African man desperately needs life-changing surgery

This appeal is behalf of a poor African man named Vianney.

Vianney was attacked and had his entire lower jaw shot off, plus multiple other injuries. Unable to eat solids, or even hold his head straight, he is trying to support his wife, 3 children and mother.

My name is Brian and I am a Tasmanian Pharmacist (recently retired). I have travelled a number of times to the small Central African country of Burundi (regarded as the poorest country in the world), where I have become connected to a local Doctor who operates a charitable hospital for the poor. My wife and I have established a service employing and equipping local nurses who travel around the villages seeking those who cannot get to the hospital, providing health care etc. This service is having some amazing results, treating people who would otherwise have no hope. Details of our service are on our website www.MobileHealthService.au

On our most recent visit to Burundi, we came across a 35-year-old man named Vianney, who supports his wife, three children and his widowed mother.

In November 2021, as he was attempting to sell some local produce in neighboring Congo, he was set upon by two armed men. After killing the man escorting Vianney, they turned their attention to him. While one man held his feet, the other clamped his head to the ground with his boot and proceeded to fire 24 bullets from a machine gun into Vianney’s body. The men then stole the motorcycle they were using and fled, leaving Vianney for dead. Miraculously he was still alive.

Nearby soldiers came to Vianney’s assistance, and he was rushed to a local hospital. However his body was a mess, and his lower jaw had been completely shot away. There was little help that the local hospital could offer.

Today Vianney survives but his injuries are horrendous. Apart from multiple injuries to his body, including a smashed femur, shortened leg etc, he has no lower jaw so is unable to eat any solids, and must constantly hold his head back to prevent saliva running down his front. Vianney suffers frequent recurring infections, is in constant pain, and has difficulty walking and talking, yet still must earn a living for his family. Vianney’s story, photos and video are under a separate tab labelled “Vianney’s story” on our website www.MobileHealthService.au

After months attempting to find a medical team in Australia or elsewhere who could reconstruct his jaw, we have finally found a team at the CORSU Rehabilitation Hospital in Uganda willing to embark on it. While the surgery will be life-changing for Vianney, it will involve several trips between Burundi and Uganda for multiple procedures over many months. We anticipate that the process will cost approximately AUD 30,000.

All funds raised will be managed by our Burundian Doctor and will be used to help Vianney.

Should this appeal be oversubscribed, any surplus will be used to help the Mobile Health Service in it's work around Vianney's village.