Emmanuel is a 39-year-old father of two from Port-au-Prince, Haiti. He lives with his wife and children and works in sales at an electronics store. He has a cardiac condition called atrial septal defect. There is a hole between the two upper chambers of his heart, which causes blood to leak out without first passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him weak and short of breath. Because the care he needs is not available in Haiti, Emmanuel will fly to the United States to undergo cardiac surgery on February 27th. Doctors will sew a patch over the hole in his heart so that blood can no longer leak through it. Baylor Scott and White Heart Hospital is contributing $10,000 to help pay for this surgery. His family now needs $1,500 to help fund costs of the surgery preparations, including labs, medicines, and check-up and follow-up appointments, and travel expenses. Our medical partner Haiti Cardiac Alliance will accompany Emmanuel overseas and ensure he safely undergoes treatment. Emmanuel says, "I am excited for this surgery so that I can focus on taking care of my family without worrying about my health."

Abel, who is 11 months old, lives with his parents in La Paz. He is his parents' first child. Abel was born with a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect. Because of this, a hole exists between the two lower chambers of his heart. Blood leaks through this hole without passing through Abel's lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him weak and short of breath. Abel's parents sought the help of our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, and now Abel is scheduled for surgery on January 16th, at Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uria. During surgery, doctors will sew the hole shut, so that blood will no longer leak out. This procedure should enable Abel to grow into a healthy young boy. Abel's mother said: "Our family is praying that our son will be strong and healthy after this surgery!"

Masiaya is a two year old baby boy. He was the fifth child born to his mother, who is a second wife to her husband. The family resides in a remote area called Oloirobi, located within the Ngorongoro area. They are members of the Maasai community, and Masiaya's father is a cattle breeder. While playing with his brother, Masiaya was accidentally pushed, and he fell into an open fire. When Masiaya was rescued, he was rushed to a nearby hospital. Sadly, despite treatment, the wound on his head has never healed properly. He has been treated at different hospitals, but he still has a wound on his head. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is here to help. On February 27th, surgeons at Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre will perform burn contracture release surgery to help Masiaya heal completely, and to reduce the risk of infection. Now his family needs your help to fund this $874 procedure. Masiaya’s mother says: “I am constantly worried about my son’s health because the head is such a sensitive part of the body.”