Mili is a five-month old baby girl from Bolivia. She lives with her mother, who is a homemaker; her father, who is a truck driver; and two older siblings in a neighborhood of La Paz. When Mili was born prematurely, doctors informed her family that she had Down syndrome and a heart condition. Since then, Mili has had difficulty breathing and gaining weight, and needs this surgery to become healthy. Mili has a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus. A hole exists between two blood vessels next to the heart. This condition prevents Mili's blood from circulating properly, causing her weakness, and leaving her at risk of heart failure if the condition is not treated. On January 13th, Mili will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, surgeons will sew the hole closed so that blood can no longer leak through it. Mili's family needs help to fund the costs of cardiac care and surgery. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, requests $1,500 to cover the cost of cardiac exams and diagnostics, surgical costs, follow-up care, and medications. Her mother says: "I trust my child will have a successful surgery. I'm grateful for the kindness that people at the hospital have shown me; the doctors and nurses and everybody here are very nice to me and my daughter!"

Josephine is a thirty-three-year-old woman from Uganda. She attended 7th grade but dropped out due to lack of financial support. She lost her mother and was left with the responsibility of looking after her four siblings. She later married, but now is single. She lives with her brother in a three-room house for shelter and practices farming to support their family. Josephine developed a small gluteal mass eight years ago. The gluteal swelling gradually increased in size progressively. This affects her day to day, especially when she is sitting. She worries that, if not treated, it could become infected and cause long-term risk. Josephine traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On November 17th, surgeons will remove the mass. Now, Josephine needs help to raise $145 to fund this procedure. Josephine says, "After surgery, I will be able to live more comfortably. I hope to continue with farming and supporting my family."

Ye Min is is a 2-month-old baby from Thailand. His father works at a hotel and his mother is a homemaker. After being delivered, doctors assessed that Ye Min began to experience poor vision in both eyes. These symptoms have made it increasingly difficult for him to see clearly. Ye Min has been diagnosed with retinal detachment, a condition in which the retina pulls away from the supportive tissue in the eye, resulting in vision loss. If left untreated, he could lose vision completely. Ye Min is scheduled to undergo surgery to reattach his retina on January 26th. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. After his surgery, Ye Min's vision will hopefully be restored, and he will resume his daily activities comfortably. Ye Min’s mother said, “I am worried about my son’s condition because he is too young to receive the surgery. I cannot wait to stay with him and take care of him well. I want my son to get better soon. I was very happy when I hear that this organization will help pay for my son’s treatment. I am really thankful to all of the donors who will help my son receive surgery.”

Shamsi is a beautiful, friendly and cheerful 3-year-old girl from Tanzania. She is the youngest in their family of five children. Shamsi’s father is self-employed and sells home materials like nets, pillows, and bedsheets. Her mother is a homemaker and stays at home to care for their children. Shamsi was diagnosed with bilateral genu varus, or bow-leggedness. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. Her legs bow outward when she walks, so she is not able to walk comfortably for long periods of time. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Shamsi. The procedure is scheduled to take place on February 9th. Treatment will hopefully restore Shamsi's mobility, allow her to play normally with her siblings, and greatly decrease her risk of future complications. Shamsi’s father shared, “We have tried medications and different food containing high calcium, but her legs are not getting any better. The only way to correct her legs is through surgery, but the cost of treatment is something we cannot afford.”

Mbegesi is nine-year-old student from Tanzania and the second born in a family if three children. His parents are small-scale farmers with very limited income. Mbegesi 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, Mbegesi traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on March 6th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $890 to fund Mbegesi's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk easily. Mbegesi’s father says, “His age mates are ahead in school. I would love to see him be able to walk like other normal children and be able to study with ease."

Simon is a child from Tanzania. He is the second born child to a family of four children. Simon’s parents depend on small scale farming of maize, beans and cassavas for their living. Simon has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of his condition, Simon has been experiencing an increasing head circumference and inter-cranial pressure. Without treatment, Simon will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $728 to cover the cost of surgery for Simon that will treat his hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on September 2nd and will drain the excess fluid from Simon's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, Simon will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. Simon’s mother says, “My son was doing so well after the surgery but now he is going through a lot of pain, he can’t eat well please help my son.”

Enock is a child from Tanzania. He loves playing with his friends. Enock’s father keeps livestock, and his mother is a stay-at-home mother. Enock was diagnosed with bilateral genu valgus. His legs are bent inwards, causing his knees to 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, Enock cannot walk well. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $940 to fund corrective surgery for Enock. The procedure is scheduled to take place on December 22. Treatment will hopefully restore Enock's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Enock says, “Thank you for helping me get this treatment, God bless you all.”

Meet Klein, a one-year-old little boy from Burma. Klein has a condition called hydrocephalus -- an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the ventricles of the brain. “His mother began noticing the health condition when he would not be able to be breastfed without soon getting a headache and crying," says our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP). "His condition has gotten worse; the boy endures diarrhea, fevers, coughing, vomiting, runny noses, in addition to the gradual growth of the buildup of fluid." Klein's parents are under financial strain from supporting their large family, and Klein’s father had to take a job in Bangkok to send wages home. They are unable to fund the surgery Klein needs. For $1,485, BBP can insert a ventriculoperitoneal shunt to drain the fluid. “Treatment will allow him to sleep and eat normally which will help him develop normally. He will no longer suffer from nausea and headaches and bouts of fever,” says BBP. BBP adds that "his mother would like to see him finish higher education, so that he may become a doctor one day."