MARCH 2024
Two girls are born in Tigray
Hiyab and Wuhbto are born conjoined at the head in a region where war has devastated medical infrastructure.
A World Pediatrics story of access, courage and partnership
Two Futures
Born conjoined at the head in Ethiopia, Hiyab and Wuhbto needed highly specialized care thousands of miles away. World Pediatrics helped make the extraordinary journey to that care possible.
TWO NAMES. One meaning: Gift from God.
It began with a simple question from Ethiopia.
“Conjoined twins have been born. Is there anything we can do?”
The answer was yes.
But saying yes was only the beginning.
For Hiyab and Wuhbto, the medical expertise they needed existed thousands of miles from home.
Reaching it would require countries, healthcare systems, organizations and people to come together around two little girls and a journey unlike any they had taken before.
What followed was nearly two years of persistence, advocacy and care, all leading to a moment once only imagined: Hiyab and Wuhbto, side by side for the first time.
THEIR JOURNEY: FROM ONE QUESTION TO TWO FUTURES
Follow the milestones that carried Hiyab and Wuhbto from Tigray to St. Louis—and ultimately, to separate lives.
OCTOBER 2024
World Pediatrics says yes
World Pediatrics formally accepts the case and begins building the international pathway to specialized care.
OCTOBER 2024 – FEBRUARY 2025
The invisible work begins
Guardianship, passports, visas, advocacy, complex travel planning and partner coordination move forward across countries and systems.
MARCH 2025
Crossing oceans
After months of planning, the girls and their guardians begin the journey from Ethiopia to St. Louis.
MARCH 2025 – FEBRUARY 2026
Preparing for possibility
Specialized medical teams plan and perform preparatory procedures while World Pediatrics sustains advocacy, coordination and daily caregiver support.
FEBRUARY 2026
Two futures begin
On February 24th, the girls are successfully separated, opening the possibility of two independent lives and a beautiful future.
Two sisters. Two futures. Forever connected.
Two sisters. Two futures. Forever connected.
Side by Side
For the first two years of their lives, Hiyab and Wuhbto had never seen each other face to face.
Two weeks after their separation, that changed.
For the first time, the sisters could look directly at one another. They could reach for each other, snuggle together and begin discovering one another in an entirely new way.
Separation also allowed something beautiful to become even clearer: Hiyab and Wuhbto are not simply “the twins.” Though they share a lot of similarities, like singing, playing and being outside, they are two distinctly different little girls.
Now, each has the opportunity to grow into her own life, while remaining forever connected as sisters.
Meet Hiyab & Whubto
Hiyab is sweet and gentle, welcoming everyone in immediately.
Wuhbto is spunky, feisty and quick to laugh.
Their Story Continues
Separation was a milestone, not the end of Hiyab and Wuhbto’s journey.
As they continue to grow, heal and discover the world in new ways, they remain surrounded by the care and support of the people who have walked alongside them.
What comes next belongs to Hiyab and Wuhbto.
For now, we celebrate how far they have come: two little girls with the opportunity to grow into their own lives, side by side.
How World Pediatrics Built the Pathway
The work behind their journey.
World Pediatrics took on the complex work beyond the operating room—navigating legal and international requirements, connecting partners and providing the support Hiyab and Wuhbto needed throughout their time in the United States.
By managing the many pieces surrounding their care, World Pediatrics gave clinical teams the ability to focus on what they do best: treating the girls.
01
Guardianship & consent
Establishing the legal framework needed to advocate for the girls and authorize their care.
02
Patient & family advocacy
Serving as a constant advocate for Hiyab and Wuhbto and maintaining the connection with their guardian throughout the journey.
03
Passports & visas
Securing the documentation required for two medically complex infants to cross international borders.
04
International travel
Planning and coordinating their multi-stage journey from Ethiopia to St. Louis.
05
Partner coordination
Bringing together the organizations providing medical care, rehabilitation, lodging, transportation and in-country support.
06
Volunteer caregivers
Supporting the girls throughout their treatment and recovery.
They Needed More Than Treatment. They Needed to Be Children.
For months, life revolved around hospitals, procedures and recovery. But Hiyab and Wuhbto were still two little girls growing, learning and discovering the world.
World Pediatrics brought together a dedicated circle of volunteer caregivers who became familiar faces throughout their time in St. Louis—bringing play, comfort, stability and developmental support into their days.
Between the medical milestones were the moments that made childhood feel like childhood: favorite songs, comforting voices, a first birthday and people who kept showing up.
After separation came another first: caregivers who had spent months caring for the girls together could finally pick up Hiyab and Wuhbto individually, hold each girl close and give her the kind of hug that had never before been possible.
In their own words.
Hear from some of the people who guided, cared for and advocated for Hiyab and Wuhbto throughout their extraordinary journey.
PARTNERSHIP IN ACTION
One journey. Many essential roles.
World Pediatrics built and sustained the pathway. Each partner contributed the expertise and support that made the full continuum of care possible.
World PediatricsGuardianship, consent, advocacy and coordination
SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s HospitalClinical strategy, medical care and separation surgery
Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge HospitalRehabilitation
Ronald McDonald House CharitiesLodging
Ethiopian AirlinesInternational transportation
Lola Children’s HomeCare for the girls in Ethiopia
For Hiyab and Wuhbto, a pathway existed because people across countries, organizations and communities chose to build one together.
Somewhere, another child is waiting for someone to find a way.
Your gift helps World Pediatrics remove the barriers between children and advanced care, from travel and patient advocacy to medical coordination and the support that sustains families through treatment.
World Pediatrics at a Glance
29,220CHILDREN SERVED
82,336MEDICAL SERVICES DELIVERED
19,847SURGERIES COMPLETED
$340M+MEDICAL SERVICES FACILITATED
For press and media inquiries, please contact:
Romina Newman, Senior Director of Marketing and Communications – World Pediatrics