Kim is a 43-year-old married father of a 15-year-old son. While his family has a rice farm and tends farm animals to sell at the market, Kim also works in the city in construction, to add to the financial support for his family. When he is home, he enjoys meeting with his friends, and watching boxing on TV. In May, Kim was in a motor collision with another motorbike, badly injuring his left shoulder and forearm. He went to the local hospital, where he underwent surgery, and had hardware placed that would hold the fractured bones in his arm together. Despite the surgery, his forearm continues to be very painful, and he experiences tingling in his fingers, although he can't move them. In addition to these symptoms, his fingers are bent into a claw like position, because of damage to a major nerve that controls the muscles in his hand and arm. His arm is weak, and he cannot work with his left hand, so he is unable to pursue jobs in construction. The loss in pay from his construction work has made it difficult for his family financially, and Kim is worried about their future. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is here to help Kim access the care that he needs. Children's Surgical Centre is requesting your help to fund a $572 procedure, which is scheduled for September 12th. During this surgery, physicians at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre will perform a nerve exploration and a bone graft, to complete the repair of Kim's arm, enabling him to return to his construction work, and to a life without pain. Kim shared: "After surgery, I hope my arm will have no more pain, I will heal soon, and will be able to work with my hand for my family again."

Meet Venesa, a beautiful two year old girl. She was born at home with a swelling at the lower part of her back, and with legs that were not straight like other babies their family knew. The day after she was born, Venesa's parents took her to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with spina bifida and clubfoot. The family was advised to wait until Venesa turned nine months old, before having her undergo the surgery that she needs. Although surgery was deemed urgent, when Venesa was finally old enough, her parents couldn't afford to pay for it. Then, about a year ago, Venesa was diagnosed with hydrocephalus. Venesa's mom shared that shortly after this last diagnosis, Venesa's father abandoned the family and is not involved in helping support them any more. Venesa's mother used to work at a salon, but after Venesa's birth, she has been unable to work. They are now living with Venesa's grandmother, who does what she can to help. Without surgery for her spina bifida, Venesa risks paralysis of her lower limbs, infection of the exposed nerve tissue, and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,151 to cover the cost of Venesa's spina bifida closure surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on September 14th, at BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital. This procedure will hopefully spare Venesa from the risks associated with her condition, allowing her to experience a strong and healthy life. Venesa’s mother says: “Since she was born, I have no peace knowing that I can’t afford her treatment.”

Davith is a toddler who is not yet old enough to start school, so stays home with relatives while his parents work in a flower factory close to their home. Since birth, Davith has had clinodactyly of his right thumb. This means he was born with a finger that curves to one side. It is typically caused by abnormal growth and development of the small bones of the finger. He cannot flex the joint in his thumb, which makes it difficult to hold or carry objects and hinders his development. His parents took him to a hospital for children and were referred to our medical partner Children's Surgical Centre. His parents would like Davith's hand to be fully functional, and fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre can correct his condition. Now his parents need help with the $487 cost of a contracture release and skin graft of his thumb. With surgery, Davith will be able to hold objects and improve his range of motion with his thumb. The parents shared: "We also hope our son's thumb will look normal after surgery and other children will not make fun of him."

Joshua is an 8-year-old boy who has been living in a children's home since he was two years old and his mother passed away. A neighbor intervened to help him move there when it was discovered that the living conditions with his grandmother were not suitable. Since early 2020, Joshua has had an inguinal hernia, or painful bulge in the groin area. Joshua started having lower abdominal pain, and has been to several hospitals for treatment but his condition has not improved. He was recently diagnosed with an inguinal hernia at one of the facilities and surgery was recommended. The host organization was not able to raise the needed amount and so he was referred to our medical partner BethanyKids Hospital for treatment. Fortunately, on September 15th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $585 to fund Joshua's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. Joshua says, "I want my pain to go away and play like my friends."

Stevenson is a 26-year-old man from Haiti. He lives in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince with his parents and several siblings. Stevenson had been attending university, studying for a business degree, when poor health forced him to leave school. When he was a child, Stevenson developed rheumatic fever, which has resulted in rheumatic mitral valve prolapse. This condition has meant that one of Stevenson's heart valves is unable to pump sufficient blood through his body, leaving him weak and short of breath. Thanks to our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, Stevenson will fly to the Dominican Republic, where on September 27th, surgeons at Hospital CEDIMAT will perform surgery to remove the damaged valve, and implant an artificial one. Haiti Cardiac Alliance is contributing $8,000 to pay for Stevenson's surgery. But Stevenson's family also needs your help to fund the $1,500 to cover the cost of labs, medicines, and follow up appointments, as well as for the passports and the social workers, who will accompany the family to the Dominican Republic. Stevenson shared, "I feel very lucky to have this chance to finally have my heart healed!"

