Meet Jhamendha, a very happy and outgoing six-year-old girl from Haiti. Jhamendha lives with her mother, father, aunt, uncle, and two cousins. “She likes to play dress-up and show off, and loves first grade since she started last year,” says our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA).
“Jhamendha was born with cortriatrium, a relatively rare condition in which a membrane divides the aorta in two, impending blood flow and causing heart failure,” explains HCA. “If left untreated, her health would progressively worsen over time.”
$1,500 will fund the surgery needed to repair the defect in Jhamendha’s heart. “Following surgical removal of the membrane, blood should flow through Jhamendha’s aorta without restriction and she should be able to lead a normal life,” HCA adds.
“I am excited to go play with my friends and tell them about the surgery I had,” shares Jhamendha.