| ABOUT A BOY NAMED SYLVESTER |
| SYLVESTER Photo is a thumbnail - click to enlarge - use back button to navigate |
7-20-06 Update
Dear friends and family,
In addition to some wonderful donations that have come in for Sylvester Maina from the U.S., we have also seen
tremendous support from Kenyans. NTV, one of the national Kenyan networks, learned about Sylvester's case from
Christian Women Partners. A Kisumu NTV reporter produced a story on Sylvester in Kisumu, where he is staying with a
Kiwanis member's family. The next day, Sylvester was featured on national news at 1pm, 7pm, and 9pm.
Following the feature, I received a phone call from NTV learning that their station had been flooded with phone calls
from viewers expressing interest in funding his operation. Additionally, the NTV corporate office also wants to make a
donation to his medical care. Although we do not know the total amount that has been pledge, CWP, Kiwanians and I
are all extremely happy about the response. Where there's a will, there's a way!
Rachelle 'Adhis' Strawther
Sylvester Maina is a very special boy that I became aware of through staff at Christian Woman Partners (CWP), an
organization that collaborates with Kisumu Kiwanis. Five year-old Sylvester is a total orphan living with his
grandmother and seven other orphans in a fishing village called Usenge, about two hours from Kisumu. If you see the
attached photo of him, you will immediately see the problem – he has tremendous growths on his spine that not only
prevent him from sitting properly, but also going to school. In addition, he cannot walk properly as a result of a club
foot. He’s a very quiet, but bright little boy, with eyes that closely observe everything happening around him.
CWP staff and I have been following Sylvester’s case since January. We started with x-rays and the followed with a CT
scan performed in Kisumu. A surgeon in Kisumu analyzed the scan results and concluded that a surgery would be too
risky. He further stated that Sylvester would probably not live past the age of ten.
Although CWP and I knew ahead of time that there might not be anything we could do for him, we still felt downtrodden
by the news. Just to be thorough, I took Sylvester’s CT scan with me to Nairobi to get a second opinion. I was referred
to Aga Khan Hospital (possibly the best in Kenya), where I met with a reputable pediatric surgeon named Dr. Kambuni
and showed him the scan. After reviewing the findings, he told me that he had seen similar cases before and felt that a
surgery would be possible for Sylvester. The one stipulation was that he would not perform the surgery if Sylvester
tested HIV-positive, as the risk of Sylvester contracting an infection would be too great.
I agreed to get the test done and report back. It took almost a month to get Sylvester tested, as the nurses in Usenge
refused, saying that he would be extremely stigmatized if he tested positive. We brought him to Kisumu, and again had
tremendous difficulty finding a clinic that would test him because of his age and medical history. Finally, Zawa’s doctor
agreed to get the test done for us.
All of us from Kiwanis and CWP were overjoyed to learn that Sylvester is HIV-negative. (You have to keep in mind that
CWP suspects that both of his parents died of AIDS, especially because fishing villages like Usenge have the highest
HIV rates in the country. If this is the case, then it is a miracle that Sylvester is negative!)
CWP and I are now in the process of arranging for Sylvester’s treatment with Dr. Kambuni. We have agreed that in
order for Sylvester to have a surgery, he will need to be boosted nutritionally for 4-6 months (he is extremely
malnourished). My feeding program assistant/Kiwanian, Moses Odhiambo, will be taking Sylvester into his home to
supervise his diet prior to the operation. At the same time, CWP and I will be using the media (newspapers and TV
news-stations) to solicit for funds to assist with the operation. Our goal is to raise $3500 U.S., or approximately
250,000 Kenyan shillings, which will cover the costs of the hospital admittance, transportation to Nairobi,
investigations, and surgery.
If there is anyone among you who feels compelled to donate towards the cost of Sylvester’s operation, then please let
me know. CWP has given permission for any funds for Sylvester to be deposited into my B of A account, which I can
then transfer to an account they have set up for him in Kisumu. (The advantage to this is that donors can avoid paying
international wiring fees, and I can take out money from B of A here without any extra fees). In order for both CWP
and I to monitor deposits, we ask that you email both CWP (cwpartners@yahoo.com) and me, informing us of the
amount you wish to deposit. I will also then email you my bank account number, as it is too risky to send it out in a
general email like this. The name of the CWP Director is Anne Ombewa, who is also a member of the Kisumu Kiwanis
Club.
