Roberto is ten years old and lives in the outskirts of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic with his mother and two sisters. He is in the fourth grade and would like to be a pilot when he grows up. Roberto was born with a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect, in which a hole exists between the two lower chambers of his heart. Blood leaks through this hole without first passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him sickly and weak. Although Roberto is not Haitian, our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is collaborating with their partners in the Dominican Republic to offer treatment to Dominican children. He will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center. First, Roberto will undergo a full cardiac assessment on February 13. This assessment will include physical exams, labs, and an overnight stay at the hospital. Haiti Cardiac Alliance is requesting $1,500 to fund these procedures. Funding for Roberto also covers the cost of medications and social support for him and him family. Gift of Life International is contributing $7,000 to cover additional costs associated with Roberto's surgical care. "I want to say thank you to everyone who is helping me to get my heart fixed," says Roberto.

Benson is an outgoing 60-year-old farmer from a village in southwest Uganda. He and his wife, Provia, have three children who all have families of their own. At home, he and his wife look after three of their grandsons, one of whom is in school. In his free time, Benson enjoys listening to news programs on the radio, going to church, and participating in his village savings groups. He always has a smile for others. For the past two years, Benson has had a hernia. The pain has prevented him from working and taking care of his tea plants. On January 10, he will undergo a repair surgery at our medical partner's care center, Bwindi Community Hospital. Benson’s tea plants provide him a small income, and he and Provia grow other crops to feed their family. He co-payed $4, but our medical partner is requesting an additional $229 to fund the treatment. "I give many, many thanks to the donors for helping me," says Benson. "We did not have the money for surgery. I am so grateful!”

Egner is a 12-month-old boy from Guatemala. His parents have had trouble affording foods rich in calories, protein, and nutrients. He has been diagnosed with acute malnutrition. This means he has little energy to grow, and his immune system is weak and vulnerable to illness. He is also at risk of chronic disease and delayed development. Fortunately, Egner began malnutrition treatment on November 24, 2016. Egner is a calm and friendly boy who loves to play soccer with his older brother, Cristian. He lives with his family in a one-room adobe house with a tin roof. His father works as a day laborer on a local plantation, working hard to support the whole family. He cannot afford Egner's $512 treatment. While malnutrition can have devastating effects, it is also very treatable. Growth monitoring, micronutrients, and food supplementation will help Egner recover. He will gain weight and grow taller to catch up with other children his age, and his immune system will grow stronger. Community health workers will teach his mother about creating a nutrient-rich diet from limited resources. Treatment will give Egner a chance to grow healthy and strong. "I am happy because I know that this is going to help my son a lot," says Egner's mother.