STORIES FROM THE TEAM

STEPHEN’S ACCOUNT

After visiting hospitals in West Africa, I realized there was a need. People were suffering because of a lack of medical supplies. One of my relatives bled to death because of there was a lack of sutures and gauze.

“One of my relatives bled to death because of there was a lack of sutures and gauze.”

People must buy all these things for themselves; hospitals and clinics can’t afford the supplies. After working in a healthcare environment here in the United States, I realized how much was and is going to waste. Why does it have to be that way? My desire is to make sure that everyone has access to medical supplies and equipment if it’s available.

I worked in an organization that had similar ideas to help those in need. But I felt that I could serve the people in West Africa better. I felt that I could get the supplies that could help them in a better way. Sometimes organizations will just give anything to them – even if it doesn’t help them. I want to only provide things that would be of benefit to the people. I saw an opportunity to help West Africa better.

When I was growing up, my mother struggled a lot. It felt like she was a single mother because my dad was never there. I saw her go to the hospital to give birth. The nurses were willing to help, but they informed her that she needed to go buy all the supplies she would need in preparation for the child being born. Because she did not have money, it was a struggle. Mothers need to be respected, loved, and cared for. That has always been my goal. I want every mother to be taken care of. That’s why AED also assembles and distributes Mother’s Newborn Kits (MNK).

My mother is blind. Her blindness was caused by contaminated water, a waterborne disease. This is one of the reasons AED is so passionate about providing clean water to villages.