“I struggled a lot to bring her into this world. To go to the nearest hospital, we had to travel 12 kms, changing two buses. I couldn’t afford to eat healthily but we still made sure I didn’t go to bed on an empty stomach. But all those struggles seemed like nothing when I held my girl for the first time… Now doctors say she might die and only an operation that costs beyond our capability can save her life.” – Divya, Mother

Divya’s baby girl is only 45 days old, and with each day passes her heart condition only worsens. She was born with two of the heart’s arteries positioned in opposite direction. This hinders the blood flow to the lungs, making it difficult for the baby to breathe. Only an open heart surgery can cure her.

She pushes me away with her tiny hands whenever I try to feed her, because she can't breathe

“She was 2 kgs last month, now look at her… she is reduced to skin and bones. I can see my baby’s ribs bulging. How will she gain weight when she doesn’t feed anymore? Every day, she tosses and turns in my arms, struggling to grasp a breath. She can’t feed due to this and starts puking if I try to force-feed. How can a mother slowly let her daughter die in front of her eyes?” – Divya, mother

The baby’s condition was known only after her birth and doctors have suggested an urgent surgery as the only option. Divya’s husband is a flower vendor and his earnings are not enough to pay an amount of Rs. 6 lakhs which has to be done within a week.

How will a flower vendor like me who depends on daily wages afford a heart surgery?

“I visit my child and wife in the hospital once in two weeks. I have to go to work in the village so that I can earn something to meet the daily medical expenses. I also need to find ways to arrange 6 lakh rupees. It seems impossible but as a father isn’t it my duty to try till my last breath to save my child’s life?" – Vinoth, father

Vinoth works in a flower shop for a daily wage of Rs.350, while just a scan for the baby costs up to Rs. 12,000. He has only a few days left and has tried every option from selling his wife’s jewels to borrowing money from his boss... It seems like he cannot reach the needed amount.

“Sometimes, I don’t feel like visiting or even calling my wife because... I don’t have an answer when she asks me if I managed the get the surgery amount. It kills me to see her disappointed. We wanted that baby so much and we couldn’t wait to bring our daughter home. Now, our situation is becoming so wretched that I have no options left." – Vinoth

You are these parents' only hope to save their baby girl. Your kind contribution can keep her alive and bring joy into this poor family.