Parents Appeal for KSh2 Million to Save Daughter Born With Multiple Rare Congenital Conditions

By Sonia Mitchel

For most parents, the birth of a child is a moment of celebration and hope. For Rebecca and Shadrack Gudere, however, the arrival of their  daughter, Sarah, has become a relentless fight to keep her alive.

The young family from Kapsabet in Nandi County is appealing to Kenyans of goodwill, churches, charitable organizations, corporate sponsors and the government to help raise KSh2 million needed for specialized surgeries after their daughter was born with multiple life-threatening congenital abnormalities.

Doctors diagnosed Sarah with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD)—commonly referred to as a hole in the heart—alongside Esophageal Atresia, Microtia, and an anorectal malformation (ARM) with a rectal fistula. The conditions require highly specialized treatment by a multidisciplinary team of pediatric specialists.

Sarah is currently dependent on oxygen support around the clock as doctors prepare her for corrective surgeries expected to begin in August, should the family succeed in raising the required funds.

A Dream Replaced by Fear

Sarah’s father, Shadrack Gudere, is a second-year student at Kapsabet Bible College, where he is training for Christian ministry.

Instead of celebrating the birth of his third child, he says the family has spent the past ten months moving between hospital wards and consulting specialists.

“We had prepared to welcome our daughter home with joy, but instead every medical examination brought another diagnosis. It has been the most difficult period of our lives,” Shadrack said.

The couple intentionally named their daughter Sarah, drawing inspiration from the biblical Sarah, whose life was marked by years of waiting, hardship and unwavering faith.

“I named her Sarah because of the biblical Sarah. She went through bitterness and many tribulations before God fulfilled His promise. That is exactly what we have gone through as a family.”

“There were moments when we completely gave up because every report seemed to bring another challenge. But prayers have kept us going. We believe God still has a purpose for our daughter.”

Originally from Marsabit County, Shadrack said he embraced Christianity and later dedicated his life to ministry.

He revealed that he is an orphan and has no family home or relatives to turn to for financial support.

“I am an orphan. I do not have a place to go back home to or relatives who can help us raise this kind of money. Our hope is in God and in compassionate Kenyans who will hear our appeal.”

Every Three Days, Another Oxygen Refill

Sarah’s condition has transformed the couple’s daily life into a round-the-clock caregiving routine.

Rebecca says the infant cannot survive without oxygen support.

The family spends approximately KSh2,500 every three days on oxygen refills, an expense that continues to rise alongside the cost of hospital care.

Because of Esophageal Atresia, Sarah cannot feed normally and receives nutrition through a feeding tube. She also depends on specialized infant milk formula prescribed by doctors.

The couple says they rarely get enough sleep because one parent must always remain awake to monitor Sarah while the other rests.

“We hardly sleep anymore,” Rebecca said. “We take turns watching over Sarah because she needs constant care throughout the day and night.”

She described the frightening moments whenever the oxygen supply runs low.

“Whenever the oxygen runs out, Sarah starts turning green. Those moments are terrifying because you feel helpless as a mother.”

Despite the emotional strain, Rebecca remains optimistic.

“I still believe one day Sarah will be well. We are praying that if we manage to raise the KSh2 million needed, she will undergo the surgery scheduled for August and begin her recovery.”

Multiple Rare Birth Defects

Doctors say Sarah’s case is particularly complex because several congenital abnormalities are affecting different body systems.

Medical examinations confirmed a Congenital Heart Disease, after doctors discovered a hole in her heart.

She was also diagnosed with Esophageal Atresia, a rare birth defect in which the oesophagus does not connect properly to the stomach, making normal feeding impossible.

Sarah was further diagnosed with Microtia, a congenital condition in which the external ears did not fully develop. Doctors are still assessing the extent of her hearing because the abnormality may affect the structures responsible for hearing.

Further investigations revealed she was born with an anorectal malformation (ARM) accompanied by a rectal fistula, a congenital defect in which the anus fails to develop normally and the rectum connects abnormally to nearby pelvic structures through a narrow passage.

