A Virginia mother of four who traveled to Kenya to help orphaned children has died after contracting a severe foodborne illness during the mission trip.
Ayla Garcia, 36, left for Kenya on July 1 with members of her church and family to support Zion Family, a home that cares for orphaned children, according to local reports and a GoFundMe created to assist with her medical and funeral expenses.
During the trip, Garcia suddenly became seriously ill and was admitted to an intensive care unit with a Salmonella infection. Her family said she became infected after consuming contaminated ice.
Her condition was especially dangerous because she had sickle cell disease, an inherited blood disorder that changes the shape of red blood cells and can interfere with the body’s ability to deliver oxygen. The condition can also cause anemia, extreme pain, infections, swelling and other serious complications.
The infection quickly spread to Garcia’s blood, kidneys and liver. Her hemoglobin levels dropped so severely that she needed multiple blood transfusions. She also developed jaundice and required dialysis as doctors worked to stabilize her kidney function.
On July 19, Garcia posted a video from her hospital bed in Kenya. Appearing weak and struggling to breathe, she told her followers she was still trying to make it home.
“Yes, I’m still in Kenya and I’m trying to make it home,” she said.
Before she became ill, Garcia had shared joyful moments from the mission trip, including visits with children and encounters with local wildlife.
Her family initially believed she might be improving. In a July 22 update, they said Garcia was making progress, although she remained too sick to leave the hospital.
“The work continues to improve the functioning of her kidneys,” the family wrote. “The oxygen support has been removed, and she’s been breathing on her own.”
Just two days later, however, the family announced that Garcia had died.
“It is with a heavy heart that we share our beloved daughter, sister, mother, aunt, cousin, niece, friend Ayla, has passed,” they wrote on July 24. “Her fight against sickle cell was hard fought.”
The following day, her loved ones said they were working to bring Garcia’s remains back to the United States and arrange a memorial service.
Before her death, Garcia’s mother, Patricia, described how quickly the illness overwhelmed her daughter’s body.
“It was surprising and very concerning that this thing had taken over so much that they had to put her in ICU,” she told WWBT.
Garcia’s friend Zion Njeri later shared an emotional tribute on Instagram, remembering her as a source of strength, encouragement and unwavering support.
“There are some goodbyes that leave you speechless, and this is one of them,” Njeri wrote.
“Ayla Garcia, I still can’t believe you’re gone. You were more than a friend. You were my sister, my biggest supporter, and one of the greatest blessings God placed in my life.”
Njeri said she stayed with Garcia in the hospital and watched her fight the illness with remarkable courage and faith.
“We had so many plans for when you got better,” she wrote. “We talked about the future, laughed together, and believed there were brighter days ahead.”
Although devastated by the loss, Njeri said she takes comfort in believing Garcia is finally at peace.
“Even though my heart is broken and I struggle to understand, I choose to trust that you are now resting in perfect peace,” she wrote.
