My name is L. Gonye. I am fundraising for Baby Alvin Mukandi on behalf of his parents, Collen and Sithokozile Mukandi, who are currently residing in Glen View, Harare. Baby Alvin urgently needs to undergo craniosynostosis surgery to save his life. The estimated cost of the surgery (total calvarial vault remodeling) is US$45,548.69, an amount far beyond what the family can manage. This is as per the quotation received from the hospital.

Alvin has been fighting for his life from the moment he was born. He arrived prematurely on 9 January 2025, weighing only 1.4 kg at Sally Mugabe Hospital in Zimbabwe. He spent his first month in the nursery battling to grow stronger and was discharged at just 1.61 kg.

But Alvin’s challenges did not end there. At only a few months old, he continued to struggle with his health. When he finally reached 3.5 kg, he became critically ill with severe pneumonia in April 2025. He was admitted for seven days and treated with strong antibiotics. Although he recovered, he continued to fall sick repeatedly with flu, swelling around the nose, and breathing difficulties. Doctors suspected an obstruction, but the symptoms kept returning.

On 11 December 2025, Alvin was referred to neurosurgeons after abnormalities began appearing on his head. A CT scan on 30 December confirmed our worst fear: Alvin was diagnosed with craniosynostosis. This is a serious condition where the bones in a baby’s skull fuse too early, affecting:

• brain growth

• head shape

• breathing

• neurological development

In Zimbabwe, there is only one neurosurgeon capable of treating this condition. They recently took him to the specialist on 12 January 2026 and were told that Alvin needs urgent surgery before he reaches 18 months to prevent permanent brain damage and life-threatening complications.

Alvin’s condition is getting worse each day. He is now struggling to breathe, and he has been referred to an ENT specialist. They are awaiting his review on 22 January 2026 to understand how severe the airway obstruction has become.

Every day, we watch our baby fight for breath. We fear the worst and pray for a miracle. We are doing everything we can as a family, but the cost of surgery, hospital care, and follow-up treatment is overwhelming.

Your donation, no matter how small, will help us:

• Pay for Alvin’s lifesaving craniosynostosis surgery

• Cover hospital and ICU expenses

• Secure the ENT treatment he urgently needs

• Give our baby a chance to grow, breathe, and live a normal life

Alvin has fought so hard since the day he was born. We are asking for your kindness, your prayers, and your support to help him keep fighting.

Thank you for standing with us. Thank you for giving Alvin a chance at life.