News from Zola

Zola is 2 years old. He was born in the Congo with a severe heart defect.

A brand new heart for Zola

Mariela, open-heart surgery in Madagascar

When their son was born with a serious heart defect, Zola’s father and mother, both students and destitute, prepared for the worst.

In Congo-Brazzaville, where there is no pediatric cardiac surgeon, such a diagnosis poses a vital risk to the child.
Thanks to your generosity, this young Congolese boy, once condemned and now aged three, now has a future. Welcomed in France to benefit from the operation that saved his life, Zola is now back in Congo with his loved ones. “A week after the operation, he had already regained all his tonicity. He was very eager to go to school”, testify Ghislaine Parini and Mutendi Kalolwa, his host family during his stay in France.

“This is the first time we’ve welcomed a child as a foster family. It’s extraordinary to be able to be a small link in La Chaîne.” Ghislaine Parini and Mutendi Kalolwa, Zola’s host family.

Very smiley, Zola’s life is very different from that of most other little boys…

Since birth, this little boy has suffered fromventricular septal defect (VSD). This means that oxygenated blood mixes with non-oxygenated blood, due to a leak in the wall separating the two ventricles of his heart. The consequences are far from inconsequential: the malformation of his little heart exhausts him, stunts his growth… and , above all, threatens his life!

Her parents’ wish: to offer her an operation

Zola lives with his mother’s family in Congo-Brazzaville. An only child, Zola’s parents are separated and still students, which has an impact on his family’s lack of income and, consequently, on the prospect of being able to finance their little boy’s operation.

A glimmer of hope remains

In the absence of a heart surgeon in his country, Zola had to be cared for in France. A medical team is now able to operate on Zola in a hospital in Marseille, and a foster family is available to care for him and accompany him during his operation.

The only thing keeping Zola away from his new life is the cost. Together, we need to raise €7,000.

This operation is the hope of a better future for Zola. Let’s unite and act now!