Chalice donors give David his song back
David is a lively 9-year-old bursting with creativity and a love for singing. His family can’t imagine him not talking, crooning, or socializing. He happily goes to class, grateful for the support of his sponsor through our Nairobi site in Kenya.
David was born with a dark mark on his tongue, and his parents, Gerald and Esther, always assumed it was a harmless birthmark. But during an assessment for another matter, his surgeon noticed that David’s right cheek was swollen. An MRI and biopsy confirmed that David had a benign — but not harmless if untreated — mass called hemangioma.
The doctors wanted David to start a treatment that involves injecting a solution into the blood vessels of the hemangioma to shrink them. But this treatment is not covered by public healthcare. Gerald and Esther were facing a hospital bill for more than Gerald earned in two years as a motorcycle taxi driver.
“The treatment seemed impossible to afford, and the emotional burden on our family was heavy,” says Esther. “We were overwhelmed with fear, uncertainty, and the financial strain of David’s condition.”
She reached out to Chalice’s Nairobi site, where David is sponsored. The site staff moved quickly and requested support through our critical needs program. With our donors’ support, a Nairobi hospital admitted David for treatment. He went home the next day, alert, walking, and eating normally.
“His recovery has been remarkable—his tongue has returned to normal, and he can now eat and drink without difficulty,” says Esther.
“I want to express how life-changing Chalice’s support has been for our family,” she says. “This support has lifted the constant worry about medical expenses, allowing us to focus on David’s healing instead. Your compassion has not only improved David’s health but has also brought peace and relief to our family, making a lasting impact we will never forget.”
“As David’s mother, I can honestly say this support has given me strength, and I am forever grateful for the hope and healing it has brought to my son and our family.”