Guyana Trip April 2025

Chadasha’s mission of Saving Lives, and Building Capacity in Guyana

In an inspiring demonstration of long-term impact and commitment to sustainable healthcare, Chadasha and its strategic partner Gift of Life International (GOLI) recently concluded a highly successful training and surgical mission at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) in Guyana. This visit, which took place from April 5th to 15th, 2025, marks the sixth mission to the country since the program’s revival in 2023 and the first of three scheduled for this year. It stands as a testament to the enduring partnership between Chadasha and GOLI committed to providing life-saving care to children while simultaneously empowering local healthcare systems.

Since the initial work of Chadasha and international medical teams, the collaborative efforts have yielded significant outcomes. Between 2015 and 2018, the initiative reached over 150 children through life-saving open-heart surgeries and catheterization procedures. Though the program was paused for several years, it was revived in March 2023 with renewed focus—not only on surgical interventions but also on skills transfer and capacity building for Guyanese healthcare professionals. Since then, the teams have completed 50 open-heart surgeries and 9 catheterization interventions in collaboration with local staff.

During this most recent April mission, 8 pediatric patients underwent heart surgeries over the course of five days. As of April 20th, all patients had been safely discharged, marking another milestone in the mission’s success. The visit followed a familiar and effective model—beginning with online case consultations between the international and local teams, followed by in-person case presentations and final selections upon the visiting team’s arrival. Initially, 12 cases were selected for surgery; however, five patients were unwell at the time of the procedures.

A team of 24 medical professionals—including surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, intensivist and technicians—collaborated closely with their local counterparts throughout the visit. These partnerships have been instrumental in transferring critical knowledge and best practices to Guyanese medical professionals. Today, 20 local nurses have successfully completed the Congenital Heart Disease Training curriculum, each participating in at least three missions between 2023 and 2024.

This partnership between Chadasha and GOLI is more than just a series of missions—it is a shared vision to reduce preventable childhood mortality and build lasting capacity within Guyana’s health sector. By combining immediate medical interventions with hands-on training and knowledge exchange, the program ensures that the local medical team is increasingly equipped to diagnose, manage, and treat congenital heart diseases independently.

Looking forward, Chadasha remains committed to supporting initiatives that bring world-class care to underserved communities and build resilient, self-sufficient healthcare systems.

A Difficult Diagnosis

At just six months old, Joshua was diagnosed with a Doubly Committed Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)—a congenital heart defect requiring surgical intervention. The diagnosis led them to Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), Guyana’s national referral hospital, where they began a long journey of follow-ups and medical monitoring at the Pediatric Clinic.

But life in the interior is never simple. Joanie, balancing the care of Joshua, an older sibling, and later another child, had to return to their village. The distance, the cost of travel, and the everyday demands of life in a rural setting meant that regular follow-ups were often delayed or missed. For four years, the family lived with the fear and uncertainty of Joshua’s condition.

A Call That Changed Everything

Then, just a few days before the medical team led by Dr. Rodrigo Soto arrived to Guyana, Joanie received a life-changing call from a pediatric doctor at the clinic. Joshua had been identified as a candidate for surgery through the upcoming visits—and he needed to get to the city urgently.

With travel, accommodation, and meal support generously provided by Chadasha, Joanie and Joshua packed their bags and made the journey to Georgetown, leaving behind his 6-month-old baby sister and older brother. It was a whirlwind of emotions: fear, hope, and the weight of four years of waiting.

A New Chapter Begins

Now back in the Rupununi, Joshua is living life as a normal child—with a repaired heart and renewed energy. He will continue follow-up care at the Pediatric Clinic at GPHC, and for Joanie, there is a sense of gratitude that words can barely capture.

“This surgery gave my son a second chance,” she said. “And it gave me hope that we are not forgotten, even far away.”

Healing Hearts, Training Hands

Joshua’s story is one of eight that emerged from the most recent training visit between April 5th–15th, 2025. Since resuming visits in March 2023, 50 open-heart surgeries and 9 catheterization procedures have been performed through GPHC’s partnership with the internationally recognized medical group. More than just surgeries, these collaborations are opportunities for training, growth, and building sustainable pediatric cardiac care in Guyana.

Through the compassion of organizations like Chadasha and the dedication of international and local medical teams, children like Joshua are given the gift of life—and the chance to run, laugh, and grow up in the places they call home.

A Second Chance at Childhood: Kelon’s Story of Hope and Healing

At just seven years old, Kelon Hodge has lived through more than most children his age could imagine. Born with Tetralogy of Fallot (TET), a serious congenital heart defect, Kelon’s journey has been marked by struggle, strength, and unwavering hope. Thanks to Chadasha’s continued support and its partnership with a world-class pediatric cardiac organization like GOLI, Kelon’s story has taken a new turn—one filled with renewed hope, opportunity, and life.

A Frightening Start

According to his mother, Ronessa Armstrong, Kelon’s battle for life began immediately after birth. “He was blue,” she recalls. “We knew something was wrong right away.” He was soon diagnosed with a congenital heart defect, and life as they knew it was transformed.

Over the years, Kelon’s condition brought with it terrifying moments. He would often faint unexpectedly, his lips turning purple, his tiny body gasping for breath. “There were moments I thought I’d lose him,” Ronessa said, her voice trembling. “It was like watching my child fade away, not knowing if he’d come back.”

Because of his fragile health, Kelon lived a sheltered life. He couldn’t run or play like other children. He didn’t attend school, and his days were spent indoors under his mother’s constant watch. Still, Kelon was aware of his condition. Whenever he felt his heart racing or sensed a fainting spell coming, he would run to his mother and say, “Hold me, Mommy.”

The Long Wait for a Lifesaving Surgery

After enrolling at the Paediatric Clinic at GPHC, Kelon was placed on medication. But the treatment, while necessary, was difficult for his underweight frame—at just 15 pounds, the side effects sometimes made him feel worse.

Ronessa remained determined. When she learned of the Pediatric Cardiac Programme at GPHC with its international partner, she saw a glimmer of hope. She followed the stories of other children who had received surgeries through the collaboration. Twice, Kelon made the surgical candidate list—but both times, illness kept him from undergoing the procedure.

Yet, she never gave up. “I prayed constantly. I believed that one day, it would be his turn.”

Trip Gallery

Gift of Life Volunteers helping out in the ICU