Mary is a 2-year-old girl from Kanyashogi, a town in the hills of rural Uganda. She currently resides with her mother and her mother's family. They work as small farmers growing food for domestic use. While Mary used to love playing with other children, pediatric malnutrition has severely decreased her mobility. Due to insufficient amounts of food at home, Mary has experienced oedema (excessive build up of fluid in the body), diarrhea, weight loss, and lethargy. Mary and her family walked the 50 kilometers to our medical partner's care center, Bwindi Community Hospital, in search of treatment. Our medical partner, The Kellermann Foundation, is requesting $316 to fund Mary's nutritional care, which she is scheduled to receive on June 8. This covers a ten-night hospital stay, medications, and vital nutrients. “I thank the donors so much for supporting the needy like us," shares Mary's mother. By providing her with proper sustenance, Mary will hopefully be able to play and walk again with the same energy as her friends.

Kenson is a 12-year-old boy who lives in the mountains of central Haiti with a large extended family. His family works together to farm crops and raise animals. He enjoys going to school and listening to soccer games on the radio. Kenson was born with patent ductus arteriosus, a cardiac condition in which a hole in the heart that normally closes shortly after birth remains open. Oxygen-rich blood from the aorta mixes with oxygen-poor blood from the pulmonary artery, placing strain on Kenson's heart and leaving him short of breath. He was also born with an aortic valve that is too narrow, further complicating his heart's ability to pump blood to his body. Have a Heart Cayman is subsidizing Kenson's heart surgery, however Kenson requires overseas transport to our medical partner's care center, Health City Cayman Islands. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is therefore requesting $1,500 to cover the cost of Kenson's transportation to the site of surgery, cardiac examinations, and medications. The procedure is scheduled to take place on July 11 and, once completed, will greatly improve Kenson's quality of life. "I am excited for my heart to be fixed so I can do more things without getting tired," shares Kenson.

Samuel is a four-month old baby boy from coastal Kenya. He is the only child of his parents, who love him dearly. Samuel was born prematurely at 32 weeks. One month before he was born, he was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition where excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and causes the skull to swell. If left untreated, Samuel will likely suffer brain damage and lose his sight. Doctors recommend that Samuel have surgery to drain the excess fluid from his head and reduce the pressure in his brain. However, because Samuel's parents are subsistence farmers, they can't afford the operation. On August 2, Samuel will undergo surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $685 to fund the treatment. “It pains us to see our only child in pain," says Samuel's mother. "We long to have a happy child in our home."

Ramita is a two-year-old girl who has been unable to say her first words. Ramita was born with ankyloglossia, often called "tongue-tie," a congenital anomaly that can affect speech, feeding, and oral hygiene. Because of her condition, Ramita cannot speak, feels discomfort in her tongue, and has trouble eating. Her mother is very worried about her only child’s speech development, but the cost of surgery is out of reach for Ramita’s parents. Her mother does agricultural work and her father works in India to support the family. With your help, Ramita can receive the $965 surgery she needs to live a healthier life and let her voice be heard!

Jessie is a brave two-year-old guy who lives with his parents and his three siblings in a rural part of the Central Philippines. His father is a hardworking farmer who makes about $25 a month to support his family. When Jessie was born, he endured a series of operations to temporarily fix a congenital defect that prevented him from passing stool properly. The operations may have saved his life, but they also wiped out his parents' savings and did not permanently solve the problem. Now, Jessie is in constant pain and must wear a colostomy bag. But Jessie is a resilient kid, and despite extreme discomfort as a result of his condition, he still loves to sing, dance, and play with his siblings. For $985, Jessie can receive surgery to have his large intestinal hernia repaired and his colostomy closed. “This surgery means everything to us because we can’t ignore or dare to see our son in pain" said Jessie's parents. "I believe after the surgery, my child will live normally like his other siblings and other children, free from pain.” Let's fund Jessie’s surgery so he can live his life to the fullest!

Yohannes is a seven-year-old boy living in Ethiopia. Due to severe abdominal swelling and inflammation, he is unable to pass urine and is very prone to infection. Our medical partner has diagnosed Yohannes with bilateral ureteric obstruction, a blockage at the junction of the urethra and the kidneys. This painful condition can lead to kidney failure and even death if left untreated. Yohannes is the only child of his aging mother. His father has three other wives and is the sole breadwinner of his big family. After paying for a previous surgery for Yohannes, his father cannot afford to pay for the additional treatment that Yohannes needs. For only $1,000, we can fund a major surgery for Yohannes which will restore urine flow from his kidneys to his urethra. The cost will also include medication and hospitalization before and after the procedure. “I want my only child to live and have a good life" said Yohannes' mother. With your support, we can let Yohannes live a pain-free life and help make his mother's hopes a reality!

This is Kamza, a sweet two-year-old from the Comoros Islands. She has congenital nevus on her scalp - a rare condition that presents as a dark-colored patch of skin at birth. These marks often become cancerous, and can be life-threatening if not treated properly. Kamza lives in Kenya with her two older siblings and parents, where she has received initial medical care and treatment. However, the scar remains on her scalp and may become malignant if left untreated. "I want my daughter to live a long and healthy life. I want her to go to school and play with other children," her mother shares. For $1,500, Kamza will receive surgery allowing her to grow up healthy, social, and strong. Let's help Kamza to grow and develop healthily!