healing changes everything | cure.org1

Thank you for sponsoring life-saving hydrocephalus surgeries

at the CURE Uganda and CURE Zambia hospitals. Your

generous contribution is enabling 46 children to have life-

saving surgery through CURE this year. The surgeries that

your family and friends have sponsored create the

opportunity for these children to live a life that their

families never dreamed would be possible. It was made a

reality by your generosity. Through your support, you are at

our patients' bedsides as our staff team comforts each child

and showers them with compassion and love. You are there

when the children are wheeled away to their momentous,

life-saving surgery, and you are there as they recover and are

discharged - ready to go home happy, healthy and whole.

This quarter, your gift supported surgeries for 10 children.

Please allow us to introduce you to them:

Report for: The Strawbridge Family and Friends Reporting Period: Report 2: January–March 2014 Hospital Location: CURE Uganda and CURE Zambia Your Gift Enables: 46 Surgeries this year

Surgery Sponsorship Report

1 Soki Adela

My name is: Soki, age less than 1 yearI was treated for: hydrocephalusBackground: Soki was an unexpected baby. When his

mother realized that she was pregnant, she dropped

out of school and went to live with the parents of

Soki's father. About a month ago, Soki started to

show signs of sickness. His mother became concerned.

She took him to the local hospital where they were

then referred to CURE Uganda. At the hospital,

doctors diagnosed his hydrocephalus and performed

surgery to alleviate the condition. At last, he can get

back to knowing a normal childhood.

2 Stephen Odongo

My name is: Stephen, age less than 1 yearI was treated for: hydrocephalusBackground: Unlike many kids in Uganda, Stephen

was born in a hospital. At first, all seemed well.

However, when Stephen turned one month old, he

developed a fever. His mother also noticed that his

head was increasing in size. She took Stephen to the

local health center where doctors examined him and

referred them to CURE Uganda. Once there, Stephen

had surgery to combat the hydrocephalus. Soon, he

will be able to return home, where he can grow up

and start horsing around with his siblings.

healing changes everything | cure.org2

3 Zaituna Buza

My name is: Zaituna, age 1I was treated for: hydrocephalusBackground: Zaituna is the daughter of a grocery

store owner in Uganda. At only one-year-old, Zaituna

has already had quite the life. Born with

hydrocephalus, she had little hope for survival.

Thankfully, her parents took her to CURE Uganda,

where a world-class team of neurosurgeons treated

her condition. Because of the treatment that she

received at the hospital, Zaituna has been given a

better chance at life. Soon, she will be able to return

home, where she can enjoy childhood to its fullest.

4 Kawesi Amon

My name is: Kawesi, age 1I was treated for: hydrocephalus Background: Kawesi's parents were overjoyed when they first held their son. However, their joy shifted to concern when his head started to swell. Unsure and

unable to seek treatment, Kawesi's condition

continued to deteriorate. After hearing about CURE

Uganda, the family knew just where they needed to

be. At the hospital, Kawesi had surgery to both limit

and reverse the effects of his hydrocephalus. After

recovering, Kawesi will be able to return home, and

his parents joy can be found once again.

5 Bridget Mwansa

My name is: Bridget, age 2I was treated for: hydrocephalusBackground: When Bridget's head began to grow

abnormally large, her mother blamed herself for her

daughter's ever worsening condition and lost all hope.

After being referred to CURE Zambia, Bridget's

mother was encouraged to see patients with the

same condition. Since having surgery to combat the

hydrocephalus, Bridget has started to mumble a few

words and her smile is amongst the most beautiful

we have seen. Plus, her mother's guilt has begun to

fade, and her hope has slowly been restored.

healing changes everything | cure.org3

6 Eliza James

My name is: Eliza, age less than 1 yearI was treated for: hydrocephalusBackground: Eliza was born in January of this year.

In February, her mother Josephine noticed that she

had developed hydrocephalus. Despite the cultural

beliefs that people had in her community concerning

hydrocephalus, Josephine never really believed in

them. She always believed that her daughter had a

medical condition. She decided to take Eliza to a

hospital. From there, she was referred to CURE

Uganda. Eliza underwent life-saving surgery and will

be a living testament, dispelling all false beliefs.

7 Fatimah Kamiji

My name is: Fatimah, age 1I was treated for: hydrocephalusBackground: Fatimah was born with hydrocephalus.

As an infant, she had surgery at a local hospital to

combat the condition. They inserted a shunt and for

nearly a year, everything was good. More recently

however, it became obvious that the hydrocephalus

was back with a vengeance. This time, a friend told

them about CURE Zambia. At the hospital, Fatimah

had surgery to revise her shunt placement. All are

hopeful that this will mean a happy and healthy life

for Fatimah for many years to come.

8 David Lubasi

My name is: David, age less than 1 yearI was treated for: hydrocephalus Background: Baby David is a true cutie. He comes

from a family of miners and has been strong-willed little man from the get go. David was born with both hydrocephalus and spina bifida. Through a series of referrals, David came to CURE Zambia where he was treated with care, love, and expertise. When David left the hospital, he also left many dangers behind. Moving forward, he will be able to use his strength to grow and thrive, rather than fight for his life.

healing changes everything | cure.org4

9 Loveness Yombwe

My name is: Loveness, age less than 1 yearI was treated for: hydrocephalusBackground: Loveness is the seventh child in her

family but the first to cause them much of a scare.

Loveness was born with hydrocephalus. When her

parents first noticed that something was wrong, they

took her to a local hospital where they were in turn

referred to CURE Zambia. Upon her arrival, Loveness

underwent surgery to mitigate the hydrocephalus.

Soon, Loveness will be able to return home where she

can grow old with her big, loving family.

10 Omiya Luwaya

My name is: Omiya, age 1I was treated for: hydrocephalusBackground: When Omiya turned one week old, she

developed a fever and started to have convulsions.

Her parents took her to a local clinic where she was

treated. In the months that followed, everything

appeared to be fine. Then, when she turned seventh

months old, Omiya's head started to swell. Through a

series of referrals, she landed at CURE Zambia. There,

doctors diagnosed her hydrocephalus and treated the

condition. All are hopeful that her time at CURE was

the boost she needed to win the war.

Hospital HighlightsDuring this quarter, CURE Uganda and CURE Zambia experienced a flurry of activity in and around each hospital. The

following are a few hospital highlights at CURE Uganda and CURE Zambia over this reporting period:

• CURE Uganda- There were many exciting things happening at CURE Uganda throughout this past quarter,

including the hospital hosting American

neurosurgeons to be trained in the ETV/CPC

procedure. The hospital also

welcomed a number of short-term visitors and their new CUREKids Coordinator (CKC) for this year, Mark Barrett. Mark

previously served as the CKC in Malawi. He is an integral part to being able to tell our patients' stories.

• CURE Zambia- Similarly, CURE Zambia also hosted a number of short-term visitors. They also prepared for Dr. Justin

Onen. Dr. Onen recently graduated from our hydrocephalus training program in Uganda. He is a great addition to

our team of neurosurgeons and we are looking forward to providing life-saving surgery to even more children

because of him.