Saw Ta is a 36-year-old farmer who lives with his wife and eight children in a village in Karen State, Burma. Saw Ta plants chili and cardamom and volunteers as a community development worker in his area. The family also raises chickens, goats, and pigs. Saw Ta has a heart condition that requires the replacement of the aortic and mitral heart valves and the repair of the tricuspid valve. These valves control the blood flow between the chambers of the heart and are necessary to prevent long-term damage to the heart and lungs. Saw Ta gets tired easily and experiences heart palpitations when he is working, requiring him to take frequent periods of rest. As he cannot work long hours on the farm, he stays home to take care of his children while his wife goes out to work. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 for the complex surgery that Saw Ta's condition requires. The procedure is scheduled to take place at Kasemrad Prachachuen Hospital on April 10th, and once completed, will hopefully allow Saw Ta to live a fuller and healthier life. Saw Ta said: "After treatment, I will go back to help my wife on the farm, and also continue to volunteer in my community. Now, because of my heart condition, my wife has to do all the work at home and I feel sorry for her."

Michael is a 14-year-old boy from Kenya. He is in high school and is the only child in the family. He is being raised by his single mom, who washes clothes to earn a living. Michael was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, Michael has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Michael will receive assistance from our medical partner, the African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on February 27th. AMHF is requesting $646 to cover his procedure and care costs. Michael’s mother says, “I hope my boy will get to live his full life.”

Shantel, a friendly nine-year-old girl from Kenya, is the eldest of two siblings in her family. She is currently in primary school and enjoys playing with her friends and making new ones. According to her parents, Shantel adds vibrancy and liveliness to their household. Her father works as a casual laborer in construction sites, while her mother is a greengrocer in their neighborhood. About two weeks ago, while Shantel was walking along the road with her mother, sister, and her mother's friend and her daughter, a vehicle lost control and flipped over towards them, resulting in injuries to all of them. Shantel was hit on the left leg and sustained bruises on her thigh and an open fracture of the tibia (shinbone) as confirmed by an X-ray. She is currently in chronic pain, and is unable to walk. Doctors at our medical partner's care center have recommended a procedure called an open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), but the family is unable to meet the cost of surgery. If left untreated, Shantel may develop serious complications and may never be able to use her leg again. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Shantel receive treatment. On April 9th, surgeons at Nazareth Hospital will perform an ORIF procedure to allow her to walk easily and alleviate her pain. Now, Shantel's family needs help to fund this $1,049 procedure. Shantel’s father says: "Please help my daughter. Since the accident involving my family, I have not slept but I thank God that they are all alive. I request for support so that my daughter's leg can be treated, and she can go back to school."