Emmanuel is 16 months old and lives in Haiti with his mother and father. He enjoys smiling around his family, listening to music, and eating fresh mangoes. "Emmanuel was born with only three valves in his heart, instead of the normal four," explains our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA). "The fourth, his tricuspid valve, is completely missing, limiting his heart's ability to pump blood to his body and leaving him sickly and fatigued." Emmanuel's condition requires two surgeries. Health City Cayman Islands has subsidized $10,000 of the total surgery cost, and an additional $1,500 is needed to cover transportation and surgical preparation costs. "Following surgery, Emmanuel should have increased blood circulation to his body, and should be more healthy and stable," HCA adds. "This will allow him to grow, and when he is older and bigger he will undergo a second surgery to complete the repair." "I am very thankful to everyone who is helping my son," his mother shares. "My husband would also like to say thank you so much."

This is Clinton, a 30-year-old husband and father of two children from Kenya. His family lives on a one acre farm where they grow maize and beans. Clinton broke his right tibia in a motorcycle accident. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), shares: “Early this year, Clinton was riding his motorcycle when he was involved in an accident with another motorcyclist. Clinton suffered multiple injuries including internal bleeding, a chest injury, and his broken leg.” AMHF continues, “Clinton is not able to walk on his own, which has prevented him from working on his farm. If not treated, Clinton may suffer severe infection, which could result in amputation of his leg.” Clinton's family and friends have already joined together to pay for the many hospital bills that have incurred, but Clinton is now struggling to pay for his next procedure. With $1,500, Clinton can undergo surgery to fill in the gap in his tibia and restore the bony tissue. AMHF reports, “We expect that after the surgery and recovery, Clinton will be able to walk on his own again and go back to working on his farm with his wife.” "I have not been able to work and support my family for a while now. My friends and relatives stepped up and made sure that my family had meals and my children stayed in school," Clinton shares. "I am very grateful for the support that I have received thus far and hope that I will get the next treatment so that I will be well again."

Teresia is a 48-year-old mother who lives in Kenya. She practices small scale rain-fed farming on her family land. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), shares, “She speaks animatedly of her three children who are the source of her joy.” After three years of heavy bleeding, Teresia learned that she has uterine fibroids. AMHF recommends that Teresia receive a total abdominal hysterectomy, which is the removal of her uterus. Following surgery, her heavy bleeding should stop, reducing her pain and risk for anemia. The procedure costs $790, and Teresia is not in a financial position to cover that cost right now. AMHF explains, “the bleeding has made it difficult for Teresia to do her farming which she and her children depend on.” Teresia is grateful to finally have a diagnosis. After the surgery, AMHF expects that will be able to return to her work on her farm. “I hope this surgery will treat this condition,” says Teresia, “so that I can have some peace of mind and continue working on our farm to sustain my family.”

Meet Akim, a six-year-old boy from Haiti who lives with his mother, father, grandparents, and little sister. According to our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA), “Akim is in first grade, and likes going to school. When he is not in school he likes drawing and listening to music.” Akim was born with a congenital heart disease called ventricular septal defect. This means that there is a hole between the two lower chambers (or “ventricles”) of his heart. Blood from one ventricle leaks into the other without first getting oxygen from the lungs. Due to his condition, the blood that is pumped out of Akim’s heart to his body is not oxygen-rich. Consequently, Akim often has trouble breathing. HCA tells us that if left untreated, Akim’s condition could lead to serious health complications. Health City Caymen Islands has contributed $7,500 toward Akim's treatment. An additional $1,500 will cover overseas transportation costs. Akim's surgery will repair the hole in his heart, and restore normal blood flow. Akim shares, “I am excited about going to the hospital because it means I will be healthy after I leave."

Mohamed is a two-month-old baby boy who lives with his parents and eight other siblings in Ethiopia. Mohamed was born with an imperforate anus, a condition in which the anus does not develop properly. He lacks a hole at the end of his rectum, and thus is not able to pass stool. According to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), “Mohamed underwent a colostomy (a procedure that creates a temporary stooling hole in the stomach) when he was a few days old. But Mohamed needs a complete anorectal malformation surgery if he is to pass stool normally and have a chance at a normal life.” Additionally, colostomy bags can have a negative effect on one’s quality of life, as they can cause a foul odor. The area where the bag is placed is also prone to infections. Anorectal malformation surgery consists of a PSARP (pull-through) procedure, during which Mohamed’s anus will be reconstructed so that stool can pass through. For $1,500, all of Mohamed’s surgical and medical fees will be covered, as will the meals received during his hospital stay. But because Mohamed’s father is poor and must care for a large family, he needs help to afford the surgical treatment. Mohamed’s parents are hoping that “he will get better, and be able to join school once he is of age.”

Two-year-old Waldy was abandoned as a baby in a hospital in Haiti. Waldy has hydrocephalus -- a congenital neurological condition in which cerebrospinal fluid builds up in the brain, causing the head to swell. A group of doctors found Waldy and brought him to our medical partner, Project Medishare (PM), after they'd heard Waldy could receive treatment at no cost. “Waldy's head is swollen,” shares PM. "He cries a lot during nights and he is not able to carry his head.” With $1,260, Waldy can receive a hydrocephalus shunt replacement to remove the excess fluid in his brain. "The treatment and the surgery will positively change his health condition," PM shares. "Waldy will have a healthier life and his head won't get much bigger abnormally. We will be able to save his life." "After Wadly gets the surgery he needs to develop and survive, we plan to return him to his family with help and advocacy," PM adds. "He was in a terrible condition, but being returned with this surgery, he will not only be a miracle of hope but a testimony to everyone that these children are valued."

Francisco is a three-month-old baby from Guatemala. His parents "believe he is the largest gift they have ever received," says our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq (WK). "His mother had lost their last baby during the third trimester of her pregnancy, so when she got pregnant again with Francisco, it was a wonderful surprise." "Shortly after giving birth, Francisco's mother realized that she could not produce enough breast milk to feed her baby," WK explains. Soon after, doctors at WK diagnosed Francisco's mother with a condition called lactation failure. Due to the lack of nutritious breast milk from his mother, "Francisco started to lose weight and now he is below the average height and average weight for his age," says WK. Without access to maternal milk, he is at risk of dehydration and starvation, which will quickly begin to impact his development. Francisco's parents are very concerned that their baby will continue to lose weight. "They do not have a lot of money and formula is out of their budget," WK tells us. $1,220 covers the cost of a 12-month program that will provide Francisco with infant formula in order to replenish his calories and nutrition. This funding will also provide his mother with intensive counseling on how to properly prepare and mix infant formula, as well has one-on-one health education to prepare her for transitioning Francisco's diet to solid food and watching out for other signs of illness. Francisco's parents are very dedicated to their son's health and hopeful for his future. "Their dream for their child is that he will grow up to become a young professional, and have the dream to be a doctor and help his people like we do," says WK.