Four-year-old Bin from Cambodia was born with a cataract in each eye. Diagnosed with cataracts as a newborn, Bin’s natural lenses are cloudy instead of clear. With impaired vision, he can’t walk anywhere by himself or play with his younger sister and his friends. He enjoys playing with his toy car. After traveling two hours to reach our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Center (CSC), Bin’s parents are hopeful that Bin can receive funding to see clearly. Bin’s cataract treatment will cost $225. “After a lens aspiration surgery in each eye, Bin will be able to see clearly for the first time in his life,” CSC explains. Bin’s family is hopeful for his recovery. “I hope my son can see everything normally like the other kids so I won’t need to worry about his eyes becoming blind,” shares Bin’s father. “Then, I can bring him to school and he can play with the other kids.”

“This bleeding is making me worried," Philis shares. "If it continues I feel like I am going to die. Please help me so that I can be safe. I have to be okay and be there for my family." Philis is a 51-year-old mother of five living in Kenya. She was healthy until she began experiencing heavy bleeding and abdominal pain few weeks ago. Philis went to the hospital at the first signs of her symptoms and was given medicine but the bleeding persisted. Philis was then referred to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), where she was diagnosed with uterine fibroids and anemia. "If not treated, Philis will continue to bleed which could lead to severe anemia with other cardiovascular complications," AMHF shares. For $790, Philis will receive a hysterectomy to remove her uterus and the fibroids causing pain, excessive bleeding, and anemia. This surgery will allow Philis to get back on her feet and regain her energy to work as a small scale farmer, and also a mother to five loving children.

Mesiaki was born at home on December 28th, 2015. “He is the first born to his young parents who are still living at Mesiaki’s grandparents’ house (father’s side) while slowly trying to build their own house,” says our medical partner in Tanzania, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Mesiaki was born with a condition called spina bifida — a protrusion on his lower back which is growing with time. Although Mesiaki is active and breastfeeding well there is a risk that the protrusion may burst leaking cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), creating bigger health problems. Mesiaki is also at risk of developing hydrocephalus if not treated. “Mesiaki’s mother is very worried about the condition of her son,” AMHF says. “She was unable to bring him to the hospital sooner because they needed a few days to gather enough cash to travel from their village to a hospital where their baby can receive proper treatment. Mesiaki’s parents are small scale farmers; they rely on selling the little that remains after taking out what they need for food.” $1,200 will cover the cost of surgery to treat Mesiaki’s condition, and prevent future complications. After treatment, “The protrusion on Mesiaki’s back will be removed, allowing him to sleep on his back, continue with normal growth, and he will also be out of the risk of developing hydrocephalus.” “God has given us this beautiful baby and we pray that He will see him through his health problem,” Mesiaki’s mother says. “We would love to see him growing up like other children and later on live an independent life.”

"I just want a healthy baby,” says the mother of Norman, a 22-month-old boy from Guatemala. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK), explains that Norman has epilepsy, a neurological disorder that induces seizures. While an estimated 65 million people in the world have epilepsy, the causes of the condition are largely unknown. Norman began experiencing convulsions when he was only three months old, and now they occur more frequently. WK continues, “Two weeks ago, Norman’s parents ran out of money to buy his anti-seizure medication. His convulsions occurred multiple times. They require a lot of energy and they leave him tired and dazed.” Without treatment, Norman will continue to have seizures—possibly with greater frequency. WK adds, “His brain may suffer damage from the seizures that could have a lasting effect, and as he gets older, it could prevent him from attending school.” Norman’s mother cares for him at home, and she is fearful of him having a seizure when she takes him with her to the market. His father works at a gas station, but he does not earn enough money to pay for Norman’s regular doctor visits and anti-seizure medication. “Norman’s family will struggle to afford his medication,” reports WK. “This will constantly be a burden for them and will also lead to him taking his medication inconsistently.” For $967, Norman will receive medication to control his seizures, lab work to identify other potential health issues, and regular doctor visits to monitor his health. “Norman’s mother will be able to tend to her normal daily tasks without fear that if she looks away her baby will start convulsing,” says WK. When he is feeling well, Norman enjoys playing with his toy cars out in his yard. With the proposed treatment, both Norman and his parents will benefit from a medical support system--diminishing the effects of his condition and giving him the opportunity to enjoy a healthy childhood.

