Hello!

Welcome and thank you for coming to this page!

Please can you help Laurence who is suffering from constant, intense pain caused by her health issues. She and her family cannot afford to pay for specialist care, treatment and medication . I am urgently raising these funds for her to get this help as soon as possible

My name is Fern, I’m a retired dance teacher, Montessori teacher and have also worked with refugee projects in South Africa and Sweden. I live in Stockholm but was born and grew up in Zambia.

Who is Laurence?

I’ve known Laurence and her family over 20 years. She lives with her family in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). For most people living there life is very tough, especially regarding health care.

I first met Laurence and her twins in Durban where she had an operation to reconstruct the left side of her face and jaw.

This was the first and only surgical treatment she has received to address the effects of the rare disorder, Parry -Rombeg syndrome, that she contracted as a young child

This operation made it possible for her to chew and eat more easily, and talk more audibly. The growth has stopped, however, the painful symptoms continue and worsen over the years

Her present situation:

I’m raising this funding not only to address her symptoms and health issues, but also to honor her courage, resilience , dignity and her intrinsic worth.

I personally understand the logical and legitimate reluctance a donor can feel when asked to fund an unkown person in a far away country. All costs will be posted here together with receipts. I will of course post updates of the process.

How the money will be used

This initial funding will cover the first steps towards ascertaining a thorough examination so that correct treatment and medication can be given :

When this is done the doctors will know

And I will know how to fundraise for Laurence in the future

Why have I started this fundraiser

In the DRC, as in many African countrieds patients who have received hospital treatment but cannot pay the costs are not allowed to leave the hospital. They have to find a corner there to sleep and family and friends have to provide their food and other needs until the hospital costs are settled. This can often take years.

Her family is making considerable sacrifice trying to help Laurence. They can only afford very basic pain relief medication and only short hospitialzation periods, primarily for pain relief. The family is growing, Laurence's conditions worsens, as does the situation for all involved.

To break this cycle I hope that together we can help Laurence by giving her

This year, a new university hospital was opened in Laurence's city. Now, finally she has the opportunity to meet a neurologist specialist nearby.

As soon as we have achieved our goal of ca 750 usd we will be able to make an appointment for her to start the process.

Every donation of any amount will make a real, practical difference in Laurence’s life and is very sincerely appreciated.

Please can you share this fundraiser and video with your friends? This has proven to be a great help already.

Thank you for being here! I hope you will return again for updates on Laurence's progress.

Warmest greetings to you, and very best wishes for a wonderful 2026

Fern