BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital (BKKH)

Grace is a 13-year-old girl from Kenya. Her mother shared that Grace had a healthy childhood and engaged in activities just like her peers, going to school, playing with friends and helping out with household chores. Last year, however, Grace’s mother began noticing that something was not quite right with her daughter. Grace was no longer walking upright, and with time, her condition seemed to be getting worse. What began as a worrying observation soon became a journey through hospitals, referrals, and uncertainty as her parents searched for answers. All along, Grace was convinced nothing was wrong with her, especially since she was not in pain. In April this year, Grace’s bending became more noticeable. Additionally, she started experiencing backaches. Concerned about their daughter, her parents sought medical attention at a local hospital, and were referred to a district hospital for further assistance. At the time of their visit, AIC CURE Hospital were holding a mobile clinic at the hospital. Grace was reviewed and referred to BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital (BKKH) for specialized care. At the hospital, Grace underwent a series of tests, and doctors determined that she had a tethered spinal cord, which was causing progressive problems with movement and other functions. A tethered spinal cord is a neurologic disorder caused by tissue attachments that limit the movement of the spinal cord within the spinal column. Grace is now awaiting surgery, which will help her walk with greater ease, return to the activities she loves, and continue pursuing her education without the uncertainty of what tomorrow may bring. With no stable source of income, as both parents depend on day-to-day informal jobs for sustenance, Grace is in need of support for her surgical treatment. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,326 to fund surgery for Grace. The treatment is scheduled to take place on September 1st and, once completed, will hopefully improve Grace's quality of life. "I hope that the surgery will go well, and that the back pains will stop, allowing me to go back to school and finish my term, and successfully advance to Grade 8 next year," Grace says.

Lucy, who is 12 years old, is the youngest of nine children. Her family lives in Kenya, where currently, both parents are unemployed. When Lucy was five months old, her mother noticed that her daughter's head was growing more rapidly than the rest of her body. Her neck could no longer carry the weight of her head, and Lucy began crying and vomiting. At the local dispensary, Lucy was given medications to treat typhoid and malaria, and sent home. Her relief was short lived, and at the suggestion of a neighbor, Lucy was brought to BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital (BKKH). Lucy was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain, increasing intracranial pressure. Lucy underwent shunt insertion surgery, which was a resounding success. Her recovery was smooth, and her growth has been problem free. For over 10 years, Lucy enjoyed a regular childhood, playing and attending school with her peers and siblings. However, around three months ago, Lucy started complaining of headaches while preparing for her exams. Her concerned mother brought her back to BKKH, and Lucy underwent shunt revision surgery. Unfortunately, a few weeks after being discharged, Lucy started complaining of headaches and stomachaches. Her mother, wasting no time, decided to return to the hospital. A series of tests revealed that the shunt had malfunctioned. As a result, Lucy requires shunt revision surgery again. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $574 to cover the cost of Lucy's surgery. The procedure, which is scheduled to take place on September 2nd, will drain the excess fluid from Lucy's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure, and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Lucy will continue developing into a strong, healthy young girl. "Seeing Lucy in pain, connected to machines and tubes, is painful for me. Despite all that, I'm holding onto hope and faith that this surgery will be a huge success, allowing my daughter to enjoy years of good health," Lucy's mother said.

Victor is a four-year-old boy who lives in Kenya with his parents and older sibling. He is adored by his family, who welcomed him to the world with so much joy. When he began school last year, his parents could not help but think that life was perfect. Earlier this year, Victor began to experience sudden abdominal swelling, prompting his father to rush him to their local hospital. Scans revealed swelling in his kidneys, but doctors could not determine the cause, and Victor was discharged after three days. Not content to leave the condition unexplained, Victor’s dad began to search the Internet for more advanced hospitals that might be able to help. The family made the decision to travel from their hometown to our medical partner’s care center, BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital (BKKH). At BKKH, Victor was thoroughly evaluated, and his family was devastated when he was diagnosed with cancer of the kidneys. Victor has been receiving chemotherapy and had surgery on his right kidney in June. At that time, doctors recommended more chemotherapy before treating the left kidney. Though these treatments were partially covered by health insurance, coverage has now been exhausted. Victor’s family is not able to raise the funds for his second surgery in time, particularly as his mother has had to stop working to care for him. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,081 to fund Victor's second surgery, which will take place on September 3rd. This procedure will remove the damaged part of the kidney, reduce swelling, and improve Victor’s quality of life. Victor’s father shared, “This year has been so heavy for us, both emotionally and financially. My small boy has gone through so much. Seeing him take so many pills and even go into surgery has been the most difficult part of parenthood. However, I am hopeful that after this surgery, all this will be a thing of the past. I hope that my son will get to be a child once again.”