Porng is a 72-year-old married homemaker from Cambodia. She enjoys visiting the pagoda in her town and listening to the monks pray. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) shares, "Two years ago, Porng developed a cataract in each eye. This causes her to be partially blind, and experience tearing, burning, and to be afraid of the bright sunshine." Porng adds, "I can't see everything clearly and it is hard to do my work or go anywhere by myself." Porng has traveled three hours to visit our medical partner after learning her neighbor had successful surgery at CSC for her cataracts. For $225, Porng can receive a small incision cataract surgery and intraocular lens implant in both eyes. This surgery will help her to regain her eyesight. "I hope I can see everything clearly again," Porng says. "I hope I can easily go walking anywhere by myself."

"When I grow up I want to be an accountant," says Socheada, a 13-year-old girl from Cambodia. Our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), tells us “Socheada’s favorite subject is math. She spends her free time reading books, doing homework, and playing with her friends at school.” Socheada has an ear condition called cholesteatoma, a non-cancerous growth that develops in the middle of the ear. For several years, Socheada has experienced discomfort in her ears, as CSC explains, "When Socheada was six-years-old she began having ear discharge and hearing loss." Over time, her symptoms persisted, eventually leading to tinnitus (ear ringing), hearing loss, and pain in her left ear. "When I have ear discharge I feel pain that disrupts my life," Socheada describes. "I cannot hear clearly when the teacher teaches." If left untreated, the growth may continue to expand, potentially affecting the bones in her middle ear. While her family cannot afford the cost of her treatment, Socheada and her mother traveled two hours to reach CSC's clinic. For $809, Socheada will receive a mastoidectomy. With this procedure, the growth will be surgically removed from her inner ear. CSC explains that following treatment, Socheada will no longer have ear discharge and her hearing will significantly improve. Eager to return to school, Socheada shares, "I hope after surgery the ear discharge will stop and I can have good hearing."

Meet Timothe, a three-year-old boy from Haiti. Timothe lives with his parents and five siblings. Timothe has a congenital neurological condition called hydrocephalus, which causes excess cerebrospinal fluid to build up in his brain. According to our medical partner, Project Medishare (PM), Timothe’s head first began to swell a month after he was born. “The situation of my son affects me very badly,” shares Timothe’s father. “The other kids of his age are now going to school while my son cannot even sit to carry his own head. This makes me very sad.” If untreated, hydrocephalus can lead to long-term health complications, including delayed mental development. For $1,260, Timothe will receive brain surgery to treat his hydrocephalus. A shunt will be inserted into his head, draining the excess fluid and releasing the intracranial pressure from his brain. Timothe’s mother works as a saleswoman while his father teaches at the local school. Together, they produce a modest income that is not enough to cover the cost of Timothe’s medical expenses. “I will be very excited to see my son doing well after the surgery,” Timothe’s father tells us. “I just want him to be healthy.”

Meet Ganesh, a three-year-old boy from Nepal. “Ganesh lives with his grandparents, parents, and sister,” reports our medical partner, Possible. “The family has a small shop to look after, and his grandfather also works as a carpenter in the village.” “Ganesh was playing with his little sister when a buffalo chased after them. While running away, he fell from a height of five meters and broke his right leg,” reports Possible. “The leg has been extremely painful for Ganesh since then.” With $224 in funding, Ganesh can receive surgery to correct the fracture. This cost includes hospital admission, physiotherapy, anesthesia, x-rays, follow-up visits, and medication. “Ganesh’s fracture will be assessed and his bones will be properly aligned and casted,” continues Possible. “In about a month’s time, with some physiotherapy, he will be able to do most of the activities that he used to do before." Ganesh’s father is eager for his son to recover. He tells us, “I can hear the disjoint bones when his leg moves. I really hope the doctors can treat my son.”

