BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital (BKKH)

Mdoe is a 14-year-old boy from Kenya. Shortly after his birth, Mdoe showed signs that his intestines were not working properly. He was brought to several hospitals, but was not given a clear diagnosis. Mdoe's condition worsened. He was visibly in pain, restless, and crying constantly. Mdoe's mother was determined to find help. She took him to a larger facility, where doctors explained that his intestines were intertwined and that he would need surgery. He would require a colostomy bag to help him pass stool. After a few days of monitoring, they were discharged. But only days later, complications arose, and Kinago underwent surgery at the same hospital. Life after surgery was far from easy. His mother took him for clinic checkups several times, striving to remain consistent with his care. But back at home, reality pressed in. Both parents engage in small-scale farming, stretching each harvest to provide for their eight children. Eventually, the cost of continued clinic visits became impossible to sustain. Now fourteen, Mdoe has never been able to attend school. It breaks his heart to watch children his age walk to class while he remains at home. His condition requires him to change his colostomy bag regularly, yet he has been using the same one since early childhood. Some schools refused to admit him. Over time, discouraged and burdened by school fees, his mother stopped trying. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, can help. On February 12th, Mdoe will undergo abdominal surgery that will improve Mdoe's quality of life. His family needs help raising $1,081 to fund his procedure and care. Mdoe's mother shared, “It is painful when your child asks you why he cannot go to school like other children. I see the longing in his eyes, and I wish I could take this condition away from him. I may not have wealth, but I have never stopped fighting for him, even when the journey felt too heavy for my shoulders.”

Zubeir is a 20-month-old baby from Kenya. His father takes on occasional environmental cleaning jobs offered by the government, work that may come only once or twice a year. Seven months after Zubeir was born, his parents began to notice something that unsettled their hearts. Zubeir has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of his condition, Zubeir has been experiencing his head growing larger than normal. They rushed him to a nearby medical facility in their desperation for answers. The family was referred to our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital, for specialized care. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $719 to cover the cost of surgery for Zubeir that will treat his hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on February 12th and will drain the excess fluid from Zubeir's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, Zubeir will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. “Every day I see him, I see strength and possibility. I pray the surgery will help him shine even brighter,” Zubeir’s father shared.

Ethan is a one-month-old baby boy from Kenya. He was born with spina bifida, a condition where the baby's spinal column and spinal cord do not close completely before birth. He was referred to our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital, for specialized care. At four days old, Ethan underwent spinal closure surgery. While Ethan was in recovery, he was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of his condition, Ethan has been experiencing an increasing head circumference. Without treatment, Ethan will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $719 to cover the cost of surgery for Ethan that will treat his hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on June 25th and will drain the excess fluid from Ethan's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, Ethan will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. Ethan's mother shared, "I find it hard to understand why this had to happen to my son. He is going through unimaginable pain. I wish I could bear the pain on his behalf. I am, however, hopeful that this surgery will put an end to his misery."

Nancy is a three-year-old girl from Kenya. She has undergone multiple procedures across different specialties, including pediatric surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, and orthopedic care. Each surgery was a step toward healing, yet each also took a heavy toll on her young body and spirit. Anxiety and fear make the hospital visits deeply distressing for her. Meanwhile, her father, the sole provider for the family, lost his job following a motorbike accident and has been unable to return to work. The emotional toll on Nancy’s parents has been overwhelming. Her father's greatest wish is simple and heartfelt: he longs to see his daughter healed, free from frequent hospital visits, and able to live a normal childhood filled with play, laughter, and possibility. Following five previous procedures, Nancy now requires a colostomy reversal surgery in order to restore bowel function and prevent future complications. It is the next step in her journey toward healing and normalcy. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,020 to cover the cost of a colostomy closure for Nancy. The surgery is scheduled to take place on February 5th. Once completed, Nancy should be able to live more comfortably and confidently. Nancy’s father shared, "I never imagined my three-year-old would know so much pain. As a father, all I want is for Nancy to get well, stop coming back to the hospital so often, and live a normal, happy life."

