Ricardo is a three-year-old boy from Haiti. He lives in an orphanage in Port-au-Prince. He has many friends and enjoys playing with them and drawing cartoons. Ricardo was born with a cardiac condition called tricuspid atresia, in which one of the four valves of his heart is missing. As a result, blood cannot flow normally through his heart and into his body, leading to heart failure. Ricardo will fly to Akron Children's Hospital to receive treatment. On June 18, he will undergo cardiac surgery. During surgery, doctors will create a new pathway for blood to flow around the missing valve. Akron Children's Hospital is contributing $25,000 to pay for surgery. Ricardo'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 Ricardo's family overseas.

Katebalirwe is a farmer from Uganda. He is married and a father of five children. For many years, Katebalirwe has had a hydrocele, which is a swelling in a sensitive area. This condition causes him discomfort and pain and is affecting his ability to work. Fortunately, on May 9, he will undergo hydrocele repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $185 to fund Katebalirwe's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. He says, "After surgery I will continue with farming."

“Please help my granddaughter get treatment,” says Lightness’s grandmother. “She is in pain.” Lightness is a three-year-old girl from Tanzania who loves to play. She is also very curious about school, and her grandparents hope that she will grow up to be a successful teacher someday. Recently, while Lightness’s whole family was sleeping, a snake got into their house through a hole in the wall. It climbed into Lightness’s bed and bit her middle finger. She woke up with a cry of pain. Lightness’s father treated the snake bite with herbs. Although these lessened the pain, the child’s hand kept swelling, and she developed a fever. By the time Lightness’s parents rushed her to the hospital, the tissue in her finger had already begun to die. Now, the best course of treatment for Lightness is to amputate the finger in order to prevent further complications. However, Lightness’s parents cannot afford the operation. Her father supports his five children’s school fees and daily needs with the income he earns from farming. There is no extra money for unexpected costs. But with your help, we can raise the $1,035 needed for Lightness’s operation on December 22. This total will also cover the costs of her lab tests, three-day hospital visit, and stay at a recovery center for children. No toddler should have to live in pain. Let’s do what we can to help Lightness.

Nery is a 16-month-old baby boy from Guatemala. He enjoys eating rice and beans, and playing with his sister. Nery's parents work hard to support their family. His father works as a day laborer, and his mother takes care of their household and weaves traditional Mayan textiles. Nery was recently diagnosed with malnutrition, a condition that occurs from consuming too little protein, calories, and nutrients. In the short term, malnutrition means Nery has little energy to grow, and that his immune system is weak, leaving him vulnerable to diseases that further compromise his growth. He may also face long-term consequences of malnutrition, such as increased risk of chronic illness and a lowered IQ. Concerned for his well-being, his mother took Nery to our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq, for treatment. Beginning June 22, Nery will receive micronutrients and food supplementation, as well as regular growth monitoring. Community health workers will also teach his mother how to create a nutrient rich diet using limited resources. The $492 requested will cover all expenses of his continued treatment, allowing him to gain weight, strengthen his immune system, and catch up with other children his age. Nery’s mother says, “I am grateful to the program because I am very concerned about my child not gaining weight."