Than is 21-year-old woman from Burma. She is a soldier in Karen State, Burma and lives with the other soldiers in the barracks. On July 21, Than was participating in a drill on top of a mountain. Equipped with a heavy backpack and load, they had to descend the mountain quickly in the rain. While descending, Than’s left foot slipped. While falling, she banged her equipment against her left thigh and heard a cracking noise, before falling. Than's left leg is in a lot of pain and she cannot put any weight on her left leg. If she moves even a little bit, she shared that her pain increases. She can move her left ankle and toes, but she cannot bend her left leg. Her friend has to help her go to the bathroom and to take a shower. She cannot sleep well, her appetite has decreased, and she has noticed that she has already lost weight since the accident. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Than will undergo surgery to reset her fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for September 1st and will cost $1,500. This procedure will help Than walk again and allow her leg to heal properly. “I am worried about how my leg will recover, and I am worried about the surgery,” said Than.

Ing is a seven-year-old student from Cambodia. She lives in Kompongcham province with her parents and her sister. She enjoys playing with her sister and walking in nature, and shared with us that her favorite subject at school is reading. About two months ago, Ing had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in her right ear ear to perforate. Now, Ing experiences ear pain and constant discharge. Her parents have had to spend above their relative pay to get ear drops for her, and the treatment has been mostly ineffective. Ing traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On June 3rd, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in her right ear ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $464 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Ing's mother said, "I don't want to worry about her ears being in pain anymore, and it is hard to always take care of this problem and buy medicine. I hope this surgery will finally solve this problem."

Eliphas is the fifth born in a family of seven children. He is in the third grade but has had to repeat grade levels due to the financial instability of the family. His older three siblings already had to drop out of school because they could not pay the fees and lacked food. Eliphas' father died in 2013, so his mother is a widow and has difficulty making ends meet. His mother works as a casual laborer, washing clothes in the neighborhood and sometimes farming for other people. She and her children live in a mud house on a small piece of land. Eliphas fell and sustained a left femur fracture. If Eliphas does not get the required treatment, he may develop an infection or lose the function of his leg. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is asking for your help to fund the cost of his treatment. Eliphas and his family need $1,130 to fund this mobility-restoring surgery. Eliphas' mother shared, “If my son gets help, I shall be very happy and appreciative."

Angel is a 6-year-old student from Kenya. Our medical partner shared that they met Angel’s mother in the hospital corridors crying, she looked depressed and they drew in closer to inquire for more information. She showed our team her invoice and explained that she cannot raise the estimated bill. Angel is 6yrs old, the second and last born in her family. She is a nursery school pupil and likes the company of small kids. Their family hails from Gilgil in Nakuru county. Angel's mother is a single parent and she is a waitress at a small hotel. They live in a one-roomed rental house. Angel 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, Angel traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on June 8th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,347 to fund Angel's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will be able to walk easily and hopefully enjoy a full, active life. “Any kind of support to make my daughter walk well is highly appreciated,” Angel’s mother told us.

Phan is a 59-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He has one son, two daughters, and one grandchild. He is living with one of his daughters, and enjoys watching the boxing channel and news on television. One year ago, the retina of Phan's left eye detached, causing him vision loss leading to partial blindness. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Phan learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On April 29th, eye surgeons will perform a retinal detachment repair procedure in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $648 procedure. "Because of my vision loss in the past year, I could not do anything to support my wife and children. I hope my surgery will be done so I can see everything clearly again. Then I will go to plant rice and find more money for my family," Phan said.

Trufehna is a farmer from Kenya with two children aged 25 and 13 respectively. She takes care of two cows for her daily upkeep. Trufehna lost her dear husband in the year 2007 after a short illness. After her husband's death, their farm was taken by his relatives hence she had to return to her parents. Since nine years ago, Trufehna began to experience troubling symptoms, including sore throat, pain and a neck selling. She was diagnosed with an euthyroid goiter. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Trufehna receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on March 9th at our medical partner's care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $641, and she and her family need help raising money. Trufehna says, “Help me get treated so that I can carry on with life and support my daughters. I believe that this condition cannot shatter my hope and I will be back to my normal life.”

Saitabau is a 4-month-old baby from Tanzania. He is the only child to his parents who depend on livestock keeping for their living and their income is very little to get them by. Saitabau 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, Saitabau has been experiencing an increasing head circumference and irritability. Without treatment, Saitabau 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 Saitabau that will treat his hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on March 2nd and will drain the excess fluid from Saitabau's brain and replace the previous insertion that is blocked. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, Saitabau will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. Saitabau’s mother says, “My son had gotten better but now he is sick again please help him get another surgery.”

Nurudini is a four year old boy from Tanzania and the last born child to his parents. He was healthy until the age of one and a half years when his legs seemed to curve by the lower side and seemingly weak. His mother, concerned, took him to the hospital for review and had calcium medications prescriptions. She hoped that the calcium would strengthen his bones preventing further curving. Through a poster advertisement, his mother learnt of our services and brought Nurudini for treatment. He was diagnosed with genu varus and surgery is recommended. With the successful surgery, Nurudini will be able to walk with ease and reduce the chances of further disabilities. He had his left leg corrected and now Nurudini requires correction of the right leg.  Nurudini's mother sells vegetables at their local market while his father works at construction sites. Their combined income does not make ends meet and with the ability to retain some money for medical expenses. They appeal for financial assistance. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $838 to fund corrective surgery for Nurudini. The procedure is scheduled to take place on January 28th. Treatment will hopefully restore Nurudini's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Nurudini’s mother says, “My son’s walking has gotten better after having his left leg corrected though he is still limping due to the right one which he couldn’t have it corrected earlier.”

Collins is a young child from Kenya, who is the first born in a family of two children. His family hails from Mpuri village in Meru County. His mother is a housewife while his father is a mason. Collins 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, Collins traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on January 13th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,224 to fund Collins's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk easily. “I am pleading for help for my son to undergo surgery so that he can walk and play like other children. I don’t want to see him struggling to walk. I will be happy to if you consider my son. God bless you,” Collin’s mother said.

Dina is a pretty little girl from Kenya. She is the 4th born and last born in the family. the family hails from Nyamakoroto village in Nyamira county. Her mother is a single parent who works as a casual laborer in a tea farm within the locality. Dina has clubfoot of her left foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Dina traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on December 01. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,224 to fund Dina's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will be able to walk easily. "I will appreciate any kind of assistance enhanced to make my daughter walk without straining. Thank you so much,” Josephine, Dina’s mother told us.

Wim is a 48-year-old monk from Burma. He lives in a monastery in Taungoo, Bago Division. He became a monk three years ago, after he got divorced. Wim 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, Wim feels tired and cannot walk long distance. Sometimes, he has back pain and he feels like he cannot breathe well. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Wim. The treatment is scheduled to take place on October 06 and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. Wim said, “I would to remain a monk and study Buddhism. I would really like to thank the donors, BCMF and the doctors for helping me receive surgery [in the future]. I am very happy right now.”

Mursale is a child from Tanzania. Mursale is a three year old little boy and a third born child in his family, he is a calm but happy baby. Mursai’s father does small business in his hometown where by he sells construction sand and his mother is a small business woman, she own a small restaurant. Mursale was diagnosed with windswept deformity. His legs bow in a way to seem as though they are blown by the wind. 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 has difficulty walking. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $940 to fund corrective surgery for Mursale. The procedure is scheduled to take place on September 19. Treatment will hopefully restore Mursale's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Mursale’s father says, “Please help my son get this treatment so that he is able to walk without difficulty.”