Gift is an eight-month-old baby boy from Kenya. It has been quite a journey for him. Coming all the way from Njoro in Nakuru, his mother's only wish was for her son to get better. Gift was born prematurely and was therefore admitted into the nursery for proper observation. Just two weeks into his stay in the nursery, an MRI revealed that Gift had hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. At just eight weeks old, Gift underwent his first surgery to insert a shunt. The procedure went well, and the family returned home hopeful. For a while, his recovery seemed steady. But four months later, the shunt began to malfunction. Gift's parents rushed him back to the hospital, where he underwent a second surgery for a shunt revision. Unable to afford the procedure, Gift’s father had to borrow a large amount of money, a debt the family is still struggling to repay. Since these procedures, Gift has experienced delayed milestones. At his age, he is still unable to sit or support his neck. Since his first surgery, he has also been battling severe convulsions. The medication he needs must be purchased every three weeks, adding additional financial pressure to the family. Recently, his parents noticed that Gift no longer responds to sounds the way he once did. He has gradually lost his ability to hear, adding yet another layer to the challenges he faces. To try to address this, Gift underwent a revision surgery, which was covered with help from Watsi and the SAFE program. He was discharged on April 22nd. However, their challenges continued. Gift began vomiting and couldn’t keep food down. His concerned parents quickly sought financial help from friends and family to return to Kijabe. Less than a week after discharge, Gift was back in the hospital. Doctors recommended a CT scan and other tests to determine the cause. The test revealed a blood infection, so Gift was placed under observation for treatment and management. Soon enough, he was cleared for another procedure to help drain fluid from his brain, known as an EVD procedure. During post-operative observation, Gift's mother noticed a small leak in his surgical wound. The leak increased, and Gift started convulsing. Upon the doctor’s examination, it was established that the EVD had been dislodged. Gift has now been scheduled for an EVD revision surgery, one which his mother hopes will put an end to her son’s misery. Without treatment, Gift will likely experience severe physical and developmental delays. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is able to help. They are requesting $719 to cover the cost of surgery for Gift, which will treat his hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on May 14th and will drain the excess fluid from Gift's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, Gift will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. "I hold him close every day, believing that though he cannot hear me, he feels my love and warmth. My only wish and prayer is for Gift, my precious gift from God, to have a chance at a healthier future. Seeing him going for surgeries time and again really breaks my heart, but even then, all I can hope for is for him to be pain-free," Gift's mother shares.

Michael is an eight-year-old boy from Kenya. He and his brothers were raised in a home for children. Michael was born with hypospadias, a congenital abnormality that causes urinary dysfunction. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and will be at risk of infertility. Fortunately, Michael's guardian and nurse from the children's home took him to our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital. He is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on June 2nd. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $841 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Michael said, "My favourite subject is Mathematics, and I would love to be a tour guide when I grow up. My guardian has no money for my surgery, but I'm hoping you can help me."

Julius is a three-month old baby boy from Kenya, the fifth born child in his family. Soon after his birth, medical staff referred Julius and his parents to a larger hospital, as he was born with a congenital condition affecting his back. At the hospital, he was diagnosed with hydrocephalus and spina bifida, congenital conditions affecting the nervous system. Spina bifida is caused by incomplete spinal development, while hydrocephalus is a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain. Julius and his parents were further referred to our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital (BKKH) for further assessment. All the while, Julius’ parents were full of worry and fear for their son’s well-being. Having never come across these conditions before, and thinking that their son would need help for most his life got them worried. Barely a week after his birth, Julius underwent his first surgery, where the spina bifida was closed. Fragile, yet so full of life, Julius was admitted into the ICU for close monitoring and observation. One week later, the doctors realized that his back was not healing as it should. He was taken back into surgery and at the same time, a shunt was inserted to help drain the excess cerebrospinal fluid. He was then kept under observation for three weeks, where he showed steady improvement and was eventually discharged. A check up at two weeks showed that he was recovering well, and his parents were scheduled for routine monthly clinics. At the first monthly clinic, assessments showed that fluid had accumulated once again, and Julius needed an Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy (ETV) procedure to allow trapped cerebrospinal fluid to escape into its normal pathway. This was heartbreaking for the parents, as they realize Julius needs the surgery, but they cannot afford it. Without treatment, Julius will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $719 to cover the cost of surgery for Julius that will treat his hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on June 2nd and will drain the excess fluid, reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, Julius will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. Julius's mother shares, "My son is in pain, so young and already going through surgeries, it's torture for me as a mother. I am, however, hopeful that all this will eventually come to an end, and one day, we'll look back and appreciate how far we've come."

Gianna is a calm and polite three-year-old girl from Kenya, the second born child in her family. Her birth brought immense joy to her family, and the first few months went smoothly. When Gianna was five months old, her mother noticed that her head was increasing more in size relative to her body. Soon after, she noticed that Gianna’s eyes were constantly rolling and moving, unable to maintain eye contact, or focus on a particular thing or direction. Gianna's mother took her to a local clinic and they were referred to a larger hospital for review. At the county level hospital, Gianna was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. Gianna underwent shunt insertion surgery, and a check-in two weeks later showed that shunt was functioning well. The family was filled with optimism and despite some delayed milestones, Gianna did not experience any medical emergencies. When Gianna was one and a half years, a swelling developed on her surgical site. She was taken to our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital (BKKH), where scans showed that all was fine. Last week, however, Gianna started experiencing convulsions, and throwing up whenever she ate. Concerned, her mother brought her back to BKKH, as she had previously been educated about shunt malfunction and the symptoms Gianna was now experiencing. At the hospital, Gianna was put on medication to treat an infection, and one week later, she was cleared for an Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy (ETV) procedure to drain cerebrospinal fluid. With both her parents currently unemployed, they cannot afford the cost of this procedure. Without treatment, Gianna will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $719 to cover the cost of surgery for Gianna that will treat her hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on June 2nd, and will drain the excess fluid from Gianna's brain, reduce intracranial pressure, and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Gianna will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. Gianna's mother says: "My daughter's life took a sudden turn, leaving me with the fear of trying to get another child. Seeing her convulse breaks my heart piece by piece. With this surgery, I hope all this will be a thing of the past, and that my daughter will be able to catch up on all the delayed milestones in her life."