Doctors say all four conditions require highly specialized corrective surgery and long-term follow-up involving paediatric cardiologists, paediatric surgeons, neonatologists, ENT specialists and rehabilitation experts.

Referred to Specialists in Nairobi

After initial treatment at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret, specialists reviewed Sarah’s condition and referred the family to a specialized medical team in Nairobi capable of handling the complex surgeries.

However, the estimated cost of surgery, hospitalization, medication, investigations and post-operative care is approximately KSh2 million.

SHA Has Helped, But More Support Is Needed

While expressing gratitude to the Social Health Authority (SHA), Shadrack said the scheme has only been able to cover part of Sarah’s treatment.

According to him, SHA has paid approximately KSh300,000, covering medication and hospital bed charges.

“We are grateful because SHA has paid for medication and the hospital bed, amounting to about KSh300,000. Without that support, our situation would have been even more difficult.”

He noted, however, that the family must still raise nearly KSh2 million to enable Sarah to undergo specialized surgeries.

“We are still required to raise close to KSh2 million. We humbly appeal to Kenyans to stand with us.”

Shadrack also called on the government to expand healthcare funding for children born with complex congenital conditions.

“If only the government could allocate more funding under SHA for children like Sarah. Many parents cannot afford these surgeries. Increasing the amount covered under SHA would give many children an opportunity to survive.”

A Wider Healthcare Challenge

Sarah’s story reflects a challenge facing thousands of Kenyan families every year.

According to the Ministry of Health, more than 10,000 babies are born annually with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) in Kenya.

The burden of congenital heart disease remains significant due to the high cost of treatment, shortages of paediatric cardiac specialists and limited access to early diagnosis, particularly outside major referral centres.

Medical experts say early diagnosis and prompt intervention significantly improve survival and quality of life for children born with congenital heart defects and other congenital anomalies.

Church Steps In to Help

The Africa Inland Church (AIC) Nandi Area has been supporting the Gudere family since Sarah’s diagnosis.

Bishop Moses Serem said the church has helped meet some of the family’s immediate needs, including paying for oxygen refills.

“As a church, we have stood with this family through prayer and practical support. We have been helping refill the oxygen because the baby cannot survive without it.”

He said, however, that oxygen alone cannot save Sarah.

“Sarah needs much more than oxygen. She requires specialized surgery and treatment that is beyond what the family and the church can provide.”

Bishop Serem appealed to leaders across the country to support the fundraising drive.

“We are calling upon our leaders, led by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, Nandi Governor Stephen Sang, Members of Parliament, Members of County Assembly, the business community and all Kenyans of goodwill to help raise the KSh2 million needed. Together we can give this child an opportunity to live a normal life.”

Bible College Joins the Appeal

The leadership of Kapsabet Bible College has also appealed for support, describing Shadrack as a committed second-year student preparing for Christian ministry.

The college principal said the institution continues to stand with the family spiritually and emotionally.

“Shadrack is one of our dedicated students, and this situation has placed an enormous burden on his young family. As a college, we continue praying for them while appealing to well-wishers to support Sarah’s treatment.”

“This child deserves the opportunity to grow, learn and fulfil her purpose in life. We believe that together, Kenyans can help make that possible.”

Holding on to Hope

As the family waits for Sarah’s scheduled surgery in August, hope remains their greatest source of strength.

Every oxygen refill, every hospital visit and every prayer is driven by the belief that one day Sarah will overcome the challenges she was born with.

“Every parent dreams of seeing their child grow up healthy,” Shadrack said. “That is our prayer. We believe God uses people to perform miracles, and we are asking Kenyans to help us give Sarah a chance to live.”

How to Support

Well-wishers wishing to support Sarah’s treatment can send their contributions through:

Paybill: 400200
Account Number: 1176980

For the Gudere family, every contribution is more than a donation—it is a lifeline, offering hope that Sarah will receive the life-saving surgeries she urgently needs and one day enjoy the healthy childhood every parent dreams of for their child.

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