Amine’s Story
“I want my son to be healed so that he can go to school and be educated,” Soueiba said, as she was sharing their story with us.
Our new friend Amine comes from a little town near the Nigerian border. Two years ago, his mother Soueiba was making some doughnuts, which require a big pot of boiling oil to fry in. The pot was on the ground and Amine was walking around when he stumbled and fell directly into the boiling oil. His mom took him straight to the closest medical center where he stayed for three weeks. When they returned home, his wounds got infected and he headed back to another medical center, where he stayed for two months. Still, the wounds did not heal and he was hospitalized several times for infection. Burn contractures cover his right side, from his chest to his cheek, and he usually wears a black scarf to hide his skin.
One of our staff members, Moutari, was attending a wedding in his home town and met Amine and his mother. He spoke to her about CURE Hospital and how we help kids like Amine, so it was decided that she bring him here for treatment. Amine has nine older brothers and sisters and one younger sister. When his father heard about his accident, he removed himself emotionally and financially from the situation and asked Amine’s mom to take care of him, because he holds her responsible for what happened.
Amine will probably have several surgeries before he is fully healed from his burns, but we are so happy to welcome him here! We are so touched by his story and we hope that he will find whole restoration among our family here at CURE. We are excited to give him a chance to live an abundant life of joy and blessings. Please pray with us that while Amine and Soueiba are here, they will be healed both in body and in soul.
Updates
Jan 20, 2016
Aminou came in with his mom on Monday night. He is very healthy and still has his vivid personality! This is him giving us his “cool pose” at our devotions this morning. He’s definitely looking more grown up!
Aug 13, 2015
Amine is leaving today! It was such a gift to have him here! He lightened our days and the healing he got here was transformational and has amazed us so much! He will be back for a follow up consultation next year! Thanks to all of you for your support and your prayers, they have been precious!
Aug 12, 2015
Amine is fine! As usual, he gives us a huge smile! He will be returning back home tomorrow! We will miss him so much! Thank you for your prayers and encouragement to him!
Aug 11, 2015
Amine received some candies today! That set the stage to laugh out loud with his friend Mansour! Amine may go back home soon, he’s waiting for the doctor’s last word on his condition. Please keep him in your prayers!
Aug 10, 2015
Our boy had his final dressing changes last week and throughout the weekend! The nurse says his graft has almost completely healed, and we are beyond excited with the results of this journey Amine has been on! Your prayers and support have been invaluable.
Jul 29, 2015
Amine just came back from his physiotherapy sessions! Sodogas, our physiotherapist, asked him to exercise his arm with this dumbbell! Be brave and strong Amine!
Jul 28, 2015
Amine found cool toys today and gathered them all for a photo! Lucky boy!
Jul 27, 2015
Amine is in awesome form today! His dressing has been taken off, and although his skin still needs healing, we can see the difference even now!
Jul 24, 2015
Amine received some candies this morning, so he sat alone to enjoy them quietly!
Jul 23, 2015
Amine left the ward today and he’s back at the Case de passage! Even though he has gone through a big surgery, we have never heard him cry or seen him with a sad face. This little guy is so strong!
Jul 22, 2015
Amine is fine and he is recovering from surgery! We can’t wait to see his cheek, it will be so amazing for him!
Jul 21, 2015
Amine had surgery today, and the surgeon took a piece of skin from Amine’s belly to do a graft on his cheek, in order to reduce the damages made by the fire. Our little guy continues to make progress, and we’re so glad to be alongside him throughout and are looking forward to seeing the results! He needs our prayers for this next step in recovery, so keep them coming!
Jul 20, 2015
Aminou is doing well today! He will have surgery tomorrow for his cheek! In the meantime, he’s having fun with his friend Habou at the Case de passage!
Jul 16, 2015
Amine was in consultation today because he will have soon another surgery. We don’t know the date yet but, please, keep him in your prayers!
Jul 15, 2015
This morning we had a huge sand storm followed by torrential rain which caused some flooding. Then the sun shyly came back and we found Amine at the guest house, happy to be able to go out a little after staying inside for hours!
Jul 13, 2015
Amine is getting along great today! We found him having a good time with Mansour and Boubacar! A fun way to start the week!
Jul 10, 2015
Amine had some cool drawings done on his arm, thanks to Julie our art therapist!
Jul 09, 2015
Amine was waiting this morning to have his dressing changed. He’s healing well and we love having him around and seeing that smile of his!
