Lynemandy is a student from Haiti. She lives with her grandmother in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. She has been studying business at a local university, although has not attended for the past year due to her heart condition. Lynemandy has a cardiac condition called mitral and aortic regurgitation. Two of the four valves of her heart were damaged by a rheumatic fever that she suffered eight years ago, and they can no longer adequately circulate blood through her body. This leaves her weak and short of breath, and could eventually be fatal. Lynemandy will fly to Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On February 17, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will repair the damaged valves in her heart so that they open and close more normally. University of Virginia is contributing $8,000 to pay for surgery. Lynemandy'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 Lynemandy's family overseas. She says, "I am excited about this surgery so that I can have more energy and live a more normal life when I go back home."

Ezekiel is a baby from Kenya. He lives with his parents and siblings in a one-room house Nairobi. Ezekiel’s mother stays at home to tend to her children, while his father is employed at a construction site. Ezekiel has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of his condition, Ezekiel has been experiencing an increasing head circumference and irritability. Without treatment, Ezekiel will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $685 to cover the cost of surgery for Ezekiel that will treat his hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on March 8 and will drain the excess fluid from Ezekiel's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, Ezekiel will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. “I had lost hope but through BethanyKids and Watsi I feel a ray of hope veering. I look forward to have Ezekiel treated now that we do not have to worry about his treatment cost,” shares Ezekiel’s mother.

Nakry is a mechanic from Cambodia. He has a daughter and enjoys working on his farm. When he was two years old, Nakry had an ear infection. This infection caused a cholesteatoma, or an abnormal skin growth, to develop in the middle ear behind the ear drum. For this reason, Nakry experiences right ear discharge, hearing loss, and recurrent infection. It is difficult to hear and he has recurrent infections, which are uncomfortable. Nakry traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On February 13, he will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure in his right ear. During this procedure, ENT surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $842 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. He says, "I hope I can hear better than before."