Shisena is a fun-loving 8-year-old girl from Haiti. She lives with her parents and four older brothers and sisters in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. Shisena likes playing with her older siblings and listening to music. She goes to a special school program that she enjoys very much. Shisena was born with Down Syndrome and a condition called patent ductus arteriosus, in which a hole exists between two major blood vessels near the heart; blood leaks through this hole without passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving her weak and short of breath. Our medical partner Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA) is helping Shisena undergo the cardiac surgery she needs for a healthy life ahead. During the procedure, doctors will use a catheter to plug the hole with a small device. HCA is contributing $5,000 to make her treatment possible and needs to raise $1,500 to fully cover her medical care. Shisena's mom told us, "We are very thankful to everyone who is making this miracle possible for our daughter!"

Munty is a 12-year-old sixth grader, who is the eldest of three siblings. His parents are rice farmers. Munty enjoys math at school, and would like to be a math teacher when he grows up. Munty likes swimming, playing football with his friends, and watching TV. Last year he fractured his right forearm while playing with his friends after school. He had surgery, and hardware was placed in his arm at a local hospital to help repair the fracture. Munty's arm has healed, and he is looking forward to having the metal removed from his arm so he can get back to his usual activities without pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On May 2nd Munty will undergo a hardware removal procedure, which will cost $304. After this procedure, Munty will be able to regain the strength in his arm and his risk of future infections will be limited. "I hope that the metal in my arm will be removed. I want to heal quickly, so I can play with my friends again."

Phalleap is a 17-year-old blacksmith. His parents are farmers, and he has four siblings. In his free time, Phalleap enjoys playing football and listening to music. When Phalleap was five years old, he developed an ear infection that caused the tympanic membrane, or the eardrum, in his right ear to perforate. As a result, he experiences pain, hearing loss, and ear discharge, and he cannot communicate clearly with others. Fortunately, Phalleap was able to travel to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), to receive treatment at the care center. On April 21st, he will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in his right ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. CSC is requesting $487 to fund this surgery, which covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Phalleap shared, "I really hope my hearing improves after surgery."