Mouris

Mouris standing outside his home along with the goats he sells.

Hepatitis C is a major global health problem, and it is estimated that more than 80 million people are chronically affected worldwide, with 3-4 million new infections and 350,000 deaths each year because of hepatitis C health-related complications.

Egypt has the highest hepatitis C prevalence in the world. The World Health Organization estimates that one in every ten adults in Egypt is affected by hepatitis C. Although recent estimates show a slight drop in its prevalence, it is still a large public health challenge in the country, and nearly every family in Egypt is affected by it in some way.

For Mouris, hailing from the village of Hassan Basha, hepatitis C is an everyday struggle. Both he and his wife are affected by hepatitis C, which is a source of constant complication. The medications needed to treat the infection can be costly for the two of them, and these costs put a large financial burden on their family. Together, Mouris and his wife have two sons and a daughter. The boys attend school while the daughter is of an age to be married–a particularly costly endeavor in Egypt.

For Mouris and others, HANDS sponsored microcredit programs have allowed access to credit and a way out of financial strife.

In order to get the appropriate treatment, Mouris took a loan to cover the expenses of the medicine. He also bought goats to raise and sell for a profit. The loan has allowed Mouris and his wife to get the medical attention they require, and it has brought revenue to his family through the goats that he sells to the market. He eventually plans to take another loan to expand his microenterprise.

HANDS is grateful to our generous donors, including Apex International, who allow for people like Mouris to gain access to critically important health services and the means of financial self-sustainability.