Joud

Eight-year-old Joud, from Syria, has faced immense challenges,yet his story is one of remarkable courage and resilience.

Born with a complex heart defect, he’s faced challenges since he was a baby. He also experienced the heartbreaking loss of his twin brother shortly after birth, but found comfort and joy in the close bond he shares with his younger sister.

At just six-years-old, Joud underwent a long and difficult open-heart surgery with Dr. Mark Turrentine, after an initial catheterisation by Dr. Khaled Salaymeh helped prepare him for the operation. His journey has never been easy, but it has always been filled with hope.

Now eight-years-old, Joud underwent another interventional catheterisation on our mission to Jordan at Al Khalidi Hospital in September 2025. We’re so happy to share that Joud is now back home living a happy and healthy life with a bright future ahead of him!