In 1999, Benson Mbundi was a young man brimming with potential and a promising future. He had recently achieved an impressive C+ grade in his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) Exams, harboring aspirations of further education and a better life. His dream took shape when he successfully secured a place in the Electronic Diversity Visa Program (Green Card) to study in the United States, supported by a full scholarship to a university in Texas.
His excitement and anticipation were palpable. However, a cruel twist of fate dramatically altered his course of life just one month before his scheduled departure. While in his hometown of Bobasi Constituency, Kisii County, to pay his respects at a relative’s funeral, Mbundi’s health suddenly and drastically deteriorated.
What began as sporadic headaches rapidly escalated, leaving him with weakened limbs and a profound loss of mobility. Despite his family’s frantic efforts to seek answers, his condition deteriorated further, culminating in a coma. A desperate race against time ensued as medical professionals grappled with diagnosing and treating the mysterious ailment.
Their relentless efforts to restore his physical abilities, particularly in his legs, proved futile, leaving him paralyzed. This once-vibrant young man, on the cusp of a promising future, found himself bedridden, reliant on others for even the most basic movements.
Determined to save their son, Mbundi’s family made extraordinary sacrifices, including selling all their possessions to cover his mounting medical expenses. Despite their sacrifices, his dream of studying abroad slipped through their grasp. The opportunity that had seemed within reach was now agonizingly distant.
Although he continues to battle the effects of his illness and remains confined to his home, Mbundi clings to hope. He appeals to the kindness of well-wishers for support, seeking assistance to obtain a wheelchair, a seemingly modest yet profoundly transformative device that could significantly enhance his quality of life.
Moreover, he nurtures a deep-seated aspiration to provide educational opportunities for his children, driven by the desire to offer them the chances that he himself was denied.
