Nathalia is a crafty and creative seven-year-old from Bolivia who just completed first grade. She lives with her parents and one younger sister. Some of Nathalia's favorite activities include creating artwork and making crafts! Nathalia was born with an atrial septal defect, a cardiac condition in which a hole exists between the two upper chambers of the heart. Blood leaks through this hole instead of flowing properly through her body, leaving her feeling weak and short of breath. Fortunately, Nathalia is scheduled to undergo heart surgery on July 27th with the support of our long-standing medical partner Haiti Cardiac Alliance, which is now growing and expanding into Bolivia. Surgeons will close the hole with a patch, allowing blood to properly flow through her body and improving her quality of life. Another organization, Gift of Life International, is contributing $2,500 to pay for a portion of Nathalia's procedure costs. Our medical partner is requesting $1,500 to cover the remaining costs, which cover surgical expenses, cardiac exams, medications, and travel fees so Nathalia and her family can travel to receive her life-changing cardiac procedure in La Paz. Nathalia's mother shares, "Ever since we learned our daughter was sick, we have been praying every day for this surgery, and we are so glad our prayers are about to be answered!"

Jackline is a farmer and a mother of four: two boys and two girls all in different stages in school. Jackline and her husband support their family through small scale farming in the village. They mainly grow carrots and cabbages to sell in the market. Five years ago, Jackline began to experience troubling symptoms, including breathing and swallowing problems, anterior neck swelling and heart palpitations. She visited Nyakibale Hospital and had a thyroid test run. She was diagnosed with multiple cystic thyroid goitre. If not treated, Jackline will be at risk of further complications from the goitre including breathing problems. She is worried her output at work will be affected and needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Jackline receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on December 28th at our medical partner's care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $252, and she and her family need help raising money. Jackline says “I really wish my health gets better so that I continue working hard and be able to educate my children for a bright future.”