Dachena is a student from Haiti. She lives with her parents, grandparents, and siblings in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. She likes going to school and singing in her church choir. Dachena has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation. One of the four valves of her heart was severely damaged by a rheumatic fever she suffered in childhood, and can no longer adequately pump blood through her body. Dachena will fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On October 29th, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will attempt to repair her valve; if they are unable to do so, they will implant an artificial replacement. Another organization, The Mitral Foundation, is contributing $7500 to pay for surgery. Dachena's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Dachena's family overseas. Dachena said, "I hope that after surgery I will have more energy to do the things I enjoy!"

Since birth, Sim has had a malformation of her spine, which she worries is slowly getting worse with time. Her scoliosis causes her pain in her legs, difficulty sleeping, and she is unable to sit for long periods of time. With surgery, Sim will be able to walk again with ease and will be able to sit and sleep comfortably. She will not have to worry that her condition will worsen, and she can return to her work. Sim enjoys watching television, listening to the news, and helping with the housework in her spare time.

Abdirahim is a child from Ethiopia. Abdirahim is a cute boy who loves to play with others. He loves to play football with other children in the village. He also loves to watch animation movies. Abdirahim’s father is retired while his mother was a business woman who supported the family until six months ago when she passed away. Abdirahim has five siblings. Abdirahim underwent a colostomy, in which the end of the colon is brought through an opening in the abdominal wall. This surgery is often performed to bypass bowel malformations, but colostomies are usually temporary and may call for closure. In Abdirahim's case, his colostomy requires closure in order to restore bowel function and prevent future complications. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $961 to cover the cost of a colostomy closure for Abdirahim. The surgery is scheduled to take place on September 09 and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. His dad said “After the operation I see a bright future for our child. I believe his trouble will come to end. And for us the families, it is a big relief.”

Sebastian is a child from Kenya. He was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, Sebastian has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Sebastian will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on July 25. AMHF is requesting $459 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care.

Thaw is a 44-year-old woman from Burma. She lives in Hpa-An, Karen State with her friends. She is a Christian missionary. Thaw has a mass in her uterus. She has been diagnosed with a myoma. She has been advised to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy, the surgical removal of her uterus and cervix. If left untreated, Thaw's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. Fortunately, Thaw is scheduled to undergo her hysterectomy on July 1. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. After surgery, Thaw will be able to return home and continue her work as a missionary.

Zaw is 15-year-old boy from Thailand. He lives with his mother, grandmother, twin sisters, and two older brothers. Last year he dropped out of school to help his mother run a food stall. In May, Zaw was playing tag with his friend. He climbed a tree but slipped and fell, breaking his left femur. Zaw is in a lot of pain. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Zaw will undergo surgery to reset his fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for May 31 and will cost $1,500. This procedure will help him to walk again in the future.

Tatu is an eleven-week-old baby girl with a twin sister from Tanzania. Tatu and her twin sister are the first-born children to her parents. They live in a small rental home, and her father is a small-scale farmer. Tatu 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, Tatu has been experiencing an increasing head circumference. Without treatment, Tatu will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,238 to cover the cost of surgery for Tatu that will treat her hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on May 13 and will drain the excess fluid from Tatu's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Tatu will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. Tatu’s mother says, “I pray that Tatu will receive treatment, and I hope she will be well like her twin sister.”

Lekishon is a baby from Kenya. He is the youngest of two children. Lekishon has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. Without treatment, Lekishon will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $685 to cover the cost of surgery for Lekishon that will treat his hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on April 11 and will drain the excess fluid from Lekishon's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, Lekishon will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. “Please help my son get better. I wish to see him normal just like other children,” says Lekishon’s mother.

Thearo is a young man from Cambodia. Ten years ago, Thearo's spine started to curve, which is progressing with age, making it difficult to sit in school for long periods, and causing a lot of discomfort. Surgery can help correct the position of his spine, and prevent further worsening of the condition. Fortunately, surgery is scheduled for March 14. Our medical partner needs help raising $1,500 to fund this procedure. Thearo hopes to go back to school and become a teacher one day. He says, "I hope that after surgery, I will no longer have any pain and will be able to go back to school without any discomfort."

Flora is a baby from Haiti. She lives with her parents and older sister in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. She is a very curious and active child. Flora has a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect. Several holes exist between the two lower chambers of her heart. Blood leaks between the chambers without passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving her sick and short of breath. On February 11, she will undergo cardiac surgery at St. Damien Hospital, our medical partner's care center. While she is too small to repair all of the holes in her heart, surgeons will place a band around her pulmonary artery that will allow her to grow without immediate danger from this heart condition, so that in one or two years she can safely have the rest of the holes closed. Another organization, Gift of Life International, is contributing $5,000 to pay for surgery. Flora's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 requested by our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, covers cardiac exams and medications. Her mother says, "Our family is all praying that everything will go well with our daughter's surgery!"

Loserian is a one-week-old baby from Tanzania. He is the youngest in family of three children. Loserian was born with spina bifida, a type of neural tube defect in which the spine does not properly close around the spinal cord. Without treatment, Loserian is at risk of lower-limb paralysis, infection of the exposed nervous tissue, development of tethered cord syndrome, and possible developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $966 to cover the cost of Loserian's spina bifida closure surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on January 3. This procedure will hopefully spare Loserian from the risks associated with his condition, instead allowing him to grow and develop along a healthy trajectory. Loserian’s mother says, “Please help our son, we have no money to pay for the needed surgery which he needs urgently."

Nak is a rice farmer from Cambodia. She has two sons, three daughters, and seven grandchildren. She likes to watch TV in her free time. Three years ago, Nak developed a cataract in each eye, causing her blurry vision, irritation, burning, photophobia, and clouded lenses. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Nak learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On December 11, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $398 procedure. He says, "I hope my eye surgery is successful so I can continue my work at the farm, feed the cows and chickens, and I can go outside by myself easily."