This past September, eight-year-old Nita suffered facial injuries from a gas explosion. Our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), tells us, “Nita was diagnosed with necrosis of the skin around her nose, eyes, and forehead. She received treatment at another hospital where they closed the wounds, but did nothing to improve the appearance of her face.” The first grader from Cambodia hopes to be comfortable with her appearance again. She says, “I can’t go to study and my parents can’t go to work because they are spending time taking care of me and bringing me to doctors.” For $392, Nita will undergo facial reconstructive surgery. “The pedicle on her forehead will be divided and a flap revision surgery will be performed,” CSC explains. “Once healed, this will improve the appearance of Nita’s forehead.” Nita, who enjoys playing with her dolls, reading Khmer history books, and watching cartoons, shares, “I hope my nose can be better after surgery. After I am healed, I want to go back home and go to school normally. When I grow up, I want to be a doctor.”

Meet Moisa, a two-year-old toddler from Haiti. Moisa was born with a congenital heart disease called Tetralogy of Fallot, which causes a hole to form between two chambers of the heart and causes a muscular blockage in one of the heart valves. “As a result, blood cannot circulate normally through her body, and she is at constant risk of sudden death,” says our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA). Moisa was born with down syndrome, and she lives with her parents and three older brothers. “Although she has special needs, she is fully involved in the life of her family and has many friends in the neighborhood,” shares HCA. Moisa likes to wear pretty dresses and play, especially blowing bubbles. For $1,500, Moisa will receive the cardiac surgery she needs. Following the surgery, she will no longer have cardiac symptoms or be at risk of sudden death. "Moisa makes everyone smile when they are around her,” expresses her mother. “We are so happy she is getting the surgery she needs!"