Meet Tha Khue, a three-month old boy from Burma. Tha Khue means “happy," according to our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP). His parents are subsistence farmers and occasional day laborers. Tha Khue has bilary atresia, a rare, life-threatening condition that causes a build of bile that seriously damages the liver. Tha Khue's symptoms include jaundice, a swollen abdomen, and frequent vomiting. $1,500 will fund a Kasai procedure for Tha Khue -- a surgical bypass to prevent liver damage. "Once Tha Khue has received treatment for his biliary atresia, his abdomen will become less extended, he will no longer suffer from jaundice or yellow urine, he will stop vomiting frequently, and cry less," BBP shares. “I am very worried for my son, I hope that he will be able to get treatment for his condition," Tha Khue's father shares. "In the future, I dream that he will grow up to be healthy and maybe even to become a doctor."

Meet Anslot, a 12-month-old boy from Haiti who was born with hydrocephalus. “After Anslot was born his mother noticed that he cried a lot during the night," our medical partner, Project Medishare (PM), explains, "so she took him to the hospital where he spent 20 days receiving care. Three months later Anslot’s head became much bigger and so he went back to the hospital where his mother was referred to our hospital.” PM continues, “Anslot is facing symptoms such as fever, seizure, and sometimes flu. He also cannot sit up or carry his head.” If Anslot does not receive treatment, his symptoms will worsen and he will be at risk for brain damage, decreased physical and mental capabilities, and even death. However, paying for care is very difficult for Anslot’s family. “Anslot is one of four children," PM says, "and lives in the countryside with his three sisters and mother. His father lives in the city doing random jobs to support his family, but they are poor and cannot pay for the surgery to save Anslot’s life.” Anslot’s mother adds, “His sickness causes a lot of problems because I cannot sleep at all during the night and I have to move and hold him.” With $1,260 in funding, Anslot will receive a hydrocephalus shunt placement. During this procedure, the excess fluid will be drained from Anslot’s head and, as the surgery’s name suggests, a shunt will be placed in the area to prevent future cerebrospinal fluid buildup. According to PM, “Treatment will have a very positive impact on Anslot's life; after the surgical intervention the other issues caused by the hydrocephalus will be eliminated Anslot will have access to a safer and healthier life.”

Nine-month-old Myson "has two very devoted parents," shares our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA). "But he currently lives in an orphanage in Haiti due to his illness so that they can help keep him as healthy and stable as possible." Myson has three older brothers and sisters who like to visit him and play with him whenever they can. Myson currently suffers from a congenital heart disease called ventricular septal defect. "A hole exists between the two lower chambers of his heart," HCA tells us. "Blood leaks through this hole without first passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him sickly and weak. If not corrected with surgery, the condition would eventually be fatal." $1,500 will fund overseas transportation and preparation for Myson's heart surgery. Health City Cayman Islands has already subsidized $5,000 of the treatment cost. "I am so happy that Myson can have surgery and I am praying that everything will go well," his mother shares.

“I pray for a successful treatment so that my daughter can walk like other children,” said Muokolewa’s mother. Meet Muokolewa, a three-month-old baby girl from Tanzania who was born with bilateral clubfoot. “Muokolewa will not be able to walk [normally] when she starts walking and she will also have an increased risk of developing early osteoarthritis of the small bones if not treated,” says our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation. Muokolewa is a happy, healthy baby. As the fourth born child in her family, her mother shares with us that “she is very comfortable being carried by anyone!” Muokolewa’s mother is a small scale farmer, but at the moment caring for Muokolewa is her full time job. Unable to afford treatment, she sought out African Mission Healthcare Foundation in order to help Muokolewa receive the care she needs. In order to correct Muokolewa’s gait, she will need x-rays, casts, clubfoot surgery, and recovery treatment. $1,160 will cover the cost of Muokolewa’s treatment, ensuring she will grow up strong, walking normally, and enjoying activities like all of the other children in her town!