Aminatou, 16 years

Aminatou grew up as a healthy child in Garoua, a city in northern Cameroon. In 2017, however, Aminatou fell ill and was diagnosed with a heart valve defect. At the Shisong Cardiac Center, she was advised to undergo surgery. Her father refused, because Aminatou’s mother was seriously ill in a hospital in Yaoundé. Her mother died in late 2017. Her father was afraid to have Aminatou undergo surgery and went from hospital to hospital to find another solution. In January 2026, Aminatou had to be admitted to the Garoua Hospital due to a persistent cough and heart problems. From there, she was sent to the Yaoundé General Hospital and referred to the Shisong team. Surgery is unavoidable, and a date has been scheduled.

Aminatou is an only child. Since her mother’s death, Aminatou has been living with her aunt, who is a subsistence farmer. Her father is a small-scale merchant who sells shoes. The family can cover the costs of the lab tests. The costs of the surgery will be covered by the mi-do donation community and Friends of Franciscan Mission Outreach, for which the family is infinitely grateful!