Laviciah is a two-month-old-baby girl from Kenya. Her father works as a driver, and her mother worked as a cleaner but is currently on maternity leave.
Laviciah was born with spina bifida and hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. Shortly after birth, Laviciah underwent a shunt insertion surgery to manage the hydrocephalus, but complications arose. Her father recalls weeks filled with worry as Laviciah began vomiting frequently, crying inconsolably, and becoming increasingly irritable—clear signs that something was not right.
A concerned friend referred the family to our medical partner’s care center, BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital. Upon arrival, scans revealed that Laviciah’s shunt was no longer functioning properly and required urgent revision. Though the revision was completed successfully, the shunt malfunctioned again, and doctors determined that Laviciah now requires an External Ventricular Drain surgery to manage the excess fluid. Laviciah’s family normally relies on Kenya’s national health plan, under which there would be a wait for the surgery. But without timely treatment, Laviciah will experience severe physical and developmental delays.
Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $719 to cover the cost of surgery for Laviciah that will treat her hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on December 19th and will drain the excess fluid from Laviciah’s brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Laviciah will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl.
Laviciah’s mother shares, “This journey has been harder than we ever imagined, but we are holding on to faith and trusting that this surgery will help our daughter recover.”

