Emmanuel, Côte d’Ivoire

Emmanuel smiling boyJust seven years old, Emmanuel is the eldest of three children. His father, Gilles, is a cocoa farmer in rural Côte d’Ivoire.

One day, Gilles noticed a small bump on Emmanuel’s leg. At first he didn’t know what it was. After two weeks, the bump was still there. Then Gilles remembered: several years ago, he had received treatment for a similar bump at our partner clinic.

So he rushed Emmanuel to the clinic, where he was diagnosed with Buruli ulcer. The same disease that Gilles had years ago. 

boy and his father leprosy storyGilles says, “I knew that if it was Buruli ulcer, treatment would be free. The process has all been very easy and I’d like to thank the clinic staff. The nodule has practically gone now.”

Success! Thanks to you.

Because of your generous gifts, little Emmanuel received treatment quickly, before there were any disabilities or deformities.

First, people like you provided the cure to Gilles. And because he received care and information about treatment for BU, he knew what to do to help Emmanuel!

Thank you for partnering with us to bring healing and hope to families across West Africa!