Ciara is a 10-month-old infant from Haiti. Her family enjoys playing with her and watching her smile. Ciara has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain, and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of her condition, Ciara has been experiencing an increasing head circumference. Without treatment, Ciara will have severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, Project Medishare, is requesting $897 to cover the cost of surgery for Ciara that will treat her hydrocephalus at Hospital Bernard Mevs. This is the only site in the country where this care is currently available and the procedure is scheduled to take place on February 2nd. This critical treatment will drain the excess fluid from Ciara's brain to reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Ciara will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. The family is looking forward to having their baby girl grow up healthy and happy.

Rajai is a 13-year-old student from Tanzania. He loves science classes and enjoys playing football and racing track at school. At home, his parents and two older siblings are farmers who rely on the crop yield to support the family. When Rajai was 8 years old, he stumbled while playing with his siblings and fell, injuring his left arm. Although his parents rushed him to the hospital, the skin and fingers on his left hand were damaged. As a result, he isn't able to use his arm in most of his day-to-day activities. At school, he feels self-conscious when new people are shocked upon seeing his injury. Rajai would also like to help more around the farm at home, but feels that his hand limits him. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Rajai with treatment. On March 9th, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help him use his hand freely again. Now, he needs help to fund this $832 procedure. Rajai says, “I am hopeful that this treatment will increase my confidence around new people.”

Derrick is a pre-teen student who is being raised and cared for by a guardian. Unfortunately, his guardian has financial constraints and cannot afford more than the basic necessities for Derrick. As a result, Derrick has limited access to healthcare and needs financial support to improve his health. We expect that after treatment, his quality of life will improve, and he will be able to resume his studies. Since October last year, Derrick has had supra-umbilical hernia. The swelling has been progressively increasing in size and causing him pain, which made it difficult for him to concentrate while at school. If left untreated, the condition could progress and lead to intestinal obstruction. Fortunately, on April 12th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $230 to fund Derrick's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Derrick's guardian says “I am helping this little boy because he has no parents and I have no money to take this big step for his health. We hope he will resume school if he gets support for his surgery.”