I recently received a plea for help from an old friend in Africa who is quite desperate to save his son. I thought it appropriate to reach out to my community for help, and if you think you might be willing, please read on.

Fifteen years ago I made my first trip to Guinea, West Africa. I was a stranger in a strange land and at one point found myself lost, unable to speak the native languages (French or Susu). A total stranger helped me find my way and a month later he invited me to stay with him. For six weeks he gave me his bed while he shared the concrete floor with his cousin, he brought water for bathing (which was purchased in ten gallon containers), his family cooked for me, he was my guide and aid and made it possible for me to survive there long enough to find the drum masters I had come in search of. At the time, Guinea was ranked second from the bottom on a list of all countries rated by standard of living, one of my traveling companions said it made India look like a five star hotel. Some of you may recognize Guinea from recent news headlines: leaders thrown out in coupe, martial law enforced, new leader suppresses elections, 300 protesters killed, etc.

It is hard to say that Mohamed Conde and I have stayed in touch over the years, an occasional email, I sent him some money when he was married and when his son was born, as is local tradition. Among other things he was stricken with spinal meningitis at an early age and lost motor function in his jaw, making his speech barely intelligible to me, and putting him at a significant disadvantage in an already hostile environment.

Recently I received a desperate email from Mohamed, it appears that his son of three and a half years contracted typhoid fever, which has resisted medication and led to an infection in his stomach which requires surgical intervention. Since the political upheaval in Guinea the cost of medicine and treatment has increased drastically and Mohamed cannot even come close to affording the $900 to treat his son.

When I received Mohamed's email I thought of my daughter Jasmine at age three and how I would feel if I could not afford an operation that would most likely mean the difference between life and death. Then I spent the rest of the day feeling sick to my stomach.

I wish I had the funds to pay for the surgery myself, but I don't, at least not all of it. I know many of us are struggling financially right now, but it is my hope that we can all contribute a small amount and change this dire situation without it being too much of an imposition on anyone. So if you feel like you can spare a little to help a lot, you can use the link below to make a donation with a debit or credit card.

Mohamed's son is named "Yakari", and any help is greatly appreciated.

Many thanks to all...

Gabriel Harris