Jesus is a 12-year-old student from Colombia. He is a calm boy, and like all children, can be mischievous at times, but overall is very easygoing. He enjoys video games and playing soccer. When he grows up, he wants to be a soccer player and play in the World Cup, just like Cristiano Ronaldo. Jesus has an inguinal hernia, a protrusion of abdominal contents through the inguinal canal. Surgery has been recommended to correct it and prevent possible future complications. This condition causes pain, which worsens with physical activity and may limit his movements. Fortunately, on July 28th, Jesus will undergo repair surgery, and our medical partner, Clinica Noel, is requesting $1,005 to fund Jesus's surgery. Once completed, this procedure should allow him to live more comfortably. Jesus's parents said, "We would like to express our deepest and most sincere gratitude for the invaluable support you provided by making our son’s hernia surgery possible. Your generosity touched our lives at a time of uncertainty and worry, becoming a true act of love, solidarity, and hope."

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!"

Akai is a four-year-old girl from Kenya. She is the third-born in a family of four children. Akai experiences misalignment of her legs, and due to financial challenges, she has not been able to receive treatment for her condition before. Akai's condition was not noticeable until she began walking. Her mother noticed her legs were bowed, which made it difficult for her to run and play comfortably, and has led to isolation from her peers. Her guardian shared that Akai is supposed to start school soon, but due to the stigmatization she has been facing, it might be difficult for her to do so until she receives treatment. Fortunately, Akai was able to connect with our medical partner's hospital for review and treatment. On May 21st, she will undergo surgery to correct her condition and improve her quality of life. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,224 to cover the cost of Akai's procedure and care. Akai's guardian said, "We will be grateful to see her walking like other children."