Alyanyla is a five-month-old girl from Kenya. Alyanyla’s arrival into this world was highly anticipated. For her mother, seeing a wish she had held in her heart finally take shape within her was a dream come true. Carrying her baby in her arms and watching her grow up healthy was everything she dreamt of. It was indeed a journey filled with dreams and the joy of welcoming a new life. However, without warning, trouble woke her up from her dream. While she was pregnant, Alyanyla's mother underwent a scan that revealed that Alyanyla had hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. What was once anticipated to be a moment of joy and celebration had now turned into a moment of anxiety, fear, and uncertainty. Yet, despite everything, Alyanyla's mother held onto hope that her daughter would receive the care she needed. At just three weeks old, Alyanyla underwent a shunt insertion surgery to help drain the excess fluid from her brain. For her mother, this was the beginning of a journey she never imagined she would have to take with her newborn daughter. However, the shunt started to leak. Alyanyla was referred to our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital, where scans revealed a blockage. The shunt has failed and needs to be replaced. Without treatment, Alyanyla will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $574 to cover the cost of surgery for Alyanyla. The procedure is scheduled to take place on September 10th and will drain the excess fluid from Alyanyla's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Alyanyla will continue developing into a strong, healthy young girl. “I am tired of the endless hospital visits. Seeing my daughter spend more time in hospital beds than in her own bed at home breaks my heart. I just want her to get better. I hope this surgery will be the turning point for us, put an end to these repeated hospital visits, and give my baby girl a chance at a normal, healthier life,” Alyanyla’s mother shared.

Prince is a one-year-old boy from Kenya. Due to his ongoing medical issues, his mother is currently unable to work. Prince and his mother rely on the financial support of family and friends, particularly Prince’s grandmother. Prince was born prematurely and was admitted to the hospital for one month. Unfortunately, after returning home, Prince experienced steady weight loss, causing his mother to return to the hospital. When the hospital was unable to make a diagnosis, Prince’s mother decided to travel to a larger specialty hospital in search of help. Doctors at the specialty hospital diagnosed Prince with Down syndrome, which they believed explained his poor growth. After a few days of treatment, he was discharged with medication and dietary recommendations. Reassured by the doctors’ advice and hopeful that her son would improve, his mother returned home determined to give him the best care possible. However, when Prince reached four months of age, new and more alarming symptoms appeared. His abdomen became noticeably swollen, his appetite dropped sharply, and he was unable to pass stool. His mother once again made the difficult journey back to the specialty hospital. This time, Prince was diagnosed with Hirschsprung’s disease, a condition in which nerve cells are missing from parts of the intestine, causing severe bowel dysfunction. Doctors advised that Prince undergo surgery as soon as possible. While his mother struggled to raise the funds needed for the operation, Prince’s health continued to deteriorate due to several serious infections. Having already lost a child in the past, she was overwhelmed by fear that she might lose Prince as well. Thankfully, the family learned of our partner’s medical care center, BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital (BKKH). Prince was evaluated at BKKH, where doctors advised that his nutritional status should be improved before surgery. For the last nine months, Prince’s mother has attended regular clinics and therapy sessions where she learned how to manage his condition. Her dedication has played a critical role in improving Prince’s health so that he can experience life-changing surgery. Now, Prince has finally been cleared for surgery, which will occur on September 11th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,081 to fund Prince's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully greatly improve his quality of life. Prince’s mother shared, “My son has not had a moment of peace since his birth. It has always been from one hospital bed to another as we try to seek medical assistance. Seeing him in pain has been the most difficult part of motherhood. However, I believe that after this surgery, my son will one day get to enjoy life like every other child.”

