Nylah is a newborn from Kenya who was born with a condition known as spina bifida. Spina bifida results from an incomplete formation of the spinal cord, and the condition has caused Nylah to experience weakness in her lower limbs, develop an irritable nature, and lack the ability to feed properly. Because of her condition, Nylah is at risk of developing a tethered spinal cord, a hunched back, lower limb paralysis, and infections of the exposed nerves and tissues. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,097 to fund spinal surgery for Nylah. The procedure is scheduled to take place on June 23 and, once the gap in Nylah's spinal cord is closed, will hopefully allow Nylah to proceed along a healthy developmental trajectory. Nylah's mother says, “We are certain that Nylah will get well and whatever treatment that she receives will be of help to her well-being."

Roseberline lives just outside of Cap Haitien, a port city in northern Haiti, with her mother, father, and two younger brothers. She is in high school and would like to go on to become a doctor or a nurse. Roseberline was born with a hole between the two upper chambers of her heart, called an atrial septal defect. Blood leaks through this hole without first passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving her short of breath and weak. Roseberline will fly to the Cayman Islands to receive treatment. On January 21, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will insert a catheter into her heart and close the hole. This $10,000 surgery is subsidized by Have a Heart Cayman Islands. Roseberline's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Roseberline's family overseas. "I am very excited to travel to the hospital and to get this heart problem fixed. I would like to say thank you to everyone who is making this possible for me," shares Roseberline.

Sharmila is an adorable six-year-old girl living in Nepal who loves skipping and playing games! Her favorite game is “chungi,” a Nepalese version of hackey sack played with a ball of rubber bands. Sharmila lives with her grandparents, two brothers, and her parents, who farm and own a small roadside tea shop. One day, Sharmila fell on her hand while playing outside. She experienced severe pain and has been unable to move her hand ever since. If Sharmila does not receive treatment for her fracture, she could lose complete use of her hand. Doctors say that Sharmila “is really sad that now she will not be able to play chungi for some time.” For $805, we can fund Sharmila’s surgery for her hand fracture so she can get back to playing with her friends!

Dorcus is a five-year-old who lives in Tanzania. Dorcus has Hirschsprung's disease, a condition that affects the large intestine and makes it difficult for Dorcus to pass stool normally. Dorcus does not spend time with other children because she is self-conscious of her condition. Dorcus is an orphan who was taken in by a loving family in her community. Her guardians share that Dorcus “was doing well in school and liked to play with other children, but now she isolates herself.” Her adoptive parents have three children of their own, and although they pay for her school fees, they cannot afford the cost of Dorcus’ medical bills. For $1,200, we can fund Dorcus' colostomy. This procedure will allow Dorcus to rejoin her classmates at school and lead a productive life. Let's give her the healthy life she deserves!