Ansumana Touray is a 17-year-old student from Busumbala, a village in The Gambia. He lives with sickle cell disease, HbSS, a serious inherited blood condition that can cause severe pain, extreme weakness, infections and sudden medical emergencies.

Despite his illness and the poverty faced by his family, Ansumana is determined to continue his education. He is especially interested in biology, chemistry, physics and IT. His goal is to finish high school with strong results, obtain a university scholarship and become a doctor.

This fundraiser aims to help him receive the medical care he needs while continuing his education.

Ansumana needs regular medical monitoring, blood tests and, when necessary, blood transfusions. He also needs continuous access to prescribed medication, including hydroxyurea, which is not readily available in The Gambia.

The medicine often has to be sent from abroad. International delivery, customs procedures and local transport can cost several times more than the medicine itself.

In 2025, Ansumana suffered a severe medical crisis. His haemoglobin reportedly fell to approximately 4.5, and he required urgent hospital care and a blood transfusion. His brother donated the blood because access to suitable blood is extremely limited. The hospital stay, tests, transfusion and medication cost around 37,000 Gambian dalasi.

His family has already experienced the devastating consequences of this illness. Ansumana’s sister died from sickle cell disease in December 2017.

For Ansumana, access to medicine, medical tests and transport to a hospital is not optional. A delay in receiving care can quickly become dangerous.

The Gambia is a small and very poor country with a population of around two million people. Medical services are not free, and families are generally required to pay for consultations, tests, medicines and hospital treatment themselves. Ansumana’s family lives on less than €100 per month, which is not enough to cover their basic needs and his medical care.

Ansumana has always taken school seriously. He wants to study science, improve his IT skills and build a future in which he can support himself and his family.

However, illness and poverty constantly threaten his education. His family struggles to cover school fees, transport, books, examination costs, food and other basic needs. Medical crises can also keep him away from classes and create expenses that the family cannot manage.

He wants to become a doctor and eventually help other children facing serious illnesses and limited access to health care.

The goal of this fundraiser is €5,000. The funds will be used for Ansumana’s verified medical, educational and basic living needs, including:

• prescribed medicines and their delivery to The Gambia;
• medical consultations, blood tests and laboratory monitoring;
• hospital treatment, blood transfusions and medical emergencies;
• transport to hospitals, clinics, laboratories and school;
• school fees, examinations, books, uniforms and learning materials;
• food, clean water and essential hygiene supplies;
• a small emergency reserve for unexpected medical crises.

Medical costs are not fixed and can rise suddenly. For this reason, part of the money will remain available for urgent treatment when required.

If the full target is not reached, the available funds will first be used for medication, medical monitoring and the most urgent school expenses.

If the target is exceeded, the additional money will support continued treatment, future school costs and documented emergency needs.

My name is Cătălin Albu, and I am the General Manager of JRS Romania. I have worked in the humanitarian field for nearly 20 years.

I first came into contact with Ansumana through my work, when he asked for guidance regarding his education. After learning more about his medical condition and family situation, I decided to support him personally and help coordinate assistance for his treatment, education and basic needs.

I remain in regular contact with Ansumana and his family. I follow his medical and educational situation and keep records of the support provided. His case and story have also been presented on the JRS Romania website.

I will publish regular updates about his health, education and the use of the funds. Relevant receipts, medical documents and payment confirmations will be retained whenever available.

A donation can help pay for medicine, a blood test, transport to the hospital, school fees or food during a difficult period.

Every contribution, regardless of its size, helps Ansumana receive treatment, continue his education and move closer to the independent future he is working for.

Please donate and share this fundraiser with others.

Thank you for supporting Ansumana’s health, education and future.