Nan Ei is a two-year-old girl who lives with her parents and grandparents in a village in Karen State, Burma. She loves playing with toys at home. Her father is the sole earner for the family. Her mother is a housewife and takes care of Nan Ei. Her grandparents are retired and also live with the family. The income is not enough to cover the family's daily expenses. One day in February 2023, Nan Ei got a fever and a painful swelling in her neck. She was taken to the clinic in her village where the doctor examined her, and she received antipyretic and antibiotic drugs. While the fever subsided, the swelling continued. Currently, she is suffering from the pain in her swollen neck. Her mother said that she is sad to see her in this condition and is very worried about her daughter’s illness. Doctors want Nan Ei 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 Nan Ei's CT scan and care, scheduled for August 17th. Nan Ei's mother said, “I pray that we will hear the good news for the CT result. I would like to see my daughter as a clever and educated person when she grows up.”

Peace is an eight-year-old girl from Kenya who was brought to our care center by her grandmother. She is the firstborn of two siblings and is in grade two at her local public primary school. Peace's mother, who is 30 years old, dropped out of school after getting pregnant with Peace. Despite her desire to return to school after giving birth, her parents refused, as her other two siblings were already in school. Consequently, Peace's mother started a family life. She works as a casual laborer, picking tea on other people's farms, and Peace's father owns a boda boda (motorcycle taxi). The family also owns a piece of land with tea plants and another where they grow maize, beans, and Irish potatoes for their family's home consumption. In 2022, while attempting to lift her brother, Peace accidentally fell and injured her hand. She was taken to the hospital, where she had an X-ray, and the doctors applied a Plaster of Paris. However, the plaster was removed after a month and a half, and her hand had already deformed. Peace was then referred to another hospital for treatment, but the family lacked the necessary funds for the required surgical procedure at the time. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help Peace heal. On November 3rd, Peace will undergo a fracture repair procedure called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure helps fix severely broken bones and is only used for serious fractures that can't be treated with a cast or splint. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), requests $1,079 to fund this surgery. Peace's mother said, "I kindly ask for your support so that my little daughter can have a normal life like the rest."

David is the fourth child in a family of five living in Gikindu village in Muranga county, Kenya. David is in grade 6 at Gikindu Primary School, and his mother describes him as a playful boy who is always on the field playing football. He admires Messi, a football player in Europe who always inspires him to play for the national team. His mother is a farmer, and his father is a primary teacher. One sunny afternoon, five years ago, David and his friends gathered at the field to play. During the game, he fell and sustained an elbow injury. He was taken to a nearby hospital where a plaster was applied, then started therapy. Despite these interventions, his injury deteriorated and his elbow began to deform. David and his mother visited Kijabe Hospital, where they were referred to our medical partner's care center AIC Cure International Hospital for an orthopedic review. David is now scheduled to undergo Distal Humerus Osteotomy surgery on November 28th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,224 to cover the costs of the surgery. The treatment will be impactful on him because he will be able to use his arm normally again, lift things, and also help in doing household chores. “I am looking forward to seeing my son using his hand fully like other children,” says David’s mother.

39-year-old Sopheap lives with his wife and two young children in rural Pailin province in Cambodia. Both Sopheap and his wife farm potatoes, and sometimes rice, for extra income. In his free time, Sopheap likes to play volleyball in the village. In early March, Sopheap was in a motorbike accident and suffered an injury to his back. X-rays showed a C6-7 dislocation of the spine. Since the accident, Sopheap has not been able to work, experiences numbness in his arm, and is unable to sleep comfortably through the night due to his pain. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), is helping Sopheap to receive treatment. On April 6th, doctors at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre will perform spinal surgery with implants to stabilize the spinal column. Now, Sopheap and his family need your help to raise $1,500 to fund the procedure and care. The money will cover the cost of hospitalization, surgery, implants, physical therapy, and medication. After recovery, Sopheap's condition should improve significantly, and he should have full mobility after four to eight weeks. Sopheap shared: "I want to be able to go back to work and support my family."

Salato is a 5-year-old boy from Tanzania. He is a part of the Maasai tribe and comes from a large Maasai family with seven children. His father is a livestock keeper. Due to their remote location, the family relies on livestock and selling cattle as their main source of income to cover their expenses. Salato was diagnosed with genu valgus. His legs bow inward so that his knees knock. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, Salato faces difficulty walking long distances and experiences considerable discomfort due to the abnormal gait he has developed. This condition has also limited his ability to help his father with the livestock and hampers his ability to socialize with others. During an outreach visit from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), Salato and his parents had the opportunity to attend a clinic where he received education about his condition. The church kindly assisted in facilitating his transportation to the hospital. Upon arrival, the team warmly welcomed him and conducted a thorough assessment. As a result, a plan was formulated to correct the abnormality in his right leg surgically. However, Salato and his parents are unable to afford the costs associated with his treatment. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), can help. Salato will undergo a corrective procedure on August 2nd. Treatment will hopefully restore Salato's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. AMH is requesting $880 to cover the cost of Salato's treatment. Salato’s guardian says, “He often feels left out when he can’t socialize with his peers. We hope the treatment will help him fit in his society.”

