Diana and her husband Isaya just welcomed twins! Their family lives in the Arusha region of Tanzania. Diana works in the home, managing the household and caring for their children, while Isaya works diligently on their farm to provide food. In addition to farming, Isaya does daily work to supplement their income. After welcoming their twins, they are working hard to try to provide them with everything they need. Both babies were born with clubfoot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This condition causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes as they grow. Fortunately, their family traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Kafika House. There, the team will begin clubfoot treatment for both of their newborns on February 20th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $935 to fund the clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk easily and wear shoes when he gets older. Diana Says, “I hope both my children will grow up with no disability.”

Noelanie is a playful preschooler from Haiti who loves music and dancing. She lives with her parents and two older siblings in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince; Noelanie has a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus. A hole exists between two major blood vessels near her heart; blood leaks through this hole, leaving her weak and short of breath. The care Noelanie needs is not available within Haiti so she will travel to the United States to receive treatment. On February 9th, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which doctors will use a device attached to the end of a catheter to fill the hole. Another organization, Gift of Life New York, is contributing $4000 towards her surgery. Noelanie's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep, travel, and follow up medical care. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and follow-up appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Noelanie's family overseas. Noelanie's mother says, "Our family has been praying for years that Noelanie's heart would be fixed one day, and we are so happy to know it is happening."

Belta is a 14-year-old girl from Kenya. Belta's father operates a boda-boda taxi in town, while her mother sells clothing in a nearby market. Belta is the second of three children and she aspires to become a pilot. When Belta was 10 years old, her mother noticed a change in how she walked. Belta would complain of pain while walking, which emanated from her back to her legs. Belta's family heard about our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure Hospital, through a friend, whose child had been successfully treated for a similar condition. The doctors found that Belta has a curvature of the spine and scheduled her for posterior instrument fusion surgery to take place on March 20th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to fund Belta's life-changing surgery which will enable her to walk without pain and discomfort. Belta shared, “I am looking forward to a complete recovery, continuing and finishing my studies well, and becoming a better person in the future who will greatly impact society.”