Ashley is a four-year-old preschooler from Haiti. She lives with her parents and one younger sister in an agricultural village in central Haiti. Her parents both work as farmers and raise animals. Ashley likes listening to music on the radio and singing in church. Ashley has a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus. A hole exists between two major blood vessels next to her heart. Blood leaks through this hole, leaving her weak and short of breath. Ashley will fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On May 13th, she will undergo cardiac surgery at Hospital CEDIMAT, during which doctors will use a device on the end of a catheter to plug the hole in her heart, so that blood can no longer leak through it. Another organization, International Cardiac Alliance, is contributing $4,000 to pay for the surgery. Ashley's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,500 to cover labs, medicines, and check-up and follow-up appointments. It also supports securing travel documents for the family and travel costs for the social workers from our medical partner, who will accompany Ashley's family overseas. Ashley's mother said: "We will be so happy when we can stop worrying so much about our daughter's health!"

Sintanan is a three-year-old boy who lives with his parents in Ethiopia. His mother spends long days working in the flower industry. All day, she is surrounded by beauty, but also harsh pesticides, which take a toll on her body, that she needs regular medical checkups just to stay healthy. Sintanan's father works with his hands, doing heavy lifting work wherever he can find it. Despite the struggle, their love for their son keeps them moving. One year ago, Sintanan began experiencing difficulty in breathing, snoring, sleep disturbance and fevers. He is often very sick, which creates a problem for his family because his parents are day laborers, and a day spent nursing Sintanan is a day they don't get paid. When he is sick, they stay awake all night, watching him closely, because they are so afraid something bad will happen while they sleep. Sintanan has been diagnosed with enlarged tonsils. He requires surgery treatment, but his parents are unable to pay for it. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $700 to fund a tonsillectomy for Sintanan, which is scheduled to take place on February 11th. Surgeons will remove his tonsils, hopefully relieving Sintanan of his symptoms, and helping him to live more comfortably. "We long to see our son sleep through the night, and eat without pain. It would be our greatest joy to know that infections are no longer affecting his development," said Sintanan's parents.

Ezekiel is a 76-year-old man from Malawi. He is a widower and father of six living in Nathenje, Lilongwe. He works as a day laborer and a small-scale farmer. Ezekiel lives alone in a small house which was initially temporary, but now is his permanent home. For one year, Ezekiel has noticed a left inguinal hernia. The condition has slowly taken away his strength and ability to work comfortably. He now experiences pain that stretches down into his right leg, making it difficult for him to walk long distances or perform physical labor. The work that once sustained him has become harder and harder to do. Hoping for help, he came to Nkhoma Hospital, where doctors examined him and advised that surgery is needed to correct the condition and relieve his pain. Hearing that treatment was possible brought him hope, but the cost of surgery is more than he can afford. For Ezekiel, this surgery means more than treatment. It is a chance to regain his strength, continue working, and live without the constant pain that now shapes his days. Your support will empower him to keep fighting despite his circumstances. Fortunately, on May 18th, he will undergo hernia repair with mesh surgery at Nkhoma Hospital, our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $500 to fund Ezekiel's hernia repair surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on May 18th and once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. Ezekiel said, “I am growing old, but I still want to work and care for myself while I can. This illness has made life very difficult for me. I do not have anyone to help me, but I am hoping that I can receive support and get this surgery so I can live with less pain.”