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Heart to Heart Global Grant
Host Club: Rotary Club Saigon International.
Int'l Partner: Fort Collins-Breakfast Rotary Club
Cooperating Organizations: The VinaCapital Foundation (US-registered 501(c)(3) organization)
Project objective: This global grant will provide heart surgery for Vietnamese children born with congenital heart disease. This Global Grant directly supports Rotary goals of saving children and improving economic growth by correctly a permanent disability.
Assessment of the need: There is a high incidence of congenital heart disease (CHD) in Vietnam, at least partly linked to residual effects of the use of Agent Orange during the Vietnam war. Specifically, 0.8-1% of live births are associated with CHD (16,000 cases annually). The per capita income is ~$4,300 and 65% of the population resides in rural areas, making access to life-saving surgery impossible for many. Without surgery, 25% of infants with CHD don't survive their first year and 85% of those awaiting surgery won't survive to adulthood. The survival rate for children undergoing surgery to correct CHD is very high.
Project Design and Budget: This grant will cover surgical costs ($1400 per surgery). We are seeking $42,500 to cover 30 surgeries, plus $500 for project management. Patient selection and surgery will be managed by Heartbeat Vietnam, under VinaCapital Foundation. VCF operates six programs, one of which is Heartbeat Vietnam, which specifically focuses on surgery for pediatric heart disease. Their Rural Outreach Clinic provides free screening to identify children having heart defects.
Local Rotary Involvement: Rotary Club Saigon International will provide money for surgeries, visit the children and families in hospitals, visit the families at home, talk to grassroot leaders to ensure the children selected are those with financial need, monitor the project until all funds are distributed, check invoices and payment documents. Rotary Club Saigon International will contribute $400 to the grant funding.
Sustainability: The children will receive life-saving surgery, which is sustained for life. The project supports lifelong family stability by relieving economic hardship. Children receiving life-saving, one time surgery will now have a chance at a normal life. This enables contributing fully to their education, their family and community, relieving economic hardship.
Please contact Marcy Woodland (marcy24148@gmail.com) for further information.
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