John is a 9-month-old infant from Haiti. He is the youngest child in a large family. John has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of his condition, John has been experiencing increasing head circumference. Without treatment, John will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, Project Medishare, is requesting $897 to cover the cost of surgery for John at Hospital Bernard Mevs. This is the only site in the country where this care is currently available. This critical treatment will drain the excess fluid from John's brain to reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, John will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. John's family hopes the surgery will allow him to live a more full and happy life.

Serina is an adorable toddler and the youngest in a family of six children. Her mother is a nursing assistant at a health center and her father is a self-employed farmer. It is especially difficult for them to raise the money for their daughter’s surgery. Six months ago, Serina developed a growth on the left intra axillary area--the area around her arm pit. She no longer sleeps on the affected side. She has pain and discomfort as well as her mother fearing disfigurement. She sometimes fails to eat when she is in pain. Serina's condition alarmed her parents, who feared the lump was cancerous. Examination thankfully found Serina was free from cancer. Instead, she was diagnosed with a ganglionic cystic mass, a fluid-filled lump, in the left intra axillary area. Serina's family traveled to the care center of our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, to receive treatment. On September 5th, surgeons will remove the mass. Now, Serina's family needs help to raise $188 to fund this procedure. Serina's mother says, “I kindly seek your consideration and support for surgery of my daughter so that we can be at ease. Seeing my daughter in good health is my pride always and I hope to resume my work to earn a living for my family.”

Francis is a 20-year-old student - a freshman at university and the second born in a family of 3 children. His mother earns money to support the family by cleaning clothes for neighbors. Francis' dad left the family in 2007, leaving his mother to raise the children and make ends meet on her own. Francis loves athletics and serving in the local church. Francis commutes to university daily and often ends up seeking rides from other vehicles, especially lorries carrying sand and stones. On one of these occasions, he ran to board a lorry, and unfortunately, missed the steps and fell on the tarmac where he hit his left elbow. It is difficult for him to use his left arm, and he is in pain. Francis was diagnosed with a fracture to his left elbow. Surgeons at our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH) can help. On August 17th, he will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will relieve him from pain and allow him to regain the use of his left arm. Francis will be able to go back to school and continue with his studies. AMH is requesting $1,049 to fund this procedure. “I will be very grateful if assisted to have this surgery. I have to be strong, for I would love to complete my education and hopefully change the situation of my family,” said Francis.