Rotary Heart Camp Gives 14-Year-Old Chloe a Second Chance at Life

Fourteen-year-old Chloe is looking forward to returning to school, playing with friends, and living a normal life again after undergoing successful heart surgery at the Uganda Heart Institute through a Rotary-supported medical camp.

Chloe was among nine children who received life-saving closed-heart surgery procedures during a cardiac camp organized under a Rotary Global Grant project led by the Rotary Club of Entebbe and the Rotary Club of El Tahrir, alongside support from other Rotary clubs and heart specialists.

The surgeries were conducted in partnershipwith medical teams at the Uganda Heart Institute.

Chloe was diagnosed with a Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) a hole in the wall separating the lower chambers of the heart when she was only one week old. Doctors initially advised her parents to wait, hoping the condition would correct itself naturally as she grew.

For nearly a decade, she appeared stable.

However, four years ago, her health began to deteriorate. Persistent fatigue and breathlessness gradually affected her daily life, limiting her ability to participate in normal childhood activities.

While other children played and ran freely, Chloe often struggled to keep up.

Doctors later recommended surgery, but the cost was beyond what her family could afford.

Her mother said the family continued to rely on faith despite the growing challenges.

“The God who has kept her till now will keep her for life,” she said.

As Chloe’s condition worsened in recent months, even concentrating in class became difficult for the Senior One student.

Relief came after her mother learned about a free cardiac surgery camp organized by Rotarians and decided to seek medical help once again.

Today, Chloe is recovering steadily after a successful operation that closed the hole in her heart.

Doctors say she is expected to return home soon and resume normal life, including school and physical activities that were previously impossible.

Her mother expressed gratitude to the Rotary teams and medical specialists involved in the initiative.

“Thank you for the lives you save. Thank you for giving children a second chance,” she said.

According to Dr. Richard Kalungi, Chair of the Rotary Fellowship of Healthcare Professionals, the initiative brought together support from three countries to provide treatment for children living with congenital heart disease.

The project highlights the growing role of partnerships between humanitarian organizations and health institutions in improving access to specialized medical care for vulnerable children in Uganda.