Nine-month-old Myson "has two very devoted parents," shares our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA). "But he currently lives in an orphanage in Haiti due to his illness so that they can help keep him as healthy and stable as possible." Myson has three older brothers and sisters who like to visit him and play with him whenever they can. Myson currently suffers from a congenital heart disease called ventricular septal defect. "A hole exists between the two lower chambers of his heart," HCA tells us. "Blood leaks through this hole without first passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him sickly and weak. If not corrected with surgery, the condition would eventually be fatal." $1,500 will fund overseas transportation and preparation for Myson's heart surgery. Health City Cayman Islands has already subsidized $5,000 of the treatment cost. "I am so happy that Myson can have surgery and I am praying that everything will go well," his mother shares.

Meet Petronila, a one-year-old girl from Guatemala who is just learning to speak! “Petronila’s favorite toy is a little doll given to her by her cousin,” says our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK). Petronila is the youngest of five children and lives with her mother, two brothers and two sisters. After experiencing constant illness, Petronila’s mother brought her to WK’s medical clinic. Physicians at WK confirmed that Petronila has acute pediatric malnutrition, stating, “Petronila is malnourished and has intermittent diarrhea, fever and a sore throat.” Acute malnutrition results from a nutritional imbalance--the body does not consume as many essential nutrients as it needs to be healthy. A healthy diet is extremely important in early childhood development and malnourishment can contribute to stunted physical and mental growth. The condition also weakens the immune system--often causing a variety of other illnesses. WK explains, “even when Petronila is not sick, her appetite is low.” Petronila’s family is very supportive--WK says, “her older brother cares for and plays with Petronila while her mother works out of the home or at home weaving blouses.” However, the modest income that her mother earns is not enough to cover the cost of Petronila’s treatment. With $535, Petronila will undergo a three-month program to treat her acute malnutrition. With this treatment, Petronila will receive a 90-day supply of nutrient-rich food supplements, which will gradually introduce essential nutrients into her diet. By improving her diet slowly, her body can safely adjust to the changes. As her immune system is currently weak, Petronila will also receive deworming medication to protect her against infection during her treatment. With the fourth-highest rate of malnutrition in the world, WK states, “this condition is common in Guatemala.” Therefore, as part of Petronila’s total cost of treatment, her mother will receive an intensive education on nutrition from a certified nutritionist. As WK says, “this education will not only improve Petronila’s health, but also the health of her siblings.” “Over time, Petronila will recoup the height and weight she has lost and will begin to develop normally,” WK comments. Additionally, “her immune system will strengthen,” therefore allowing Petronila to restore her overall health. “Thank God you found me and want to help my child,” shares Petronila’s mother. “My wish is that she is healthy and free of malnutrition!”

“I want to be healthy and free from worry,” shares 34-year-old Mar, a mother and market vendor from Thailand. Mar has an ovarian cyst, a fluid-filled sac that has formed on one of her ovaries. “She is in pain when she sits and sometimes even loses sleep,” our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP), tells us. “Her legs and arms ache as well, and she is no longer able to work as much as before.” Because Mar is unable to work regularly, her 14-year-old son has stopped going to school to help earn money to support the family. The recommended treatment for Mar is surgical removal of her uterus and ovaries—procedures known as a total hysterectomy and oophorectomy, respectively. Mar’s stage three uterus prolapse, in which her pelvic muscles and the ligaments that support the uterus are weakened, also calls for specific treatment. $1500 in funding will cover the cost of the surgeries as well as a seven-day hospital stay and one outpatient appointment post-surgery. BBP explains, “After treatment, Mar will be able to return to work. She will no longer suffer from pain and will be able to earn an income again without worrying about further medical complications.” “I want to be able to work regularly and earn enough money to spoil my children,” says Mar. “I want my son to return to school to continue with his education. I wish that my children will have better education that I was able to.”

“Jawadu is a charming boy,” says his grandmother. “He interacts with fellow kids although being blind and is very intelligent.” Four-year-old Jawadu lives in Malawi. He has hydrocephalus, a condition in which there is an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain. Our medical partner, World Altering Medicine, explains, “Jawadu is a healthy boy but due to the condition he is blind, cannot sit, walk and finds difficulties in speech coordination." Jawadu’s grandmother, who cares for him, farms rice and does not earn enough money to pay for the surgery that Jawadu needs. $992 covers the cost of surgery to drain the excess fluid from Jawadu’s brain as well as food, travel, and lodging for him and his grandmother pre- and post-surgery. Jawadu’s grandmother hopes that her grandson will regain his sight after treatment so that he can return to school. Let’s help make that happen!