Smaha is a student from Haiti. She lives with her parents and three siblings in Cap Haitien, a city on the northern coast of Haiti. She attends first grade, and likes coloring and doing art projects. Smaha has a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus. A blood vessel between the pulmonary artery and the aorta that normally closes soon after birth instead remains open. Blood flows through it, bypassing the lungs and depriving the body of the oxygen it needs. Smaha underwent a surgery two years ago to tie off the duct, but unfortunately the defect has re-opened; she will now undergo a different type of procedure called cardiac catheterization to close it in a way that makes it very unlikely to ever reopen again. Smaha will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On May 3, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will use a device attached to the tip of a catheter to block the leaking duct. Another organization, Gift of Life Inc., is contributing $8,000 to pay for surgery. Smaha'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 Smaha's family overseas. Her mother says, "I am praying that after this trip to the hospital my daughter will be fully healthy."

Nephtalie is a student from Haiti. She lives with her mother and younger sister in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. She enjoys going to school and attending church. Nephtalie has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral stenosis. One of the four valves of her heart is too tight and narrow as a result of a fever suffered earlier in her childhood. Blood backs up behind the valve, leading to heart failure. Nephtalie will fly to India to receive treatment. On February 25, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which Surgeons will first attempt to open the valve by inserting a catheter and expanding a balloon. If this is not successful, they will immediately proceed to open-heart surgery to open the valve. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is contributing $5,000 to pay for surgery. Nephtalie'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 Nephtalie's family overseas. She says, "I am very happy to have this surgery so I can be healthy and stop worrying about my health."

Nengai is a young student from Tanzania. She loves school and enjoys playing football. Her mother passed away when she was only eight years old. Nengai lives withe her brother, who works as a welder. Since she was two years old, Nengai has been experiencing difficulty breathing. Frequent illness causes Nengai to miss school. Nengai was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils, which, if not treated, will cause her symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $633 to fund a tonsillectomy for Nengai, which is scheduled to take place on February 8. Surgeons will remove her tonsils, hopefully relieving Nengai of her symptoms and helping her live more comfortably. Nengai says, “I will be glad if I will no longer be sick regularly. Thank you for helping me get this treatment.”

Kabagenyi is a farmer from Uganda. She is a widow and a mother of five children: two girls and three boys. Kabagenyi lost her husband five years ago. She is now looking after her children alone. Kabagenyi cultivates food for both home consumption and for sale. For three years, Kabagenyi has had a reducible left inguinal hernia. The hernia causes her pain and discomfort and affects her ability to work in her farm. Fortunately, on February 14, she will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $249 to fund Kabagenyi's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably. She says, "After surgery I will go for a thanks giving mass in church.”

Bariki is a student from Tanzania. He recently excelled in his primary school education and is looking forward to starting his secondary school this year. Bariki has been diagnosed with genu valgus. His legs bow inwards so that his knees touch. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, he cannot walk for long distances without pain. This affects his school attendance. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $940 to fund corrective surgery for Bariki. The procedure is scheduled to take place on January 11. Treatment will hopefully restore Bariki's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Bariki says, “I just want to be able to play football, run, and play with friends without being in pain.”

Samuel is a smart two-year-old from Kenya with a good-natured, goofy laugh. At birth, Samuel was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which the testes have not descended into the scrotum. His mother has been monitoring his condition for a long time, however improvement has not been noted. Without treatment, Samuel is left at risk of developing an inguinal hernia or testicular cancer. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $542 to fund a double orchidopexy for Samuel, a surgical procedure that will move his undescended testes into the scrotum. Samuel's mother, a single mother who does laundry in the neighborhood to provide for her son, will subsidize $42 of the treatment with the money that she has raised. Samuel's surgery is scheduled to take place on June 22 and, once completed, will hopefully allow Samuel to live free from the medical complications that he is currently at risk of developing. “Kindly help my son get treated,” says Samuel's mother.

Prossy is an outgoing 20-year-old woman from Uganda. Prossy and her husband, Ananias, own a small shop in their village. They sell household items such as soap, matches, bread, and other necessities. Prossy also likes to make baskets and decorate them with black and white patterns. She sells them at her shop. The couple also does some farming to grow food for themselves. When she is not working, Prossy enjoys visiting with friends and family, listening to gospel music, watching TV, and playing netball. Prossy has been experiencing pain in her groin for about eight months. She traveled to the hospital on a motorcycle taxi in hopes of getting help. The doctors there diagnosed her with an ovarian cyst. On January 27, Prossy will undergo a procedure to remove the cyst. She and her husband have contributed $4 to the cost of the procedure. Our medical partner, The Kellermann Foundation, is requesting $196 to help pay for the necessary medicine, supplies, and stay at the hospital. Prossy and Ananias are looking forward to starting a family after this surgery. “Please thank all the donors for me," says Prossy. "If I could, I would make baskets for them to say thank you.”

Bala is a married father of three. He works as a motorcycle taxi driver, and he uses his income to take care of his family. About five years ago, Bala developed a painful and irregular swelling in his left groin region. When he visited a hospital, he could not afford to pay for treatment. Finally, he visited our medical partner's care center, Holy Family Virika Hospital. There, he was diagnosed with a left inguinal hernia, meaning that part of his intestine has bulged through his abdomen. Bala requires surgery to repair the hernia and is currently scheduled to have the operation on January 18. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $249 to cover the expenses of the procedure. After surgery, Bala hopes to start trading in secondhand clothes so that he can increase his income and continue to support his family.

Leah is a 22-year-old university student majoring in education. Studying in the city of Fort Portal, she plans to teach secondary-school geography and history when she graduates. Leah enjoys reading, playing netball and volleyball, and listening to music. Since birth, Leah has had lumps in her breasts. As she has gotten older, these lumps have grown in size and now cause her significant discomfort. The tumors are benign, but doctors at our medical partner’s care center, Bwindi Community Hospital, recommend that they be removed. Leah’s older sister, who has the same condition, brought Leah to our medical partner, The Kellerman Foundation, for help. Leah is scheduled to undergo mass excision surgery on January 13. Our medical partner is requesting $198 to cover the cost of surgery, medication, labs, and three nights of hospital stay. “Please tell the donors how much I appreciate them,” says Leah. “I wish I could meet them to say thank you in person and hope the Lord blesses them.”

Esther is a 24-year-old woman from Uganda. She is a farmer who grows cassava, beans, groundnuts, potatoes, millet, and bananas. Her husband, Ventra, builds houses. They live in a village ten kilometers from our medical partner's hospital, Bwindi Community Hospital. Their two children are in school. Both of Esther's children were delivered via C-section. When she became pregnant with a third child, her doctors advised her to undergo another C-section to ensure a safe delivery. Esther plans to check into the hospital on January 2, where she will deliver her baby. She needs $333 to fund this procedure. During her free time, Esther weaves baskets and mats, sings in her church, plays with her children, and visits her relatives. She looks forward to a safe delivery. In the future, she plans to support her children’s education. “I am so grateful to the donors for loving and caring for me through paying for my safe delivery," says Esther.