ReachAnother Foundation

Last week, the Ministry of Health marked Birth Defects Awareness Week in our country, and it’s truly inspiring to witness the government taking such proactive steps toward creating lasting sustainability in this area. ReachAnother Foundation has been deeply committed to preventing and treating birth defects, with a particular focus on Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus. We understand the far-reaching effects birth defects can have on families and communities. This awareness week is a significant milestone, and we are proud to be part of this important journey alongside the government and other partners. Working together can create meaningful, long-term change for those affected. #ReachAnother #BirthDefectsAwareness #SpinaBifida #Hydrocephalus #CollaborationForChange

?? What an Unforgettable Day! ?? Our hearts are bursting with gratitude with our recent celebration of the inauguration of the Zewditu Pediatric Neurosurgery Center—Ethiopia’s first standalone facility dedicated to children with spina bifida, hydrocephalus and other neurosurgical problems. On February 21st, we witnessed a vision become a reality, a milestone that will transform care for future generations. ? Thank you to everyone who made this possible: ?? Our incredible ReachAnother team & supporters—those who believe that bold dreams lead to real change. ?? The Helmsley Charitable Trust—for investing in a future where every child has access to life-saving care. ?? DELFE & Company and Bencon Construction—for bringing this vision to life with expertise and dedication. ?? Our local partners—the Ethiopian Ministry of Health, Addis Ababa Health Bureau, Zewditu Memorial Hospital and Ethiopia Pharmacutical Supply Services—for their commitment to strengthening pediatric neurosurgery in Ethiopia. And today, we hold a very special place in our hearts for our founder, Dr. Marinus Koning. His vision, leadership, and unwavering belief in what is possible paved the way for this moment. What a legacy! We know he would be honored and proud to see this dream come true. This is more than a building. It is hope. It is healing. It is the future. ??? #ReachAnotherFoundation #ZewdituHospital #PediatricNeurosurgery #Gratitude #LegacyOfCare #TransformingLives #AnythingIsPossible"

?? Look at this beautiful smile! ?? We couldn’t help but share this sweet moment from Hiwot Fana Hospital in Harar, one of ReachAnother’s partner hospitals. ?? During her regular visit to the SBH multidisciplinary clinic, little Esete celebrated her 5th birthday—complete with a surprise cake! The joy on her and her mom’s faces says it all. ?? Her mom remembers the fear and uncertainty when Esete was diagnosed with hydrocephalus—back when treatment felt out of reach. But now, three years after receiving a VP shunt, she’s watching her daughter not just survive—but thrive! ??? #ReachAnother #LifeChangingCare #Hydrocephalus

?? World Birth Defects Day – March 3rd At ReachAnother Foundation, we stand together in raising awareness about birth defects and supporting families around the world who are impacted. On this World Birth Defects Day, we unite to spread knowledge, reduce stigma, and advocate for better healthcare for all children. Every child deserves a healthy start in life, and every family deserves the support and resources they need. ?? Let’s work towards a future where birth defects are understood, preventable, and treated with the care they deserve. #EveryJourneyMatters #WorldBDDay #AwarenessWithoutStigma #ReachAnother #PreventBirthDefects #AwarenessMatters

?? Every Child Deserves a Chance to Thrive ?? At Reach Another Foundation, we work to prevent and treat neural tube defects like spina bifida and hydrocephalus in Ethiopia. ?? Through prevention, treatment, aftercare, and research, we’re creating brighter futures for children and families. #SpinaBifidaAwareness #HydrocephalusCare #ReachAnotherFoundation #GlobalHealth

?? In Ethiopia, children born with spina bifida and hydrocephalus often endure immense challenges, including multiple surgeries, mobility struggles, and many more daily difficulties. For 13-year-old Absalat, these hardships have kept her from school and added strain to her family’s already difficult journey. But there is hope. At St. Peter’s Hospital, the ReachAnother trained multidisciplinary team is making a real difference. Absalat now receives all her care in one visit, easing the burden of long trips and ensuring she gets the medical support she needs. ?? Her biggest dream? To return to school. And with the right care and support, that dream is still within reach. ??? ReachAnother is working every day to remove barriers for children like Absalat, helping them live with dignity, access critical care, and fight for the future they deserve. ?? #Healthcare #SpinaBifida #Hydrocephalus #Ethiopia #MedicalCare #Hope #Education #ReachAnother

?? Did you know? Double and triple-fortified salts (with iodine, folic acid, and vitamin B12) are proving to be crucial for Ethiopian women of reproductive age! ?? A recent study, funded by ReachAnother, showed these fortified salts were not only widely accepted but also have the potential to improve health by addressing key nutrient deficiencies. ?? With ReachAnother’s support, this simple yet effective solution could help combat folic acid deficiencies, improving the health of women and children in Ethiopia! ?? Read more about the research here: https://lnkd.in/gps9VA9e #FortifiedSalt #Iodine #FolicAcid #VitaminB12 #Ethiopia #WomenHealth #ReachAnother

Expanding Prevention: Year 2 of the Rotary High-Risk Prevention Project! After a successful first year, where nearly 1,834 mothers received high-dose folic acid to reduce the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs), the project is growing! ?? This year, we’ve expanded to two additional maternal hospitals in Addis Ababa, with a goal of reaching 4,000 high-risk mothers by September 2025. With 80% of Ethiopian women at risk for folate deficiency, this initiative is a critical step in prevention. By providing high-dose folic acid to mothers who have already had an NTD-affected pregnancy, we’re giving more babies the chance to be born healthy. ?? A huge thank you to the Rotary Club of North Atlanta, Addis Ababa-West, Central Mella, and the Rotary Foundation for making this expansion possible! ?? #RotaryPrevention #FolateDeficiency #NeuralTubeDefects #HealthyBabies #RotaryInternational #AddisAbaba #MaternalHealth #PublicHealth

?? Final Stages: A New Era for Pediatric Neurosurgery at Zewditu! ?? ?? Exciting progress at Zewditu Memorial Hospital! ?? The installation of a state-of-the-art ?? operating microscope and CT scan is underway—one of the final steps in transforming this space into Ethiopia’s first standalone Pediatric Neurosurgery Center. ?? Cutting-edge technology will elevate surgical precision, improve outcomes, and expand access to life-saving care for children with spina bifida and hydrocephalus. ??? With the renovation project nearing completion, we are closer than ever to changing the landscape of pediatric neurosurgery in Ethiopia. ?? Proud to see this vision becoming a reality! Stay tuned for the final steps. ?? #PediatricNeurosurgery #ZewdituMemorial #HealthcareInnovation #SpinaBifida #Hydrocephalus #EthiopiaHealthcare #MedicalProgress

In 2024, we expanded access to life-saving surgeries, delivered critical training, equipped hospitals, and supported thousands of families across Ethiopia. ???? We look back with gratitude at the moments that touched our hearts and the strides made in transforming the lives of children born with spina bifida and hydrocephalus. ??? These achievements are not just ours—they’re YOURS, too. Whether you’ve been a donor, partner, or advocate, your generosity inspires us every day to dream bigger and work harder. Thank you! ???? #Grateful #TogetherWeCan #TransformingLives