Fifteen-year-old Emebet Bergena, a bright and gentle girl from Arbaminch, became our 42nd patient to receive life-saving cardiac surgery. Her illness had been misunderstood for years. The exhaustion, the frequent pauses, the inability to keep up with simple tasks - all were dismissed as laziness. Her father later admitted that he even beat her for what he believed was tardiness, unaware that her failing heart was the real reason she struggled.
Behind the misunderstanding, was a child quietly fighting for her life.
Despite her fragile health, Emebet has always been gifted. She loves mathematics and excels without effort. But all she wants is to devote her life to God - serving in the church, helping those in need, and singing spiritual songs to express her gratitude and faith. Her dreams are simple, pure, and full of purpose.
Earlier today, under the leadership of the renowned cardiac surgeon Dr. Fekede Agwar and his tireless surgical team, Emebet underwent a complex surgery that costed around 1.3 million ETH Birr. The operation was successful and lasted 5 hours. She is now in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, stable and recovering, closely monitored by professionals committed to her healing.
Emebet’s story is more than a medical case, it is a mirror reflecting a deeper national challenge. She is one of countless children battling Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD), a condition that is over 99 percent preventable, yet continues to devastate families across Ethiopia. Her journey shows that RHD is not just a disease of the heart; it is a disease shaped by delayed diagnosis, misinformation, poverty, and lack of access to basic healthcare. The impact reaches far beyond the individual, affecting families, communities, and the future of young lives full of promise.
Today, Emebet begins her path toward healing. Her courage, faith, and resilience remind us why this work matters and why awareness and early prevention are essential.
We extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who made this possible. donors, volunteers, supporters, and the surgical team whose dedication brought hope back into her life.
Please stay with us in the coming days as we share updates on Emebet’s recovery. Her healing is more than a Surgical achievement; it is a powerful reminder of compassion, community, and the courage of a young girl who never stopped believing.
Thank you for being part of her story.