Myo is 13-year-old boy from Burma. He lives with his parents in a village in Karen State. His mother is a homemaker and she is currently eight months pregnant. His father is a subsistence farmer but he also works as a day laborer to earn money. Myo is in grade six and he enjoys playing football in his free time. Two years ago, Myo was playing football with his friends. While playing, his friend tried to kick the ball but accidentally kicked him in his left forearm. Right away he was in a lot of pain, but his arm did not look broken. At first, the pain lessened, but gradually the pain worsened and his upper left forearm became swollen. Myo could also feel a mass under the swollen area of his left forearm. After he and his father were brought to Chiang Mai Hospital, the doctor thought he might have cancer in his left forearm. Doctors want Myo to undergo an MRI, an imaging procedure that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce images of bodily organs. This scan will hopefully help doctors diagnose his condition and formulate an appropriate treatment plan. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $814 to cover the cost of Myo's MRI and care, scheduled for October 5th. "I have not been able to work nor save money since I need to accompany my son [Myo] while he gets treatment," said Myo's father. "So I want to say thank you to all the donors who have agreed to help my child.”

Noah is a young boy from Ngarenanyuki, a small village in the rural parts of Arusha, Tanzania. He is a member of a big family with seven siblings. His father is a livestock keeper and at their home, the young children are responsible for helping around with light house chores. In 2021, Noah was in the kitchen with some of his siblings, and he accidentally fell into a pot of boiling water. He was badly burnt on his left side of the elbow near the chest. His parents provided first aid to Noah, because they live in a remote area, and it was hard for them to get to the nearest hospital. Noah’s wounds healed eventually, but left him with a burn scar contracture. The contractures tighten the skin around the burn area, and it is difficult to move his arm. Noah came to our center during a medical camp and was assessed to find out if he was fit for the required treatment to help with the burn scar contracture. Noah's parents cannot afford treatment and are appealing for help. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Noah receive treatment. On October 12th, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery to release the tightening and help him move his hand easily. Now, he needs help to fund this $874 procedure. Noah’s mother says, "I was worried that that my boy will grow up with that deformity but with what I have seen here, he is going to be better.”

Leang is a 72-year-old bicycle repairman. He has two sons, two daughters, and seven grandchildren. He and his wife live with one of their daughters who works as a food seller in the local market. Unfortunately, Leang no longer repairs bicycles, due to his poor vision. Instead, he likes to listen to the news and funny stories on television. Several years ago, Leang developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him blurry vision and sensitivity to light. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Leang learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled there hoping for treatment. On December 14th, doctors will perform small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $229 procedure. Leang shared, "I hope after my operation, I will be able to see the TV instead of just listening. I want to help my wife around the house, and play with my grandchildren."

Sron is a 69-year-old retired farmer. She's single and has three siblings who also live in her village. She lives with her younger sister, who also works as a farmer. Because she is older, she no longer goes to the rice field, and instead likes to stay home and listen to the radio. Three years ago, Sron developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her tearing and blurry vision, and making it difficult for her to go out in the sunlight or in the evening. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Sron learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four hours seeking treatment. On December 9th, doctors will perform small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $229 procedure. Sron shared, "I hope I can see better. I want to be able to walk without falling and help to take care of my grandchildren."

Phalla is a 54-year-old who is married and has three sons. All her boys are in public school. She lives with her family and her husband, who is a construction worker. When she is not busy cooking, she likes to watch movies on TV. Four years ago, Phalla developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her light sensitivity and blurry vision. It is becoming hard for her to use the stove to cook because she cannot see well. When Phalla learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled far for six and a half hours over many dirt roads seeking treatment. On December 15th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $229 procedure. "I hope after surgery I will have good eyesight," says Phalla, "I can then take care of my children, take my children to school, and can do more housework to help out."

Sarah is a 5-year-old girl from Haiti. She is typically a healthy and active girl and is very loved by her family. Sarah has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of her condition, Sarah has been experiencing severe headaches. Sarah had a shunt placed when she was an infant for treatment and it allowed her to develop normally. The recent headaches alerted the doctors that the shunt stopped working and needed to be replaced. Without treatment, Sarah will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, Project Medishare, is requesting $957 to cover the cost of surgery for Sarah at Hospital Bernard Mevs. This is the only site in the country where this care is currently available and the procedure is scheduled to take place on December 7th. This critical treatment will replace the shunt and drain the excess fluid from Sarah's brain to reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Sarah will hopefully continue to develop into a strong, healthy young girl. Their family is grateful that Sarah will be able to continue to have a happy life after the shunt is replaced.

Koemsal is a 25-year-old married father. He and his wife are sellers in the local market. They sell soft drinks, snacks and fresh fruit. They have a very active 2-year-old daughter, who keeps them very busy since she learned to walk. In his free time, Koemsal likes to play football or volleyball with his friends. Koemsal was in a motorcycle accident in March 2019; he suffered an open fracture of his right foot. A local hospital applied screws and a plate to repair the fracture, which never healed properly, and became infected. Over the past two years, his foot has slowly healed, but he has chronic pain and is unable to place weight on his foot. This makes it difficult for him to work or help his wife with their child. He shared that he feels poorly most of the time and ashamed that he is unable to support his family. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On January 5th, Koemsal will undergo surgery which will cost $230. This treatment will allow his foot to heal completely so that he can walk normally again. He told us, "I hope that when the metal is removed from my foot, it will heal and I can work again to support my family."