Sharif, a 21-month-old boy from the West African country of Burkina Faso, had an atrial
septal defect (or “hole in the heart”). Left unattended, this defect results in worsening heart
failure and eventual death. Sharif was brought to the United States for treatment during
which time the Worldwide Children's Foundation of New York arranged for Sharif and a
caretaker to stay with a host family. Open heart surgery to correct the defect was performed
by Dr. Samuel Weinstein (a WWCF Board member) at Montefiore Medical Center in New
York. Following successful surgery, Sharif returned to his home country and a joyous
reunion with his family. He can now enjoy a full life with no sequela from his (corrected)
heart defect.

Burkina Faso, which may be translated as “the land of upright people,” is a land-locked
nation in West Africa surrounded by Mali, Niger, Benin, Togo, Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire.
Burkina has a high population density and limited natural resources and is one of the poorest
of African nations.