At nine years old, Miracle Nkanda from Jamali Village, Traditional Authority Mlumbe in Zomba has already learned what it means to fight for a life that many children take for granted.
For years, something as simple as playing with friends, fetching water or eating properly could leave her struggling to breathe and exhausted.
Her childhood was repeatedly interrupted by hospital visits, while her mother, Moreen Kazembe, watched helplessly as her daughter battled a complex heart condition.
Today, Miracle is looking forward to a different future.
The girl has become the 9,000th child treated by Save a Child’s Heart (SACH), an Israeli humanitarian organisation that provides life-saving cardiac care to children from developing countries.
Her milestone treatment was carried out at the Sylvan Adams Children’s Hospital at Wolfson Medical Center in Holon, Israel, marking a significant moment in SACH’s 30-year history.
Miracle was only three when doctors at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre diagnosed her with Tetralogy of Fallot, a complex congenital heart condition involving four structural abnormalities of the heart.
The condition affected almost every aspect of her young life.
While many of her peers have progressed to standard 6, Miracle is preparing to enter standard 3 at Namadidi primary school in her home district, Zomba.
Then came news that seemed almost impossible. Miracle had been given an opportunity to travel thousands of kilometres from Malawi to Israel for life-saving cardiac surgery.
“I couldn’t believe that she would go to Israel to receive help,” Moreen said.
“I was happy and so emotional when I heard, knowing my child would be so far away from me and yet knowing it was for a good cause.”
A journey from Zomba to Israel
Accompanied by Nurse Faith Banda from Malawi, Miracle travelled to Israel carrying the hopes of her family and the promise of a healthier future.
For Nurse Faith, the responsibility was enormous.
“I feel a big responsibility over Miracle in this journey. She is such a wonderful child. I was praying the entire time during her surgery and thank the Lord it went well,” she said.
“My biggest satisfaction will be bringing her back to her family safely and healthy.”
For Dr. Lior Sasson, who was part of the medical team conducting Miracle’s surgery, her treatment carried significance beyond the operating theatre.
“I am happy that the surgery was a success,” Sasson said, explaining that he wanted to celebrate the milestone with Miracle as part of SACH’s 30th anniversary celebrations in memory of its founder, Ami Cohen.
He said the achievement reflected the efforts of an entire medical team dedicated to saving children’s lives.
As Miracle has now began doing what children do best. Playing, laughing, singing and making friends.
Her experience in Israel has given her memories far removed from the hospital struggles of her childhood.
“Save a Child’s Heart is a very fun place,” the hospital has toys and nice people, the children’s home is fun. We always dance and sing but i still miss home,” said Miracle.
Inspired by the medical professionals who helped repair her heart, Miracle says she wants to become a nurse.
Her story is also intertwined with her faith and the music she loves.
A fan of Malawian gospel artist Miracle Chinga, she draws inspiration from the song Palibwino, whose message of purpose, blessing and hope resonates deeply with her own journey.
Malawi became the organisation’s 62nd country reached in 2019.
Since then, 22 Malawian children have been brought to Israel for life-saving treatment, including one in 2019, one in 2025 and 20 in 2026.
The organisation works closely with Dr. Yamikani Chimalizeni, a paediatric cardiologist at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre.
The collaboration includes cardiac screening missions, engagement with Malawian authorities and diplomatic visits, with the longer-term ambition of strengthening paediatric cardiac services in Malawi.
A key goal is to build local capacity and eventually establish a paediatric cardiac Centre of Excellence in Malawi.
That ambition could mean that, in the future, more children like Miracle may receive specialised heart care closer to home.
SACH Executive Director Simon Fisher stated: “This initiative is about bringing together the people of Malawi and the people of Israel, working together to mend hearts, bring hope to the families of these children, and build a healthier future for our nations.”
The organisation, founded in 1995 at Wolfson Medical Center in Holon, has also trained more than 170 healthcare professionals from around the world.
While most children have been treated in Israel, Daniel Compos, SACH’s spokesperson says the organisation also supports overseas programs, training local teams and conducting international medical missions.
By Doreen Sonani
