Alejandro is a 55-year-old farmer from the Philippines. He is a father of four who supports his family through farm work, which he considers both his livelihood and a meaningful way to stay active. Only one of his children currently has regular employment and helps provide for the household, while his youngest children help him care for their livestock at home. For a year, Alejandro has dealt with an inguinal hernia. His health condition causes him pain and has made it difficult for him to continue working. It has also made it hard for him to eat comfortably, leading to weight loss and reduced strength. He hopes that surgery will help him recover, regain his strength, and return to the farm and the activities he enjoys. On September 26th, Alejandro will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center, Our Lady of Peace Hospital. Once completed, this procedure will enable him to live more comfortably and confidently. The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and the Department of Social Welfare and Development are covering part of the cost of Alejandro's treatment, but he needs help raising $520 to fund his procedure and care. Alejandro said, "I am hopeful that, after the surgery, I will be able to eat properly and regain my strength. I look forward to feeling better and returning to the farm so I can continue helping my family."

Hervens is a 17-year-old high-school student from Haiti. He lives in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince with his parents, four brothers, and two sisters. His parents are both small-scale vendors. Hervens is in his second year of high school and likes art and literature. Hervens has a cardiac condition called atrial septal defect. A hole exists between the two upper chambers of his heart; blood leaks through this hole, leaving him weak and short of breath. Hervens needs fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On June 23rd, he will undergo heart surgery, during which doctors will sew a patch over the hole so that blood can no longer leak through it. Another organization is contributing to pay for surgery. Hervens'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 Hervens's family overseas. Hervens says: "I am looking forward to having more energy, and to being stronger after my surgery!"

Neisha is a three-year-old preschooler from Haiti. She is the first born child in her family, and lives with her parents in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. She likes coloring with crayons and going to church with her mother. Neisha has a cardiac condition called a ventricular septal defect. A hole exists between the two lower chambers of her heart; blood leaks through this hole without passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving her weak and short of breath. Neisha needs to fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On October 15th, she will undergo heart surgery, during which surgeons will sew a patch over the hole so that blood no longer leaks through it. Another organization is contributing money to pay for surgery. Neisha'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 Neisha's family overseas. Neisha's mother says, "I have been so worried and scared about my daughter's health, and am so happy that her heart can finally be fixed!"