As rocket sirens echo across central Israel, 30 children from Africa recovering from life-saving heart procedures are being rushed into shelters alongside their Israeli caregivers. The children, accompanied by 24 parents or relatives, come from Zanzibar, Zambia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Ethiopia, South Sudan and the Central African Republic. Many arrived for urgent procedures, including complex heart surgeries and catheterization treatments unavailable in their home countries.
Supporting them are eight international doctors in advanced training and six escorting nurses, underscoring Save a Child’s Heart’s dual mission of saving lives while building sustainable medical capacity for the future. At the same time, the organization has expanded its role on the ground, supporting trauma-related medical needs at Wolfson Medical Center and the Sylvan Adams Children’s Hospital as Israeli healthcare teams respond to the ongoing security situation.
Patients from Africa going to the bomb shelter and locking the door
Several children have completed treatment and are medically cleared to return home, but remain in Israel due to restricted air travel and the evolving security situation. About one-third of the patients are still awaiting critical procedures, with all decisions guided by strict safety protocols.
In recent days, children recovering from surgery, some only days post-operation, have been forced to seek shelter during sirens, sleeping in protected spaces alongside their families and caregivers. Among them is Mary Kalenga, a teenage patient from Zambia who recently underwent successful heart treatment. “The sirens are scary, but we are getting used to them,” Mary said. “We feel safe sleeping in the shelter at night. During the day, we play and have fun, and when there’s an alarm, we run back to safety.” Mary is now waiting to return home and reunite with her friends at school, carrying with her not only a healed heart, but a story of resilience.
Another mother, Nunu Muhammad from Zanzibar, is in Israel with her son, who is still awaiting treatment. “The sirens interrupt everything,” she said. “Even simple moments like sitting down to eat can suddenly turn into a rush to the shelter. You try to stay calm, even laugh sometimes, but it’s unsettling knowing danger can come at any moment.”
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'The sirens are scary, but we are getting used to them,' The patiants in the shelter with Laura Kafif
(Photo: Itamar Eichner)
Inside the children’s home, staff are operating under constant alert. House mother Laura Kafif said nurses use the Home Front Command app to receive early warnings, allowing them to reach shelters before sirens begin. Wiltrida, an escorting nurse from Zambia, said the experience was initially frightening. “At first, I was afraid, because in Zambia we have never experienced a situation like this,” she said. “But the Israeli volunteers who come to cheer up the children have made all the difference. Save a Child’s Heart has taken care of all of us, ensuring not only our physical safety but also our emotional well-being.”
Also in Israel as part of the Save a Child’s Heart Fellowship Program is Dr. Zachias Moonde Mulu, a pediatric heart surgeon from Zambia training at Wolfson Medical Center. “Israel has given me the opportunity to grow as a surgeon and save lives in my own country,” he said. “Being here during this time, I feel a deep responsibility to give back by supporting the medical teams, the children and the people of Israel in any way I can. This is where I am needed right now.” His decision reflects a broader reality inside the hospital, where international teams are not only learning but also working alongside Israeli medical staff during a challenging period.
Simon Fisher, executive director of Save a Child’s Heart, said the organization continues to respond to growing needs. “We stand with Israel, and we stand shoulder to shoulder with Wolfson Medical Center,” he said. “Thanks to our supporters, we have been able to respond quickly, protecting the children in our care and reinforcing critical medical infrastructure. But the reality is, the needs are growing. As long as this situation continues, there is still much more to be done.”
As the situation evolves, Save a Child’s Heart continues to operate under strict safety protocols, ensuring that every child receives life-saving care while prioritizing their protection. The organization is calling on global supporters to help provide critical care, safe shelter and the ability to return the children home when conditions allow.
In a place defined by uncertainty, these children from different countries, cultures and faiths are united by one shared reality, the fight to heal, even under fire.