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Justice Amadi is a 15 year old Nigerian boy who was burned badly in a home kerosene explosion. The poor in rural and urban areas of African countries cook on small kerosene stoves in shanties they call homes. Even a tiny spark often causes the kerosene tanks to explode with the result that many children every year are killed and maimed in these fires. Justice's family could not afford medical care when he was injured three years ago, and was turned away at the local hospital.

His parents are peasant farmers and have nine children to support. His mother used traditional healing methods on his burns, and he miraculously survived catastrophic burns to 30% of his body. He has stopped going to school because of teasing by other children, though he longs to be a doctor some day.We have encouraged him to attend a private school run by a kind hearted local Christian woman while he waits for Aid Africa's Children to find a plastic surgeon and hospital in the US willing to take on his case as a humanitarian endeavor.

Justice is one young man, waiting for one doctor and one hospital who would have compassion on him and be willing to help.

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AAC Starfish Program:  A Cry for Justice

Once upon a time there was a wise man who had a habit of walking on the beach near his home to collect his thoughts. One day as he was walking along the shore he saw a human figure moving like a dancer! He smiled to himself at the thought of someone dancing carefree.

As he got closer he noticed the figure was that of a young man, who was not dancing after all. What he was actually doing was reaching down to the shore picking up starfish and throwing them into the ocean. The curious wise man seemed startled and asked, “Why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?”

To this the young man replied, “The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them in, they will die.”

Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, “Young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can’t possibly make a difference!”

At this the young man bent down, and picked up yet another starfish and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, “I made a difference to that one!”

An Excerpt From The Star Thrower by Loren Eisley

The Starfish Thrower

In July, 2007, we received word that Shriners Hospital in Cincinnati, OH accepted our application for humanitarian aid for Justice. We are now in the process of completing the documentation, obtaining his medical visa and preparing a home for him in the US. We are all grateful to Shriner's and generous supporters that are helping this remarkable young man to realize his dreams and hope for a bright future. Justice hopes to be a doctor someday and make a difference for good in his own community!

July Update
Copyright © 2008 Aid Africa's Children, Inc.
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Spring 2008 Update
 
Justice has had his first set of surgeries to separate his arm from his body at Shriners Hospital.  As he heals from these procedures, he remains in good spirits.  Justice will face more operations and physical therapy before he regains the use of his arm and hand. He still hopes to become a doctor and return to Africa to treat and heal the people there. 
 
Aid Africa's Children would once again like to say 'Thank You!' to all that have been involved in changing this young man's life!
 
We will have much more on Justice very soon.  Keep checking back for more updates!
Click here to see ABC 7 Chicago's coverage of Justice's story!
 
Click here to see Justice's story as submitted by Brian Thomas, Staff Writer for NeighborhoodCircle.com, photo by LuAnn Wing.