Health Emergency Bena Chepkrui is a 14 year old girl living in the village Piswa along the slops of Mt. Elgon in eastern Uganda. The extreme poverty faced by this community has encouraged fatalistic mindsets among families who have little hope for positive change. Bena, her parents and six siblings have shared in their community’s hardship. As a maize farmer Bena’s father struggles to provide for the basic needs of his family. Although Bena had a health situation that caused her to faint often and cough up blood, he had already sold 3 of his 4 acres of land to help pay for her medical expenses and had no access to additional resources for Bena’s diagnosis and treatment.
Action Response
The Food for the Hungry Child Development Program began working in Piswa over a year ago because of their great need. When the Child Development workers discovered Bena’s health condition she was taken to the Mulango hospital where doctors diagnosed her need for heart surgery. Through the HEART fund this impossible medical intervention was made a reality for Bena. Along with the generosity of a heart foundation Bena received her surgery. Food for the Hungry staff David Makan provided support by traveling with Bena and her father. She is recovering well with only a minor infection and it will not be long before she is able to climb the hill to her home without pain and blood and return to school to finish grade S2.
Team
God has blessed Bena and her family through your generosity. Thank you for taking the opportunity to be a part of this life-saving team. Please continue to remember Bena in your prayers as she continues to recover and for her family as they have sacrificed so much from so little.
Bena’s mother said, “Bena’s health has been the biggest challenge for our family and God has solved that problem. I believe He will provide for the rest of our needs. I do not worry.”
Thank you the difference you make in children like Bena!
Bena Chepkrui is a 14 year old girl living in the village Piswa along the slops of Mt. Elgon in eastern Uganda. The extreme poverty faced by this community has encouraged fatalistic mindsets among families who have little hope for positive change. Bena, her parents and six siblings have shared in their community’s hardship. As a maize farmer Bena’s father struggles to provide for the basic needs of his family. Although Bena had a health situation that caused her to faint often and cough up blood, he had already sold 3 of his 4 acres of land to help pay for her medical expenses and had no access to additional resources for Bena’s diagnosis and treatment. 
Thank you the difference you make in children like Bena!