Jhon is a 13-year-old seventh-grade student who lives with his parents and older sister in a central Bolivian city. His father is a strawberry farmer, while his mother works as a house keeper. Jhon enjoys his math and science classes, finding inspiration in these subjects. However, he faces a significant challenge due to a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect, which creates a hole between the two lower chambers of his heart. This condition causes blood to leak through the hole, leaving him weak and often short of breath, but Jhon remains determined to pursue his education and dreams.
On August 14th, Jhon will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner’s care center, Hospital del Niño. During surgery, surgeons will sew a patch over the hole in his heart so that blood can no longer leak through it. Jhon’s family needs help to fund the $1,500 costs of cardiac care and surgery.
Jhon says, “I can’t wait to play sports with my friends once my heart is healed.”