Arnold is a two-year-old boy from Kenya, and the third born child in his family. Arnold had a healthy childhood - sitting down, crawling, and even taking his first step. His growth was remarkable, allowing him to engage and play around with such ease. As Arnold neared his second birthday, his mother noticed that something was quite not right. Arnold, who previously was a happy, expressive child, was calmer and unexpressive. Concerned, Arnold's mother took him to hospital where it was discovered that his eyesight had a problem. She was advised to bring him back for an MRI when he turned two and a half, so doctors could have a definitive diagnosis. As Arnold's mother and her son made their three-hour journey back home, questions lingered in her mind on what had happened to her son. As days went by, she was worried to watch her son, who was once able to see, walk, and play with others, now unable to. Additionally, Arnold started developing symptoms of paralysis on one side of the body, which started affecting his left hand, leg and the left side of his mouth. Finally, an MRI was done which revealed a tumor in Arnold’s brain, that was pressing on his optic nerves, resulting in both cases of paralysis and blindness. For a moment, Arnold's mother felt everything go silent as she processed the devastating news. At AIC Kijabe Hospital, a biopsy was conducted, and thereafter, a tube was inserted into Arnold’s brain to slowly drain the fluid buildup caused by the tumor. The procedure was successful, and Arnold was discharged in July this year. While at home, he slowly started regaining movement on his left side. His parents were overcome with joy. Recently, Arnold's mother noticed that he was having trouble eating, and would throw up more often. She brought him in for check up where doctors discovered an infection in the site where the tube was placed. Doctors also made an additional diagnosis of hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. He needs an External Ventricular Drain (EVD) procedure to drain the build-up of fluid in his brain, as the infection is being managed. Arnold's father works casual jobs to take care of his family, and without a stable source of income, the family is unable to afford the upcoming surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Arnold receive treatment. On September 11th, he will undergo EVD surgery to drain the excess fluid from Arnold's brain, and reduce intracranial pressure. With proper treatment, Arnold will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. Now, Arnold's family needs help to fund this $719 procedure. Arnold's mother says: "I still don't understand where everything started to fall apart for my son. Learning of this diagnosis has totally shattered my heart. I wish I could bear my son's pain on his behalf. Despite everything, I am glad for the support in surgical treatment, and I am holding onto the thread of hope that Arnold will finally be well once again."

Loretu is a two-month-old baby boy from Kenya. Loretu’s birth was celebrated as is the norm among her community. Ululations and celebrations filled the air early one morning as the cries of a newborn echoed from their Manyatta. However, Loretu's mother's joy was suddenly cut short and was replaced with anxiety when noticed something quite unusual. There was an opening on her son’s back. Panicked, she and Loretu's father took their son to the dispensary, where they were referred to a larger hospital. Loretu was diagnosed with spina bifida, a neural tube defect where the spinal column fails to close completely during early embryonic development. Doctors advised the family to have Loretu admitted at the hospital for a month before his surgery. When it was time, Loretu was brought by his parents to our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital (BKKH), where he underwent spinal closure surgery. As he recovered in the wards, doctors noticed that Loretu’s head was increasing at an alarming rate. Tests conducted revealed that Loretu had acquired hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. He has now been scheduled for a procedure to help drain the excess fluid that is currently accumulating in his brain. During his time in hospital, Loretu has accumulated hospital bills and his parents, pastoralists, are worried about how they would afford an additional surgery. Without treatment, Loretu will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $719 to cover the cost of surgery for Loretu that will treat his hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on August 11th, and will drain the excess fluid from Loretu's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, Loretu will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. Loretu's grandfather said: "My grandson has spent all his days in hospital. My daughter has never been the same since his diagnosis was made. I fear that if this goes on, I might end up losing both my daughter and grandson. However, with this surgery, I believe there's still a chance for both of them."

Samuelah is a four-month-old baby girl from Kenya. Her mother shares that Samuelah's pregnancy was difficult, and she had to be on bed rest most weeks. When she was eventually born via caesarean section, doctors saw the lump on Samuelah’s back. They informed her mother that Samuelah had been born with two conditions; hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure, and spina bifida, a neural tube defect where the spinal column fails to close completely during early embryonic development. The family was referred to our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital (BKKH), for specialized care. Samuelah's parents raised transportation funds and made their way to Kijabe, a journey of over 300 kilometers. Samuelah underwent her first surgery for the spina bifida, and was also treated for infections as she awaited her second major surgery. Her parents, who never left her side, were a great source of love and support. At three months old, Samuelah underwent a successful shunt insertion surgery. For about a month after discharge, life seemed to slowly get back to normal. Samuelah’s back was completely healed, and the shunt was functioning as it should. Last week, however, Samuelah's surgical site started leaking. She was also experiencing laboured breathing, and appeared lethargic. They finally made it back to hospital a few days later, where tests revealed a shunt blockage and an infection. Samuelah has now been scheduled for an EVD procedure to drain the cerebrospinal fluid temporarily, as the doctors work on treating the infection before another shunt insertion surgery. Having been hospitalised for over two months quite recently, the family had already sold all their cattle, and the hospital had to support some of their medical bills. Samuela's father now works informal jobs to support his family, while her mother takes care of their home. As Samuelah battles for her life, her parents are worried about financing her medical care, that is way above their financial ability. Without treatment, Samuelah will continue experiencing increasing head circumference and severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $719 to cover the cost of surgery for Samuelah. The procedure is scheduled to take place on August 11th, and will drain the excess fluid from Samuelah's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Samuelah will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. Samuelah's mother shared, "These past few days have been difficult for my daughter. Seeing her in pain and connected to machines once again has brought back very painful memories for me. With this surgery, I really hope that my daughter will get better and that we'l soon be back home."

