My Story

Hello!

My name is Mohammed. I am 5 years old and attend a nursery school that is just a half mile from my home. My mother carries me to school on her back if I am unable to walk. My favorite activity at school is painting. Outside of school, I like to play with toys, watch cartoons, and play with my friends. When I grow up, I want to become a computer engineer.

I have severe hemophilia A. I have developed inhibitors, which complicates my treatment. Developing an inhibitor is one of the most serious and costly medical complications for hemophilia patients because treatment of bleeds becomes less effective. With inhibitors, I am more likely to require hospitalization and I am at greater risk of experiencing severe bleeds. The nearest clinic where I can receive medical care is seven miles from my home. My mother and I travel there by bus when I require treatment. The transportation is expensive for my poor family. In the past year, I have had bleeds in my head, shoulder, elbow, knee, and ankle. I have needed to go to the hospital to treat these bleeds. I was able to get factor and after resting, I healed well. These bleeds caused me to miss about 20 days of school in the past 6 months.

Family photo with myself, my parents, and my three sisters

I live at home with my mother, my aunt, and my 3 sisters. My father is a soldier and he is stationed in northeastern Nigeria, so he is not living with us at the moment. It has been difficult because he does not have a way to communicate with us. He earns about $200 a month. Some member of my family can read and write in English.

My family rents an apartment in the city for $25 dollars a month. It is in very poor condition and needs major repairs. We have access to water and electricity; however, we are without a refrigerator. Meals are cooked over a kerosene burner. We do our best to keep our home neat and clean.

I have been part of the sponsorship program since 2017. My previous sponsor recently discontinued participation in the program and I am now in need of a new sponsor.