BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital (BKKH)

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."

Mary is a nine-month-old baby girl from Kenya. She was born to a young single mother, who hopes to go back to school so she can support Mary and provide her with a brighter future. After Mary was born, her mother noticed that Mary was not feeding or relieving herself as she should. Worried, she quickly went to the nearest dispensary for help, where they were referred to a larger hospital for further care. After many tests and consultations, Mary was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of her condition, Mary has been experiencing rapidly increasing head size. Mary urgently needs a chance at a healthier future. Mary has been scheduled for a shunt insertion surgery. Without treatment, Mary will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $719 to cover the cost of surgery for Mary that will treat her hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on August 19th and will drain the excess fluid from Mary's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Mary will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. “My wish is to go back to school and hopefully finish my studies so that I can be in a better position to earn and care for my daughter,” Mary’s mother says. She adds, "Your support is greatly required to help make this surgery possible and offer Mary a chance at a normal, healthier life."

Jackson is a six-year-old boy from Kenya. His mother is a single mother raising Jackson and his four siblings. In 2025, Jackson underwent surgery for a birth condition. He was recovering well and was able to move comfortably for several months. However, in March 2026, he started to experience stomach pain and swelling around his navel. Jackson has an umbilical hernia, a condition in which tissue protrudes through a weakness in the abdominal wall near the navel, causing swelling and discomfort. The condition has affected his daily life and caused significant distress for both him and his mother. Surgical repair has been planned to address the hernia, relieve his symptoms, and allow him to return to school and normal childhood activities. Fortunately, on August 24th, Jackson will undergo hernia repair surgery, and our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $585 to fund Jackson's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. Jackson's mother shared, "Seeing my son cry in pain has been the most difficult part of motherhood for me. Being unable to help me has broken my heart over and over again. However, there is hope for him now that he is set to receive surgery."

Nigel is a one-year-old boy from Kenya. For Nigel's mother, her son is the greatest blessing in her life. As a single mother, she has faced many challenges while raising him, but her commitment to providing him with love, care, and a brighter future has never faltered. Every day, she works hard to fill the roles of both mother and father, determined to give her son the best life possible. Nigel was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remain undescended. If left untreated, Nigel has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. The news was overwhelming. Doctors explained that surgery would be necessary to correct both conditions and improve Nigel's long-term health. Nigel will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on August 24th. AMH is requesting $470 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Nigel's mother shares: "My son has been enduring pain, often expressing it by crying. Your help has come at such an opportune time. I hope this surgery will help my son, allowing him to live and grow like every other child."

Juma is a 19-year-old young man from Kenya. His mother gave birth to him at home with the help of midwives, and Juma was brought to a hospital a day later for a review. Tests at the hospital showed that he was healthy baby boy, and his mother took him back home. Six days after his birth, however, Juma started convulsing and crying persistently. Additionally, his head had started growing significantly more than the rest of his body, and his mother was alarmed. Worried, Juma's mother took him to the nearest dispensary, where painkillers were prescribed, but with no definitive diagnosis. The next few days were quiet. Juma was able to sleep well, and his mother was able to sigh with relief. However, this was short-lived and Juma began crying persistently again. His mother took him back to the dispensary, only for her to get sent back home with a fresh batch of painkillers. This trend went on for three months. Determined to ease her son’s agony, Juma's mother took him to a larger hospital, where he was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. Juma and his mother were then referred to our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital (BKKH). At the hospital, Juma underwent a shunt insertion surgery to drain the excess fluid and relieve the pressure. He was discharged a few days later, his mother's hope rekindled. She looked forward to a brighter and healthier future for Juma. In the 15 years that followed, Juma was growing healthy, attending school, playing with his peers and helping with household chores. He still underwent routine check-ups, and showed no signs of distress or concern. One day, Juma started experiencing headaches, and soon after, blurred vision. Worried for her son's health, Juma’s mother took him to a referral hospital, where he underwent a shunt revision surgery. Less than two years later, however, the shunt malfunctioned. Juma’s parents had to sell their livestock and farm so they could afford the medical bill, and hoped that this time it would be a longer-term solution. Recently, Juma started convulsing and vomiting. His mother contacted BKKH's mobile clinic team, who advised her to bring him in for surgery. The family struggled to raise funds to facilitate their journey to Kijabe, which is about a 10 hour journey from where they live at the Coast, and got to the hospital a few days ago. Juma is now scheduled for a shunt revision surgery on July 1st. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $574 to cover the cost of surgery for Juma, to relieve his symptoms and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, Juma will continue developing into a strong, healthy young man. Juma says: "I am in so much pain, I feel like my head is about to explode. I hope that this surgery will ease my pain and allow me to go back home soon."

