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Ishmael’s Happy Endingas told by Dr. Morie Vandi, M.D.to Dr. Melody Curtiss, esq.

Ishmael’s Happy Endingas told by Dr. Morie Vandi, M.D.to Dr. Melody Curtiss, esq.Copyright 2025Helping Children Worldwide, Inc.SRP - Take Two(c) All Rights Reserved

Ishmael lived with hismother and his youngerbrother in West Africa.His home was in a villagewhere there were nodoctors, no cars, andeven no roads.

When Ishmael was small, abump started to grow on histummy. When he was six,the bump was so big, he wasin pain all the time. He couldbarely walk. His motherworried he might die.

Ishmael’s mother heard thata doctor from Mercy UMCHospital was coming. He wasgoing to be at the next village,ten miles away. Her sonneeded help. She picked upIshmael and walked throughthe jungle.

There were many people at thevillage when they arrived. Theywere tired from the walk andfrightened that nobody would beable to help.Many mothers and babies were inline for medicine and vaccinations.Ishmael and his mother had to waittheir turn.

The doctor knew what to do.Ishmael got his turn. Thedoctor looked very serious.Then he smiled. He saidIshmael would be okay.

Mercy UMX HospitalMercy UMX HospitalMercy UMX HospitalMercy UMX HospitalHe said Ishmael and his motherwould have to go in theambulance to the city.

Ishmael needed surgery to remov

Ishmael was frightened. It was faraway. He was shy of strangers. He wasquiet. But the surgery was quick, like thedoctor said. Ishmael woke up and knewhis pain was going to stop!

Mercy UMC HosptialThe nurses at Mercy made him feelsafe. They made him a balloon toy. . Ishmael smiled. He was well!

Ishmael’s mother thanked thedoctor and nurses for theirkindness. She was grateful fortheir skill. She was happy they came to thevillage. They saved her son.Without Mercy Outreach, hewould still be sick.

Ishmael wants to be a teacher when he grows u

Thank you MercyUMC Hospital !!!

Discussing the story:

Have you ever felt sick or in pain?Did someone help you to feel better?What did they do?Why do you think they helped you?What is different aboutIshmael at the end of thestory?

What did you learn aboutIshmael’s family?What did you learn aboutwhere Ishmael’s family lives?How is your family the same?How is your family different?

About Mercy UMC Hospital.Mercy Hospital is a 50-bed charity hospital in Bo,Sierra Leone that provides care to 16,000 patientseach year in one of the poorest places on earth.Mercy’s medical outreach team’s mobile clinics savechildren’s lives in remote rural villages. Mercy isowned and managed by the Sierra Leone AnnualConference of the United Methodist Church, butdoes not discriminate in services offered topatients or hiring practices.Helping Children Worldwide is an allied Nonprofit inthe United States that works with Mercy UMC tobuild its capacity to serve children like Ishmael,whose parents have nowhere else to turn for help.Adults who wish to help may go tohttps://www.helpingchildrenworldwide.org and learnmore about engaging with the work of Mercy UMCHospital and charity services in other countries.Thank you MercyUMC Hospital !!!

Thank you MercyUMC Hospital !!!https://helpingchildrenworldwide.org501(c)(3) tax exempt nonprofitFEIN 76-0729857Ishmael’s Happy Ending is based on atrue story. You can learn more atOptimistic Voices Podcast