Franklin is a 13-year-old student from Haiti. He lives in a rural agricultural area with his parents, who are both farmers, and six older siblings. He enjoys going to school and playing soccer. Franklin has a heart condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation. One of the four valves in his heart was severely damaged by an infection he suffered earlier in childhood, and now cannot adequately pump blood through his body. Franklin will fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On March 23rd, he will undergo surgery, during which surgeons will attempt to repair his damaged valve; if they are unable to do so, they will remove it instead and implant an artificial replacement. While another charity, Mitral Foundation, is funding Franklin's surgery, his family will also need help with the costs associated with his surgical preparations. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,500 to cover labs, medicines, and check-up and follow-up appointments. It will also support securing travel documents for the family and paying travel costs for the social workers who will accompany Franklin's family overseas. Franklin's mother shared, "We are so thankful to everyone who is making this surgery possible for our son!"

Ketmada is a 17-year-old student from Haiti. She lives with her parents and three older siblings in a mountainous village in central Haiti. Her father is a school custodian, and her mother is a homemaker. She likes cosmetics and beauty care and would like to be a professional cosmetician one day. Ketmada has been diagnosed with a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation. One of the valves in her heart does not open and close properly due to an infection she suffered earlier in childhood, and as a result, her heart cannot adequately circulate blood through her body. Ketmada needs to fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On March 24th, Ketmada will undergo surgery, during which surgeons will attempt to repair the valve so that it functions more normally. If her valve cannot be repaired, the surgeons will instead remove it and implant an artificial replacement. While another organization, Mitral Foundation, is funding Ketmada's surgery, her family will also need help to fund the costs of her surgery prep. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,500 to cover labs, medicines, and check-up and follow-up appointments. That amount will also support securing travel documents for her family and paying travel costs for the social workers who will accompany Ketmada's family overseas. Ketmada says joyfully, "I am very excited to have this surgery so that I can stop worrying so much about my heart!"

Wendy is a 13-month-old girl living with her grandmother in Kenya. She was born at home and is currently under her grandmother’s care, as Wendy’s mother is hospitalized due to mental illness. The grandmother is responsible for caring for Wendy, her other children, and her sick daughter. She is unemployed and relies on farm produce for her family's survival. About three weeks ago, Wendy’s grandmother noticed a swelling around her belly button and observed that Wendy was crying excessively at night, which prompted her to take Wendy to hospital for medical evaluation. She has been diagnosed with an umbilical hernia, a tissue bulge that occurs near the belly button due to a weak spot in the abdominal wall. If left untreated, Wendy may develop complications such as severe pain, strangulation, or bowel obstruction. Fortunately, on May 11th, Wendy will undergo hernia repair surgery at Nazareth Hospital. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $517 to fund Wendy's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow her to live healthier and more comfortably. Wendy's grandmother says: "I am so worried about my granddaughter's health. I will be so happy and grateful to receive support, so that Wendy can be well, and I will be able to work and take care of my family."