As I type this, I am trying to imagine life through the eyes of Sylvester Maina, a five year-old without parents to love
and protect him, barely enough food for even one meal a day, and worse, burdened with tremendous physical
deformations that prevent him from going to school. If he had been a child in the U.S., his case would never have been
allowed to have become this bad. He would never have been written off, not the way he has been written off by so
many people in Kenya, because, let’s face it - he’s just another orphan with just another problem.
I know that not everyone has the means to support Sylvester monetarily, but I just want to ask all of us, including
myself, to take this moment to be thankful for the things that a boy like Sylvester has never been privileged enough to
have: parents who loved us, protected us, and fed us whenever hunger struck us…good, strong, growing bodies…the
opportunity to attend school…how much more, I can’t even begin to list. It’s amazing how many petty things I get
caught up in during the course of the day. I should keep a photo of Sylvester with me in my wallet so that I will always
remember how lucky I am.
Rachelle 'Adhis' Strawther
C/O Kiwanis Club of Kisumu
P.O. Box 19086, Pembe tatu
Kisumu, Kenya
Mobile: 072-448-8875
organization that collaborates with Kisumu Kiwanis. Five year-old Sylvester is a total orphan living with his
grandmother and seven other orphans in a fishing village called Usenge, about two hours from Kisumu. If you see the
attached photo of him, you will immediately see the problem – he has tremendous growths on his spine that not only
prevent him from sitting properly, but also going to school. In addition, he cannot walk properly as a result of a club
foot. He’s a very quiet, but bright little boy, with eyes that closely observe everything happening around him.
CWP staff and I have been following Sylvester’s case since January. We started with x-rays and the followed with a CT
scan performed in Kisumu. A surgeon in Kisumu analyzed the scan results and concluded that a surgery would be too
risky. He further stated that Sylvester would probably not live past the age of ten.
Although CWP and I knew ahead of time that there might not be anything we could do for him, we still felt downtrodden
by the news. Just to be thorough, I took Sylvester’s CT scan with me to Nairobi to get a second opinion. I was referred
to Aga Khan Hospital (possibly the best in Kenya), where I met with a reputable pediatric surgeon named Dr. Kambuni
and showed him the scan. After reviewing the findings, he told me that he had seen similar cases before and felt that a
surgery would be possible for Sylvester. The one stipulation was that he would not perform the surgery if Sylvester
tested HIV-positive, as the risk of Sylvester contracting an infection would be too great.
I agreed to get the test done and report back. It took almost a month to get Sylvester tested, as the nurses in Usenge
refused, saying that he would be extremely stigmatized if he tested positive. We brought him to Kisumu, and again had
tremendous difficulty finding a clinic that would test him because of his age and medical history. Finally, Zawa’s doctor
agreed to get the test done for us.
All of us from Kiwanis and CWP were overjoyed to learn that Sylvester is HIV-negative. (You have to keep in mind that
CWP suspects that both of his parents died of AIDS, especially because fishing villages like Usenge have the highest
HIV rates in the country. If this is the case, then it is a miracle that Sylvester is negative!)
CWP and I are now in the process of arranging for Sylvester’s treatment with Dr. Kambuni. We have agreed that in
order for Sylvester to have a surgery, he will need to be boosted nutritionally for 4-6 months (he is extremely
malnourished). My feeding program assistant/Kiwanian, Moses Odhiambo, will be taking Sylvester into his home to
supervise his diet prior to the operation. At the same time, CWP and I will be using the media (newspapers and TV
news-stations) to solicit for funds to assist with the operation. Our goal is to raise $3500 U.S., or approximately
250,000 Kenyan shillings, which will cover the costs of the hospital admittance, transportation to Nairobi,
investigations, and surgery.
If there is anyone among you who feels compelled to donate towards the cost of Sylvester’s operation, then please let
me know. CWP has given permission for any funds for Sylvester to be deposited into my B of A account, which I can
then transfer to an account they have set up for him in Kisumu. (The advantage to this is that donors can avoid paying
international wiring fees, and I can take out money from B of A here without any extra fees). In order for both CWP
and I to monitor deposits, we ask that you email both CWP (cwpartners@yahoo.com) and me, informing us of the
amount you wish to deposit. I will also then email you my bank account number, as it is too risky to send it out in a
general email like this. The name of the CWP Director is Anne Ombewa, who is also a member of the Kisumu Kiwanis
Club.
As I type this, I am trying to imagine life through the eyes of Sylvester Maina, a five year-old without parents to love
and protect him, barely enough food for even one meal a day, and worse, burdened with tremendous physical
deformations that prevent him from going to school. If he had been a child in the U.S., his case would never have been
allowed to have become this bad. He would never have been written off, not the way he has been written off by so
many people in Kenya, because, let’s face it - he’s just another orphan with just another problem.
