American Family Appeals for Funds as Son Falls Ill While Holidaying in Kenya
An American family is appealing for financial assistance after their son fell ill while holidaying in Kenya.
The family wants to airlift their son Zakariya Hassan, who is battling a severe case of Meningitis, to the US for treatment.
The 11-year-old 5th-grade learner at Northrop Elementary School got ill alongside his elder sister Deeqa and Mohammed.
Unfortunately, Mohamed who was 16 years old died of severe meningitis on June 30th and was buried in Nairobi. The family lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and had flown to Kenya for a vacation.
"Zakariya is currently fighting for his life at a hospital with the same grim prognosis as his older brother Mohamed. Zakariya is not getting proper medical treatment in Nairobi, Kenya.”
"The most painful thing for any parent is to bury your own child. We would like to get urgent medical evacuation for Zakariya to come back to Minneapolis for him to receive proper medical treatment and increase his survival rate," the family says.
They are seeking to raise $250,000 to fly Zakariya back to Minneapolis for specialized treatment.
As of Tuesday, nearly $58,000 had been raised through GoFundMe (https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-zakariya-come-back-to-his-family).
Comments
get US doctors online and…
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get US doctors online and manage him until he is able to travel
Good idea.
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In reply to get US doctors online and… by Seneca (not verified)
Good idea.
Great suggestion.
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In reply to get US doctors online and… by Seneca (not verified)
Great suggestion.
"We would like to get urgent…
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"We would like to get urgent medical evacuation for Zakariya to come back to Minneapolis for him to receive proper medical treatment and increase his survival rate," the family says". Is this family insinuating Kenyan medical professionals cannot provide proper medical intervention?
Is the Pope Catholic? Does…
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In reply to "We would like to get urgent… by Bobby Kibe (not verified)
Is the Pope Catholic? Does the sun rise in the east? This is the 2nd travel related inn incident on as many weeks. I don't understand why Kenyans in the diaspora won't buy life insurance or travel insurance. Term life is cheap and adding a medical evacuation rider is well worth itThings happen and a small amount can save you a lot of grief.
Yes, it's a sad fact. Most…
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In reply to "We would like to get urgent… by Bobby Kibe (not verified)
Yes, it's a sad fact. Most look for hongo for everything.
@Kibe being. Competent and…
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@Kibe being. Competent and having the tools to deliver are two different things. We have very good doctors but we don’t have the tools or faculties and even medication to help in most situations. I am sure you are aware of how many Kenyans fly to India every year for specialized treatment.
Eka, you have answered my…
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In reply to @Kibe being. Competent and… by Eka (not verified)
Eka, you have answered my question well and I appreciate it. I think my country of origin pride clouded my sense of reason. Thanks.
@Bobby Kibe, what is your…
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@Bobby Kibe, what is your question? Why do all Kenyan tycoons- MPs, Governors; their wives and children, and all our corrupt thieves go abroad for medical treatments? Is it not because Kenyan medical professionals with all their gear and expertise cannot provide proper medical attention?
They should contact US…
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They should contact US embassy in NBO for assistance.
Sorry to play devil’s…
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Sorry to play devil’s advocate but why were these Americans not vaccinated as kid’s against the disease.While a vaccine may not prevent disease reoccurrence it does provide a fighting chance how about a booster shot before they traveled.Now they are disparaging our hospitals when they are among the lucky few who even get to stay in hospital.Maybe a MPIG can offer them a donation they would know best about flying out for medical care.Which hospital is the child admitted at.?
WAKENYA IT'S TIME TO SHOW…
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WAKENYA IT'S TIME TO SHOW OUR SOLIDARITY.
The boy should b airlifted…
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The boy should b airlifted immediately or the stupid usa gavament send the kid to the so called private hospitals for beta treatment.But hopefully the boy will get well soon but kama siku yake imefika Hata apelekwe usa/uk/Israel hatapona juu menegatis is very serious.But our big big prayers is the boys survives another 100 years.The family should know wr praying for the boy to get quick recovery.I have kids n when they r sick I cannot eat everything stops Hata kama nikahoma kadogo so I feel for this parents
$50.00 travel insurance…
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$50.00 travel insurance above the price of the plane ticket can go along way in case of medical emergency. Unfortunately many third world travellers never count on that as we all think 5000ksh is too much.
I am in agreement. That…
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In reply to $50.00 travel insurance… by Kikik (not verified)
I am in agreement. That additional 100 or so additional dollars for travel insurance with an evacuation rider is the cheapest peace of mind you can ever purchase. I have been doing that since around 2008 and thankfully have never used it once. Folks, it's more than worth it!
You mean US travelers have…
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In reply to $50.00 travel insurance… by Kikik (not verified)
You mean US travelers have now become third word travelers? Who is first class.
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