Awa Jahateh is a mother to six children in Brikama, Gambia, West Africa. At 48 years old, Awa is very sick from double kidney failure, and needs money to afford the hospital bill for a kidney transplant.

I have been communicating with her son, Kebba (23 years old) for several months. On October 13, 2024, Kebba shared with me this message:

"Just after texting you Yesterday I was working with my mum on our given farm by the community garden after working for several hours my mum suddenly fall down unconsciously on the ground I was shocked and scared after seeing that i immediately rushed out to take her to the hospital after waiting for 2 hours in the hospital the doctor urgently called me and then asked me whether my mum had a kidney failure and I told him yes but that was like 8 to 9 years ago she was managing with her second kidney. He then told me son I am really sorry to say this but your mothers second kidney has a failure and I he told me I was lucky that I had rushed her to the hospital or else we would have lost her by now… I was so much full of tears and sorrow I was speechless when the doctor told me this I couldn’t even sit down on the chair I had to lay on ground brother…"

With Awa's second kidney now failing, Kebba shared that the doctors told him he has until November 1, 2024, to pay 100,000 Gambian Dalasis, or $1,441.39, for his mother to receive a kidney transplant.

Because Kebba has to provide for his sick mother and five younger siblings, he had to drop out of school to find work each day to try to make money to feed his family. With help, he is able to purchase rice and some vegetables to sustain his family, but they often go several days without food. Kebba is unable to afford the price of his mother's kidney transplant, which will save her life.

Kebba and I connected several months ago over our Christian faith and talking about our families, animals, and work, which is why I agreed to create this GoFundMe on his behalf when he reached out to me.

The Gambia is not one of the countries supported by GoFundMe, so I, the organizer of this page, living in the United States, will be transferring the funds from this fundraiser directly to Kebba via Remitly. All money over the cost of the kidney transplant will be used for the GoFundMe fee of 2.9% + $0.30 per donation, the $2.99 Remitly transfer fee, and directly to Awa's family for other medical costs related to her kidney transplant and for food to support Awa and her six children.