Goal: €54000
To give Hilda a second chance at life through life-saving heart surgery. ❤️
A Brave Young Woman Fighting for Her Life
Meet Hilda, a bright, kind-hearted 19-year-old girl from a rural area in Zimbabwe. Hilda’s life has never been easy — her mother past away when she was just two months old, and her father abandoned Hilda and her brother shortly after. Their loving grandmother took care and raised both children until, tragically, she passed away six years ago.
Since then, her uncle and aunt (my husband and I)— have stepped in as their only guardians to give her and her brother a stable home. But now, Hilda faces the most serious battle of her life — and she urgently needs your help.
A Failing Heart and a Ticking Clock
Hilda is suffering from severe heart valve damage, likely caused by an untreated childhood infection. Her heart can no longer pump blood effectively, causing fluid to build up in her lungs, abdomen, and limbs.
Earlier this July, doctors drained 6 liters of fluid from her abdomen — and another liter just a week later. She now struggles to breathe, to walk, to sleep. Despite her situation Hilda is unbelievably brave and never complains. She’s on strong medication to manage the symptoms, but this is only a temporary fix.
The only permanent solution is urgent open-heart surgery — a valve replacement — to prevent further life-threatening fluid accumulation and decline and stop her heart from failing entirely.
Why She Can’t Get Help in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe simply doesn’t have the specialist surgeons or cardiac equipment needed to perform this complex procedure. For Hilda to survive, she must travel to neighbor country South Africa, where world-class cardiac care is available.
Time is running out — without immediate surgery, her heart will continue to deteriorate.
No Insurance, No Safety Net — Only Us and You
In Zimbabwe, there is no health insurance or a public healthcare system to cover this kind of surgery. There is no state funding, no options. The entire cost — around €54000 — falls on us.
That’s why we’re reaching out to you. You can be the lifeline Hilda so urgently needs.
What Your Donation Will Cover
Every cent raised will go directly toward:
- Heart valve replacement surgery in South Africa
- Hospital & ICU care before and after the operation
- Essential medication (pre-op and post-op)
- Specialist consultations with cardiac surgeons
- Rehabilitation to help her regain strength
- Travel costs for Hilda and one guardian, likely one of us (flights, visas, transport)
- Accommodation & meals during recovery in South Africa
- Contingency fund for unexpected medical needs or extended care
We will manage all donations with full transparency, and will regularly update you with:
• Medical reports
• Photos from her recovery
• Progress updates from the hospital and beyond
How You Can Help Right Now
✅ Donate: Every amount makes a difference — even $10 brings us closer.
Share: Share this GoFundMe-link with your friends, family, and networks on WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, or email. You never know who might be moved to help.
Follow the Journey: Stay updated with Hilda’s progress, from surgery prep to recovery.
A Life Worth Saving
Hilda is more than her illness. She is a daughter, a sister, a survivor — and a young woman with dreams for her future.
As her guardians, we’re doing everything in our power to keep her alive. But we can’t do it alone.
Please help us give Hilda the future she deserves. A future that won’t be cut short by the simple fact that she was born in a place without access to health care.
Thank you — from Hilda, her brother, and our family — for reading, for donating, and for spreading the word and your compassion. Together, we can rewrite the next chapter of her life
—
#HelpHilda #HeartSurgeryNow #Zimbabwe #MedicalEmergency #MedicalAid #GoFundMe