A little girl carrying too much
Armella was born with a large tumor behind her ear. Her family knew surgery could help, but the treatment was beyond what they could afford.
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Meet Armella
Armella's mother, Caessah, had been searching for help since her daughter was just six months old.
The tests and treatment Armella needed were hundreds of miles from home and more than the family could afford. Caessah even turned to social media to raise the money, but no donations came.
Meanwhile, the tumor continued to grow.
When people saw her, they stared. Even the children stared. Armella was so sad.
Two years of carrying it ended with one surgery
When the Africa Mercy® arrived in Madagascar, Caessah finally found the possibility she had been searching for.
Aboard the hospital ship, Armella's tumor was successfully removed. It weighed 280 grams, about the weight of a large grapefruit, a significant weight for a two-year-old to have carried.
After surgery, Armella was placed back into her mother's arms. The weight that had been with her since birth was finally gone.
Free to simply be a child
Back home, Armella can play with the other children in her neighbourhood without the heavy tumor she had carried since birth.
She is curious about the world around her, even picking up a pencil to write in her older brother's schoolbook. One day, her mother hopes she will follow him to school and have the childhood she always wanted for her.
She will grow up carefree, go to school, and have friends.
Help give another child the freedom to grow
For Armella, surgery meant more than removing a tumor. It lifted a weight she had carried since birth and opened the way to playing with friends, going to school and simply experiencing childhood.
For other children, the surgical care they need can still feel out of reach. Your gift can help make life-changing surgery possible, giving more children the opportunity to grow, learn, play and look forward to what comes next.
Help make the next story possible.
