Mercy Me

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Souleman Konde

Souleman is a boy of few words. He attended the first Mercy Ships medical screening in Lome, Togo, along with his mother. While other children his age scramble about in boredom and agitation, he sat solemnly waiting in line for his turn. Souleman had been quieted by a deformity, a large keloid on his left ear. A keloid is a type of scar that is benign, non-contagious, and sometimes accompanied by severe itchiness and pain. In severe cases, it can affect movement of skin.

According to his mother, Souleman was not always so quiet. He use to play along with the rest of the children in his neighbourhood and enjoyed the company of his siblings. Because of the growth on his ear, Souleman adopted the unwanted nickname Big Ear. His parents even took him out of school to help avoid the ridiculehe endured everyday. This became his reason for silence and his shy nature.

Upon arrival to the Africa Mercy volunteer surgeons removed the keloid from Souleman’s ear. Over the next week in recovery the boys personality began to glow more everyday. He began to smile and play with the nurses and volunteers in the Africa Mercy ward. After seeing Souleman’s ear for the first time after the surgery his father shared his enthusiasm in the ward, “I am overjoyed about the surgery because we don’t have a lot of money for surgery but now we have the grace of God and we have Mercy Ships and all they have done for us.”

Slowly the boy of few words had something to say. Three weeks into his recovery Souleman visited the ship for a check up and bragged about all the people who can no longer call him Big Ear. “At school and in the house they use to call me Big Ear. Now everyone wants to come to see what happened to the Big Ear because it disappeared. I am no longer the Big Ear!”

Souleman can now live the life of a regular eight year old. He will begin school again this year in the second grade. Through the amazing care and love of volunteers on board the Africa Mercy Souleman is no long just Big Ear,and he managed to find his voice again.

Written By: Yours Truly

Souleman and his mother waiting in line at screenings

Photo By: Debra Bell

Souleman before surgery
Photo By: Debra Bell

Souleman after surgery and during his recovery; along with father

Photo By: Debra Bell

Souleman after surgery :)

Photo By: Debra Bell

Kossin Delou

Hello Everyone! I know I havent blogged in a very long time so I am going to post some patient stories today. Then I promise I'll actually blog. SOON!

Kossin Delou:
Sixteen-year-old, Kossin Delou, spent four years of his life sheltered by his family and kept out of the public eye due to an enormous tumor that dominated the left side of his face. When the tumor first appeared, Kossin visited local hospitals in Lomé, Togo. But his family could not afford the necessary surgery.

So, the tumor, which started from Kossin's upper jaw, continued to grow. It soon covered his eye, hindering his vision.

As the insidious growth enlarged, Kossin's life became more difficult. Kossin's father is a local pastor, and the church is an important part of his family life. But people viewed the tumor as a curse, so Kossin's shame prevented him from attending church.

In fact, the children who were once his friends now ridiculed him on the streets and at school. He even felt like an outsider among his own siblings.

His emotional turmoil intensified as his dream for his future began to fade away. Kossin wanted to study at a university to become a teacher. He wanted to enrich the lives of children with knowledge and love. His grotesque facial deformity would prevent him from pursuing his education.

Then Kossin came to our hospital ship, the Africa Mercy . After many hours of surgery, he emerged with a newly constructed face.

Joy radiated from Kossin and his family. His father, Pastor Delou, says, "In this life each one of us need s help in some moments of our life. I can say that through Mercy S hips, we have found that help. Y ou can have a bad story - but, before the end of your life , God will open a door and smile deep into your heart. I know that God is working through Mercy Ships for the best in my life and in Kossi n 's life ."

Kossin is ecstatic about his new life. He can go to church with his family and friends. He's no longer an object of ridicule. And - best of all - in September of 2010, Kossin will be able to start school to fulfil his resurrected dream of becoming a teacher.

Patient Story Written By: Yours Truly