A Second Chance at Hearing: Help This Boy Hear Again

My name is Fang Delphine Bih CHIA, and I am the mother of a courageous little boy, Chia Chris Evans Ankinimbom, from Yaoundé, Cameroon. Chris was born prematurely, weighing just 900 grams, and has overcome incredible odds to survive. Diagnosed with profound hearing loss at a young age, he received a life-changing cochlear implant that allowed him to hear and thrive.

Recently, tragedy struck—Chris’s implant’s external part was lost, leaving him unable to hear or continue attending school. We are reaching out with an urgent plea for help to restore his ability to hear and give him the chance to return to school.

Chris was born on August 29, 2017, at just 5 months and 2 weeks gestation, making his survival a miracle. He spent three months in an incubator and required oxygen for over two months, leaving us with immense medical bills. Despite the hardships, we were overjoyed to bring him home.

As Chris grew, we noticed he wasn’t speaking like other children his age. At nearly two years old, he still couldn’t say “Mama” or “Papa.” Tests revealed profound hearing loss, and doctors told us that a cochlear implant was his only chance to hear. The cost—12 million XAF (~$25,000)—was staggering. We sold everything we owned, including family land, and took out a loan to cover the surgery.

In November 2023, Chris received his implant, and by January 2024, it was activated. Hearing his first words brought us indescribable joy. He began to thrive, attending school and connecting with the world around him.

But in September 2024, our joy was cut short. Chris’s external implant—the part that enables him to hear—was lost on his way to school. Despite searching everywhere, we couldn’t find it. Without this critical piece, Chris can no longer hear, and he has had to drop out of school.

The cost to replace the external part is 3 million XAF (~$5,000), a sum we simply cannot afford after exhausting all our resources for the initial surgery. Without it, the entire implant could be damaged, leaving Chris permanently disconnected from the world of sound.

Every morning, Chris watches his siblings leave for school, tears streaming down his face because he can’t join them. As parents, it’s heartbreaking to see him lose not just his education but also his confidence and joy.

This is why we are turning to you. Your support can restore Chris’s hearing, give him back his education, and bring hope back to our family. Every contribution, no matter the size, will make a difference. And if you can’t donate, we ask you to share Chris’s story with others who might be able to help.

Together, we can give Chris the chance to hear, learn, and thrive once more. Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and support. May your goodwill come back to you tenfold.