Keina is an adorable preschooler from Haiti. She lives with her mother and grandparents in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. She's just started preschool and loves animals and the color pink. Keina has a life-threatening cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus. A hole exists between two blood vessels near her heart. Blood leaks through this hole, leaving her weak and short of breath. Keina will fly to United States to receive treatment because the care she needs is not available anywhere in Haiti. On February 8th, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which doctors will plug the hole with a device attached to the end of a catheter. Another organization, Gift of Life New York, is contributing $4000 to support surgery costs. Keina's family needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep, travel, and post-operative care. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and follow-up appointments. It also supports the cost of passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Keina's family overseas. Keina's mother states, "Our family would like to say thank you to everyone who is helping to heal Keina's heart."

Suzan is a 30 year old farmer in southwestern Uganda. Despite completing 7th grade, she couldn't proceed with further education due to a lack of school fees. She engages in farming, cultivating food crops on her small piece of land primarily for home consumption. She also sells the surplus to generate income for her family. She is a devoted mother of two children, one in nursery and another in primary class three. She takes pleasure in caring for her children, handling their washing and cooking for them. Seeing her children enjoy the food she has prepared herself brings her great joy. Her husband works as a builder, and they reside in a three-room mud-built house. Suzan recounts that her last child was delivered via caesarean section but sadly passed away at 3 months. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family. She is currently expecting her fourth child. She's been attending antenatal care at Nyakibale Hospital. Her doctors recommend that she deliver via a caesarean section because of her higher risk. This way, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Suzan undergo a caesarean section on December 12th. This procedure will cost $252, and Suzan needs your support. Suzan says, “With your support, I hope for a successful delivery, a live baby and a full recovery even afterward.”

Chit is a 12-year-old girl from Burma. Her family moved to Thailand when her village was burned down. She lives with her mother, her twin sister, and her brother. Chit's mother works at home and looks after the children. Her brother runs a barber shop and her father is a monk who lives in the monastery in the village. Chit's brother's income supports their family. When Chit turned two years old, her mother noticed that whenever she tried to look at something, like pictures, she stared at them very closely. Last year, Chit had a check-up at a clinic and was told that her both eyes have cataracts so even when wearing eyeglasses, she is unable to see clearly. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund lens replacement surgery for Chit. On April 4th, doctors will perform a lens replacement, during which they will remove Chit's natural lenses and replace them with an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $1,500 procedure. Chit said, “I am sad when I don’t see clearly because I can’t go to school without help from my family, I cannot study and play with my friends.” Chit's brother added, “I worry for her how she will live with her current condition when I don’t stay near her, but now when I know that she has donors to support her treatment at Chiang Mai, I am relieved.”