A heart defect was discovered when Yazhou was a toddler, leaving him weak, unable to attend school and hovering near death, until his surgery at age 12.

In January, Yazhou and his mother heard about Operation Blessing and their many programs to help children in need.

ANHUI PROVINCE, China - After 10 years of waiting, Yazhou finally has the heart he always hoped for.

"I can't pay you back now," he told Operation Blessing after receiving corrective surgery for congenital heart disease, "but I will study hard in school in return for your attention and love."

A heart defect was discovered when Yazhou was a toddler, leaving him weak, unable to attend school and hovering near death. His parents did all they could to try and give their son the medical care he needed, but it was too expensive.

In addition, the family was taking care of another child as well Yazhou's disabled grandfather and ill grandmother, all while trying to run a farm. As Yazhou's condition grew worse, his father was desperate to earn extra cash for the surgery.

The couple borrowed some money and bought a truck in order to deliver goods to area villagers. As the years passed, the business did well and Yazhou's father was slowly able to save some money.

But tragedy struck in 2003 when Yazhou's father was killed in a fatal car accident while making a delivery. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Without Yazhou's father to run the delivery business, the family fell deep into debt, spending all their savings that was meant for his heart surgery.

Yazhou's mother, even though she was depressed and under stress, took up the role of caring for her mother-and-father-in-law as well as working the farm and raising her children. In spite of her efforts however, she was still only earning less than $40 U.S. dollars a year.

"She held out hope for her family," said Kara Waddell, a representative with Operation Blessing.

In January, Yazhou, now 12, and his mother heard about Operation Blessing and their many programs to help children in need. After several interviews, Yazhou and his mother made the trip to a nearby hospital for the much-needed surgery.

Thanks to OBI, all the expenses for Yazhou's operation and follow-up treatment were paid for. Following surgery, he returned to his village and was able to enroll in school.

"After 10 years of waiting, the entire family wept with joy for Yazhou," Waddell said. "He finally received the heart surgery he so needed."

HOW YOU CAN HELP
Be a part of OBI's ongoing medical relief efforts by making an online contribution to help those suffering from extreme poverty and sickness.

 

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