Hospital called her and told her that there’s an organisation called Sick Pikin Project in Freetown that is helping severely ill children to be treated in and out of Sierra Leone.
“Do you use Facebook?” She replied by saying “No, I don’t. But I will ask my husband.” So her husband, a Facebook user unlike his wife, searched for ‘Sick Pikin Project’. They got in contact with the Sick Pikin Project Facebook page. After getting in touch with Sick Pikin Project on Facebook, the parents decided to visit the office in Freetown.
They met the Coordinator Alice Johnson and explained the health situation of their son. As per its goals and vision, the Sick Pikin Project took up the responsibility to solicit funds for Abu Bakarr. They began the process of soliciting funds for Abu Bakarr for surgery in India.
The Sick Pikin Project conferred with the Government of Sierra Leone to facilitate the necessary travel processes to India. With our street fundraising campaigns and money given by our donors to save the lives of severely ill children in Sierra Leone, we were able to obtain passports and visas for Abu Bakarr and his mother for their journey to India.
Today, after undergoing a very critical heart surgery far from home, Abu Bakarr Kamara has survived what may be one of his biggest tests in life. The young joyous kid has safely landed in Sierra Leone with his mother whose hopes have been restored and filled with ultimate gaiety.
The Sick Pikin Project want to express its profound thanks and gratitude to all those who supported us in saving the life of another future leader. Many thanks to God Almighty who through his grace and light ensured that Abu Bakarr’s operation was successful and free from mind-boggling complications.
The Sick Pikin Project 2022
+23276722736 or +23276793010
Website: http://www.sickpikin.org/