At the beginning of October, at the hospital in Gode, Sr. Joachim met a family seeking help for their fifteen-year-old daughter, Birtukan. In some ways the situation was typical, but this case seemed hopeless. The girl’s beautiful face had been disfigured by a large tumor—cancerous, as it turned out—that attacked her right eye. None of the local medical staff were willing to even attempt a diagnosis.
When Sister visited the home where Birtukan lived with her family on the distant outskirts of Gode, it became clear that their living conditions were dire, even by local standards. Birtukan’s condition left no illusions: the temporary medical aid the Mission could provide was unable to help or even ease her suffering. A specialist intervention was necessary.
Among the Mission’s benefactors is a doctor who works at a clinic in Ethiopia’s capital. He has already helped Mission of Hope patients in life-threatening situations many times. Sr. Joachim turned to him, and once again the doctor did not refuse. Birtukan and her father were sent by Sister to Addis Ababa, where the girl underwent surgery. To save her life, her right eye had to be completely removed.
As of today, after another procedure, Birtukan is already back in Gode under the Mission’s care. Of course, she still requires strict medical follow-up, daily dressing changes, and constant attention. Every morning and afternoon Sr. Joachim takes her to the hospital, where a new, exceptionally dedicated surgeon has taken on her care—performing procedures free of charge. Sister provides the necessary medical supplies using donations we brought from Poland in June.
A follow-up appointment has already been scheduled at a clinic in Addis Ababa.
This is one of those Mission of Hope stories that, while revealing the depth of need, also calls forth the goodness that gathers around this work.