Mongkol is a 3-year-old boy - the youngest child in his family with two older siblings - one sister and one brother. He lives in Kampong Cham province with his parents who are both rice farmers. At home, he likes to play with toy cars, keep up with his older siblings, and eat bananas. Mongkol has strabismus in both eyes, a condition he was born with, although older children can develop it too. Strabismus is a misalignment of the eye caused by injury or dysfunction in the associated nerves and muscles. It is difficult for him to see well. This is because his eyes don't focus together on the same object and each eye sends a different picture to the brain. Mongkol traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On March 3rd, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), will perform a corrective procedure to align his eyes. Now, Mongkol needs help to raise $331 to fund this procedure. His parents shared: "We hope after surgery Mongol's eyes look like other children's eyes and he can see better when he goes to school. We do not want children to make fun of him."

Festus is a lively 6-year-old boy from Kenya. He is the third born in a family of five children. His parents own a small corn farm, which they use to earn a living by selling produce. Festus was born with hypospadias, a congenital abnormality that causes urinary dysfunction. Without treatment, he will continue to experience discomfort and will be at risk for infertility. Fortunately, Festus’ father was introduced to a social worker who brought the family to the care center, BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital (BKKH). BKKH is run by our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH). As a result, on February 16th, surgeons at AMH will perform the corrective surgery. AMH is requesting $847 to fund the total cost of his procedure and care. Festus’ father says, “I want Festus to be treated and grow up like other children.”

George a 29-year-old bus conductor. He is rehabilitated now but used to live on the streets for over eight years. He never had a chance to meet his parents since they passed away when he was a small boy. He was taken to Nairobi city to be raised by relatives. In April, George was involved in a road accident; he was riding a motorcycle when he encountered an oncoming speeding vehicle that caused him to sway off the road. He was ferrying two individuals who were unhurt, but, unfortunately, he sustained injuries to his left leg. He is currently nursing a large wound on his leg and a fractured ankle. It is difficult for him to walk, and he is in chronic pain. Surgeons at our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH) can help. On June 27th, George will undergo a fracture repair procedure that will help him walk easily again. AMH is requesting $1,500 to fund this procedure. George says, “I survived a lot of things while living on the street. This accident came as I was settling out of the street. I cannot go to work with a broken ankle and a wound on my thigh. I hope to get treatment.”

Linn is a 29-year-old day laborer from Thailand. He works at a construction site and during his free time, he enjoys playing volleyball with his friends. Two months ago, Linn accidentally poked his left eye with a needle while he was sewing a bag. Since the accident, the vision in his left eye has been blurry. He visited our medical partner's care center where he was diagnosed with a cataract in his left eye. Eyedrops and medications have not improved his vision. Fortunately, our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), is helping Linn receive treatment. On May 18th, doctors will perform a lens replacement, during which they will remove Linn's natural lenses and replace them with intraocular lens implants in each eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help raising $1,500 to fund his procedure and care. Linn shared, "I was worried about my vision becoming blurrier. I want to thank you [BCMF and donors]. After I get treated, I will work hard and try to donate some money back to BCMF."

Zaw, who is 29 years old, lives with his wife and extended family members in Karen State, Burma. He and his wife are currently unemployed, although Zaw hopes to work as a second-hand motorbike seller. Zaw has had an irregular heartbeat since he was 10 years old. Although he visited a local clinic as a child, he was never provided a definitive diagnosis. By January 2022, he began to experience fatigue. His back and neck were stiff, and he lost his appetite. He also had difficulty sleeping, experienced a persistent cough and body aches, and his lips turned blue. After multiple hospital visits, Zaw was told he had a heart condition that required surgery. Unable to afford surgery in Burma, Zaw sought affordable care at Mae Tao Clinic (MTC) in Thailand. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, he received a free echocardiogram, which revealed he had mitral valve regurgitation, atrial valve regurgitation, pulmonary valve regurgitation, and patent ductus arteriosus. He is now scheduled for a procedure at Kasemrad Prachachuen Hospital in Bangkok on April 18th to repair or replace three of his valves and address any other issues with his heart. Currently, Zaw continues to experience fatigue, thus he is unable to work. He experiences shortness of breath and a racing heartbeat, for which he requires oxygen therapy three times a day. He needs your help to raise the $1,500 to fund his life-changing surgery. Zaw said: “I want to be free from this disease as soon as possible. Thank you all for helping with my treatment cost.”