Alismendy is an adorable five-year-old preschooler from Haiti. He loves to play with toy cars and paint. Alismendy lives with his mother and father in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. His father works and his mother is the primary caregiver for the family. Alismendy has a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus, where a hole exists between two large blood vessels near his heart. This causes blood to leak through this hole, leaving him weak and short of breath. The surgery that Alismendy needs is not available within Haiti, so he will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On March 4th, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which doctors will use a device attached to the tip of a catheter to plug the hole so that blood can no longer leak through it. Another organization, Gift of Life New York, is contributing $5,000 to support his surgery. Alismendy's family also needs help to fund the costs to prepare him for surgery and provide follow-up care. The $1,500 bill covers laboratory tests, medicines, check-ups, and follow-up visits. It also supports obtaining a passport for him and the social workers from our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Alismendy's family overseas. Alismendy's mother says, "Our family has been hoping for this surgery ever since our son was diagnosed three years ago. We are so glad that the time has finally arrived."

Khorn is a 54-year-old father of four and a rice farmer. He lives with his wife and youngest son. His other children have moved out to nearby villages. His wife and his children also work as rice farmers. During his free time, Khorn likes listening to traditional Cambodian music and gardening. Around four years ago, Khorn developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him to have watery eyes, headaches, 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. When Khorn learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On February 28th, doctors will perform cataract surgery and put an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. He needs help to fund this $253 procedure. He shared, "I hope I can see clearly again. It is so hard for me to work and take care of my family."

Biruk is a 13-year-old boy from Ethiopia. Biruk loves to write and enjoys physical activity. His favorite subjects are Amharic and Math. He also loves singing and enjoys playing volleyball with his friends. Biruk's father is a farmer. Biruk and his five siblings help their father by engaging in casual work and helping on the farm. Biruk was born with hypospadias, a condition that causes urinary dysfunction. As the cost of the surgery and travel to the hospital was too much for their family, Biruk has not had surgery to correct his condition. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and may be at risk for other health complications. Biruk's father heard about Bethany Kids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre and its services from a relative whose son was also treated in the hospital. Fortunately, Biruk is scheduled for surgery on April 23rd. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, requests $1,293 to cover his procedure and care costs. Biruk's father said, "If we did not get this chance, we would not have found a treatment. I hope he undergoes surgery successfully and returns home safely."