Patrick needs a kidney

Patrick was our guide on our safari to Kenya. He was so kind and only reluctantly told us about his health condition. Those of us on the safari verified his story with the tour company, and though he never asked, we decided to help. Here is the story in Patrick's own words:


*Hello.
My name is Patrick Abila, I am 40 years old and I have been working with G Adventures as a transfer supplier and G Representative in Nairobi since 2004. I love my job and dealing with all kinds of different nationalities. The best part of my job is to show our travelers the sunny side of Nairobi and to change their lives by putting a smile on their faces.
I have been having kidney failure for the last 3 years. At the moment I am on dialysis, which has kept me alive for the past two years. This treatment is not only very expensive (I need to go to hospital twice a week for 4 hours which costs me USD200 per week) it also makes me very weak and dizzy. Our basic healthcare system unfortunately does not cover this. My biggest wish is to have a kidney transplant to not only survive in a long run but also to live a normal life again so I can take care of my 4 children, being a single parent. The transplant costs about 1.5 million Shillings . " (About 17,000 US Dollars).


........Please help us help Patrick. The kidney transplant will occur at a great hospital in India, as there is no place in Kenya where the operation can be safely done. Patrick's son will be the donor. As the team captain and a nurse with more than 30 years of medical experience I assure you no one can fake kidney failure and that all money donated will go to cover expenses related to Patrick's kidney transplant. Thank you so much for your support, no matter how much you are able to give.


Joanne Hartline and Team Patrick