Johnley is nine years old and lives in a small coastal village in western Haiti with his parents and three siblings. His father is a fisherman, and his mother sells the fish in the market. He is in the third grade and would like to become a teacher when he grows up.
Johnley was born with a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus, in which a hole in the heart that normally closes shortly after birth remains open. Blood leaks through this hole without passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him short of breath.
On May 12, he will travel overseas to undergo heart surgery. However, his family cannot afford this transportation. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,343 to help fund the transportation.
Johnley says, “I would like to say thank you to everyone for helping my heart get better!”