Samuel from Lilongwe/Malawi our very first patient, who was actually the reason that Tulisa was once founded, received after two years of waiting successfully his heart surgery; made possible by your generosity!

Samuel was born with a serious heart defect (incomplete closure) in the wall between the two upper chambers of the heart. This enables blood flow between the left and right upper chamber what means that the blood doesn’t pass through the lungs where it is enriched with oxygen and any waste such as clots are removed.

Ralph Samuel could not be with his friends and play for real, he got tired very quickly, suffered from shortness of breath, sometimes even when resting. His physical development was not adequate compared to his peers.

Samuel lives with his parents in a poor neighbourhood of Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi. His father is a day labourer and his mother has a little income as a house help. The monthly income covers barely basics. The costs for the heart operation to grant Samuels survival was not affordable for them.

In April this year, when Tulisa eventually received enough donations, Samuel travelled to Nairobi and was operated in the cardiac surgery department of the Mater Hospital; the opening between the two upper chambers was closed.

After only two weeks he had gained 2 kg (with a body weight of only 12 kg at an age of 4 years)!

He looks forward a new life, free of physical and mental suffering, living, playing and growing like other children do. Samuel and his parents thank you with all their heart and truly appreciate your support.