Margaret is a two-year-old baby girl from Kenya. When Margaret's mother was pregnant with her, a scan done just a week before the delivery date revealed devastating news. Her unborn baby had both hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure; and spina bifida, a neural tube defect where the spinal column fails to close completely during early embryonic development. The weight of this diagnosis led to the untimely labour and an emergency caesarean section. Soon after birth, doctors noticed that Margaret had difficulty in breathing and she was immediately put on a ventilator. Seeing her baby, barely hours old, hooked to machines broke Margaret's heart. Thoughts of the future that awaited them terrified Margaret’s parents, leaving them with so many questions lingering in their minds. At three weeks old, Margaret underwent her first shunt insertion surgery to treat hydrocephalus. The procedure was a success, and a few days later they were discharged. The journey back home was filled with worry, as Margaret’s parents questioned their ability to raise their daughter, who now required special attention and frequent hospital visits. Looking at their financial ability, they couldn’t help but wonder whether they had the capacity to care for their baby. Even then, they decided to stand by her, offering whatever little they had to ensure her life and health were well cared for. Two weeks after being discharged from the hospital, Margaret started crying more and having trouble sleeping. Her worried parents took her back to hospital where doctors found that her shunt was blocked, and needed revision surgery. Unfortunately, Margaret had also developed meningitis. She was immediately started on medication to clear the infection, and later underwent the shunt revision surgery, followed by another spina bifida surgery. Weeks later, Margaret’s mother noticed that her daughter’s head was enlargening faster than the rest of her body. She brought Margaret back to hospital where the shunt was found to have malfunctioned, and another shunt revision surgery was performed. Within days, Margaret was discharged, but since then, her life has been a series of hospital visits and hospitalisations due to various medical conditions. “I have spent more time in hospital with my daughter than at home,” Margaret’s mother says as she recounts the many hospital stays they’ve had to endure due to Margaret’s condition. The experience has crippled them financially, and they are presently in debt trying to fend for their daughter and family at large. Four months later, a mobile clinic team from BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital (BKKH) noticed that Margaret’s head had significantly increased from the last clinic, and advised for her to be brought to hospital. The family did not have transportation money, and it took another two months for Margaret's dad to raise transport money and bring her to the hospital. After a series of tests, another shunt revision surgery was recommended. Without treatment, Margaret will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $574 to cover the cost of surgery for Margaret. The procedure is scheduled to take place on August 12th and will drain the excess fluid from Margaret's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Margaret will continue developing into a strong, healthy young girl. Her mother says: "My daughter is in so much pain. She hardly eats or sleeps well. Seeing her in that state breaks my heart as her mother, and makes me ask a lot of questions that still go unanswered."

Chris is a young boy from Kenya. He lives with his grandmother, who cares for him deeply. Chris has been living with pain, worrying his grandmother. They have gone to several health facilities, but he has not received lasting treatment. Chris was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remain undescended. The condition causes him pain, affecting his ability to move comfortably and perform daily tasks. If left untreated, Chris has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Chris will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on August 14th. AMH is requesting $470 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Chris shared, "My grandmother has always prayed, hoping that we will get help to ease my pain and treat my condition. I have lived in pain, but now I hope that the surgery will make the pain stop and also put my grandmother's heart at ease."

Ramsy is an eight-year-old boy from Kenya. He is being raised by his single mother, who works hard to support him. Ramsy was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remain undescended. If left untreated, Ramsy has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Ramsy will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on August 14th. AMH is requesting $470 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Ramsy's mother shared, "Seeing my son endure so much pain has made me feel like God had abandoned us. Fortunately, your help to us has come as a reminder that the Lord surely watches over his people. Knowing that my son will be in pain no more after his surgery really fills my heart with gladness."