Christie is a four-year-old girl from Haiti, who lives with her parents and two older siblings in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. She is in preschool, and is learning to read. She loves dressing up and playing with her friends. Christie has a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus. A hole exists between two major blood vessels next to her heart; blood leaks through this hole, leaving her weak and short of breath. Christie will fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On May 13th, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which doctors will use a device on the end of a catheter to plug the hole so that blood can no longer leak through it. Another organization, International Cardiac Alliance, is contributing $4,000 to pay for surgery. Christie's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,500 to cover labs, medicines, and check-up and follow-up appointments. It also supports securing travel documents for the family and travel costs for the social workers from our medical partner, who will accompany Christie's family overseas. Christie's mother says: "Our family is so thankful that our daughter has this chance to travel and to get her heart healed!"

Yidnekachew is 54 years old and a father of two from Ethiopia. He is a broker, while his wife works at a government office. For the past two years, Yidnekachew has struggled with painful and disruptive urinary problems without knowing the cause. Because his condition went undiagnosed, his health slowly got worse. Two months ago, serious complications forced him to go to the hospital. There, doctors finally diagnosed him with an enlarged prostate, known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and recommended urgent surgery. His illness has affected every part of his life. The pain and lack of sleep have drained his energy and made it hard to focus. Yidnekachew needs to undergo surgery to alleviate his symptoms and improve his quality of life. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $900 to fund the procedure. The treatment is scheduled to take place on October 2nd. Yidnekachew said, "I hope this surgery ends my pain and the constant trips to the bathroom, so I can return to my work and live normally again."

Abdi is a six-year-old boy from Ethiopia. His father is a driver, while his mother stays home to care for Abdi and his older sister. Abdi is in kindergarten. For more than a year, Abdi has been experiencing swollen and sore tonsils. This sickness has made life really hard for him and his family. Because his throat hurts so much, he misses a lot of school, and he cannot sleep well at night. This makes his parents worry about him every single day. He was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils, which, if not treated, will cause his symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $700 to fund a tonsillectomy for Abdi, which is scheduled to take place on July 11th. Surgeons will remove his tonsils, hopefully relieving Abdi of his symptoms and helping him live more comfortably. The family hopes to see their son grow up strong and healthy, finally free from pain. They look forward to a peaceful future where he can do well in school.

Daniel is a 40-year-old farmer from Ethiopia. He and his wife have a son and a daughter. Four years ago, Daniel started experiencing troubling symptoms. He was diagnosed with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), an enlargement of the prostate gland. Physicians inserted a catheter to help him, but they recommend surgery to address his symptoms and prevent the risk of other complications. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $900 to fund the procedure. The treatment is scheduled to take place on August 15th and, once completed, will improve Daniel's quality of life. Daniel wants nothing more than to farm again, provide for his family, and leave the shame behind. Receiving proper care will restore his dignity, reunite him with his community, and give his wife and two children their healthy, active father back.

Ayele is 56 years old and a father of two from Ethiopia. He shines shoes to support his family. However, he has not been able to work consistently because of his health. One year ago, Ayele started experiencing troubling symptoms. He was diagnosed with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), an enlargement of the prostate gland. Physicians inserted a catheter to help him, but they recommend he undergo surgery to prevent his symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $900 to fund the procedure. The treatment is scheduled to take place on August 15th and, once completed, will improve Ayele's quality of life. Ayele shared, "I hope to recover my health and return to work. That way, I can support my family and send my children back to school."

Kalkidan is a 26-year-old woman living in Ethiopia with her husband and their six-month-old baby. Her husband works hard as a taxi driver to support the family. When she was seven months pregnant, Kalkidan became very sick with a painful gallbladder problem. She was experiencing nausea and vomiting, and intense pain in her abdomen. Due to financial challenges, the family has not been able to afford the doctor and the medicine she needs. And, over the last three months, the pain has gotten much worse. It has become very difficult for Kalkidan to look after her home and to take care of her baby. Doctors evaluated Kalkidan, and diagnosed her with a severe inflammation of the gallbladder. They have recommended that she undergo a cholecystectomy, which is surgery to remove the gallbladder. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $900 for this procedure, which is scheduled to take place on August 16th. Once she has recovered from the surgery, Kalkidan will hopefully live a healthier and more active life. "I am not worried about myself at all. My only thought is for my baby; he needs me, and I cannot wait to be completely healthy so I can finally be there for him." said Kalkidan.

