Update on pediatric burn patient Abu Bakarr

On Monday May 8th, the Mercy staff brought Abu Bakarr to Holy Mary Hospital in Makeni to meet with a group of reconstructive surgeons based out of the UK who make several trips a year to Sierra Leone to perform reconstructive surgeries.  The surgeons are confident that they can perform skin graft surgery on Abu's legs, and surgically address the contractures as well, but given his undernourished state, they would prefer to begin these surgeries in six months time, after Abu has had time to gain some weight.  The Mercy staff is working to 'fatten him up" with healthy food and nutritional supplements, and Abu will make the trip back to Makeni some time later this summer.

Many supporters in the US have offered their expertise and advice on Abu's care to the Mercy staff, including Dave Brewster and Susan Custer, who have been collaborating with Lappia on various physical therapy activities that will help Abu with his contractures.  Jess Mills, a physician assistant in dermatology, has been providing expertise to the Mercy staff on wound care.  Jess is in Bo now with the May team, working closely with the Mercy staff on Abu's case.  

The CRC staff and children continue to address Abu's psychological and mental state.  CRC counselors Rosa Saffa and Emmanuel Lamin provide counseling to Abu two days a week, and the CRC staff continues to visit and pray with Abu regularly.  Additionally, the "Team of Eight," a group of residential student volunteers, has a standing appointment to visit Abu in the hospital to play games and spend time with him each week. 

We praise God for these positive developments in Abu's recovery and offer our thanks for the contributions of expert volunteers both here in the US and in Sierra Leone.  We ask you to continue to pray for him, and for all of those on the Mercy and CRC staff who care for him daily.