Dudhakala is a 15-year-old girl from Nepal who needs surgery to treat rheumatic heart disease. For the last year, she’s battled worsening symptoms of her condition, including shortness of breath, heart palpitations, and severe tremors that prevent her from walking, playing, or living any kind of a normal life. If given the opportunity to have this surgery, Dudhakala’s whole life will change.
Dudhakala has lived with her grandmother since she was 5 years old because her parents are not involved in her life. She loves school, studying Nepali stories, and playing Kabaddi with her friends during her free time, but she’s had to limit her activity lately because of her worsening condition. Last month, Dudhakala stopped going to school because she is no longer able to make the 10 minute walk from her home. Her grandmother does the best she can to provide for Dudhakala, but she does not have nearly enough money to cover the cost of her treatment.
Despite the challenges thrown her way, Dudhakala remains positive and hopeful about her future. She told her doctors that when she grows up she wants to become a teacher and take care of her grandmother. Let’s make sure a treatable heart condition doesn’t stand in the way of her ability to do it!