William
Taking care of your family is hard, even if you are healthy. What happens when you are not sick enough for it to show up on a routine test ?
I am William. I contracted TB but was not diagnosed until re-tested by HeroRATs and confirmed by APOPO’s lab. I have an elderly father and 8 children to look after. If I am sick, I can’t work.
I work at a dairy farm to support my family and pay for my kid’s school fees.
After 3 visits to the clinic without diagnosis, I became sick, thin and very worried.
My workmates became worried of TB co-infection because we work so closely together.
The clinic called to say that rats had found me TB-positive and APOPO’s lab had confirmed it.
The rats are given 10 samples to smell.
And when they detect TB they hold their noses there for 3 seconds.
My family are very relieved that APOPO and the rats found my TB.
If they had not, I think I would be dead by now.
Help APOPO to help more vulnerable people like William to rebuild their lives.