Bringing Hope to Little Hearts: Children Heart Screening and Surgical Missions in Tanzania (January – December 2023).

Introduction:

In 2023, The One New Heart Tanzania continued its commitment to providing hope and healing to children with congenital heart defects. The year was marked by impactful missions, strategic partnerships, financial milestones, and a vision for sustainable growth.

Mission Achievements and Milestones:

Pediatric Cardiac Screening Outreach Mission (March 2023):

• Collaborated with For Hearts and Souls from the USA, reaching 249 children in need of cardiac care.
• Screened 171 children at St. Francis Referral Hospital Ifakara and 78 children at Benjamin Mkapa Hospital Dodoma.
• Identified 30 children as candidates for open-heart surgeries and cardiac catheterization procedures.
• Committed to providing palliative care for children with complex congenital heart defects.

Surgical and Catheterization Mission (November 2023):

• Successfully conducted eight (8) pediatric cardiac surgeries at Benjamin Mkapa Hospital Dodoma.
• Screened 248 children, bringing the total to 901 since the first mission in March 2021.
• Trained over 20 local staff members, enhancing local capacity for future cases.
• Collaborated effectively with local non-profit organizations: Maternal Care Foundation, Tanzania Epilepsy Organization, and Music for Hope Tanzania.

Strategic Partnerships:

• Successfully renewed organization registration to add potential directors.
• Registered One Heart Safaris Limited to raise funds for lifesaving activities and local operations, starting in January 2024.
• Established a partnership with the Maternal Care Foundation (McF), a local organization with similar objectives.
• Invited by the President’s office of Zanzibar to establish pediatric cardiac screening in KMKM and JKU hospitals. Dr. Beatus will conduct free weekly heart screenings for Zanzibar kids once the hospital arranges the screening room.

Financial Reporting:

• Successfully prepared financial and tax reports for the years 2019 – 2021.
• Audited financials for 2022-2023 are underway and will be provided by May 2024.

Donations and Collaborations:

• Total donations in 2023: TZS 33,102,016.35
• Total Taxes in 2023: TZS 843,580.98
• Net donations 2023: TZS 32,258,435.37

List of Donors:

• Calvary Chapel South Maui – USA
• For Hearts and Souls organization – USA
• Container Concepts Limited – Tanzania
• Ark Associates Limited – Tanzania
• Theresia Sembua – Tanzania
• Esther Juliana Lukwago – Uganda

Risk Identification and Mitigation Strategies:

Key Risks:

• Limited local donations.
• Unsatisfactory preparation and communication during missions.
• Dependence on international donations.

Mitigation Strategies:

• Strengthen local partnerships and collaborations.
• Enrich the local team by incorporating new members with potential skills, knowledge, and expertise.
• Enhance communication and follow-up.
• Diversify funding sources.

Contingency Plans:

• Develop alternative fundraising strategies.

Financial Outlook for 2024:

• Revenue projections for 2024 are focused on completing the construction of the 2-storey children’s home in Dodoma for which the foundation has already been laid.
• Establishing a mobile pediatric cardiac clinic.

Budget Allocations for 2024:

• The budget for 2024 includes allocations for finishing the construction of the 2-storey children’s home in Dodoma and,
• Purchasing a car, portable echo machine, examination bed, patient monitor, ECG machine, and printer for the mobile clinic.

Conclusion:

We express our deepest gratitude to our donors for their unwavering support and generosity, which has allowed us to continue providing hope and healing to children with congenital heart defects.

The One New Heart Tanzania remains steadfast in its commitment to making a difference in the lives of these little hearts, and we look forward to your continued support in 2024.

Download the PDF report here