Jul 08, 2015
Amine is in rare form today! He loves walking around the hospital and talking to everyone! This is his best ninja pose – look out!
Jul 07, 2015
Today some kids from Pastor Hassan’s church came to bring some packs of soap to people staying at the Case de passage. Everyone gathered for this event and each of us received some soap, including Amine!
Jul 06, 2015
Amine loves Mondays! He’s happy to see all our staff coming back from the weekend!
Jul 03, 2015
Check out the newest Blues Brother! Amine found some shades he couldn’t resist, and we’re pretty sure no one else could resist him either.
Jul 02, 2015
Amine went in the art therapy room today and came out with 3 new friends on his cast. The wild kingdom comes to Niger! Amine is loving it!
Jul 01, 2015
When we saw Amine today, he was sitting quietly with Soueiba, his mother. Amine has a strong personality, he’s always moving and walking around the hospital, so to see him seated quietly is quite unusual. It definitely deserved a photo!
Jun 30, 2015
Today, Amine went in the art therapy room with Julie! He painted his name! Look at this awesome masterpiece!
Jun 29, 2015
Amine is fine today! He’s always walking around the hospital, joking around and having fun with every member of the staff, and even with all the kids in the ward. He’s definitely become our spokesman!
Jun 26, 2015
Amine hasn’t taken his green shades off since yesterday! He’s walking around the hospital making everyone laugh…this guy is such a bright spot and definitely made our day!
Jun 25, 2015
Thursday is always a fun day because Julie is here! This morning, the kids made some bright accessories to wear! Look at the cool green shades that Amine created!
Jun 24, 2015
Today we spoke with Soueiba, Amine’s mother. She recently just learned that her sister passed away. She has been through so many trials these past weeks but she has told us that “as I can’t change anything with the situation, I just remind myself that in everything we need to thank God.” Such a powerful word of encouragement!
Jun 23, 2015
Amine loves his new hat, he is always playing with it! He takes it off, wears it backwards in a funny way and tries putting it on his friend’s heads! Everything can be used as a way to have fun for Amine!
Jun 22, 2015
Amine received a cool hat this morning, it says “CURE” on it! Way to represent Amine!
Jun 19, 2015
Amine got a new hat today! He looks like a pirate!
Jun 17, 2015
Amine was all smiles in the ward this morning, and his grin grew even bigger when he received a special get well message. He is certainly a shining light in the ward and we continue to pray for his smooth recovery.
Jun 16, 2015
When we saw Amine this morning, nurse Nafissa was changing his dressing. His wound looks really good and he’s healing up great! He needs to adjust to his new ability to move his neck, what a huge difference this will make for his life!
Jun 15, 2015
Amine is doing well today! It’s so amazing to see the difference now that his neck has been released! He still needs to stay in the ward for now. Please, keep him in your prayers as the healing progresses!
Jun 12, 2015
Amine’s surgery went well! He’s in good spirits, he has such a sweet nature and his smile is a constant! Please keep praying for his full recovery!
Jun 11, 2015
Amine had the second step surgery today! The surgeon made incisions in the flesh to liberate his neck. It was a delicate surgery, which needed a lot of attention in order to not damage any other elements located in this area. It went well! Praise God!
Jun 10, 2015
We just received news that Amine’s father passed away last week. His uncle and other members of the family will be in charge of funeral arrangements and making sure Amine’s siblings are taken care of at the homes of relatives. Amine and his mother Soueiba will stay here as Amine is scheduled to have his next surgery tomorrow. Please keep them in your prayers as they have much on their minds right now. We will be doing our best to minister to their hearts during this time as well as to Amine’s physical needs.
Jun 09, 2015
Amine is very proud of his cast that Julie drew! He wants us to take a photo of it again, saying “Look! mota!” which means, “Car! It’s really awesome!”
Jun 08, 2015
Amine will have surgery this week! He is still enjoying his time here with all the friends he has met! Maryam joined him for a photo shoot this morning! So sweet!Jun 05, 2015
Amine got a new cast today! His arm still needs to be straightened a bit more and the cast will improve that. He also had the chance to receive a wonderful masterpiece on it made by Julie our art-therapist! Awesome!
Jun 04, 2015
Amine’s cast was taken off so we could see his arm and the graft took really well! Keep praying for him!Jun 03, 2015
Amine was waiting for physiotherapy this morning. He’s progressing well but needs to keep his cast on for several more days. He may have another surgery for his neck soon! The healing process is happening, please keep praying for our brave Amine!
