Hatsumi is a 19-month-old baby who lives with her parents and five older siblings. Her mother sells flowers in the market and her father takes care of her and her brothers and sisters at home. Hatsumi was born with a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect, where a hole exists between the two lower chambers of her heart, causing blood leakage. This often leaves her weak and short of breath. Hatsumi and her family traveled to our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, to seek treatment. On March 8th, Hatsumi will undergo a surgical procedure where doctors will sew a patch over the hole to prevent blood from leaking through. Now, Hatsumi's family needs help raising $1,500 to fund the procedure. Hatsumi's mother said, "Our family is praying that our daughter will be able to breathe more easily once her surgery is over!"

Sorn is a 70-year-old proud mother of seven and grandmother of five who lives in the Battambang province of Cambodia. Her husband passed away 15 years ago and her children live far away, tending their own farms. Sorn lives alone and enjoys listening to local monks pray on the radio. For the past five years, Sorn has had headaches, nasal congestion with sneezing, and a chronic runny nose, making it difficult for her to breathe. She feels embarrassed to visit her family and neighbors due to her affliction, so she spends much time alone at home. Sorn visited a local hospital for care but was unable to afford the cost of treatment, and medicine from her local pharmacy did not help. Sorn heard about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), from a neighbor, and traveled six hours for diagnosis and treatment. ENT surgeons from CSC diagnosed her with nasal polyps and have planned a bilateral nasal polypectomy for January 17th. Sorn's family has put together $37.50 toward her treatment, and CSC is requesting $397 for the full cost. The requested amount will include the operation, hospitalization, and post-op medications. After surgery, Sorn should be able to breathe more easily through her nose and no longer have pain. Sorn shared, "After surgery, I hope to breathe easily through my nose and stop my headaches. I want to plant my vegetables to sell at the market and support my own living."

Raheel is a 15-month-old boy from a small family with one sibling and two parents. Raheel’s father is a local vendor selling fish at the market, and his mother sells clothes and accessories. Raheel's parents work to make sure their family is provided for, but have struggled to make ends while business has been slow. Raheel has clubfoot of his left foot, a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape making it difficult for Raheel to learn to walk and wear shoes. Fortunately, Raheel's family traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on January 13th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Raheel's parent's raise $935 to fund his clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk easily. Raheel’s mother shared, “It feels good seeing my son be playful despite his foot condition. I wish for his other foot to be normal too.”