Jimmy is a teenager from Haiti. He was born with a cardiac condition called Tetralogy of Fallot, which involves several related defects including a hole between two chambers of the heart and a muscular blockage of one of the valves. As a result, his body is deprived of the oxygen it needs, leaving him sick and short of breath. He will require an open-heart surgery to repair this condition. Jimmy lives in Port-au-Prince with his parents and two sisters; he is in his second year of high school and would like to become a teacher. Jimmy will fly to India to receive treatment. On August 19, he will undergo cardiac surgery. Another organization, Rotary International, is contributing $8,000 to pay for surgery. His family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany his family overseas.

Umaimana is a baby from Tanzania. Her parents are farmers. Umaimana has clubfoot of both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Umaimana traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on June 18. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $890 to fund Umaimana's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will be able to walk easily and wear shoes. Her aunt says, “I would really love to see my neice living a normal life please help her get this treatment.”

Andrice is a student from Haiti. He lives with his parents and younger brother in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince; he is in the second grade. Andrice has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation. One of the four valves of his heart is severely damaged due to an infection he suffered earlier in childhood. As a result, his heart cannot properly circulate blood through his body. Andrice will fly to Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On May 27, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will attempt to repair his damaged mitral valve; if this is not possible, they will implant an artificial replacement. Another organization, The Mitral Foundation, is contributing $8,500 to pay for surgery. Andrice's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Andrice's family overseas. His mother says, "Our family is praying for a successful surgery and for our son to become healthy."

Vy is a 14-year-old monk from Cambodia. He is the oldest of three bothers, and in his free time he likes to read scripture and story books. When he was a child, Vy had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in both ears to perforate. For this reason, Vy experiences discharge, tinnitus, hearing loss, and irritation. He is unable to hear properly, affecting his communication with others. Vy traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On April 30, he will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in both ears. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforations. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $831 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. He says, :I hope that after my surgery, I will no longer worry about my ear infection and I will be able to hear clearly again."

Kyaw Myat is a five-year-old boy from Burma. He lives with his family in Ma Gyi Pin Village, Tigyaing Township, Sagaing Division. Doctors believe that Kyaw Myat has a benign brain tumor. They want Kyaw Myat to undergo an MRI, an imaging procedure that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce images of bodily organs. This scan will hopefully help doctors diagnose his condition and formulate an appropriate treatment plan. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $968 to cover the cost of Kyaw Myat's MRI and care, scheduled for April 17. His father says, “If possible, I want him to become a teacher.”

Si Blu is a 22-year-old girl from Thailand. She lives with her parents and younger brother and sister in Mae La Refugee Camp, Tha Song Yang District, Tak Province. She and her family fled Burma 12 years ago because of the civil war and a lack of job opportunities in their area. Today, Si Blu’s parents sell noddles and snacks from their home in the camp. Si Blu loves to listen to music and help her parents with household chores in her free times. Currently, Si Blu experiences fatigue and she is too tired to climb stairs. She often has rapid breathing as well as heart palpitations when she is more tired. Si Blu was born with ventricular septal defect, a cardiac condition in which a hole exists between the two lower chambers of the heart. Blood leaks through this hole without first passing through his lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him sick and short of breath. Si Blu is scheduled to undergo heart surgery on March 17 to correct his condition and improve his quality of life. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Si Blu's procedure and care. Si Blu said, “I feel like my health is getting worse and worse and I cannot handle it anymore. I am too tired to work or walk. I love to work but my work place has stairs I have to climb, and I cannot climb the stair every day. I hope that after surgery, I will be able to help my mother at home by selling noodles and snacks.”

Tak is a construction worker from Cambodia. He has one daughter and one son. He likes to go for walks, play sports with friends, and watch TV. Nine months ago, he was in a motor vehicle accident that caused a fracture in his left leg. He cannot walk and is unable to work. He is in pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On November 12, Tak will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $430. This procedure will help him walk easily again. He says, "After surgery, I hope I can walk on my own and return to work."

Victoria is a baby from Kenya. Her parents are subsistence farmers. Victoria has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. If not treated, Victoria is at a risk of suffering brain damage, loss of sight, delayed milestones, and potentially death. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $685 to cover the cost of surgery for Victoria that will treat her hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on November 29 and will drain the excess fluid from Victoria's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Victoria will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. “This is our first born child and we want the best for her. We hope we can get help somehow,” says Victoria’s father.

Woobens is a toddler from Haiti. He lives with his parents, who are farmers, and three older siblings in the mountains of Northern Haiti. Woobens has a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus. A hole exists between two major blood vessels near the heart. Woobens also has Down syndrome. On October 9, he will undergo cardiac surgery at St. Damien Hospital, our medical partner's care center. During surgery, Surgeons will use a patch to close the hole near his heart. Another organization, Gift of Life International, is contributing $5,000 to pay for surgery. Woobens's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 requested by our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, covers cardiac exams and medications. His mother says, "I am hopeful that after this surgery, my son will start growing and gaining weight."