Patients' Stories

Ernestina is an 18-month old who has exstrophy bladder. Her parents had no other option than to stop treatment due to high cost of radiology test.

Without treatment, children with bladder exstrophy won't be able to hold urine (urinary incontinence). They're also at risk of sexual dysfunction and have an increased risk of bladder cancer.

We met Ernestina during our community impact programme in their community at Anlo Afiadenyigba in the Keta District and saw the need to assist. 

Under our Health for All Programme (HAP) and through the support of our health partner and community, Ernestina had her first successful surgery in June, 2021. She is scheduled to have her second surgery later in the year. 

Ernestina is back home with her family and as customs demands, white power was poured on her as a sign of victory. 

We are grateful to our health partner, the doctors at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and our community for their support and prayers 

 Health  care is almost impossible in rural Ghana due to several factors. Two of  such major factors are poverty and cultural barrier. The lack of money  to visit the nearest health center which is more than 2 hours away and  the misconception of spiritual possession and cultural curse turn a  hopeful situation to a hopeless one. 

Unfortunately, according to Ghana Health Service, 4 out of 5 of every child mortality is largely due to the above reasons. 

The  coming of COVID19 has made the situation dire since parents are not  working hence no money and are unwilling to send their ill children to  hospital for the fear of catching the virus. 

 Emanuella  is an eight year old grade 1 pupil who during the coronavirus lockdown  in Ghana developed and suffered kidney infection which made her body  swollen and could barely eat nor drink. She was in severe pain for  months and could hardly even walk.   Emanuella’s  condition deteriorated and hope was lost due to lack of money when she  was referred from Volta Regional Teaching Hospital in Ho to Korle Bu  Teaching Hospital in Accra for further treatment. ‘’I watch my lovely  daughter die every passing second. Her body keeps swelling before my  eyes every day and am helpless, I can’t help my own daughter. ’’  Emanuella’s father Godwin cried.’’ 

Fortunately,  we came across Emanuella during our community visits and immediately  saw the difficulties Emanuella was going through and the fact that she  needed urgent attention. 

Health  for All Programs (HAP) is an initiative under VARAS’ health mission to  educate and assist children from poor homes who needed specialist  medical attention and or specialist surgery have one. 

With  the help of VARAS donors and Willing and Able, we were able to pay for  her pre, during and post treatment cost which also include food,  accommodation and transportation for the care giver. 

After  weeks in the hospital, Emanuella’s condition has improved and the  doctors discharged her. ‘’I am glad VARAS came to my rescue and saved my  daughter’s life. The high cost of medicine and hospital charges here  are not meant for the poor. Only the rich can survive here.’’  Emanuella's father lamented. 

 Today,  she is finally on her way back home to her village, Akaglakofe close to  Afiadenyigba in the southern part of Ghana, about 5 hours away from  Accra.  

 Again, the women in the apprenticeship program through the sponsorship of a donor have been fast at work and have made a new dress for Emanuella’s return home.  

Emanuella’s story inspires us all at VARAS to continue with the work we are doing. 

By supporting VARAS you are saving/changing a child’s life just as Emanuella’s has been.

Emanuella  who is a smart beautiful girl will return to school next week. She says  ‘’I can’t wait to join my friends in school. I want to become a nurse  to save lives.’’

Read more about the lives we have saved and ways that you can help.

We are currently looking for a donor to support her in school and for her monthly review. Be a monthly donor now to support Emanuella and our other children.

Emmanuel Nyavor suffered myelomeningocele with mild communicating,  hydrocephalus and lacunar skull and needed immediate surgery. His condition became worse since his parents couldn't raise the money for  his surgery.    

We saw Emmanuel late 2016 and after several hospital visits and diagnostics, he had his surgery March 2017 at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana.

We are grateful to our health partner for paying for Emmanuel's surgery  (pre and post care), food, accommodation and transportation for his  mother during the entire procedure, the doctors and nurses and to all those who supported in diverse ways.  

Emmanuel will be 4 years on November 30th 2020. He is doing very well and currently in Kindergarten. He is also smart and clever!

Yvonne was born in the eastern part of Ghana. At birth, the doctors confirmed she had sublingual swelling of  in between the floor of the mouth beneath and within the tongue.  Despite the need  to have immediate surgery as the doctors advised Yvonne will not be able to suckle nor breath well in few months, her parents couldn't afford due to their financial constraints.  

We met Yvonne in November 2016 and after making all the necessary arrangements, she had a successful surgery in May 2017.

Yvonne will be 4 years come October 2020 and during our visit to check on her, we caught her dancing with her friends. She is the in the red top dress. She is in kindergarten and loves to sing. 

 We are grateful to our health partner for paying for Yvonne's surgery  (pre and post care), food, accommodation and transportation for his  mother during the entire procedure, the doctors and nurses and to all those who supported in diverse ways.