Mirishoi is a four-month-old baby girl from Kenya. Mirishoi was born with both spina bifida and hydrocephalus. Spina bifida is a neural tube defect that occurs when the spine and spinal cord do not form properly in the womb. It happens early in pregnancy when the neural tube fails to close completely, leaving a gap in the backbone. The opening on her back was large and at risk for infection. Hydrocephalus is a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. Mirishoi's parents had many questions. Their hearts were heavy with worry and anxiety. They immediately sought treatment for their baby for both conditions - closure of her spine and a shunt insertion to drain excess fluid from her brain. However, Mirashoi's shunt had to be replaced due to an infection. She needs urgent treatment and another surgery to facilitate her recovery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $719 to cover the cost of surgery for Mirishoi. The procedure is scheduled to take place on June 3rd and will drain the excess fluid from Mirishoi's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Mirishoi will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. "We never expected that our 3rd child would come in such a manner. It has been tough for us, but more for her as she's the one constantly in the hospital and operating rooms. I wish I could bear her pain, because seeing her cry and me being helpless is truly heartbreaking. I hope that with this surgery, my daughter will get a chance at a healthier life," Mirishoi's father shares.

Amanda is a five-month-old baby girl from Kenya. Since she was born, Amanda has been healthy, but a few weeks ago, her mother started to notice that her eyes appeared more sunken. Soon after, she noticed that a particular hat no longer fit, as her head seemed to be growing faster than the rest of her body. With no knowledge of what might be the issue, she tried not to worry too much and hoped it was nothing serious. One Sunday when the family was attending a funeral, a stranger noticed Amanda and immediately expressed concern about the size of her head and the appearance of her eyes. The person urged Keziah to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Keziah 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, Amanda has been experiencing an increasing head circumference. Without treatment, Amanda will experience severe physical and developmental delays. For Amanda's parents, the diagnosis was both frightening and overwhelming. Not only had they never heard of the condition before, but they were also faced with the reality that they could not afford the treatment their daughter urgently needed. Keziah is currently unemployed, while her father is a loader at bus stops. The little income he earns is barely enough to provide for the family's basic needs. Lately, her mother has noticed that Amanda cries more often than before, seemingly because of the discomfort she is experiencing. She has lost her neck balance, and can no longer sit on her own. She has also been having frequent fevers, leaving her parents increasingly worried about her well-being. Amid the uncertainty and fear, a friend referred the family to our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital (BKKH). Amanda urgently needs an Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy (ETV) surgery to drain the cerebrospinal fluid and reduce intracranial pressure. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $719 to cover the cost of surgery that will take place on June 3rd. With proper treatment, Amanda will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. Amanda's mother says: "The diagnosis came as a shock, but I believe God has not brought Amanda this far to leave her. I trust that He will touch someone's heart, and give my daughter a chance to heal."

Blessing is a three-week-old baby girl from Kenya. While Blessing's mother was pregnant with her, her husband abandoned the family of five children. Blessing was born on a beautiful day in May. Doctors examined her soon after birth and broke the devastating news: she was born with hydrocephalus and spina bifida, congenital conditions affecting the nervous system. Spina bifida involves incomplete spinal development, while hydrocephalus is a dangerous buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain. After staying in the hospital for four days, Blessing and her mother were referred to our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital (BKKH) for further review and treatment. Less than a week after her birth, Blessing underwent her first surgery for spina bifida. They were discharged three days later, and advised to go back for check up in two weeks. Happy that her daughter had received help, Blessing's mother left happy, anticipating a healthier future for her girl. Life at home went back to normal. Blessing's mother continued juggling different jobs to provide for her children; from carrying sacks of potatoes to the market, to doing people's laundry, she did whatever her hands could get into. Two weeks later, she unfortunately did not have enough money for transport to go back to hospital, a journey that took about four hours using public transportation. They managed to go a week later, and doctors confirmed that her recovery from the first surgery was good. However, her head had significantly increased in size due to hydrocephalus, and she was scheduled for an Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy (ETV) procedure, to drain the excess cerebrospinal fluid. While life has not been easy lately, and with accumulating medical bills, Blessing’s mother remains hopeful. When she was told about the Watsi program that could help support her daughter's upcoming surgery, tears streamed down her cheeks, grateful that her prayers had been answered. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $719 to cover the cost of surgery for Blessing that will treat her hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on June 4th. With proper treatment, Blessing will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. Fighting back tears, her mother says: "Life has been hard lately. Having to worry about finances as well as my daughter's life has brought me on the verge of depression. However, I am hopeful that all will be well after this surgery, and that I will have one less issue to worry about."