Alexander is a 7 year-old student from Haiti. Alexander lives with his parents and younger sister in a small rural community. He is in the first grade and likes going to school and helping his family with farm chores. Alexander has a cardiac condition called double ventricular septal defect. Two holes exist between the two lower chambers of his heart; blood leaks through these holes without passing through Alexander's lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him weak and short of breath. Alexander will need to travel to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On January 30th, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will sew patches over the holes so that blood can no longer leak through them. Alexander's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep and follow-up. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Alexander's family. Alexander's mother shares: "Our family feels very blessed to know that our son can have this chance for surgery!"

Jonathan and his mother are refugees from Southern Sudan. He is the 1st born in a family of three children. He is a special needs child after being diagnosed with autism when he was young. His mother says he developed jaundice as a neonate, which was not well controlled, which she believes led to brain damage. Hence, she cannot work because Jonathan requires constant support. It takes the help of relatives and friends to help her make ends meet. Since 2021, Jonathan has been experiencing frequent adenoid infections, accompanied by difficulty sleeping, breathing, as well as pain, making him cry a lot. He has been treated many times with not much change. They were introduced to our partner's care centre, Nazareth Hospital, by one of the doctors from South Sudan. After consultation, the surgeon advised to have an adenoidectomy, but the family is not able to raise the fee required. If not treated, Jonathan will have more problems. Our medical partner African Mission Healthcare is requesting help raising the $565 to fund the surgery planned January 28th. Jonathon's mother shared: “It is not easy to bring up or care for a child with autism, but at least I try my best. It is worse when he has a painful or disturbing condition like this. I kindly seek help so that he may be treated and at least I can have one less problem to deal with. I would appreciate it.”

Shilah is a kind, soft-spoken woman from Kenya who is currently expecting her fifth child. Three of her children are studying in school, and Shilah shared that one of her children passed away in 2014. Shilah's parents passed away when she was young, so she did not have anyone to pay for her school fees. After completing primary school, she began working in farming. Her husband is also a farmer, as well as her older sister. During her free time, Shilah enjoys spending time with her family. She is currently expecting a new baby and received full antenatal care. All of her past deliveries have been via a cesarean section. As Shilah has been experiencing a loss of appetite, generalized body weakness, and other worrisome symptoms during her pregnancy, her doctors recommend that she deliver via a cesarean section to ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Shilah undergo a C-Section on November 30th. AMH is requesting $252 to fund this procedure. Shilah says, “I have no way of raising the money needed for my surgery by myself. I appeal for your support for the success of my delivery.”