Twelve-year-old Lucy is a young, cheerful girl from Kenya. She was the lastborn in a family of nine children, and she has always been surrounded by eight older siblings, one of whom was always there to look after her and to play with her. When she was five months old, Lucy’s mother noticed that her daughter’s head was the only part of her body that was growing. Her head had grown so much that her neck could no longer carry its weight. Lucy began crying and vomiting so much that it worried her parents. After a few days, they decided to rush her to the nearest dispensary. The doctors said that her symptoms were identical to those of typhoid and malaria. Lucy was given medication to treat her symptoms, and for a while, things seemed to have resolved themselves. Lucy was back to her normal, cheerful, and playful self. As soon as she had finished taking her medications, however, the crying and vomiting started again, this time worse than before. It was then that a neighbor told the family about BethanyKids. Lucy’s parents travelled from Njoro to Kijabe, holding onto the belief that finally their daughter would be put out of her misery. Lucy was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. Lucy underwent a shunt insertion surgery, which was a resounding success. Within days of admission, she was discharged. Her recovery was smooth, and her growth has since been normal and without any problems. For over 10 years, Lucy has had a normal childhood, playing and attending school with her peers and siblings. Currently in grade six, Lucy enjoys spending time in school, with art being her favorite subject. “I love making many different things with my hands, using whatever resources are available,” she adds. Life had made the family forget about her condition and the early days of Lucy’s life. One week ago, around the time Lucy was doing her midterm exams, she started experiencing headaches. Determined to finish her exams before seeking medical help, Lucy kept this to herself. One day, while in school, her headaches got so severe that she started crying and screaming in extreme pain. Her friends had to carry her home. Doctors ran tests on Lucy and determined she needs a shunt revision surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $574 to cover the cost of surgery for Lucy. The procedure is scheduled to take place on July 3rd. During the procedure, surgeons will drain the excess fluid from Lucy's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve Lucy's quality of life. With proper treatment, Lucy will continue developing into a strong, healthy young girl. "I hope the pain that I feel will end after the surgery, and that I'll be able to go back to school as soon as possible," Lucy said.

George is a two-month-old baby boy from Kenya, and the third born child in his family. When he was born, doctors informed his mother that he had two conditions; spina bifida, a neural tube birth defect that occurs when the spine and spinal cord do not form properly, and hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. Upon discharge from the hospital, the family was referred to the national referral hospital, where George underwent successful spinal repair surgery when he was a week old. For two months, George was progressing well until recently when he started convulsing. A friend advised his mother to bring him to our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital (BKKH). George underwent several tests at BKKH, and it was established that he needed an ETV procedure to treat the hydrocephalus. While waiting for the scheduled surgery date, George started convulsing again and his mother rushed him back to hospital. He was scheduled for an urgent procedure, but his family is unable to afford the cost of treatment. “I feel like we should just go back home and look for money before we come back,” she says, wiping her tears. When George convulses, her heart breaks into a million pieces. Torn between the cost of treatment and her son’s well-being is a mother who wishes for a miracle. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $719 to cover the cost of surgery for George that will treat his hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on July 6th and will drain the excess fluid from George's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, George will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. "Seeing my son convulse has been the most difficult moment of motherhood for me. I hope that this surgery will end the convulsions," George's mother says.