For nine-year-old Miracle Nkanda, walking or playing could end in exhaustion and breathlessness. Her heart condition kept her out of the classroom for long stretches, forcing her to repeat two years of school.
The girl from Zomba in southern Malawi underwent successful heart surgery in Israel, becoming the 9,000th child treated through Israeli humanitarian organization Save a Child’s Heart, the organization announced.
Dr. Lior Sasson, the charity’s lead surgeon, and his team performed the operation at the Sylvan Adams Children’s Hospital at Wolfson Medical Center in Holon.
The youngest of five siblings, Miracle was born with tetralogy of Fallot, a combination of four heart defects that reduced the oxygen reaching her body. Her lips and fingertips sometimes turned blue, and everyday activities left her struggling for breath, according to the organization.
She traveled to Israel accompanied by a Malawian nurse, Faith, while her parents remained at home.
“I was praying the entire time during her surgery and thank the Lord it went well,” Faith said in the charity’s statement.
During her recovery, Miracle described days filled with toys, singing and dancing at the organization’s children’s home. She also spoke of missing her best friend, Comfort, and her family.
“I miss my parents and my siblings, but here in Israel I also have new friends that make me happy,” she said.
Miracle celebrated with a cake bearing the number “9,000.” The charity said its total covered children from 75 countries, including patients treated overseas through funded care, medical missions and local teams it trained.
Its partnership with Malawi began in 2019. Since then, 22 Malawian children have traveled to Israel for treatment, including 20 this year, according to the organization.
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Working with pediatric cardiologist Dr. Yamikani Chimalizeni at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre, the charity also aims to expand treatment capacity in Malawi and eventually establish a specialist children’s heart center there.
Miracle, meanwhile, had a career in mind. Inspired by the people who cared for her, she said she wanted to become a nurse.