Bartoz Open Heart Surgery Fundraise

My name is Rahel Mekonnen and this is my nephew’s story.

“My name is Bartoz Amare and I have a heart defect that needs open heart surgery urgently. I am one year and 5 months old boy and live with my parents, Wubalem and Amare, in a small town in Ethiopia called Debretabor. My abnormal development has been a major worry for my parents since I was born; my parents were oblivious of what was wrong with me and always worried for my well-being, When my mother decided to visit our relatives in the capital Addis Ababa, where my aunt, Rahel Mekonnen noticed I was extremely underweight (8kg/17.6lbs ) unable to walk or stand and that my breathing was a concern. I was rushed to the hospital, and many scans/diagnostic tests were undergone at three different hospitals, including the Black Lion Public Hospital which confirmed my heart defect, Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), a congenital heart condition involving four abnormalities occurring together. My oxygen currently drops to as low as the 50s. The Black Lion Public hospital could not proceed as they do not have the facility to undergo this procedure. There are only two hospitals in the country that can offer me open heart surgery for TOF intracardiac repair which costs $10,000. My aunt Rahel and her sisters Terusew, Eskedar and Meklit are raising the money needed that my parents don’t have. As little as $10 will help save my life.

Two of the pediatricians who examined me confirmed that I have no other concerns, I am very attentive when other people talk to me. I try to babble especially when I hear music and also like to observe what other people are trying to mimic ; I love playing with anything around me, especially car keys. My aunt Rahel said she observed a very close attachment I have with my Mother Wubalme whom I love so much.

My Aunt Rahel and her sisters are very grateful for the outpouring of your support and will continue to work with the health professionals here in Addis Ababa.”