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Her name is Esther. We met her when filming in a village called Benikrukru. Severely burned, she had fallen into a fire over a year before and had received no treatment. The scarring and wounds yet to heal were shocking and many of us wept. She made an impression on our hearts and when her family and community appealed for help, we decided to take action.

We returned to the village to tell Esther's mother Godwin that we would arrange for a boat to Warri, transportation from the dock to the hospital, and funds for wound care. She asked if she could bring along her youngest daughter, Faith, who was born with jaundice, also untreated.

On the day they arrived, Kendra met Godwin, Esther and Faith. Unexpectedly, another mother had come with them, appealing for help for her son David, who was going blind in one eye. With the support of Helen, a Nigerian friend who had been helping with the film, Kendra spent two full days moving among different departments of the hospital for all three children’s care.

David needed eye surgery to restore his vision. Our group decided to pay for this and scheduled the operation. Faith had an x-ray and ultrasound, and was prescribed medications for her liver and all-around nutritional health.

A surgeon examined Esther and was shocked by the extent of her burns. He said her condition is beyond what this hospital could help with, and that she would need plastic surgery. In the meantime, Kendra advocated for help with the open wound. He finally prescribed antibiotics and meds for healing, in addition to daily dressings. Worried about the unsanitary conditions in their village, we encouraged Godwin to keep Esther in Warri for awhile and paid for some supplies.

Helen has stayed in touch with the families, so after our return home, we continue to receive news. David’s eye surgery was performed successfully. Esther received regular wound treatment at the hospital for about three weeks, and she remains in Warri with a relative (where there are better opportunities for her), while her mother is back in the village. Esther needs extensive reconstructive surgery, and we are currently establishing the connections and raising the funds to provide for that.