Juan, an 11-month-old boy from Bolivia, lives with his mother and five older siblings in a neighborhood in the mountains above La Paz. Juan was born with a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect, in which a hole exists between the two lower chambers of his heart. Blood leaks through this hole without passing through his lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him weak and making it difficult for him to gain weight. To address Juan's condition, congenital heart surgery is the only viable treatment option. Skilled doctors at Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría will perform the surgery by closing the hole in his heart using a patch. However, due to Juan's low weight, the surgeons have determined that it is unsafe to proceed with the procedure. As a result, he will be hospitalized for several weeks before the surgery to receive proper nutritional support, enabling him to gain weight and prepare for the operation. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is actively seeking your generous support to raise $1,500 to support Juan's cardiac care. Your contribution will play a vital role in enabling Juan to receive the life-changing congenital heart surgery he urgently requires. By partnering with Haiti Cardiac Alliance and making a financial contribution, you can make a significant difference in Juan's life and overall well-being. Juan's mother shared, "I am very hopeful that after this surgery, my son will gain appetite and start growing and gaining weight more normally!"

Silvester is a 63-year-old man who is a retired accountant and now practices small-scale farming with his wife. They have 3 children whom they have managed to educate through farming. They live in a 3-room brick house, with their main source of cooking energy being firewood. For 2 years, Silvester has had a left hydrocele, or swelling in his groin area. The area of swelling has progressively increased in size. He visited a nearby health unit and had some fluid drained out, which helped him to feel healed and normal. After a short while, the swelling reappeared and again more fluid was drained out. He reports mild pains but is very worried about what could happen if the fluid keeps accumulating. Surgery has been recommended and, fortunately, our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH) can help. Silvester is scheduled to undergo hernia repair surgery on August 18th. AMH is requesting $170 to fund the surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Sylvester says, “I pray that I may get well through surgery. I will continue with farming with my wife afterwards.”

Bunhorm, who is 16 years old, lives with his parents and younger sister in Prey Veng province in Cambodia. His parents are rice farmers, while his older brother works in Phnom Penh City. Bunhorm loves team sports and aspires to be a professional volleyball player. Unfortunately, two weeks ago, Bunhorm fell during a volleyball game and suffered a fracture to his right lower arm (distal radius). His parents took him to a traditional Khmer healer, but his arm has remained swollen. He cannot use his hand and is in great pain. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help with a noninvasive treatment technique called manipulation under anesthesia. While under general anesthesia, Bunhorm's muscles will relax, permitting the manipulation and correction of his fracture by moving his bones back into alignment. The procedure is scheduled for April 28th at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, and Bunhorm and his family need your help funding the $521 procedure. Bunhorm's mother shared: "We hope his arm will be straight, and he can go back to school and play volleyball again."