Yas is a sweet five-year-old who loves to play and watch children's shows. She is the youngest of four children, and her mother works as a food seller to provide for their family. Three years ago, Yas developed an ear infection that caused the tympanic membrane, or the eardrum, in her left ear to perforate. As a result, Yas experiences hearing loss and ear discharge, and she cannot communicate clearly with others. Fortunately, Yas's family was able to travel to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), to receive treatment. On April 19th, Yas will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in her left ear, during which surgeons will close the perforation. Yas's family was able to contribute $100 and CSC is requesting $487 to fully fund the cost of her treatment and care. Yas's mother says, "I hope her hearing will improve and the discharge will stop."

Luc Stanley is nine years old and lives with his mother and four sisters in Haiti. "He is in the second grade in school, and his favorite subject is mathematics. He would like to be an engineer or an architect when he grows up," says our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA). Luc Stanley was born with a cardiac condition called tetralogy of fallot, characterized by a hole between two chambers of his heart, and a muscular blockage of one of the valves. "As a result, blood cannot circulate normally through his body, and he is at constant risk of sudden death," HCA adds. For $1,500, Luc Stanley will undergo cardiac surgery to repair the hole and remove the muscular blockage in his heart. This operation has been subsidized with $5,000 by International Children's Heart Foundation. Surgery will allow Luc Stanley's heart to function normally and circulate blood to the rest of his body so that he can play with his friends and live free from the concern of sudden cardiac arrest. "I have never been able to play soccer with my friends, and so I am looking forward to learning how to play when my surgery is done!” Luc Stanley says.

Madeline is a 6-year-old indigenous girl from Guatemala who has never seen a doctor in her life. Her parents brought her to Wuqu’ Kawoq because she had difficulty breathing. After providing an ultrasound, the doctors in Guatemala diagnosed Madeline with congenital heart disease. She has a large hole in the membrane of her heart (known as an atrial septal defect) which will require open heart surgery to correct. Fortunately, the doctors believe that surgery should “completely correct her symptoms and allow her to lead a normal life.” Madeline said she can't wait to go home, see her friends, and return to school. Let’s get this young girl the medical care she deserves, and make her first trip to see the doctor a successful one!