In Zanzibar, there are around 1,700 registered individuals with heart conditions, many of which include children. We worked with ‘Organisation for the Childrens’ Heart Zanzibar - OCHZ’ to help vulnerable individuals. We tried to help them access the treatment and medication that they direly needed and still need today. 

Unfortunately in Zanzibar, there is a severe lack of access to treatment as hospitals are extremely underequipped. As a result, hundreds have been left vulnerable and at risk of losing their lives as the equipment that they direly need is not available to them. 

Sadly, in 2019, we received the heart wrenching news of the deaths of two wonderful girls, Salma and Rahma. These two bright individuals had helped me various times during my visits to Zanzibar and it was due to the lack of proper treatment that their lives were claimed. Moreover, during one of my visits, I had to witness the harrowing death of four year old Khayrat, a beautiful little girl whose life could have been saved if she had access to the right treatment. With your help, we hope to minimise these premature deaths that could’ve been prevented.

We managed to raise enough money to get two ECG machines as well as 5 pulse oximeters thanks to generous donations. We wish to raise enough money for an Echo machine which is essential in the treatment of heart conditions. As a person suffering with heart conditions, the fact that this lack of equipment prevents children from accessing the treatment they urgently need is truly agonising and I wish to do everything in my power to help them and give them a fighting chance. With your help, the lives of children like Salma and Rahma can be saved.

We need your help to protect the lives of these young children. Our aim is to get an Echo machine and other equipment that will help our cause. We are trying to raise £15,000 to substantiate the costs.  - Layla Yahya, Co-Founder of Bigger Heart Zanzibar.