BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital (BKKH)

Rhoda is a 10-year-old girl from Kenya. Her mother had wished to have a child for many years and was thrilled when Rhoda was finally born. She is an energetic girl who loves playing with her friends and family. Rhoda was born with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of her condition, Rhoda has been experiencing pain and vomiting. A previous surgery to treat hydrocephalus was done ten years ago; however, the shunt has failed and needs to be replaced. Without treatment, Rhoda will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH) is requesting $574 to cover the cost of surgery for Rhoda. The procedure is scheduled to take place on October 1st and will drain the excess fluid from Rhoda's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Rhoda will continue developing into a strong, healthy young girl. Rhoda and her family need your help in raising the funds to fully cover her procedure and care. Rhoda's mom shared, "Having seen my daughter grow up has been the biggest blessing for me. Even though her early days were marked by worry and anxiety, these past years have been the best of my life. I hope that this surgery, like the previous one, will allow my daughter to have a normal life."

Joel is a cheerful-eight-year boy who lives in Kenya with his mother and four siblings. His mother is separated from her husband and has been taking on casual jobs to support her children. Yet, despite the financial challenges, Joel’s mother continues to fight for her son to receive the medical treatment that he needs. Soon after Joel was born, his mother noticed that both of his testicles were undescended. She pointed this out to her doctors and was told to wait to see if the condition would resolve. Though full of questions and worry, she decided to do as the doctors advised. Over the years, she repeatedly took Joel to clinics but was only given medication and told to wait longer. Finally, tired of waiting and determined to find help for her son, Joel’s mother travelled to a larger, more specialized hospital, where Joel underwent surgery. Unfortunately, Joel’s condition relapsed, and his mother could not afford surgery again. If left untreated, Joel has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Fortunately, Joel’s mother learned about our medical partner’s care center, BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital, where he is scheduled for surgery on October 5th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $470 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Joel’s mother shares, “I have carried this hope for years: that Joel can get the care he needs and live a healthier, more confident life. I’m grateful that BethanyKids helped us take this next step.”

Blessing is a five-year-old girl from Kenya. She is eager to learn and start first grade very soon. Since birth, Blessing has had an umbilical hernia. Over the years, Blessing has experienced episodes of severe stomach pain, sometimes leaving her confined to bed rest. Fortunately, on October 5th, she will undergo repair surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $585 to fund Blessing's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably. Blessing's mother shared, “Blessing is eager to learn and excited about joining Grade 1. I want her condition to stop holding her back from the things she dreams of doing. I hope this surgery will help her move forward without the pain she has experienced.”

Hassan is a three-month-old boy from Kenya. Before he was born, his mother began experiencing sharp pains and immediately after birth, it was observed that Hassan's head was abnormally large and the veins in his head were visible from the surface. He was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. Hassan was also born with spina bifida, a neural tube condition where a baby's spinal column fails to close completely during early pregnancy. This marked the beginning of unending hospital visits for the family. When he was only three weeks old, Hassan underwent both spinal closure and shunt insertion surgeries. Within a week of hospitalisation, both Hassan and his mother were discharged and went home. However, for days afterwards, Hassan was unable to eat or sleep. His parents visited nearby hospitals for answers, but nothing helped put their son at ease. Hassan was referred to our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital (BKKH), for specialized treatment. Tests revealed that his shunt had a blockage, and as a result, he had contracted meningitis. He was immediately placed on medication for two weeks as the doctors prepared to perform a shunt revision procedure. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $574 to cover the cost of surgery for Hassan. The procedure is scheduled to take place on October 7th and will drain the excess fluid from Hassan's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, Hassan will continue developing into a strong, healthy young boy. Hassan's mother said, "My son has not had any peace since his birth. We have been in one hospital after another. I just hope this surgery will allow us to experience normalcy and peace, for once."

Imara is a three-month-old baby girl from Kenya. Imara was born with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of her condition, Imara has been experiencing an increasing head circumference. Without treatment, Imara will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $719 to cover the cost of surgery for Imara that will treat her hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on October 9th and will drain the excess fluid from Imara's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Imara will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. Imara's mother shared, "It has been a rough three months for us, but most especially for my daughter. Seeing her in this state keeps me up every night. I truly hope that this surgery will help her and enable us to live in peace, without constantly worrying."

Daldon is a three-year-old boy from Kenya. He currently lives with his great aunt, who is a widow with seven children. Daldon was born with an inguinal hernia, a condition that occurs when abdominal tissue protrudes through a weak spot in the lower abdominal muscles. Daldon was initially raised by his single mother, who did not have secure housing or a stable source of income. As a result, Daldon and his mother moved constantly and often went without food. Without the resources to obtain medical care, his mother worriedly watched his condition deteriorate. About two months ago, Daldon’s mother took him to a relative's home and abandoned him. His great aunt then decided to take him in. Though she is stretched thin caring for her own children, she has opened her home to Daldon, offering him care and a place to belong at a time when he needs it most. Concerned about his painful symptoms, Daldon's great aunt brought him to BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital (BKKH) for treatment. He is now scheduled for hernia repair surgery on October 14th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $585 to fund Daldon's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. His family hopes that he will finally be able to explore the world with joy and laugher like other children. Daldon’s great aunt shared, “I don’t even know where to start; I never thought I’d find myself in this situation, yet here I am. All I can hope for is for Daldon to get help and hopefully reunite with his mother someday.”

John is a three-year-old boy from Kenya. His mother is a single parent. John lives with his mother, grandmother, and his siblings. Four months ago, John began to experience troubling symptoms, including a loss of balance, vomiting, and severe pain. Doctors evaluated John and diagnosed him with a brain tumor. They plan for him to undergo chemotherapy sessions, but the size of his tumour was discovered to be larger than what is recommended for chemotherapy. As a result, John was scheduled for surgery to help reduce the size of the tumor before he can start chemotherapy sessions. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,500 to help fund a craniotomy, where a part of the skull is removed to access the brain and treat the condition. The treatment is scheduled to take place on October 15th at BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital (BKKH). “Watching John go from a happy, healthy child to spending so much time in hospital has been heartbreaking. I’m grateful to this program for giving us hope and helping my son have a chance at a healthier, brighter future.”

Stacy is a 10-year-old girl from Kenya. Since she was young, Stacy has grown up living in a children's home because neither of her parents is in her life. She shared that it was hard when she first arrived, but eventually Stacy started opening up and finding joy in the small moments, playing with her friends, and even enrolling in school. Currently in Grade 3, life has been a journey that has had lots of ups and downs. For years, Stacy has had an umbilical hernia, which is a tissue bulge in the belly button area, occurring due to a weak spot in the abdominal wall. Stacy has been experiencing on-and-off pain at the site and was on pain medication, which did not provide lasting relief. One day, the home management came across information online about our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital (BKKH). After a call to BKKH, Stacy was brought to the hospital, where she underwent a series of tests. Stacy's diagnosis was confirmed, and she has now been scheduled for hernia repair surgery on August 10th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Stacy receive treatment. The procedure will cost $585, and once completed, Stacy will live a healthier life, free from her painful symptoms. Stacy says, "I have had to stay back many times as my friends went to school because of the pain. I hope that after surgery, I won't have to skip school anymore."

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.