Surgery for Edsel

These are photos of my friend Edsel. Edsel is an 8-year old boy from Malawi, Africa who has abnormal curvature of his spine. This orthopedic abnormality significantly affects his everyday life as he experiences severe pain and discomfort when doing normal activities like playing soccer, school work, eating, and sleeping. He is considerably shorter and smaller than peers his age because his condition hinders his growth and development.

You may be wondering how I know Edsel. Edsel's dad, Edwin, is a representative for Water Wells for Africa
(http://waterwellsforafrica.org/). Water Wells for Africa (WWFA) is a local non-profit organization that promotes rural African community development by providing sustainable water sources and reducing health risks associated with contaminated water. I, along with many others, have developed a friendship with Edwin and his family while in Malawi with WWFA. Edsel has a beautiful heart and desire to serve and make a difference in his country.

Edsel lives in Blantyre, Malawi and the doctors in Blantyre recommend that now is the best time for his corrective surgery. However, there is no hospital in the country has the specialized equipment required for his operation. The only hope for Edsel to get his spine straightened and have a normal life is through the Foundation of Orthopedics and Complex Spine (FOCOS).

The FOCOS facility has agreed to provide the medical care that Edsel so eagerly wants and needs. He will need five surgeries over the next five years. FOCOS is one of the top hospitals and has confidence that they will get the job done to "straighten out" Edsel's life. The first surgery will cost $25,000 plus the cost of travel to the hospital in Ghana, accommodation for a caregiver/parents, and ongoing therapy.

Please take some time and donate what you can and share this campaign to help us reach this set goal. We want to raise $30,000 to begin this process of radical change for such a special young man!

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If you want to make a significant donation and receive a tax deduction, you can send a check made out to "The Breakwater" with "Edsel" in the memo. The address is as follows:
Breakwater
POB 2410
Manhattan Beach, CA 90267