We asked you to vote for your favorites from our Top 11 Photos of 2025, and we have a winner!
This fan-favorite photo is of twin baby girls, born prematurely, in Uganda. They received life-saving treatment in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in the Kyaka II refugee settlement. The NICU and operating theatre in the settlement is the only one of its kind in the area and serves a population of more than 134,000 refugees.
But there’s more to their story. Read on to hear about these incredible girls and how they beat the odds.
At just 21 years old, Leila had already buried a dream. Her first pregnancy ended in heartbreak–a miscarriage at seven months.
So when she learned she was pregnant again, this time with twins, joy came hand in hand with fear.
“I was scared they would die too,” Leila says quietly.
She did everything right. She attended regular antenatal appointments at her local health center. She listened to her body. And when severe stomach pain began halfway through her pregnancy, she knew something was wrong.
Born Too Soon
Leila’s husband, Jamil, packed a small bag, and they immediately went to the clinic. Shortly after they arrived, Leila’s pain quickly turned into strong contractions. Moments later, she delivered twin girls—far too early, each weighing just 3 pounds.
One of the babies was struggling to breathe.
Both newborns were rushed to the NICU—the only one serving mothers across the entire refugee settlement.
Tiny. Fragile. Fighting for life.
Power Outage and Panic
Inside the NICU, machines hummed softly as the twins received oxygen, warmth, and constant monitoring. Then suddenly, everything went silent.
The power had gone out.
Jamil’s heart dropped. But within moments, the backup generator kicked in. Lights flickered back on and machines restarted. Nurses stayed calm, steady, and focused—guiding Leila and Jamil through every step.
“I was anxious,” Jamil says. “But the medical team talked us through everything. That’s what kept us calm.”
Three Weeks That Changed Everything
For three long weeks, the twins remained in the NICU.
Leila stayed close, learning how to breastfeed, watching monitors, and holding her daughters when it was finally safe.
Slowly, they grew stronger.
Two months later, both babies were home, healthy, and gaining weight
Although the girls are now stable, Leila reflects on what could have happened with the heaviness of a mother who has felt loss once and came dangerously close to it again.
“Without that NICU,” she says, “one of my girls wouldn’t have made it.”
Why This Photo Matters
Your favorite photo of 2025 captures more than a moment—it tells a story of what’s possible when skilled medical care is available, even in the hardest places.
It shows what happens when mothers aren’t alone.
When newborns get a fighting chance.
When compassion, preparation, and expertise come together at exactly the right time.
Today, Leila dreams big for her daughters. One might become a doctor. The other, a lawyer. Jamil smiles and says maybe both will become doctors—so they can bring hope to other families like theirs.
Help Us Be Ready for the Next Family Who Needs Us
Leila’s twins survived because help was there when it mattered most.
But countless mothers and babies still face the same fragile moments—where access to care is the difference between life and loss.
This winning photo is a celebration, but it’s also a reminder: the need is still great. And rapidly decreasing funding for work like ours is threatening to shutter NICUs like this one.
Together, we can keep showing up—for the next mother, the next newborn, the next family who needs help. With your support, we will be able to capture more precious moments like the one in this photo, of lives saved, and hope restored.