Daw Khin is a 62-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her daughter, two granddaughters and two grandsons in the Mae Sot District, Tak Province in Thailand. Daw Khin is a homemaker, while her daughter is currently unemployed due a lack of legal identity in Thailand. Her four grandchildren attend a school run by a local charity. The family are members of a local Christian church, which provides them with monthly supplies of rice, oil, and dry food. For their basic health care, they usually visit the Mae Tao Clinic in Mae Sot which provides free services. In her free time, Khin enjoys reading the Bible and praying. On March 31st, while Daw Khin was riding a motorcycle with her daughter, she accidentally hit a dog, causing the motorcycle to skid. Daw Khin fell and sustained an injury in her right leg. Her daughter called an ambulance, and Daw Khin was taken to Mae Sot Hospital (MSH). She underwent blood tests, a leg X-ray which revealed that her lower end of the thighbone was fractured. The doctor recommended for a surgery which would cost 100,000 baht (approx. 3,333 USD). However, Daw Khin explained their financial constraints, and had a bandage applied to her right leg. They returned home, continuing treatment with oral medication. Currently, Daw Khin continues to experience pain, swelling, and limited movement in her right leg. She continues to take oral painkillers. Fortunately, our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is helping Daw Khin receive treatment. On May 2nd, she will undergo surgery to reset her fractured bones and ensure proper healing. Now, Daw Khin's family needs help to fund this $1,500 procedure. Daw Khin expressed her gratitude, saying, “Thank you so much to BCMF and the donors for assistance with my treatment costs. Without you, my surgery would not be possible. I could not hold my tears back because of the happiness I felt when I heard of the opportunity to support my surgery. May God bless you all.”

Chris is a two-year-old boy from Malawi, the youngest in a family of four children. His mother shares that Chris has always been a cheerful, active little boy, the kind who lights up a room with his energy. His parents are small-scale farmers who rely on seasonal harvests and occasional casual jobs to get by. In January this year, Chris's mother noticed that he was scratching his lower abdomen and groin area more than usual. He did not seem to be in pain, but the constant itching was concerning. Then came another change - swelling in Chris’s right testicle, which gradually became more noticeable. His mother took him to the hospital, where doctors diagnosed him with a right inguinal hernia, a condition where a part of the intestine or abdominal tissue protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal wall, specifically in the groin area. They were referred to our medical partner's care center, Nkhoma Hospital, for further review and medical care. At Nkhoma Hospital, the diagnosis was confirmed, but doctors also found that he had a communicating hydrocele, a condition that causes fluid to accumulate in the scrotum. The doctors have recommended surgery to treat his condition. His mother is aware that this surgery is important to relieve her son’s discomfort and prevent further complications, but she also knows that the family cannot afford it. “Most of what we earn is spent the moment it comes in,” she said. With no money for the procedure, she now requests help that will give her son the relief that he needs and the future he deserves. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Chris receive treatment. On August 12th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery to treat his condition, allowing him a healthier life. Now, Chris's family needs help to fund this $421 procedure. Chris's mother says: “He’s just a baby, and I wish for him to grow up healthy and strong. It breaks my heart seeing him in pain. I am hopeful that with the help we shall receive, my son's health will be restored."

Five-year-old Ayubu lives with his parents, three siblings and members of his extended family, in Lushoto, Tanga, Tanzania. When Ayubu was about a year and a half old, his family noticed that his legs began bowing outward when he started to walk. Initially, they believed it was a natural growth stage that would resolve over time. However, as Ayubu grew older, his condition worsened, and his ability to walk and to stand properly became increasingly challenging. Ayubu has now been diagnosed with genu varus. This condition is typically caused by the accumulation of excess fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. Because of his condition, Ayubu suffers from impaired mobility, discomfort, and an abnormal gait when he moves around. These all form a barrier to his education and overall social participation, and affect his self esteem. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Ayubu. The procedure is scheduled to take place on May 26th at Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. Treatment should restore Ayubu's mobility, allowing him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decreasing his risk of future complications and social isolation. Ayubu’s father says: "I wish for my son to be okay and to get the treatment he needs that will make him have a better future."

Som is a 70-year-old retired rice farmer. She has one brother and one sister. Currently, Som lives with her sister and her niece. One year ago, Som developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her tearing and blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and objects around her, so she is reluctant to go out on her own. When Som learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four and a half hours to seek treatment. On June 8th, doctors at Kien Khleang Rehabilitation Centre will perform small incision cataract surgery, and implant an intraocular lens in her right eye. After her recovery, Som will be able to see clearly, and she will feel safe going places on her own. Children's Surgical Centre is seeking $253 to fund this procedure for Som. Som says: "I hope I will see well again so I can go places on my own and see things clearly."

Kul is a 79-year-old man. He and his wife lost their son when he was very young, so they live with their nephew, who helps support them in their old age. Kul and his wife like to exercise, listen to the radio, and take care of the grandnephews and grandnieces. A year ago, Kul cut his left big toe on a large rock. Due to his diabetic condition, he has poor circulation and the wound on his toe never healed. As a result, Kul developed a chronic infection that has the potential to spread to his leg. Kul visited a local health center for help, and they referred him to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). Upon review, surgeons at CSC determined that Kul's left foot will need to be amputated. On April 4th, Kul will undergo this procedure at CSC, which will address his infection, protect his leg, and help ensure he will not need to undergo any major amputations in the future. CSC is requesting $446 for the cost of this surgery and post-operative care. Kul was able to gather $100 to contribute to his care as well. Kul shared, "It is difficult to lose my foot, but I want to be free of the infection and walk without pain again."

Faith is a 12-year-old student from Kenya. Her father is a farmer, while her mother works hard to raise their family and care for their home. Faith is the only girl and the second-oldest in her family of four. She is in fourth grade and likes reading and playing with friends. She has a big heart and hopes to one day become a surgeon to help children who are neglected because of their medical conditions. Faith has clubfoot of both feet. Clubfoot is a condition where the foot is twisted out of shape. This condition makes it difficult for Faith to walk or to even wear shoes. Fortunately, Faith and her mother traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons are scheduled to perform clubfoot repair surgery on June 16th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,286 to fund Faith's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she should be able to put on shoes and walk well at home and school. Her self-esteem also will improve, and she'll be able to continue with her studies and hopefully achieve her dream career of becoming a surgeon. Faith's mother said, “I hope to see my daughter walking normally like other children. That’s why I am requesting support to facilitate her surgery."

Audrey is a three-year-old toddler from Haiti. She lives with her parents and three older siblings in the capital city of Port-au-Prince, and has fun playing dress up and going to church with her family. Audrey has Down Syndrome and a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect. This entails a hole in the wall of her heart that separates the two lower chambers. Audrey is traveling to receive treatment at our medical partner's care center, Hospital CEDIMAT, in the Dominican Republic. On February 22nd, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which doctors will sew a patch over the hole in her heart. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is also contributing $5,000 to help pay for her surgery. Audrey's family needs help funding her pre and post operation costs. The $1,500 bill will cover her labs, medications, checkups, and followup appointments. It also supports passport obtainment for the social workers from Haiti Cardiac Alliance who will accompany Audrey's family as they travel overseas where she can finally access the surgery she needs. Audrey's mother says, "Our family would like to say thank you to everyone who is helping to heal our daughter."