Ketmada is a 17-year-old student from Haiti. She lives with her parents and three older siblings in a mountainous village in central Haiti. Her father is a school custodian, and her mother is a homemaker. She likes cosmetics and beauty care and would like to be a professional cosmetician one day. Ketmada has been diagnosed with a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation. One of the valves in her heart does not open and close properly due to an infection she suffered earlier in childhood, and as a result, her heart cannot adequately circulate blood through her body. Ketmada needs to fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On March 24th, Ketmada will undergo surgery, during which surgeons will attempt to repair the valve so that it functions more normally. If her valve cannot be repaired, the surgeons will instead remove it and implant an artificial replacement. While another organization, Mitral Foundation, is funding Ketmada's surgery, her family will also need help to fund the costs of her surgery prep. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,500 to cover labs, medicines, and check-up and follow-up appointments. That amount will also support securing travel documents for her family and paying travel costs for the social workers who will accompany Ketmada's family overseas. Ketmada says joyfully, "I am very excited to have this surgery so that I can stop worrying so much about my heart!"

Melau is an eight-year-old girl from Tanzania. She is the fifth child in a large family, and her parents depend on livestock and farming for income. Access to specialized care has been limited due to distance and cost. When she was younger, Melau accidentally got burned by hot milk. She now has a severe burn scar affecting her right wrist and hand. The injury led to deep burns and later severe tightening of the scar, leaving her wrist stiff and her hand function reduced. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Melau receive treatment. On February 17th, surgeons at their care center will perform contracture release surgery and a skin graft to give her a chance for improved independence and daily function. Now, she needs help to fund this $832 procedure. Melau's father says, “Her wrist is very tight and painful, and she cannot use her hand normally for playing or helping at home.”

Lucy is 45 years old and a mother of two from Malawi. She sells second-hand clothes to support her husband, who is a mechanic. Eight months ago, Lucy started to experience heavy bleeding that was associated with weakness and dizziness. She has been diagnosed with uterine fibroids and needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,363 to fund Lucy's surgery. On July 1st, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center. Once recovered, Lucy will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Lucy shared, "I am very worried, as my condition makes me very weak day by day; your support will be very appreciated as it will save my life from danger."