Bartola is a 55-year-old woman who lives with five of her seven children in rural Guatemala. She works as a housewife, cleaning and cooking. In her free time, she weaves traditional Mayan textiles and takes care of her family. Bartola needs pterygium correction surgery. Common symptoms of a pterygium include redness, blurred vision, and eye irritation due to a growth that covers the white part of the eye. Bartola’s eyesight has been worsening for many years now, and her eyes bother her on a daily basis. Fortunately, with the help of our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq, Bartola is scheduled to receive her treatment on August 3. She needs help raising $1,487 to fund treatment. Treatment for Bartola’s condition is straightforward. First, she will consult with a trusted eye specialist, and then receive correctional surgery and follow-up. The change to Bartola’s eyesight will be immediate and vision-saving. Bartola will be able to do her favorite activities again, such as weaving and going to church.

Jimu is a farmer from Malawi. Jimu lives with his wife, and they run a small farm. He also makes mats to sell to supplement the family income. In his free time, he likes to spend time playing with his grandchildren. Since May 2017, Jimu has had a hydrocele, which is a swelling in a sensitive area. This hydrocele makes working painful and difficult. Fortunately, on September 26, he will undergo hydrocele repair surgery at Nkhoma Hospital, our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, World Altering Medicine, is requesting $302 to fund Jimu's surgery. The requested money pays for supplies, medications, and six nights of hospital stay. Jimu is thrilled that he will get his operation. He says, "Thank you for this support."

Magali is a 28-year-old woman from Guatemala. Magali is single and lives with her parents in Guatemala's rural highlands. With a passion for studying, Magali is taking weekend university classes, while working a full-time job and assisting with her family's business. Magali has always had problems with her sight, but she has never been able to afford a visit to an eye doctor. However, a month ago, Magali was able to get her vision checked at a free clinic. In this visit, she was diagnosed with myopia, or nearsightedness. Through our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq, Magali is scheduled for an eye evaluation and to receive prescription lenses on June 12. She is requesting $552 to cover the total cost of her treatment. With a pair of glasses to fix her blurry vision, Magali will more easily be able to work, study, and support her family.

Youbendjy is a four-month-old baby who lives in a neighborhood in Port-au-Prince with his mother, father, and older sister. Neither parent is employed full-time, but both of them work as day laborers when they can. Youbendjy was born with a cardiac condition called total anomalous pulmonary vein return, in which the pulmonary veins connect to the right atrium of the heart. Typically, these veins should connect to the left atrium. This condition deprives his body of oxygen and leads to heart failure. Youbendjy will undergo a surgery in which the veins are disconnected from the heart and reconnected in the appropriate location. First, he will undergo a full cardiac assessment on February 9. This assessment will include physical exams, labs, and an overnight stay at the hospital. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,500 to fund these procedures. Funding for Youbendjy also covers the cost of medications and social support for him and his family. Gift of Life International is contributing $7,000 to cover additional costs associated with Youbendjy's surgical care. "I thought from the time my baby was born that we would lose him," says his mother. "It is like a dream for me that we have a chance for surgery."