Jun 01, 2015
Today, Amine could hardly wait to show us the new toy he found! It’s all color and sounds! Awesome!
May 29, 2015
When we saw Amine this morning he was just getting out of his physiotherapy session. He needs to exercise his arm during the weekend! Go Amine, you are so strong!
May 28, 2015
New kids have arrived at the Case de passage these last couple of days and Amine has found some new friends to pose with! We are encouraged with how he has become more and more interactive with the people around him!
May 27, 2015
Today, Amine received a get well card and some candies! Thank you to everyone who has been praying for him! He’s getting more and more confident and he loves to play with every toy he finds! Mongodé! That means “thank you” in Haossa, Amine’s language!
May 26, 2015
This morning Amine did a lot of smiling! He found a stuffed hippo toy and he was so excited to show us! This hippo is cute, but Amine’s smile is even cuter!
May 25, 2015
Amine loves to pose in front of the camera, his new thing is to do thumbs up every time we see him! We tried to take a photo of him before he showed his thumbs, but no way, he’s too fast! We have a lot of fun with him!
May 22, 2015
When we saw Amine this morning, he was waiting with his mother for his physiotherapy session. When he saw the camera, he gave us a thumbs up! Everything is looking good!
May 21, 2015
Amine is changing, he’s more confident and we can see him playing and laughing like the other kids here. He went to the Art Therapy room today and he had a big laugh showing us the toys he found! What a joy to see him that way!May 20, 2015
Today, a team of visitors brought some new shoes to the patients and their families staying at our guest house. So Amine got a brand new pair! We’re so excited for him!
May 20, 2015
When he sees us with the camera, Amine likes very much to pretend he’s praying. Prayer is a part of his daily life, and we love that about him!
May 18, 2015
Amine is currently staying at the Case de passage because part of his recovery is physiotherapy sessions. He’s adapting well and he feels more and more comfortable here! We are happy to see him smiling!
May 14, 2015
Today Amine struck a pose and lifted his hands, pretending he’s in prayer! It’s a pose that children here like to do and we definitely want to praise God with them!
May 12, 2015
Amine’s shyness is starting to disappear, each time he saw us with the camera, he’s ready for a photo! Today, he was at our guest house with his mother, so we captured them together! What a beautiful family picture!
May 11, 2015
Amine seems to have found his place at our guest house. He’s playing and laughing with some of the other kids. It’s always good to have some friends! We are thankful that he is feeling welcomed and loved here!
May 08, 2015
Amine was waiting with his mom for his physiotherapy sessions this morning. Healing is on its way, Amine!
May 07, 2015
Amine had his dressing changed today! He was quietly sitting with Aminatou while he was waiting for his turn. Patience comes easier when you have company!
May 06, 2015
Amine is having physiotherapy today. This morning he wanted to show us how he can lift his hands! Physiotherapy is working well! Please keep praying for good progress!
May 05, 2015
Aminou started physiotherapy sessions for his arm. He’s healing well and we are so glad to see him more and more confident thanks to the successful surgery!
May 04, 2015
Amine started physiotherapy today! Be strong Amine and do your best!
Apr 30, 2015
Amine went to the Art therapy room today and he was smiling from ear to ear when we saw him afterwards and we caught it on the camera! So good to see him this way!
Apr 29, 2015
Amine was doing well this morning. He is resting in the kid’s ward and that is needed during the healing process. His mom put a light green scarf on him today, a much nicer one than the black one he used to wear! Please continue to pray for Amine!
Apr 28, 2015
Amine was resting this morning. He’s healing well, but he still needs some time to recover from his first surgery. Please keep praying for him!
Apr 27, 2015
Amine had surgery on Thursday and he’s still in the kids ward, resting. Sharifa, who is staying at the Case de passage came this morning to see him and say hi! It’s so lovely to see how she put her hand on his dressing.
Apr 23, 2015
Amine had surgery today! It was the next step in a long process. The surgeon worked to release his arm to give him the ability to extend it properly. Everything went well and he’s recovering right now. Please pray for him as he starts recovering…it can be painful, but we’re alongside him throughout!
Apr 23, 2015
When Amine came for the first time, our hearts were immediately full of compassion for him. It was difficult for us to look at his face because of the severity of his burn contractures, but we know that he lives with that reality everyday. His mom is very courageous because she has had to fight for him to receive the treatment he needs. We are blessed to welcome them here and we are very much looking forward to seeing him restored, both physically and emotionally. Amine will have his first surgery today, so please keep him in your prayers!