A Volunteer’s Heartfelt Experience in the Journey of Saving Little Hearts

Some experiences leave a mark that lasts forever. My visit to one of Genesis Foundation’s partner hospitals was one of such experiences. I witnessed the members of the foundation work tirelessly for underprivileged children suffering from congenital heart defects (CHD), and this visit gave me the chance to observe their impact closely.

The first case I came across was of a 10-month-old baby boy, Ashaf (name changed), from Delhi. The child had been diagnosed with a hole in the heart by birth on the second day of his birth, a condition that required a hole in heart treatment. So, the second I looked at him, peacefully asleep in the ICU, I could hardly believe the struggle he was facing. The delicate child had been fighting this disease since his birth, but after I met his parents, I realized how he could sleep so calmly. His father, who works as a salesman stood by quietly, carrying more determination than despair. Their eyes told a story not of sleepless nights, but rather of hope, strength, and their trust on the foundation, and this was because they had faith that their child would be saved. Standing there, I realized how fragile life can be and how powerful a parent’s love truly is.

The second encounter was with a 16-year-old boy, Jaipreet (name changed), from Punjab. The boy had a hole in the heart by birth. With the support of Genesis Foundation and their CSR partner, Jaipreet underwent a lifesaving surgery- scarless endoscopic cardiac surgery, making Genesis Foundation the first-ever NGO in India to support a child for such a complex endoscopic procedure. The significance of this case was widely recognized, with leading media houses highlighting this medical milestone.

Even though he had a heart defect, there was great strength lying in him. I understood that the courage he has is far greater than anyone of his age could ever have. His journey, however, was not easy. He lost his father several years ago and had since been raised by his mother. The defect had been known since birth but had gone untreated for years due to lack of resources and awareness, until recently when doctors stressed the urgency of surgical intervention. His mother, though, carried a shouting worry that most parents do when their child’s health is at risk. Watching his mother tear up quietly made me realize that medicine is not just about healing the body but also about comforting the hearts that ache beside the hospital bed.

As part of my volunteering opportunity, I carried my camera to click some photos and I captured some moments with the parents, in which some stand strong whereas the other hides their worry in front of their child. After my visit, when I edited the photos, I realized how these pictures were not just mere photographs but rather a reminder that foundations working for children such as Genesis Foundation matter, and how important it is to raise awareness about heart diseases so that children like these can be treated as soon as possible.

Learning about their conditions and then seeing them after the treatment- made it all hit home for me. There is so much we take for granted. And there are kids out there who just need a chance. A chance like this, given by NGOs like Genesis Foundation. And these NGOs give people like us the chance to witness these emotional experiences firsthand. I didn’t perform the surgery neither did I fund the operation. But just being there reminded me that even small acts can be part of something much bigger.

Genesis Foundation is not just an NGO for heart treatment in India– it is a lifeline for families who do not know where else to turn. They organize screening camps, provide financial support to children with CHD and most importantly walk through the family’s tough moments. And they do not stop once surgery is finished. They follow up with them, support recovery, and celebrate the progress of the child.

If you are reading this blog, and want to experience what I felt, contact Genesis Foundation today. You can call them at +91 96506 03438 or e-mail at contactus@genesis-foundation.net to contact them.