Shanita

2-yr-old Shanitah was born with an Anorectal Malformation (ARM) — a serious bowel condition affecting a child's ability to pass a stool. Without surgery, it can lead to chronic pain, infection and a serious risk of complications such as rupturing or blockage.

Shanita's treatment involved two major surgeries. The first was a Posterior Sagittal Anorectoplasty (PSARP), a highly specialised procedure where a new anus is surgically created within the sphincter muscle. After this complex surgery, Shanitah was fitted with a colostomy bag to allow her body time to heal.

Once Shanita recovered, she underwent the second stage of surgery — the colostomy closure — which removed the colostomy bag and restored normal bowel function.

We’re incredibly proud to have Dr. Sekabira — the first surgeon to perform this operation in Uganda — as part of our team. Thanks to his expertise and the training he's provided to others, more children like Shanitah now have access to this life-changing surgery.

Thank you to Dan and Simona who took part in our XNRG Tring Ultra and everyone who donated to Dan's Universal Fund and Simona's fundraising page. Together they raised the total amount needed to cover the cost of Shanita's surgery.

This is Dickson with a post-op update:

https://youtu.be/ctboEnn5_-Y?si=8RmcSoEODFp0GDAv