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In 2024, we were able to help a total of 143 children and single parents suffering from illnesses or health threats. Our work focused on Madagascar, Ghana and Brazil:
- A ten-year-old boy successfully underwent surgery to remove a brain tumour.
- Three children were treated for fungal infections or oral malformations, another for a cyst in the eye, one for an ear abscess, a newborn with suspected cerebral haemorrhage, and another for severe facial swelling.
- Two pregnant women who were unwell were given treatment to save their babies’ lives.
- Six children were treated for burns or deformities of the hands, legs or feet.
- Five children were provided with physiotherapy following accidents.
- One baby was treated for an inguinal hernia, one for a slow heart rate, one for severe seizures and a newborn for a suspected brain haemorrhage.
- A 15-year-old boy suffering from leprosy underwent successful surgery for claw hand.
- A four-year-old was diagnosed with malaria and successfully treated.
- For 20 boys, it was ensured that circumcision was carried out hygienically and painlessly, thereby preventing infections.
- Twenty-two babies with respiratory infections were helped with oxygen therapy.
- Five babies underwent a cardiac ultrasound scan.
- Two children with hydrocephalus were treated.
- We provided 14 premature babies with the necessary treatment in the intensive care unit.
- Twenty babies with suspected jaundice, as well as a further four with intestinal complications or severe diarrhoea and significant weight loss, were successfully treated.
- Four malnourished babies were admitted to hospital for inpatient treatment.
- A total of 25 caesarean sections were funded for expectant mothers in critical situations.
As figures often do not tell the whole story, we would like to use three examples to show just how much our aid efforts can save or change lives, and how grateful we are for the donations received, without which we would not have been able to provide this support last year:
Fifteen-year-old Nicolas lives with his family in very modest circumstances in Brazil. He suffers from leprosy and has been living with what is known as a ‘claw hand’ for ten years. He underwent surgery on his hand performed by a hand surgeon with experience in leprosy surgery, enabling him to use it normally following successful physiotherapy. His joy at this success is almost impossible to describe.
Eight-month-old Erica was born in western Ghana with hydrocephalus. At birth, excess fluid had accumulated in her brain, which can increase pressure within the baby’s brain and cause brain damage as well as mental and physical problems. Erica was also unable to sleep well and found it difficult to sit up because of her oversized head. Her family cannot afford the operation. Thanks to donations, we were able to arrange the operation, which was a success. Erica is doing well, and her parents are over the moon.
Two-and-a-half-year-old Anjela, from a poor family in Madagascar, had a small lump on her left eye a few months after her birth. At the time, the ophthalmologist recommended waiting until she was two years old before having surgery. By the end of 2023, it became clear that it was a conjunctival cyst. Unfortunately, the first operation did not lead to any improvement. The cyst actually grew. Medication did not help either. A second operation was therefore necessary. This was successful, and the girl is now doing well.
