Alismendy is an adorable five-year-old preschooler from Haiti. He loves to play with toy cars and paint. Alismendy lives with his mother and father in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. His father works and his mother is the primary caregiver for the family. Alismendy has a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus, where a hole exists between two large blood vessels near his heart. This causes blood to leak through this hole, leaving him weak and short of breath. The surgery that Alismendy needs is not available within Haiti, so he will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On March 4th, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which doctors will use a device attached to the tip of a catheter to plug the hole so that blood can no longer leak through it. Another organization, Gift of Life New York, is contributing $5,000 to support his surgery. Alismendy's family also needs help to fund the costs to prepare him for surgery and provide follow-up care. The $1,500 bill covers laboratory tests, medicines, check-ups, and follow-up visits. It also supports obtaining a passport for him and the social workers from our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Alismendy's family overseas. Alismendy's mother says, "Our family has been hoping for this surgery ever since our son was diagnosed three years ago. We are so glad that the time has finally arrived."

Sok Im is a 41-year-old factory worker who lives with her husband, a rice farmer, and her elderly parents in Kandal province. During the day, she works at a local garment factory to finance the support of her parents. In the evening, she cooks and cares for her parents and enjoys reading books. In September 2022, she was involved in a motorbike accident with a car, fracturing her left femur and tibia She went to a local hospital where she had orthopedic nails and plates applied to her fractures to assist in healing the bones. Now, her fractures have healed well, and she needs the metal removed from her leg. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On January 3rd, Sok Im will undergo a hardware removal procedure, which will cost $304. This will help her to walk normally again without pain and reduce her risk of infection. Sok Im said: "I hope the surgery is easy and I will have no ache or pain in my leg anymore."

Pich is a 70-year-old grandmother who has lived with her daughter since her husband died of COVID last year. She cares for her granddaughter while her daughter works. Pich used to sell delicious Khmer cakes near their house but has stopped due to her declining vision. At home, she likes to listen to the monks pray on the radio. Two years ago, Pich developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her blurry vision and constant tearing. She feels depressed because she is often alone all day at home. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, so it is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so she is not able to go places on her own. When Pich learned about our medical partner Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On December 7th, doctors will perform phacoemulsification and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Pich is able to contribute towards the cost of the surgery and needs help raising $253 to fund her surgery. Pich shared, "I hope after my operation I can see well again and go outside by myself."