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Kenyans respond generously to kidney patient Philip Ogola’s plea for help


Kenyans from different walks of lives responded to a medical appeal by Digital Humanitarian Philip Ogola who was in need of Sh2million to aid in specialized treatment in India.

Mr Ogola is now set to travel to India in a week’s time after reaching his target following generous contributions from the public.

“I want to tell everyone thank you. This experience has enabled me to understand how much Kenyans love each other. To me it is not about the money but it is about the bigger picture that is knowing the true meaning of friendship,” says Mr Ogola.

He first realized something was wrong in July this year and after going to the hospital he was informed that both his kidneys were not functioning well enough.

He started treatment right away although this quickly drilled a hole in his finances that were quickly diminishing and couldn’t be able to sustain the medical expenses.

“When I realized my kidneys had a problem I thought that I should handle it as a man and not ask for help from anyone. That is why for the first couple of months I used up the little money I had and the savings,” he says.

FINANCIAL HELP

When his condition got worse he says it was his wife and a close friend of his who took the trouble to ask friends and well-wishers for financial help.

“This thing has made me lie down to stand up again. The Sh2 million target was raised by a lot of people contributing Sh10 and Sh20. It is amazing how a total stranger can stop what they are doing just to help you and they have never met you,” he says.

“I am trying as much as possible to return calls and say thank you to all those who contributed. Can you believe I called a number of a person who had donated and he told me he was a police officer and was touched by my story.”

The generosity and sympathy of Kenyans did not stop only at contributing money, he says. He also received numerous call from people who just wanted to pray with him.

There are others who have pledged to donate one of their kidneys for him it gets to that.

Mr Ogola is expected to stay in India for at least a month for his treatment.

His amazing story has encouraged other kidney patients come out after hearing about his struggles.