One-year-old Mofe Gets N1.5m for Open-Heart Surgery

Ayodeji Ake

One-year-old Mofeoluwa Ochoche-Samuel, who was diagnosed with heart defect (including a large-size heart) at six months old, has been presented N1.5 million cheque to commence treatment.

While presenting the check to the mother of the ailing child in Lagos, the Founder of a non-profit organisation, Gifting Volunteer Network (GVN), Mr. David Tamarau-Kuro, told journalists that the money for the surgery is about N7 million, but there is a need to commence treatment immediately.

He said the case was brought to the NGO late last year after all effort by the mother, Folakemi Ogunsusi, proved abortive.

Tamarau-Kuro said: “We want to say thank you to Nigerians for the support so far. We started the fundraising late last year when the mother reached out to us. We queried her on why the case was presented late and she told us she has counted on a number of sources but was not fruitful.

“We are here today to present a cheque of N1.5 million to the mother so they can commence treatment immediately. The surgery would cost about N7 million, but we need to present this now, then we will know what next step to take subsequently as the treatment commenced.”

Ogunsusi, mother of the ailing child, expressed gratitude to Nigerians who have contributed for the treatment of her child.

She said: “It was not easy. I have been everywhere looking for money for my child’s treatment. I have reached out to some NGOs for help until GVN came to my rescue. I don’t know what to say now but I want to say God bless everybody.

“This is not the end because I was told the surgery and treatment will cost about N7 million but we are starting with this. I promised to be accountable for the money that has been contributed. Thank you and God bless.”