Anna is an eight-year-old student from Haiti. She lives in Port-au-Prince with her mother, father, and two younger brothers. Her father is a store clerk, and her mother is a teacher. She is in the third grade and likes all of her classes. Anna has a cardiac condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. This condition involves several related defects, including a hole between the two lower chambers of the heart and a muscular blockage of one of the valves. These defects prevent her body from obtaining the oxygen it needs, leaving her weak and short of breath. Anna needs to fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On October 19th, she will undergo heart surgery, during which time surgeons will sew a patch over the hole in her heart and remove the blockage from her valve. Another organization, Haitian Hearts Foundation, is contributing $8,000 to pay for surgery. Anna's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,500 to cover labs, medicines, and check-up and follow-up appointments. It also supports securing travel documents for the family and travel costs for the social workers from our medical partner, who will accompany Anna's family overseas. Anna's mother says, "Our family is hopeful that after this surgery, our daughter will have normal health for the first time."

Albertina is a two-week-old girl from Tanzania, and the youngest child in her family of nine children. Her mother maintains their home and cares for the children, while her father works as a fisherman to provide for the family. Albertina was born with clubfoot on her left foot, a congenital condition in which the foot is turned inward. Without appropriate treatment, this condition can affect her ability to wear shoes and walk comfortably as she grows. Soon after her birth, Albertina's family was referred to our medical partner's care center, Kafika House, for assessment and treatment. The referral gave the family hope that their newborn daughter could receive the specialized care she needed. Albertina is scheduled for treatment, and will be fitted with a foot abduction brace (FAB), which she will wear as part of her treatment plan until the age of five to help prevent her clubfoot from recurring. The treatment will begin on October 20th, and our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $341. After treatment, Albertina will have the opportunity for better mobility, and enjoying her childhood milestones. “We are grateful that our daughter has a chance to receive treatment, and grow up like other children,” said Albertina's mother.

Som Oeun is a 56-year-old man from Cambodia. He sells coffee in front of a factory in Phnom Penh. He is married and has three sons and one grandchild. He lives with his wife, who sells groceries, and with his youngest son, who is a student. He likes to listen to the news on his small radio. About three years ago, Som Oeun developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, so it is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so he is not able to go places on his own. Som Oeun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, and sought treatment. On August 25th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $263 procedure. Som Oeun shared, "I hope that after surgery, my eye can see better so I can go back to selling and I can drive the motorbike to go far places well and I don’t worry about my eyes anymore."