I know that not everyone has the means to support Sylvester monetarily, but I just want to ask all of us, including
myself, to take this moment to be thankful for the things that a boy like Sylvester has never been privileged enough to
have: parents who loved us, protected us, and fed us whenever hunger struck us…good, strong, growing bodies…the
opportunity to attend school…how much more, I can’t even begin to list. It’s amazing how many petty things I get
caught up in during the course of the day. I should keep a photo of Sylvester with me in my wallet so that I will always
remember how lucky I am.
Rachelle 'Adhis' Strawther
C/O Kiwanis Club of Kisumu
P.O. Box 19086, Pembe tatu
Kisumu, Kenya
Mobile: 072-448-8875
| ORIGINAL INFORMATION |
Hi everyone,
Hopefully you haven't forgotten the email I sent out last summer about little Sylvester Maina, with the large growths on his
spine.
I am extremely happy to tell you that Sylvester has just been transported to Kijabe Children's Hospital (outside of Nairobi)
for surgery. This hospital caters to children with disabilities. Although the operation will not be performed by the same
doctor we had originally consulted, the circumstances are even more in our favor. Dr. Brandford, an American doctor who
specializes in cases like Sylvester's, is stationed at Kijabe and will be performing the operation. The cost of the surgery is
less than $500, which was much less than was originally estimated by the other physician.
Moses (the Kiwanian taking care of Sylvester) and I brought Sylvester to the Kisumu Provincial Hospital a few weeks ago,
when a team of American and Kenyan surgeons from Kijabe came for a mobile clinic. They were particularly intestered in
Sylvester's case, and after looking at the CT scans, concluded that it was definitely a case of spina bifida (a hole in the
spinal cord, causing leakage of fluid). The doctors said that they had seen many similary cases at Kijabe before, and
insisted that Sylvester come for an operation as soon as possible. They also believe that, after he has healed, his club
foot can even be operated on so that he can walk properly.
So, Sylvster, Moses, and an uncle to Sylvester are on their way to Kijabe as I type. He may not be operated on this very
week, due to a bad cough that he will need to be treated for first, but we believe he will go under in the next two weeks.
A small team of us went around Kisumu collecting donations for the surgery and transportation, and to our delight,
people were very generous. We have enough money to cover the surgery and the transportation to and from. We are
still collecting money for follow-up treatment, transportation and schooling, so if any of you would like to donate, please
let me know.
The most important thing I can ask of you now, however, is to send prayers and positive energy Sylvester's way. We are
praying that the operation goes without a hitch and that Sylvester recovers well.
Thank you and I'll keep you updated when I know more!
-Rachelle
Hopefully you haven't forgotten the email I sent out last summer about little Sylvester Maina, with the large growths on his
spine.
I am extremely happy to tell you that Sylvester has just been transported to Kijabe Children's Hospital (outside of Nairobi)
for surgery. This hospital caters to children with disabilities. Although the operation will not be performed by the same
doctor we had originally consulted, the circumstances are even more in our favor. Dr. Brandford, an American doctor who
specializes in cases like Sylvester's, is stationed at Kijabe and will be performing the operation. The cost of the surgery is
less than $500, which was much less than was originally estimated by the other physician.
Moses (the Kiwanian taking care of Sylvester) and I brought Sylvester to the Kisumu Provincial Hospital a few weeks ago,
when a team of American and Kenyan surgeons from Kijabe came for a mobile clinic. They were particularly intestered in
Sylvester's case, and after looking at the CT scans, concluded that it was definitely a case of spina bifida (a hole in the
spinal cord, causing leakage of fluid). The doctors said that they had seen many similary cases at Kijabe before, and
insisted that Sylvester come for an operation as soon as possible. They also believe that, after he has healed, his club
foot can even be operated on so that he can walk properly.
So, Sylvster, Moses, and an uncle to Sylvester are on their way to Kijabe as I type. He may not be operated on this very
week, due to a bad cough that he will need to be treated for first, but we believe he will go under in the next two weeks.
A small team of us went around Kisumu collecting donations for the surgery and transportation, and to our delight,
people were very generous. We have enough money to cover the surgery and the transportation to and from. We are
still collecting money for follow-up treatment, transportation and schooling, so if any of you would like to donate, please
let me know.
The most important thing I can ask of you now, however, is to send prayers and positive energy Sylvester's way. We are
praying that the operation goes without a hitch and that Sylvester recovers well.
Thank you and I'll keep you updated when I know more!
-Rachelle
| 3-19-07 Update |