NOVEMBER 4, 2024

Joel and his father, Francis, have visited Mbale Regional Hospital several times in the last month to ensure Joel was assessed and treated for his chest infection.  The doctors at the hospital gave Joel some medication, which he has taken for the past week, that has reduced the infection.  (They think the infection was caused by complications from Joel’s acid burns.)

Joel and his father are planning to travel to Kampala tomorrow evening so that they will be in Kampala Wednesday morning for Joel’s scheduled plastic surgery.  We are very hopeful that the surgery can proceed.

Francis sent us a voice message saying, “Thanks a lot for supporting Joel’s treatment in all ways.  Minus you, I would not have managed to treat my boy at that level.  I say to Almighty God who has given you good heart, to continue keeping you safe in all ways.  God bless you. Tomorrow we shall be going to Kampala by 10pm so we will reach Kampala in the morning so by 9am, we will have traveled to Kiruddu.  It is a five hour drive from Mbale to Kampala.  Thank you for the support and the money you have been sending for Joel’s treatment. God bless you.”

---

 

OCTOBER 16, 2024

Francis & Joel were seen by doctors at Kiruddu hospital in preparation for Joel’s surgery.  In the video here, they are feeling hopeful that the surgery would happen today. However, Joel has had a cough and the doctors told them they could not operate on him due to his illness.  So, Francis & Joel are scheduled to return for surgery on November 6.  They are of course disappointed that the surgery could not happen today but remain grateful that the surgery will be possible.  We’ll keep you updated on the court case (October 22) regarding Joel’s attack.

 

---

OCTOBER 14, 2024

Thank you so much to everyone who donated to help Joel!  Because of your donations, Joel and his family will be headed to Kampala tomorrow to prepare for Joel’s surgery scheduled for October 16.  Here’s a video from Joel’s father, Francis, thanking everyone!  In the video, Francis mentions that there is a court hearing on October 22.  Evidence will be presented, including the photos Francis sent (below):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

---

OCTOBER 8, 2024

Joel is finally ready to get surgery on his scars!  Please donate to ensure Francis and his wife have the money they need to get Joel to the surgeon for his appointment on 10/16 and have money to support Joel through his recovery.

 

 

---

 

DECEMBER 26, 2023

According to Daniel, Joel is still getting injections on his scars. Two more are still coming in the next 2 months. Afterwards, the doctor will tell us what’s next. The scars continue to flatten, which is what needs to happen before Joel can have surgery.

---

 

OCTOBER 25, 2023

Joel’s father Francis sent this update to Daniel earlier today.  As you can see, Joel’s parents are still getting used to using the phone to take videos 🙂  But we are very thankful to the donors who made purchasing a smart phone for them possible!  The video shows that the progress made after the second injection was given.  The injections have helped flatten the keloid scars on his face, which is necessary before he undergoes surgery.  We will keep you updated as we receive more updates!

---

SEPTEMBER 25, 2023

From Daniel: “Joel was given an injection in his scars and he will continue receiving that injection for the next three months before they do surgery.  We purchased the injection medicines for him so that Joel and his family can do the injections in their home rather than having to come to the hospital in Kampala each time.  We had to be three of us so that he was injected.  And afterwards, it has been so painful and he is still crying.”  Daniel offered to Francis that he and Joel spend the night at his home in Kampala, but they opted to return to their village.  Our heart breaks for Joel as we hear him crying in this video but we wanted to share the update with you to show the reality of how acid attacks affect people and their loved ones.

---

SEPTEMBER 24, 2023

Francis and Joel arrived safely in Kampala and Daniel took them to the hospital to be seen by the surgeons.  According to Daniel, “We have seen the doctor and we were told to come back tomorrow because right now, there is no bed in the hospital.  So tomorrow after ward rounds, they will try to discharge some patients to create some beds.  So we’re going to go at my home tonight and we shall be back tomorrow.  It’s a bit disappointing but we shall try tomorrow.”  Watch their video taken today in the hospital.

