Keina is an adorable preschooler from Haiti. She lives with her mother and grandparents in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. She's just started preschool and loves animals and the color pink. Keina has a life-threatening cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus. A hole exists between two blood vessels near her heart. Blood leaks through this hole, leaving her weak and short of breath. Keina will fly to United States to receive treatment because the care she needs is not available anywhere in Haiti. On February 8th, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which doctors will plug the hole with a device attached to the end of a catheter. Another organization, Gift of Life New York, is contributing $4000 to support surgery costs. Keina's family needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep, travel, and post-operative care. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and follow-up appointments. It also supports the cost of passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Keina's family overseas. Keina's mother states, "Our family would like to say thank you to everyone who is helping to heal Keina's heart."

Shantel, a friendly nine-year-old girl from Kenya, is the eldest of two siblings in her family. She is currently in primary school and enjoys playing with her friends and making new ones. According to her parents, Shantel adds vibrancy and liveliness to their household. Her father works as a casual laborer in construction sites, while her mother is a greengrocer in their neighborhood. About two weeks ago, while Shantel was walking along the road with her mother, sister, and her mother's friend and her daughter, a vehicle lost control and flipped over towards them, resulting in injuries to all of them. Shantel was hit on the left leg and sustained bruises on her thigh and an open fracture of the tibia (shinbone) as confirmed by an X-ray. She is currently in chronic pain, and is unable to walk. Doctors at our medical partner's care center have recommended a procedure called an open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), but the family is unable to meet the cost of surgery. If left untreated, Shantel may develop serious complications and may never be able to use her leg again. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Shantel receive treatment. On April 9th, surgeons at Nazareth Hospital will perform an ORIF procedure to allow her to walk easily and alleviate her pain. Now, Shantel's family needs help to fund this $1,049 procedure. Shantel’s father says: "Please help my daughter. Since the accident involving my family, I have not slept but I thank God that they are all alive. I request for support so that my daughter's leg can be treated, and she can go back to school."

Anitah is sociable woman from Uganda. She is a mother to three children - all her children are in school, the eldest in primary school class three and the youngest attending baby class. Her parents are farmers, and she is the fifth child in a family of eight, with six brothers and one sister, all of whom are married and engaged in farming too. At university, Anitah pursued a diploma in crafts and digital design. However, despite her qualifications, she struggled to secure employment in her field and now focuses on homemaking duties such as cooking, cleaning, and caring for her children. Her husband is a businessman specializing in roadside meat roasting. They reside in a three-room semi-permanent house constructed with mud and reeds in the Kasozi Rwempisyi trading center. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family. She is currently expecting her fourth child. Her doctors recommend that she deliver via a caesarean section because of her higher risk pregnany. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Anitah undergo a C-Section on February 16th. This procedure will cost $252, and Anitah needs your support. Anitah says, “I am hopeful that if I get support, I will be able to deliver well, have a live baby and continue hustling, looking for jobs to sustain my family.”