Kouadio Christ

"I can't wait to play football again. I want to be like Messi."

7-year-old Christ's life was turned upside down when he woke up one morning with a debilitating pain in his left thigh.

Aching and swollen, his mother wasted no time in getting him to their nearest hospital. They tried to treat him, but without the proper resources for children's care, the injection they gave him only worsened his condition.

His childhood had come to an abrupt stop. His leg was swollen and painful, and Christ was no longer able to attend school or play with his friends.

An hour away was hope; in the form of a KidsOR Operating Room in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

The family made the journey to CHU de Treichville. Within a week, Christ had undergone life-changing surgery on his left leg in the Kids Operating Room facility.

His uncle told us, "The entire family are happy for how Christ was treated and taken care of at the hospital. Everyone has taken care of him, and have been so gentle and polite."

Christ is looking forward to resuming his education at school and being back with his friends.