Smaha is a student from Haiti. She lives with her parents and three siblings in Cap Haitien, a city on the northern coast of Haiti. She attends first grade, and likes coloring and doing art projects. Smaha has a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus. A blood vessel between the pulmonary artery and the aorta that normally closes soon after birth instead remains open. Blood flows through it, bypassing the lungs and depriving the body of the oxygen it needs. Smaha underwent a surgery two years ago to tie off the duct, but unfortunately the defect has re-opened; she will now undergo a different type of procedure called cardiac catheterization to close it in a way that makes it very unlikely to ever reopen again. Smaha will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On May 3, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will use a device attached to the tip of a catheter to block the leaking duct. Another organization, Gift of Life Inc., is contributing $8,000 to pay for surgery. Smaha's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Smaha's family overseas. Her mother says, "I am praying that after this trip to the hospital my daughter will be fully healthy."

Mu is 43-year-old farmer from Burma. She lives with her husband and five children. In her free time she likes to forage for vegetables in the forest with her friends. She has a gallstone and has burning pain in her lower right abdomen. She also suffers from back pain and sometimes she is not able to sleep or eat well due to the pain. Mu has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, Mu's symptoms will continue to worsen and put him at risk for further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), Mu is scheduled to undergo her cholecystectomy on March 21. BCMF is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Mu's procedure and care. She says, "I hope that I can get well again so that I can help my husband and my son on our farm."

Nekikolo is a student from Tanzania. He is is the youngest in a family of eight children. When he was three months old, Nekikolo developed a swelling on his left eyebrow. As he kept growing, the swelling kept increasing in size. Nekikolo traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On March 4, surgeons will remove the mass. Now, Nekikolo needs help to raise $689 to fund this procedure. Nekikolo’s mother says, “Thank you very much for giving my son a chance to have treatment of his mass.”

Carolyne is a woman from Kenya. She is the sixth of nine children. She works as a small-scale farmer. In late January, Carolyne was in a road traffic accident and suffered injuries on the right side of her body. She has been diagnosed with an intra-articular distal radius fracture. She can't lift or stretch her hand. Fortunately, Carolyne is scheduled to undergo fracture repair surgery on February 1. The procedure will cost $763.

Htet Pel is a 50-year-old man who lives with his family in Mae Tha Lar Village, Kyain Seikgyi Township, Karen State, Burma. His main income comes from working as a lottery ticket seller, and he also works as a daily laborer. Ten years ago, Htet Pel severely burned his left hand when he was refilling an oil lamp with diesel near an open fire. His injuries healed, but scars developed. Eventually, the thickness of the scars made his fingers rigid and limited the movement of his fingers, until he could no longer grip anything. Htet Pel will undergo contracture release surgery to treat his condition and help him use his hands again. The procedure is scheduled for January 15 and will cost $1,500. He says, "After surgery, if my hand gets better I will work more to increase my family’s income."

Salha is a girl from Tanzania. She is the youngest in a family of three children. For the past two years, she has been having breathing problems, especially at night. Salha was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils, which, if not treated, will cause her symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $633 to fund a tonsillectomy for Salha, which is scheduled to take place on November 2. Surgeons will remove her tonsils, hopefully relieving Salha of her symptoms and helping her live more comfortably.

Sokhim is a man from Cambodia. He has has six brothers. He enjoys listening to classical music, going for walks, reading books, and watching TV. A year ago, Sokhim was burned by gasoline on his hand and had to have his left thumb amputated. He has difficulty using his hand and wants to gain better function in his hand. Sokhim needs to undergo a pollicization operation, which is a procedure that will create a thumb from an existing finger. This will help him use his hand more easily. Surgery is scheduled for November 12 and will cost $448. He says, "I hope I can return to work after the operation. I look forward to using my new thumb."

Idi is a student from Tanzania. He is the youngest in a family of eight children. His best subjects are science and Swahili. He loves playing soccer with his friends. Idi has been diagnosed with acquired left genu valgus. Early last year, his parents noticed their son’s left leg was weakening and bending inwards. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $940 to fund corrective surgery for Idi. The procedure is scheduled to take place on November 2. Treatment will hopefully restore Idi's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Idi’s sister says, “My parents are not able to afford the surgery cost and my brother's condition keeps worsening. Please help him."

Ma Kyi is a 74-year-old woman who lives with her daughter’s family in Sanpya Village, Ye Township, Mon State, Burma. Her daughter and son-in-law are agricultural day laborers who work in nearby factories and rubber plantations. In August 2018, Ma Kyi noticed that her right toe was swollen. She used traditional medicine, applying leaves onto her toe. A few days later, her toe became very painful. Consequently, Ma Kyi could not sleep at night and lost her appetite. Ma Kyi visited our medical partner's care center and was examined by the doctors. According to the doctors, the blood vessels in her feet are blocked, and the wound cannot heal due to the lack of blood supply. Thus, her doctors decided that the only solution is to amputate her right leg below her knee. Surgery is scheduled for September 4 and will cost $1,500. Ma Kyi says, “As a Buddhist, I want to go to monasteries when I am fully recovered.” Ma Kyi’s daughter adds, “I want my mother to get well as quickly as possible so I can go back home and care for my 11-year-old daughter."

Judith is a mother of five from Malawi. She spends her days with her new baby and four other children, working on the family farm. She enjoys praying and studying the Bible in her free time. Since last year, Judith has been experiencing burning pain in the abdomen. She has been diagnosed with ovarian cysts, which are fluid-filled sacs on the ovaries. She needs to undergo an ovarian cystectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will excise the cysts. Our medical partner, World Altering Medicine, is requesting $541 to fund Judith's surgery. On August 23, she will undergo gynecological surgery at Nkhoma Hospital, our medical partner's care center. The requested money pays for supplies, medications, and seven nights of hospital stay. She is excited to receive free surgery and looks forward to increased strength after recovery. She says, "Farming will be easier once I am healthy again. Thank you for this program!"

Kyi is a 38-year-old man from Burma. He lives with his sister's family in Kawkareik township, Karen state. He used to work as a chef in restaurant in Bangkok but returned to Burma after he got into a motorbike accident. Kyi underwent a colostomy, in which the end of the colon is brought through an opening in the abdominal wall. This surgery is often performed to bypass bowel malformations, but colostomies are usually temporary and may call for reversal. In Kyi's case, his colostomy requires reversal in order to restore bowel function and prevent future complications. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the cost of a reverse colostomy for Kyi. The surgery is scheduled to take place on August 20 and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently.

Ouch is a rice farmer from Cambodia. She has one son and two grandchildren. She likes to watch boxing matches, read about Buddha, and spend time with her grandkids. One year ago, Ouch developed a cataract in each eye, causing her blurry vision, tearing, photophobia, and itching. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Ouch learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On June 13, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $398 procedure. She says, "I hope I can see everything clearly after surgery so I can read and learn more about Buddha."