Latipha's Story
A little girl with big challenges and an even bigger God!
Meet Latipha, one of our CDK “kids” in Kenya. Latipha was born in 2015, the firstborn in her family. She is naturally quiet and gentle in spirit and her teachers describe her as obedient, disciplined, and an above-average student.
Latipha (left) and her sister Rayannah (right)
A few years ago, Latipha and Rayannah’s lives were marked by deep tragedy when their mother was killed by their father. Since then, her grandmother—already limited in health and resources— has been doing everything she can to care for the girls. She has relied on occasional casual labor from neighbors just to provide food.
On top of the trauma of loss, Latipha began facing a serious health challenge. In the fallof 2025, Can Do Kids International received word that Latipha urgently needed prayer. She had been hospitalized locally for several weeks for issues related to her heart, and doctors there explained there was nothing more they could do. She would need to be taken to specialists that could help diagnose her problem and come up with a solution.
As the CDK team began praying and preparing, something remarkable happened.
Latipha at the local hospital receiving treatment
While attending a soccer game in central Illinois (USA) to watch her nephew play, Jennifer Roth, Executive Director of Can Do Kids International, was introduced to a mom on the sidelines after the game. In the course of their conversation, Jennifer learned that this woman leads an organization in Kenya affiliated with a new, state-of-the-art cardiac hospital. Her husband is a doctor, and their family is deeply involved in bringing quality healthcare and medical training to Kenya. The two exchanged contact info.
Jennifer immediately contacted the CDK Kenya team—while still on her way home from the game.
At the same time (unbeknownst to Jennifer), the CDK Kenya team had already been preparing to travel with Latipha to the cardiac hospital she had learned about at the soccer game but had no established contacts there. As the CDK Kenya team journeyed with Latipha, connections were made in real time. Free food and housing were secured before they arrived to the hospital. And clear guidance was given about who to contact upon arrival at the hospital.
What began as prayer quickly unfolded into 'just-in-time” provision!
After medical visits, X-rays, screening, and scans, doctors determined Latipha has a ventricular septal defect (VSD)—two small holes in her heart. Three surgeons reviewed her case and agreed that surgery was necessary. The procedure has been scheduled, but several medical, logistical, and financial requirements need to be addressed before surgery can move forward.
Because of sponsorship, prayer, perfectly timed relationships, and God’s amazing provision, Latipha and her family do not walk this road alone.
Thank you for being part of stories like hers—where we get to evidence children experiencing God’s love in life and heart transforming ways.