Jonenskia is a student from Haiti. She lives with her parents and three siblings on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince. She likes dancing and attending church with her family.
Jonenskia has a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect. A hole exists between the two lower chambers of her heart. Blood flows through this hole without first passing through her lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving her weak and short of breath.
On October 8, she will undergo cardiac surgery at St. Damien Hospital, our medical partner’s care center. During surgery, surgeons will close the hole in her heart with a patch. Another organization, Gift of Life International, is contributing $5,000 to pay for surgery.
Jonenskia’s family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 requested by our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, covers cardiac exams and medications.
She says, “I am excited to have surgery so I won’t be sick so often.”