About Children's Heart Project
A – The Children’s Heart Project is a program within Samaritan’s Purse. Since 1997, the Children’s Heart Project has been bringing children with congenital heart defects from other countries to North America for treatment. The children, their mothers, and an interpreter live with a Host Family from a Host Church for an average of 5-6 weeks, then return to their home country. We follow the children for a period of 1 year or longer after surgery.
A - The children we assist are from countries that do not offer pediatric heart surgery and that have established Samaritan’s Purse offices to facilitate the logistics involved in bringing children to North America. We are currently working in Bolivia, Honduras, Kosovo, Mongolia and Uganda. The countries in which we work have been strategically chosen based on the surgical capacity of the country, and are not based on a family’s inability to pay for their child’s surgery. We realize that the need is greater than our capacity. However, we are currently not in a position to expand our program outside of these countries.
A - We have strict criteria with partnering Children’s Hospitals, and select countries where there are pediatric cardiologists to adequately screen and follow the patients, but where surgery is not available. This enables us to have the safest program for the children. Obviously, not every country will fit our criteria. If the child you have found is from a country other than those listed above, we will be glad to offer suggestions of other organizations that may be working in that particular country.
A – The Children’s Heart Project is involved in sending teams to perform surgeries and build capacity in several countries. However, our focus is not only healing physical hearts, but spiritual hearts as well through the sharing of the love of Jesus Christ. In bringing children and their mothers to North America, we have found that the relationships that develop with the host family and church are life-changing and immeasurable for all involved.
A – There are many different ways in which we find hospitals. Many physicians and health care professionals have advocated for this project within their Children’s Hospitals, and networked with their colleagues at other Children’s Hospitals. Parents of children with heart defects have also advocated for us with their child’s surgeon or cardiologist. Anyone with relationships with hospital administrators or pediatric subspecialists can assist us in advocating at their local Children’s Hospitals.
A – At any given time we have between 250-300 children waiting to be accepted for surgery.
A - Children’s Heart Project staff work closely with in-country national pediatric cardiologists to help identify children who fit our criteria for repair. Children who are candidates for our project are those that require only single stage procedures for complete congenital heart repair and have no other complicating medical conditions. Once a child is screened and added to our waiting list, we collect medical records for each child which includes a CD echocardiogram, chest x-ray, EKG, medical evaluation, oxygen saturations, confirmation of negative HIV testing, and immunization records. Their medical records are then presented to hospitals in the U.S. and Canada for possible acceptance into their pediatric cardiac surgical programs.
A - Samaritan’s Purse covers the expenses associated with the group’s travel which includes passports, visas, and airfare for the group and a medical transport person. Participating hospitals agree to donate their medical services as an international charity case. Physicians donate their time and expertise at no cost to the patient or Samaritan’s Purse.
A – On average, a group consists of two children, their mothers, and an interpreter. Some hospitals accept one child at a time, while others accept 2-3 children at a time.
A – Barring any complications, children generally remain in the host city five to six weeks.
A - A potential Host Church is approached by one of our Host Church and Family Coordinators. We ask them to prayerfully commit to host a group coming to their city for heart surgery. We ask the church to recommend a potential Host Family and once a family steps forward, we screen them to make sure they are good candidates. We ask the Host Church to come along side the Host Family by providing and coordinating meals, transportation, prayer, outings, and calling cards. The relationship between the Host Church and Host Family is a testimony and witness of how the body of Christ should function, and this has a great impact on the group.
The Host Family takes a leadership role, functioning as the primary contact for Children’s Heart Project, the host hospital and staff, and the Host Church. They provide for the basic daily needs of the group as well as their spiritual needs. They have the gift of hospitality and become the group’s “family.” God has placed them in their home temporarily as His witnesses of a Christian family. This provides a unique setting for believers to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
A – Prior to being accepted as a Host Church and Host Family, the Host Church Coordinator will receive many informational materials that explain the entire process of the project. This includes information regarding the group’s departure from their home country, all the way through surgery and recovery, as well as their departure back home. We provide them with a guidebook and ask them to read it thoroughly prior to an orientation conference call with them. It that time, the Host Church and Family Coordinator reviews the guide book with the Host Church Coordinator and Host Family, answering any questions as they go through it together. Once a potential family understands our expectations and commits to hosting a group, our office is in constant communication with them during every step of their journey. When possible our Host Church and Family Coordinator (HCFC) will visit the Host Church and Family to share and support while the group is there. The HCFC will regularly call and email while the group is at the home and get updates, provide encouragement and prayer, and work through any situations that may evolve while there. We are available every step of the way as a support.
A – The majority of children in North America are diagnosed with heart defects very early in life, sometimes even in the womb. Because of lack of infrastructure, war, or disaster, the countries in which we work do not have the necessary equipment and training to perform these surgeries themselves. While North America has many pediatric cardiologists and surgeons, often there are only one or two pediatric cardiologists in an entire country. Since many children live remotely, they are unable to seek specialized medical attention at an early age. Even if diagnosed early, surgical expertise is unavailable in the countries where we work. Many families have given up hope that their child will receive the necessary care to live to adulthood.
A – No! After the child returns home, Samaritan’s Purse in-country staff follows the child for a period of one year, facilitating appointments with physicians and helping ensure medical instructions are being followed properly. Our staff also encourages them spiritually. If a mom or child made a decision to accept Christ as their savior, our office provides Christian literature to help them grow in their faith and also tries to connect them with a church near their home.
a. CHP encourages certain medical specialist with significant international travel experience, and a desire to share the gospel, to apply to transport: Pediatric Cardiologists and Cardiothoracic Surgeons, Pediatric Intensivists, and Pediatric CICU and PICU Nurses. Please contact the CHP Travel Coordinator for the appropriate application forms.
2. Who prepares the groups to come to the US and Canada for surgery?
a. Samaritan’s Purse has staff in each country where we work. Our US and International offices work together to secure the groups passports, visas, and flight itineraries, and to prepare the group for the visit. No expenses are incurred by these families.
3. How can I follow current groups?
a. Check out our website (insert link) and follow us on Facebook! We keep you up to date on current children on the waiting list and those who are here in the US and Canada. Search for Children’s Heart under “Causes” or find more information about the documentary under “Groups”.