A thank you from Uganda! Gift of Life International sponsored a heart surgery for Nsimire in Uganda, here is what she had to say.
Nsimire was referred to GOLI by Adam Pick, a long-time donor and supporter of Gift of Life International. Nsimire’s mother found out about her condition when she was only two years old. Finally, at nine years old Nsimire was referred to Gift of Life International and her little heart was healed in Uganda!
Pictured here is Nsimire with her father (left) and mother (right) heading from the ICU to the ward in the hospital.
“Thanks so much Rob and [the] entire Gift of Life International for sponsoring my daughter … we are so happy. As [a] family we shall never forget you.” Said Nsimire’s father in an email to CEO Rob Raylman.
Brenda Small is the Operations Consultant at Gift of Life International. She assumed this role in 2012.
Brenda was inspired to help children in need with heart disease after her third child was born with a complex heart defect and underwent successful open-heart surgery in her first year of life. Brenda learned of Gift of Life International in 2006 at which time she established Gift of Life Los Angeles where she holds the position of President. Between 2008 and 2012, Brenda volunteered her time to help with Gift of Life International in addition to running Gift of Life Los Angeles.
From 2012 to 2022, Brenda held the position of Director of Operations for Gift of Life International. Today, she continues this lifesaving work as Operations Consultant. Brenda also implemented the Nutritional Program in El Salvador in 2008 which has now provided nutritional support to more than 250 children and their families. Brenda has traveled with many of the Gift of Life training teams and witnessed these precious lives being saved.
