Heng is a 61-year-old vegetable seller, who has one daughter, four sons and four grandchildren. Her husband passed away many years ago. Heng lives with her eldest son, who is also a vegetable seller, and enjoys watching movies and the news on TV. Two years ago, Heng developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her partial blindness. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so she is not able to go places independently. When Heng learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two and a half hours to seek treatment. On May 12th, doctors will perform cataract surgery, and implant an intraocular lens in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Heng shared: "I hope after surgery my eye can see clearly so I can return to selling vegetables without so much difficulty."

Kidus is a five-month-old baby from Ethiopia who is his parents' first child. Some of his favorite activities include breast feeding and playing with his mother. His parents are both students and farmers. They earn their income by selling fruits from their farm; however, the weather in their area is very sunny and their land is dry, which makes their harvest limited. Kidus was born with an anorectal malformation, a congenital condition that leads to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. He needs to undergo a series of procedures to eliminate bowel dysfunction. Kidus recently underwent a colostomy, an intestinal procedure that inserts a colostomy bag. His parents share that paying for this surgery was very difficult. They had to borrow the money from individual loaners, and it has been difficult for them to repay it. In the middle of these challenging times, they heard about our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, and their care center, BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre. Kidus's parents decided to seek financial assistance so he could complete the series of surgeries he needs. Kidus is now scheduled to undergo surgery to correct his condition on August 17th. Our medical partner is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Kidus's procedure and care. After his recovery, Kidus will no longer experience bowel dysfunction and will be able to live more comfortably and confidently. Kidus's dad says, “We were happy that we got this opportunity. We hope that our child will get the treatment and make stool just like other people.”

Dorn is a 37-year-old farmer from an agricultural region in southern Cambodia. Dorn and his wife have two daughters, a 10-year-old and 3-year-old. Dorn's wife is a garment factory worker in Phnom Penh. In his free time, Dorn enjoys playing with his daughters and meeting friends for coffee. Since he was a child, Dorn has had problems with his left elbow. Dorn has been treated by Khmer traditional healers, but his pain has increased over the last year. Dorn suffers from numbness in his left arm and experiences ulnar nerve palsy. As a result, Dorn cannot work at all with his left hand. This makes it very difficult to farm and feed his cattle. A neighbor suggested Dorn visit our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), for diagnosis and treatment. Dorn was diagnosed with a transposition of his nerves and specialty surgeons plan to do an ulnar nerve exploration on June 6th to help him finally heal. CSC is raising $572 to cover Dorn's procedure. Dorn shared, "After surgery, I hope my left hand can get better, with no more numbness, and I can work without pain. This treatment will help me in the future to return to work."

Rom is a 64-year-old lumberjack. He is married and has three daughters, four sons, and twenty grandchildren. Rom and his wife live with one of their daughters. In his free time, Rom likes to listen to the monks pray on the radio. Two years ago, Rom developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him blurry vision, photophobia, and tearing. As a result, he has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so he cannot go places on his own. When Rom learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for three and half hours seeking treatment. On June 13th, doctors will perform cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. CSC is requesting $253 to fund his procedure. Rom shared, "I want to do more again. I hope I can see clearly again and can go outside by myself."

Panha is a 24-year-old garment worker who is married and has a three-year-old daughter. Panha's wife is also a garment worker. In his free time, Panha enjoys playing football, exercising, reading the news, and playing with his daughter. Unfortunately, Panha was in a motor vehicle accident on May 1st and sustained a fracture of the left femur. He is in immense pain and cannot walk. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On June 14th, Panha will undergo a fracture repair procedure. This procedure will allow him to walk easily again. Now, he needs your help fund $483 to fund this procedure. Panha says, "I hope my leg is repaired so I can walk again without pain."

Porla is a 57-year-old farmer who is married and has two sons and two daughters. Porla's children are now married and he has several grandchildren. Porla enjoys playing with his grandchildren, drinking tea with his friends, and listening to the radio. Porla's right foot is has become severely infected from an insect bite. His foot is swollen and red making it difficult for him to walk without pain. When Porla learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled there hoping for treatment. On April 20th, surgeons will perform a skin graft procedure to help him walk easily again. CSC is helping Porla raise $487 to fund this procedure. Porla says, "I hope after surgery I heal quickly and am able to return to work and be free of pain."

Oliyad is a handsome and friendly boy who loves watching animation movies from Ethiopia. He is being raised in a children's home after his parents abandoned him when he was two months old. Oliyad was born with ARM and the organization tried seeking treatment from different hospitals in Ethiopia. In one of the hospitals, he had a colostomy and PSARP surgeries done with the bills being paid by a local nonprofit. In Oliyad's case, his colostomy requires closure in order to restore bowel function and prevent future complications. Oliyad's children's home is not able to cater for the third surgery and appeals for help. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $961 to cover the cost of a colostomy closure for Oliyad. The surgery is scheduled to take place on November 19th and once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Oliyad's guardian says, "We are confident and hopeful that he will get this surgery and heal fully. We believe he will live a quality life as any other kids and his friends.”

Joseph is a 9-year-old boy from Kenya. Joseph’s father is employed casually as a public transport driver while his mother is a full-time mom. Joseph is the third born of four children. Joseph was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, Joseph has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Joseph will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on December 13th. AMHF is requesting $535 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. “I want to be a driver just like dad when I grow up,” says Joseph.

Stella is a four year old girl from Tanzania. Stella's parents are peasant farmers relying on subsistence farming to make ends meet. During dry seasons, they seek casual labour such as cleaning clothes to provide for their three children. Stella limps and complains of pain. She walks very slowly due to genu varus, where her legs are curved outwards. When standing, it is hardly noticeable but upon walking, she limps, making it challenging for her to walk. The firstborn in her family was born healthy, only acquiring the condition when she was two years old. Stella's parents were not able to seek timely treatment for their daughter due to financial need. With successful surgery, she will be able to walk with ease and less pain. They are not able to consolidate the funds needed for the surgery. They appeal for help. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $940 to fund corrective surgery for Stella. The procedure is scheduled to take place on December 5th. Treatment will hopefully restore Stella's mobility, allow her to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease her risk of future complications. Stella’s mother says, “we were directed here to seek help after we couldn’t afford our daughter’s treatment cost. Please help our daughter so that she can get this treatment.”

John is a student from Kenya. He is the seventh born in the family of ten children. He was burned on his right hand and has developed a contracture. This has limited the movement in his right hand. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping John receive treatment. On March 12, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help him use his hand again. Now, he needs help to fund this $799 procedure.

Der Lwel is an 18-year-old boy who lives with his parents and two younger brothers in Ta Kue Khee Village, Kyain Seikgyi Township, Karen State, Burma. He and his parents work as subsistence farmers, while his two younger brothers are students. Two years ago, Der Lwel broke his lower back bone. The next day, he received internal fixation surgery. After the surgery, he learned that he would need to come back in two years to have the metal screws removed. Now, he is scheduled to undergo surgery to remove the metal screws on February 13. This procedure will cost $1,500. Der Lwel said, “I feel very uncomfortable and I have pain when I bend over while planting or harvest rice. I want to receive treatment and work comfortably like I did before I got injured.”

San Win is a 14-year-old from Burma. He lives with his parents and a seven-year-old sister. His parents work as daily agricultural laborers growing rice and corn. Since 2004, San Win has had an inguinal hernia. Fortunately, on January 8, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at Mae Sot General Hospital, our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund San Win's hernia repair surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on January 8 and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. San Win says, “The pain annoys me and I feel distressed. Nonetheless, I always have the ambition of becoming a technician."