Help 4 yr old Aly get critical surgery in Haiti

My name is Marie Michelle Altenord and I am* trying to raise funds for a surgery my son Aly desperately needs. We are in Haiti, where catastrophic insecurity and a humanitarian crisis have made life unlivable and left my husband and me displaced and unable to work. Aly is barely able to breathe and needs this surgery to help him get better. Please help as you can – every bit helps.

For many years I have worked for an organization created by survivors that supports women experiencing violence. I myself am a survivor. Haiti has been experiencing a complex crisis and the area where I live is one of the ones worst affected by pervasive violence, mass displacement, and growing hunger. My organization has been forced to stop our work because it has become impossible to function; this means I have not been receiving a salary. My husband’s company also closed its doors because of the insecurity. Several months ago, one of the gangs responsible for Haiti’s insecurity forced us to leave our home and all our possessions; we have been internally displaced since that time. Getting enough food and finding safe places to stay has been very hard.

Aly is almost four years old and has health challenges because he was born prematurely. Our difficult situation makes things much worse. He is such a wonderful boy but his health has deteriorated and he can barely breathe. I am terrified for his life. It is torture to watch him struggle. I was finally able to get a medical examination for Aly. The doctor found that he has acute adenoiditis, which means that his breathing passages are being blocked, and medicine – even when we can get it – is not working. The doctor says Aly needs surgery: an adenoidectomy that would remove his adenoids and help him breathe. It is a simple procedure but is nearly impossible for us to get in Haiti where healthcare has all but collapsed. I have managed to get Aly an appointment in two weeks, but only if we can raise the money for it.

We need $1000 for the surgery and another $200 for medicine and post-operative care (plus another $50 for the GoFundMe transaction costs). My son’s life is the most important thing to me. He is my joy and I cannot watch him suffer without trying to ask for help. Please support Aly if you can. Every bit helps. Thank you so very much.

* This fundraiser has been created on Michelle’s behalf because Haiti is not a country supported by GoFundMe, in spite of enormous need. Because of this, GoFundMe will only transfer funds to a U.S. bank account. The organizer will transfer the full amount generously donated to Michelle and her family.

Update:

Thank you to everyone for your incredible generosity! We are keeping the fundraiser open for a little bit longer to go beyond our initial goal because Michelle’s family badly needs resources for food and safe shelter. The full amount donated beyond what is needed for the surgery and medicine for Aly will go towards supporting them in this difficult time.

Michelle writes: “Without knowing me you have opened your hearts to help Aly. He and I and the rest of our family say thank you to all of you and will pray every day for you.”