Jayden is a preschooler from Haiti. Jayden lives with his parents, who are both schoolteachers, and older brother in a small city in the mountains of central Haiti. He likes to draw and is learning to read. Jayden has a cardiac condition called atrial septal defect and ventricular septal defect. Two holes exist in his heart, one between the two upper chambers and another between the two lower chambers. Blood leaks through these holes, straining his heart and making it difficult for him to obtain oxygen. Because the surgery he needs is not available in Haiti, Jayden will fly to Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On April 28th, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will use patches to close the holes in his heart so that blood can flow normally. Our medical partner Haiti Cardiac Alliance is also contributing $9,000 to pay for surgery, but Jayden and his family still need help covering the costs of surgery prep and travel. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Jayden overseas. Jayden's mother shared, "Our family has been very frightened for our son's health so we were so happy to get the news that he could have this surgery!"

Cheng is a 78-year-old retired rice farmer from Cambodia. Her husband passed away during the Khmer Rouge regime, and she lives with her elderly sister. Previously, they farmed rice to eat and sell at the local market until they could no longer manage the farm. They are now supported by relatives. Cheng works hard to maintain her home and enjoys going to the local pagoda in her free time to listen to the monks pray and cook meals for them. About three years ago, Cheng developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her to experience itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. She can no longer walk by herself to the village pagoda during the day, as she cannot see well in bright light and needs help navigating the muddy streets during the monsoon season. She also has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so she cannot go out alone. When Cheng learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. On August 1st, doctors will perform cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Cheng shared, "I hope, after surgery, I can see better. I want to plant some vegetables around the house to help our diet and give them to the neighbors. I do not want to be a burden to my neighbors or my sister."

Jarso is is a talkative and lively boy from Kenya. He is an aspiring soldier who has a severe wound on the right leg. He has not been able to go to school for more than two years now because of his condition. He is the youngest of two children. His mother passed away in 2015 and his father is a casual laborer in a dense urban part of the city that has a lot of poverty. He does not have medical coverage and already has a bill that his family is unable to pay. The stress on his family has also lead his father to seek psychological therapy in the facility. Jarso's father shared that two years ago, Jarso was pricked by a sharp object on his right leg but never reported it. He started experiencing extreme pain and abnormal swelling and was taken to a health facility in their hometown where he was treated for pain and swelling. His condition did not improve and his father opted to take him to his grandfather in Ethiopia where he was put under herbal and traditional treatments. The wound only worsened to the extent that he was constantly bedridden. He returned to Kenya where his neighbors advised him to visit Kijabe Hospital for care. On June 13th, Jarso was reviewed by the plastic surgery team and urgent care was recommended. He has so far undergone two major surgeries (Sequestrectomy and a debridement). He still needs another debridement and flap cover procedure to heal. His father cannot afford the surgery, he is appealing for financial support. Jarso is unable to walk without support and risks an amputation if the wound is not well treated. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Jarso receive treatment. On July 13th, surgeons will perform a debridement and skin graft procedure to heal his chronic wound and the risk for amputation will be significantly reduced. After complete healing, he will be able to return to school. Now, Jarso's family needs your help to fund this $1,185 procedure. Jarso's father says, “I am almost giving up! I thought it is a simple wound but it has taken over two years to heal. He has been through a lot of treatment including herbal and traditional remedies. They have all failed. The bone is so infected that he cannot even walk. He has missed school for two years now. I hope the treatment now enables him to walk and go back to school.”