Transforming Children’s Lives on Idjwi, the forgotten island – Fundraiser

A baby girl born today on remote Idjwi island in Lake Kivu in the Democratic Republic Congo has a shockingly low prospect of reaching her 15th birthday. Cut short by a lethal combination of constant infection, catastrophic malnutrition, and lack of healthcare, life expectancy is just 25 years.

Malaria, the leading cause of death, kills quickly. Schistosomiasis, another deadly parasite, kills slowly. Lymphatic filariasis (better known as elephantiasis) is less deadly but causes appalling disability and disfigurement. Intestinal worms are very debilitating and a common reason for school absence. Vaccine-preventable diseases such as rubella causes needless congenital devastation; tetanus afflicts infants, measles is a common killer of under-fives and polio cripples infants up to teenagers. Monkeypox, or mpox, is the most recent deadly threat to young kids.