When Rachel Songay decided to enroll in the Nursing program at Nimba Community College (now Nimba University), little did she know that her future profession would place a demand on her in the middle of her college career. In 2020, during her sophomore year, her father died of an incurable disease — believed to be the result of witchcraft. She immediately abandoned her studies to care for her mother and son, Venson Willie. Shortly after her father’s death, her grief-stricken mother had a stroke with paralysis. In January 2022, Rachel’s mother died.
That same year Venson, whose father died when he was 3 years old, started having trouble breathing. Healthcare practitioners in Ganta started off treating him for fever and typhoid, suggesting that it was normal among children. But when Rachel noticed that it was becoming increasingly difficult for Venson to breathe, she took him to the Ganta Methodist Hospital, where doctors diagnosed the boy with an enlarged heart. Seeking a second opinion, Rachel took him to Tappita Hospital, where he took an echocardiogram, a test that uses ultrasound to show how the heart muscle and valves are working. There, doctors confirmed the diagnosis from the Ganta Methodist Hospital. Rachel sought a third opinion at the E&J Hospital, also in Ganta, where a doctor advised that Venson be taken to Monrovia for further examination and treatment.
By then, Rachel said she had spent more than L$100,000 and collapsed her micro business to keep up with medical prescriptions, tests, transportation and basic upkeep for her son.
At the John F. Kennedy Medical Center in Monrovia, Venson, now 13, underwent another echocardiogram, which showed that two of his heart valves (mitral and aortic) showed significant back-flow (regurgitation), which resulted in abnormal enlargement of the left lower chamber and a significant increase in the work of the heart.
Desperate and distraught, Rachel told her story to the Daily Observer newspaper, pleading for help. She also tried to approach her legislators and other personalities who she thought could help but to no avail.
According to her, she made her way to the Capitol and met Samuel Brown, the Representative of Nimba County District #1 (Ganta), where she resided, as well as with Musa Hassan Bility, Representative of Nimba County District #7, where she hails from. She said Rep. Bility called on the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa, to see how they could be helped and that the Speaker designated his chief of staff to “see about them”. However, since then they have heard or received no word or assistance from the three lawmakers. Meanwhile, the follow-up trips to the Capitol were overwhelming and the long waits and heat were not good for Venson in his condition.
By chance Rachel heard about the team of international doctors due in Liberia in April 2024, from Ruby Hall Clinic, India, to screen for special cases requiring surgical interventions abroad in partnership with Jahmale, the leading diagnostic center located at ELWA Junction, Paynesville.
Rachel immediately sprang into action securing the screening fee from friends. But upon her attempt to register Venson for the program she was told that all the slots were filled.
An appeal was made to Jahmale and Venson was accepted into the screening group. Things looked very hopeful for Venson. Dr. Makhale, the visiting consultant cardiologist from Ruby Hall examining him, confirmed the echocardiogram report from the JFK Medical Center and sounded encouraging about their ability to repair Venson’s heart on his arrival in India for the procedure.
Dr. Makhale explained that he will require valve replacement surgery to replace his mitral and aortic valves and that surgery is the only definitive treatment option. According to him, the procedure is a very high risk procedure (carries a 5-10% risk of death generally). Optimistically, this suggests a 90-95% success rate.
All of this rests squarely upon Rachel’s decision to see the process through, which she indicates she is prepared to do.
However, with the good news on the medical side, the financial cost appeared insurmountable. The approximately US$25,000 required, inclusive of medical fees, airline tickets and accommodation for Venson and his mother, as well as for a trained nurse to accompany them for the duration of their stay in India, was a daunting feat.
With his story in the Daily Observer, few individuals hoping to help started a fundraising campaign on GoFundMe. With the level of interest in “Healing Venson’s Heart”, as the campaign is called, even the Jahmale management and staff rallied with contributions. A very generous contribution was made by Samaritan’s Purse that would make it possible to cover most of the cost of surgery.
Around the second week of June, all seemed to be on track for the departure of Venson and his mother, when an anonymous donor who promised to underwrite the cost of the visa and airfare fell short of their full commitment. Only the visas were procured, but the air tickets are still pending. Three weeks had passed leaving Rachel and her son in limbo and despair.
On Friday June 28th, the management of Jahmale cited Rachel and the Daily Observer, which has followed Venson’s story, to a meeting “intended to review Venson’s case and ensure all involved were on the same page” as to where it now stands.
It was disclosed that, out of the total of US$20,677, the outstanding amount of US$8,876.47 was needed to complete Venson’s medical cost, including airfare and accommodation. Furthermore, the management stated that it wanted Venson’s mother and other parties involved to be aware of the risk involved with the round trip flights to India for the heart surgery.
Breakdown of expenses for Venson’s surgical treatment in India
The advancement of the human race has been accomplished by taking risks great or small and having the perseverance to see possibilities and seek solutions over challenges and fear of failure. Venson needs medical intervention urgently and all must be done so that he receives it expeditiously to give him the chance of a bright future.
Rachael has stated and says she’s prepared to provide the usual consent document required for such medical interventions.
It is expected that Jahmale will establish reasonable protocols to ensure the success of Venson’s safe travel to India with the least delays and discomforts experienced on some air carriers. It has been advised that medical personnel accompany Venson and Rachel to India.
Amid the significant amount of funds raised so far, the additional funds needed to undertake Venson’s journey to India that could save his life remains the looming question that could dash or bouy the hopes of Rachel and her son.
And for this heart patient, time is of the essence.
Anyone desirous to contribute to the Healing Venson’s Heart campaign may contribute via GoFundMe or contact Rachel Songay, Venson’s mom, via WhatsApp on +231775035163 or locally: 0880629005.
