In 2001, outside a village in Kampala Uganda, a little 4 year old boy was abandoned in a cemetery. Why? Because he was suffering from spinal tuberculosis and his parent did not want a sick and deformed child! He had been left there to die.
Fortunately he was rescued by a member of the African Children’s Charities’ (ACC) staff, brought into a loving home, and for several years was provided with nourishment and medication to cure the tuberculosis. He did well and was placed in school. Unfortunately, his spine was so damaged by the disease that back surgery was the only hope to cure this deformity.
Rescue period in Uganda (2011). Picture taken when we first discovered the abandoned orphan named little Lewis. Malnourished and ill he looked. His ribs could be counted. Wounds on his skin are distinct. He couldn’t stand
In the United States, ACC began a series of fund raisers to help get Lewis to the US for surgery and additional medical services. In May of 2014, Lewis arrived in Tucson, Arizona. He was evaluated by the staff at University Medical Center and surgery was eventually performed there as a charity case.
Since then, Lewis has been recovering in Tucson. His health has been monitored very closely.
Two years later (2013) in Uganda. Picture taken after we took in him in, feed him and gave him basic medical care in Uganda. Obviously looking better. Amazing what simple nutrition can do.
Little Lewis needed surgery to correct his deformed tuberculosis infested spinal code. Due to the complex nature of the problem, such a surgery couldn’t be done in Uganda. We spent last three years to try to get him help in USA
Little Lewis meets the head surgeon (Dr. Bajja on the right) at the University Medical Center in Arizona. Hundreds of medical tests were carried out. On the left side is Dr. Moe (Founder and Advisor, African Children’s Charity)
In the Spring of 2016 he was diagnosed with hearing loss and is currently using a hearing aid. In the Summer of 2016 a lump was found on his back in the surgical site. Eventually one of the original surgeons was contacted (now in Phoenix, Arizona) and Lewis was re-examined . The prognosis does not look good unless additional surgery is performed.
Fast forward to 2025. Little Lewis is now an adult.
Below is the picture gallery of Little Lewis as of 2025
Lewis hanging out with his friends in Arizona, USA.
