Valentina is a 3-year-old toddler who lives with her mother, father, and younger sister in a city in central Bolivia. Her father is a construction worker and her mother is a homemaker. Valentina is very outgoing and enjoys drawing and painting. When Valentina was younger, health workers came to her house for a vaccination campaign and noticed that she was very small for her age. They helped the family reach a pediatrician and then a cardiologist, who diagnosed her with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), a condition in which a hole exists between two major blood vessels next to the heart. PDA can cause poor growth, shortness of breath, and fatigue. Valentina will be undergoing heart surgery on March 27th to treat her condition. During surgery, doctors will close the hole so that blood will no longer leak through it. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is asking for $1,500 to fund this surgery. After surgery, Valentina is expected to grow stronger and healthier. Valentina's mother shares: "Our family would like to say thank you to everyone who is helping to fix our daughter's heart!"

Magdalena is a two-year-old toddler from Tanzania. Her family depends on crop cultivation for both sustenance and income. Three of Magdalena’s siblings are school-going. In 2022, tragedy struck as Magdalena sustained severe burns on her hip, extending down to her thigh, as a result of an accident with a hot stove while she was playing. Although she required medical attention for the extensive burn wounds, her family's financial circumstances prevented them from affording extended hospital care for her. Consequently, Magdalena received only initial first aid and continued her treatment at home. Unfortunately, as her wound healed, her thigh became fused to her waist, impairing her ability to use her right leg. Since then, Magdalena’s family has been struggling to find proper treatment for her condition. During one of our medical partner care center's outreach visits, the team met Magdalena and her family and recognized the severity of her situation. The family was directed to Kafika House, where a plastic surgery camp was being held. Despite the arduous journey of over nine hours, they arrived seeking hope and help. Upon examination, Magdalena was diagnosed by a plastic surgeon who determined that she would require a release procedure to separate her thigh from her waist. However, due to the complexity of her treatment, the surgeon has clearly communicated the possibility of amputating her leg if complications arise during the surgery. Magdalena is scheduled for surgery March 7th and her family is requesting help in raising $1,088 for surgery and postoperative care. Magdalena’s mother says: “I hope my daughter’s treatment will go well and that she will be able to walk after she completes her treatment.”

Randell is a 20-year-old hardworking student from the Philippines. He is currently in his third year of college studying to earn a Bachelor of Science in Electronic Engineering. He lives with his sister, who supports his studies financially. Randell was a very athletic student, participating in various school activities and sports until he first started experiencing health issues. Five years ago, Randell was diagnosed with a left inguinal hernia, which causes him extreme pain in a sensitive area that intensifies with movement. Because of this pain, Randell cannot participate in the school activities and sports events he used to participate in. On December 9th, Randell will undergo hernia repair surgery with the help of our medical partner World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP). A portion of the cost of Randell's treatment is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP needs help raising the remaining $1,103 to cover the cost of his surgery and care. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Randell said, "This will help our financial situation. This is a significant help to us. I hope you can help more people and I am very grateful for being one of your beneficiaries. When I graduate and when I already have the means, I promise to help others and pay it forward."