Background

Gathoni Ngumba Gachie, 13 years old girl, born on 26.08.1995 in Kenya, Africa has an innateheart failure – her heart has several holes. It is definitely impossible to get treatment in her own country. It was confirmed by several professionals with high reputation in Germany, that it is a challenge to treat her. Dr. Schwaemer, as the District Administrator of Rendsburg-Eckernfoerde with his staff and departments, and Mr. Otto Bernhardt, as a senator of German parliament, supported personally, so that Gathoni and her father were able to fly to Germany without having any delay with visa on October 2nd , 2008. Initially we privately supported her with the check-up costs, flight to Germany, etc. It's another drastic experience for a girl with the condition, as her family had to leave their hometown due to political unrest in Kenya as it happened in January 2008. Thanks to all people of good will from different fields, she is now being treated in the Heart Center at University Medical center of Hamburg (UKE). She is waiting for her operation at the UKE. From today's medical view, she should be treated continuously with several medicines of rather high costs.

What are missing now are the resources to realize and complete her treatment.

Current estimation at UKE on well-meaning base is approximately 70.000 Euro. The treatment of Gathoni is not covered by any governmental health insurance. By the circumstances, we would like to ask you for your support to save her life.   – our small private charity action started to receive donations from people of good will, by motivation through media, little by little, such as series articles at Holsteinischer Courier, RTL Nord documentary series and Kieler Nachrichten – we believe these journalists are reporting the story with their hearts.

Recognized Association for direct support

To make it fair to those who are ready to donate, we established a Non-Profit-Association, “Verein fuer Menschen in Not” (“Association for people in difficulties”), which is officially recognized by local authorities. In future, we will continue such direct and quick help in good cooperation with people, whom we got to know through our support for Gathoni.Dr. Junge, as the lawyer, Mr. Puck as the accountant, Mr. Kuestner as the banker, and all the related people are helping with work pro bono. Nobody can save the whole world; still we would like to support Gathoni, who is a quiet but intelligent and brave girl. Her life is in our hands. We believe in the saying “The longest journey begins with a single step." If you find any meanings in our request for support, any form of your donation would be highly appreciated. The Gachie family is ready to provide you with any extra information or material, e.g. medical reports etc, that may be useful to you as you make your contribution(s). Thank you very much for your time to read this and for your kind consideration.