10-year-old Boudwensky lives in a central Haiti orphanage with 50 other children. Boudwensky considers the children and staff his family. “He is a good student and very curious about the world,” shares our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA). “He is very close to the director of the orphanage, who is accompanying him throughout his surgery to serve as his guardian.”
“Boudwensky was born with a condition called atrial septal defect, in which a whole exists between the two upper chambers of his heart,” explains HCA. “Blood flows through this hole without passing through the lungs to get oxygen, leaving him sickly and out of breath. This condition could become fatal if not treated.”
For $1500, Boudwensky will be transferred overseas to receive heart surgery. Following the closure of the hole in his heart, Boudwensky will be able to lead a healthy life.
“I have never left my town before, so I am very excited to see a different country for the first time!” shares Boudwensky.