Turning hope into reality…

Set up by KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital in 2002, the KK Regional Outreach to Kids Fund supports financially disadvantaged children from the region to undergo surgeries. Typically, these are elective surgeries that require a high level of expertise that is not available in the children’s home countries, and are able to provide the children with a normal life post-surgery.

Our beneficiaries are referrals from overseas doctors, local community groups or Samaritans as well as through regional medical trips made by KKH’s doctors and nurses.

Since its inception, the Fund has helped over 44 children from Indonesia, China, Cambodia and Malaysia. Most of them underwent corrective surgery for complex heart conditions or malformation to the face such as fronto-encephalocele. The Fund has made a difference by giving these children a new lease of life.

Our doctors waive their surgical fees and we try our best to meet the needs of the accompanying family members as well. Each year, we aim to raise about half a million to help at least 10 to 12 children.

Other than monetary contributions, we also welcome other forms of support to help the children and their families ease their stay in Singapore. For most of them, it will be their first trip out of their country. A friendly face to greet them at the airport will drive out any fears and apprehension. A simple handmade card can bring smiles to the children’s faces. Hosting them for day trips to places of interest will let them bring back happy memories when they return home.

Three-year-old Cambodian boy, Sot Tavy was born with congenital frontal nasal encephalocele, a condition where part of the brain protrudes out in a sac covered by skin. He was able to sit with support but was not able to stand or walk.

KKH’s surgical team spotted him during a medical mission trip to the Angkor Hospital for Children in 2003. Through the assistance of the Fund, little Sot Tavy came to Singapore in January 2005.

The surgery was a success. After a month’s stay at KKH, he returned to Cambodia on 25 February. Sot Tavy is now able to stand and walk with support. The Angkor Hospital for Children will continue to follow-up on his progress.

Ronaldo is a small quiet six-year-old Indonesian boy who was born with a malformation of the heart but was never properly diagnosed or treated. Living in poverty in the village of Tofoi, Papua, the nearest hospital is a 30-hour trip by boat to the city of Sorong and the heart specialist only visits this hospital once every few months. As Ronaldo’s heart is enlarged and not functioning well, his skin would turn blue because of a lack of oxygen in his blood. His condition prevents him from playing with his friends and going to school as he would often feel breathless.

A special appeal was run by the Papuan Children’s Health Fund at Babo, and donations were raised to pay for Ronaldo and his mother’s travel and living expenses to Singapore. KKROK funds his medical treatment at KKH.

Ronaldo has completed his first of two operations in July 2005. He has a tube placed inside his chest which helps the blood to flow in the “right direction” and improve his breathing. Ronaldo can now play happily with his friends, attends school and has started to put on weight. He will return to Singapore in March 2006 for a second and much bigger operation to repair the defect in his heart