Bekelech, who is 40 years old, is a housewife from Ethiopia, who dedicates all of her time to caring for her family. Her husband works as a government employee. Bekelech and her husband have two children; a 15-year-old son in Grade 10 and a 10-year-old daughter in Grade 4. Three years ago, Bekelech began to experience troubling symptoms, including intense pain in the center of her abdomen, discomfort after eating fatty foods, and physical exhaustion. Doctors evaluated Bekelech, and diagnosed her with cholecystitis, an infection of the gallbladder. They recommended a cholecystectomy, which is surgery to remove the gallbladder. Bekelech's health has been steadily deteriorating, and she has tried to push through the pain, in part because the family could not afford the care that she needs, and because Bekelech was afraid of having surgery. As her symptoms worsened, Bekelech sought treatment support from our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital. She and her family are requesting for $900 to cover the cost of her procedure. The surgery is scheduled to take place on August 16th. Bekelech says: "I dream of getting my health back, so I can take care of my children, support my family with a clear mind and a healthy body, and return to my daily life with new strength, happiness, and peace of mind."

Terefe is 80 years old and a farmer from Ethiopia. He spent his whole life working the fields alongside his wife and raising their two sons. He was always an active, outdoorsy man deeply connected to his local community. For the past two years, he has suffered from a painful and severe prostate condition that recently forced him to rely on a catheter to use the bathroom. This sudden change has left him completely dependent on others, unable to move around easily, and cut off from the active outdoor life and community he once loved. Terefe was diagnosed with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), an enlargement of the prostate gland. Physicians at Saglan Wajee General Hospital determined that Terefe should undergo surgical treatment. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $900 to fund the procedure. The treatment is scheduled to take place on August 19th and, once completed, will improve Terefe's quality of life. Terefe shared, "I hope to find comfort in my daily routine again, so I can reconnect with my family and the social life I miss so much."

Alemnesh is 55 years old and a widow from Ethiopia. She is a government office employee while supporting her 18-year-old daughter, who is currently a student. Eight years ago, Alemnesh began to experience troubling symptoms, including severe upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and back and shoulder pain. Doctors evaluated Alemnesh and diagnosed her with inflammation of the gallbladder. They recommend a cholecystectomy, which is surgery to remove the gallbladder. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $900 for this procedure. The treatment is scheduled to take place on August 19th, and once completed, Alemnesh will hopefully live more comfortably and have a more active and healthy life ahead. Alemnesh said, "I hope to lift this heavy weight off my shoulders so I can build a healthier, brighter future for me and my daughter."

Senayit is a 30-year-old woman from Ethiopia. Her husband is a construction worker, while she runs their household. About two years ago, Senayit began to experience troubling symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, back and shoulder pain. Her symptoms worsened after the birth of their youngest child about three months ago, which has made basic activities, including looking after her new born child, extremely difficult. Senayit sought medical evaluation from our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, and was diagnosed with an inflammation of the gallbladder. She needs to undergo a cholecystectomy, which is surgery to remove the gallbladder. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $900 for this procedure. The treatment is scheduled to take place on August 20th, and once completed, Senayit will hopefully live more comfortably and have a more active and healthy life ahead. She says: "My simple wish is to run my household comfortable, and be able to take care of my children. I wish to fully enjoy every moment of motherhood with my new baby."

Bethelhem is a 37-year-old mother of three from Ethiopia. Her husband is a shopkeeper, while she takes care of their home and three children: two girls and one boy. For the past four years, Bethelhem has been experiencing a painful gallbladder stone condition. Because of limited finances, her family cannot afford the surgery she desperately needs. Over the last four months, her symptoms have become much worse, causing severe attacks that often leave her unable to walk. This physical restriction and intense pain makes it hard to care for her children and run her home, casting a heavy shadow of worry and stress over the entire family. Doctors evaluated Bethelhem and diagnosed her with inflammation of the gallbladder. They recommend a cholecystectomy, which is surgery to remove the gallbladder. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $900 for this procedure. The treatment is scheduled to take place on August 20th, and once completed, Bethelhem will hopefully live more comfortably and have a more active and healthy life ahead. "I just wish that this heavy cloud of worry and financial stress could be relieved off my family. More than anything, I hope to get my health back so I can bring peace and stability back to our daily lives," Bethelhem shared.