 

 

---

SEPTEMBER 22, 2023

Daniel spoke with Joel’s father, Francis, today.  Francis told Daniel they are planning to travel to Kampala on Sunday, September 24, so Joel can undergo surgery.  According to Daniel, Francis and Joel are “very, very ready” for the surgery 🙂  Here’s a video from Francis, taken earlier today:

We will keep you updated!  Thank you to everyone who has donated to make their trip possible!

---

SEPTEMBER 5, 2023

Joel and his father, Francis, traveled to Kampala today and were evaluated by a surgeon at Mulago Hospital.  They were told to come back to the hospital on September 24 for surgery.  Although this is close to the court date scheduled for their case, Daniel told us that Francis “is saying that he needs the surgery on the boy more than anything else” and will try to speak with the judge and ask for a later hearing.

Because your donations well exceeded our goal of $300, we were able to purchase a smart phone for Francis!  You can see how happy he is to own a smart phone!  WATCH THE VIDEO: Joel’s dad Francis on receiving a smart phone.  This will make it much easier for Francis to communicate with Daniel and the RISE team.  Through your donations, Daniel also helped Francis purchase an ointment which will reduce itching of Joel’s scars and essential needs for their home, including rice, sugar, and soap.

Francis and Joel are staying with Daniel and his family tonight at their home in Kampala.  They will return to Mbale tomorrow.

---

SEPTEMBER 4, 2023

Thanks to your donations, Joel and his family are planning to travel by bus to Kampala tomorrow, September 5!  As Daniel explained, “I have talked with Joel’s dad and they are very ready to come for evaluation.  The date of going back in court is on 29th this month.  So he is hoping that if they are given the opportunity [for surgery,] there will be enough time before the court date.”  We asked Daniel if they could document their journey via photos but unfortunately, the family does not have a camera or device capable of taking photos.  However, Daniel said that they typically borrow a smart phone from one of their neighbors and that the neighbor might be able to take photos.  Please keep the family in your thoughts & prayers for a safe journey!

 

SEPTEMBER 1, 2023

Thank you so much to everyone who donated and left messages of support for Joel and his family!  We are so excited we will be able to help Joel get to Kampala for evaluation and surgery.  In the video, hear from Daniel, who spoke with Joel’s parents today and let them know the great news!  We are not yet sure when Joel and his family will travel to Kampala to be seen by surgeons.  A court date is scheduled in September for the perpetrator of the attack.  However, it is unclear at this time whether this will take place given that the perpetrator did not attend prior hearings and has left the village where the attack occurred.  We will keep you updated as soon as we know more.

---

AUGUST 31, 2023

Meet Joel, a six year old boy who lives in Mbale, in eastern Uganda.  Joel was burned with acid in 2021, while he was with his mom and his mom’s friend, Barbara.  The attack was intended to harm Barbara, but  Joel, his mother, and Barbara were all burned.  Joel and Barbara were the most affected.

Julie and Daniel of Beyond the Scars Initiative met Joel and his family while doing research for our efforts to get a law against acid attacks in Uganda.  Joel’s father contacted Daniel to request that Joel be evaluated for surgery at Mulago Hospital in Kampala.  The surgery would primarily reduce the size of the scar on the side of his nose, which pulls on his upper lip and can make eating and talking difficult.

Joel’s father works as a builder and his mom stays home caring for Joel and his siblings (a four year old brother and seven month old sister.)  Joel’s family does not have the money to pay for transportation to Kampala and any costs associated with surgery.  Please donate to help Joel receive surgery and Joel’s family to heal from the effects of this attack.  (Donations will cover the cost of transportation for Joel and his family from Mbale to Kampala and medications and food while Joel receives surgery.)

The perpetrator was located, and a hearing will be held in September. However, the perpetrator got out of jail on bail, and hasn’t appeared for the hearings that have been held, claiming that he was in an accident. The court issued an injunction; it is doubtful that he will be seen again.