Michael is a farmer with six kids from Malawi. He lives with his wife, children, and four grandchildren. He enjoys chatting with friends in his free time. Since September of last year, Michael has had a right inguinal hernia. The hernia causes swelling on the right side, making it uncomfortable to continue working, while his family depends on him for support. Fortunately, on April 30, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at Nkhoma Hospital, our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, World Altering Medicine, is requesting $334 to fund Michael's surgery. The requested money pays for supplies, medications, and six nights of hospital stay. He is happy to be helped through surgery so that he can be completely normal as he was before. He says, "I thank this project so much for assisting me. I hope that this project can continue to assist others as well. My wish is for this project to continue assisting the needy."

Ibrahim is a baby from Kenya. He is an only child who lives with his parents in the coastal region of Kenya. Ibrahim 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, Ibrahim 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 $1,097 to cover the cost of Ibrahim's spina bifida closure surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on May 2. This procedure will hopefully spare Ibrahim from the risks associated with his condition, instead allowing him to grow and develop along a healthy trajectory.

Srey Nuon is a teenager from Cambodia. Her favorite subjects to study in school are chemistry and math, and one day she hopes to become a chemistry teacher. Srey Nuon was born with scoliosis, 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 her spine, and prevent further worsening of the condition. Fortunately, spinal surgery has been scheduled for March 11. Our medical partner needs help raising $1,500 to fund this procedure. Srey Nuon says, "I hope that after my surgery I will no longer have any pain and I will be able to take care of myself and sleep better."

Aung is a 34-year-old from Thailand. He lives with his retired parents and one sister at Thaton Town, Mon State, Burma. Aung was diagnosed with a heart condition that involves a malformation of the mitral valve, the valve between the left atrium and left ventricle. This valve controls the flow of blood, but certain conditions may cause blood to flow backward or the valve to narrow. Currently, Aung feels tired when walks or climbs the steps. He also has poor appetite and difficulty falling asleep. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Aung. The treatment is scheduled to take place on February 10 and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. “I want to open a motorcycle repair shop in Thahton. This is what I plan to do after receiving surgery. I want to support my family as much as I can,” says Aung.

Elvin is a baby from Tanzania. He is the first born child in a family of two children. Elvin is a playful and talkative boy. Elvin was diagnosed with bilateral genu varus. His legs bow outward so that his knees do not touch. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, he experiences pain when walking. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $940 to fund corrective surgery for Elvin. The procedure is scheduled to take place on February 7. Treatment will hopefully restore Elvin's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Elvin’s father says, “You are the only hope we have. Please help our son. His condition is worsening each day.”

Sy is a rice farmer from Cambodia. He lives with his grandmother. He likes to play football and watch TV in his free time. Nine months ago, he was in a motor vehicle accident that caused paralysis of his left arm. He has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his left side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. He is unable to use his arm below his elbow and he cannot work. Sy traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On December 11, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, he will be able to use his arm again. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $637 to fund this procedure. He says, "After the operation I hope I can use my arm and hand normally and I can return to work."

Ranny is a woman from Cambodia. She has been married for eight years. She likes to cook, watch TV, and spend time at home. For the past three years, Ranny has had back pain. One of the nerves on her spine is being compressed due to herniation of one of the discs. This causes immense pain. She is unable to walk and move, and thus is unable to work and support her family. Ranny needs to undergo a laminectomy and discectomy procedure to relieve the pressure and pain in her back. Surgery is scheduled for December 4 and will cost $930.

Savuth is a hair dresser from Cambodia. He has one daughter and two sons. He likes to go for walks, do housework, and watch TV. Two years ago, he developed hip pain on his left side. He cannot walk, work, or support his family. Fortunately, Savuth learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. At CSC, surgeons can perform a total hip replacement to relieve Savuth of his pain and allow him to walk easily. Treatment is scheduled for October 17, and Savuth needs help raising $1,025 to pay for this procedure. He says, "I hope I can walk normally again after the operation."

Kyi is a 26-year-old young woman from Burma. She lives with her sister, brother, an aunt, and two cousins in Kyike Bon Village, Hlaingbwe Township, Karen State. She looks after her two little cousins and also takes care of the household chores. In August 2018, Kyi experienced lower abdominal pain. She was in pain for almost a week. She also felt uncomfortable walking. She went to the hospital and received an ultrasound imaging test, and the result revealed a uterine mass. Doctors want Kyi to undergo a CT scan, a procedure in which x-ray images taken from several angles are combined to produce cross-sectional images of the body. This scan will hopefully help doctors diagnose her condition and formulate an appropriate treatment plan. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $414 to cover the cost of Kyi's CT scan and care, scheduled for September 20. Kyi says, “In the future, when I am fully recovered, I will find a job and save money to send my siblings to school. I also want a house for us.”

Oudom is a grocer from Cambodia. He has one daughter and one son. He likes to listen to music and play football. Fourteen years ago, Oudom had an ear infection. This infection caused a cholesteatoma, or an abnormal skin growth, to develop in the middle ear behind the ear drum. For this reason, Oudom experiences pain, tinnitus and ear discharge. It is difficult for him to hear well. Oudom traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On September 6, he will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure in his left ear. During this procedure, ENT surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $842 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. He says, "I hope my hearing improves after the operation."

Andrey is a young boy from Kenya. He is the only child to his single mother. The family of two lives in a rental house in central Kenya. Andrey's mother works as a sales agent in a local company and earns just enough to meet their basic needs. Andrey was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, Andrey has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Andrey will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on August 6. AMHF is requesting $535 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. “I hope Andrey gets treated so that it does not affect him adversely,” says Andrey’s mother.

Bryson is a young student from Tanzania. He is a very friendly boy. Unfortunately, he has clubfoot of both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Bryson traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on July 9. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $890 to fund Bryson's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk easily. His guardian says, “Bryson is such lovely boy and I wish I could help him more with his condition but I don’t have the power."