Valentino is a preschooler from Bolivia who lives with his mother and four older brothers. He loves to watch cartoons and enjoys his mother's s cooking. However, it is difficult for him to gain weight. Valentino has a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect. A hole exists between the two lower chambers of his heart; blood leaks through this hole without passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him weak and short of breath. On April 16th, he will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, surgeons will sew a patch over the hole in his heart so that blood can no longer leak through it. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, requests $1,500 for this procedure. Valentino's mother says, "Our family will be so much happier and less stressed once we know that our son is normal and healthy."

Esther is a 48-year-old mother of two adult children. She is a sales lady and her husband is an accountant. During her free time, Esther listens to gospel music and enjoys eating nsima made from maize flour served with fish and beans. In 2021, she experienced abdominal pain and other worrying symptoms. She was diagnosed with uterine fibroids or abnormal growths in the uterus. She was given some medications that helped reduce the growth of the fibroids. Once her symptoms disappeared, she stopped taking the medications. However, the symptoms came back and the doctors at Partners in Hope Medical Center (PIH) recommended for her to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy to address the pain and future complications. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is asking for $1,363 for the procedure that will take place on March 2nd. After the surgery, it is expected that Esther's symptoms will disappear. Esther looks forward to being able to perform her daily tasks and going back to work.

Kyar is an elderly woman from Thailand. She lives with her two granddaughters, two grandsons and a great-grandchild. She is retired and helps with cleaning their home. One of her granddaughters goes to school and the other granddaughter and her grandsons work as community health workers. On November 20th, Kyar slipped on the wet bathroom floor, and fractured her left hip. Currently, she experiences pain in her left hip and she cannot walk. She needs someone to assist her when she needs to go to the bathroom or shower. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Kyar will undergo surgery to reset her fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for December 1st and will cost $1,500. This procedure will help her walk again and live pain-free. Kyar said, "I feel sad that I have to go through this and my grandchildren need to take time off from work to accompany and assist me. I am very thankful to all the donors for their support of my treatment."