For some unknown reason, the special needs orphanage Global Partners in Life (GPiL) supports has had several children that have a hole in their hearts. After being around several of these children, I can now recognize some of their symptoms. Usually these children will have blue lips and fingernails. Also, they don’t have as much energy as the other children.
What may be our largest success story involves a child with a hole in their heart. From what I have been told, this very small child was in an overcrowded municipal orphanage. His condition was dire, and the 3 shift leaders got together and decided the child was going to die. With them all being in agreement about the child’s imminent death, they decided to take the food given to the child and give it to the children they knew would live. Somehow the lady that leads the special needs orphanage GPiL supports found out about this situation and she was given the child. The child spent 2 months in a hospital before going to the orphanage.
Once the child had gained enough strength, we donated the money for the surgery to repair the hole in the heart. While the baby was recovering, a young American teacher in town started fostering the child. The child continued to improve, and the teacher’s parents legally adopted the baby! So, this child went from being left to die to living with a wonderful family in America!
As you can tell from the pictures below, a large incision is needed by the medical team to correct a hole in the heart. I can’t imagine how sore the children are after this operation, but I am thankful that GPiL has been able to provide the surgery for them! And in this case, the child also received a loving family.
These are two different children and the surgeries were done a year apart. Thankfully the surgeries were successful! When people donate to Global Partners in Life, this is one of the ways we use the contributions to help the children!