Since early childhood, Kenzi has been living with a level of physical discomfort far beyond what any child his age should experience.

What began as a small swelling on his left leg was initially dismissed as ordinary. However, as Kenzi grew, the swelling grew with him. Today, at just 1 year and 8 months old, the condition has become impossible to ignore.

According to his mother, Mrs. Mara, Kenzi experiences discomfort every day, with the most severe episodes occurring at night.

“Nighttime is the hardest,” she said quietly. “Other children can sleep peacefully in their mothers’ arms, but Kenzi often wakes up crying, twisting his body, unable to rest.”

Her words reflect more than exhaustion. They reveal a mother who has learned to measure time not by hours, but by nights survived. When Kenzi’s pain intensifies, his small body becomes restless, his leg turns red, and his cries fill the room. In those moments, Mrs. Mara can do little more than hold him close, gently stroking his back and whispering prayers, hoping the discomfort will ease.

“There are times when all I can do is stay awake with him,” she added. “I just hope he can be strong until morning.”

During the day, the struggle continues in a different form. Mrs. Mara supports her family by selling fried food from place to place, often carrying Kenzi with her as she walks. Her income is uncertain and changes daily. On some days, she earns as little as Rp40,000. On others, she earns nothing at all.

When sales are poor, she often eats the remaining food herself, not by choice, but because there is no money left to buy anything else.

Despite physical fatigue and emotional strain, Mrs. Mara refuses to give up.

“I have to keep going,” she said. “If I stop, there is nothing.”

Her statement reflects a reality faced by many parents in vulnerable situations: persistence becomes survival. Each step she takes, each item she sells, is driven by a single hope—that one day, Kenzi will be able to grow and live like other children his age.

Local residents who have seen Mrs. Mara walking daily with her child describe her as quiet, resilient, and unwavering. While her circumstances are difficult, her determination remains constant.

For now, her days are spent walking, selling, caring, and waiting. Waiting for relief for her son. Waiting for stability. Waiting for a future where Kenzi’s nights are no longer filled with discomfort, and his days are filled with the simple joys every child deserves.