A mother’s worst nightmare

Alemnesh– a two year old little girl in Ethiopia– accidentally drank kerosene. She nearly died.

This tragedy happened three days after her elder sister had suddenly and unexpectedly passed away. Her mother was still grieving the loss of her elder daughter when this crisis hit. She feared she would lose a second daughter.

Fanose borrowed money to take Alemnesh to the local hospital. But, because she didn’t have enough to pay for the emergency medical care, Alemnesh languished in the hospital… untreated.

After three months of neglect, the hospital staff sent her home in worse condition than when she arrived.

Alemnesh’s dad turned his back on his wife and children because his daughter was sick. He refused to pay for her treatment. He started seeing other women and spent the family’s money on them.

The local government refused to help and humiliated them further by telling them Alemnesh’s dad should support them—instead of other women.

At home, Alemnesh lay all day on a plastic mat on the mud floor. She was feverish, dazed and in pain.

Her condition only worsened. Eventually a giant, infected, deep sore covered her back.