Kyaw is a 39-year-old Burmese man. A while ago, he was working on a construction site in Thailand where a heavy piece of metal fell on his back and injured him. Due to his tough financial situation, Kyaw was not able to receive the level of medical care that he needed. A fracture in his spine soon developed into paraplegia, leaving him without the use of his legs. Due to his paraplegia, Kyaw spends much of his time in the same position. As a result, he has developed bed sores which require surgery to treat. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $851 to fund his procedure, which is scheduled to take place on June 27. Kyaw is looking forward to his surgery because it will allow him to rest comfortably again.

“I have been through a lot of challenges in life but God has been there for me,” shares Jacob. “I thank you for this support program and hope that I may get treatment.” Jacob is a widower whose wife died shortly after the birth of their baby boy. For that reason, Jacob’s medical challenges over the past ten years have been especially difficult. He relies on the help of his neighbors and his son. Jacob’s lower leg was amputated years ago due to a septic wound, and he has used a partial artificial leg. This September, Jacob fell and broke his remaining left leg above the knee. His femur was fractured, and he can no longer walk at all. To fix a serious break like this, Jacob needs to undergo a procedure known as open reduction and internal fixation. Doctors will surgically align the broken pieces of his bone, and then will fix them in place using a pin, screw, or other hardware. Although Jacob is unable to raise the funds necessary for his treatment, we can help for $771. This total will cover the cost of his surgery on October 2, as well as the necessary medications, lab tests, and four-day hospital stay. Let’s give Jacob reason to stay optimistic by making sure he can walk again soon.

Meet Brian, a playful boy from Kenya. At four years old, he is his parents’ only child. When he was two years old, Brian was playing at home and badly burned his left hand in hot water. Although he was admitted to the hospital for two weeks, his hand did not heal properly. The wound site now bears contractures, or shortened, rigid muscles and skin. As a result, Brian is not able to fully extend or use his left hand. Without further treatment, Brian will likely live the rest of his life with an impaired hand. The wound could even get worse once he begins playing more with other children, as his risk of re-injuring the vulnerable tissue will be increased. Seeking treatment through our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, Brian is scheduled to undergo surgery on his hand to increase mobility on July 3. Although his family is able to contribute $208 towards his medical bills, Brian is still in need of $1,176 to cover the rest of his expenses. “I want my son to have a fully functional hand,” shares Brian’s father. “I will thank God when this happens.”

Alonso is a 55-year-old man who lives with his wife and daughter in rural Guatemala. Years ago, Alonso's leg had to be clinically amputated after he experienced complications related to diabetes. Alonso's life changed drastically after he lost his leg, for he has difficulty walking and working. He now is in need of a prosthetic leg. Before his leg was amputated, Alonso worked in construction. Now, in order to keep supporting his family, Alonso works in agriculture in the local countryside. Alonso provides his family's only source of income, but he does not earn enough to cover the cost of a prosthetic leg. Fortunately, with the help of our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq, Alonso is scheduled to receive his $1,166 prosthetic leg on August 8. Receiving a prosthetic leg will change Alonso's life. He hopes that receiving a prosthetic will allow him to find a different job so that he can support his wife and take care of their family better.

Brian is a 23-year-old laborer from Kenya, and is the eldest of his two siblings. He lives with his grandmother and works harvesting sand in his village. Brian is a passionate soccer fan and plays on his local team at home. Brian sustained a head injury while at work one day, resulting in an internal blood clot in the brain. Seeking better treatment, Brian came to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, where brain surgery was recommended to fix his condition. Brian is scheduled to undergo brain surgery on April 28, and is asking for $1,495 to cover the total cost of the procedure. "I want to be well and provide for myself. I would not like to develop complications in my brain," shares Brian.

Srey Neang is an 18-year-old government worker from Cambodia who has four sisters and two brothers. In her free time, she likes to watch TV and wash clothes. When she was five years old, Srey Neang received a poorly administered injection in her right thigh. This led to the development of a contracture of her quadriceps (thigh) muscles, causing her right knee to be stiff and painful and making it difficult for her to walk. Srey Neang traveled for four hours with her mother to reach Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre for examination and treatment of her leg by doctors from Watsi's medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). She knew about CSC from people in her village. On June 14, Srey Neang will undergo a quadricepsplasty, a surgical technique to release adhesions and contractures in the quadriceps to make it easier for her to bend her knee. CSC requests $425 to pay for Srey Neang's operation and 10 days of hospital care, including lab tests, X-rays, and physical therapy. Funding also covers the costs of four follow-up appointments during the first year after surgery. After surgery, Srey Neang will be able to walk easily again. Let's help make that happen!

Stephano is a 16-year-old teenager from Tanzania. Stephano helps his parents run a small family farm for income. Two months ago, a mass started to grow on Stephano's face. The localized growth caused pain and soon made it difficult for him to speak and eat. Stephano eventually dropped out of school, as he was too embarrassed by the mass. Doctors at our medical partner's care center proposed to remove the mass, so Stephano can return to routine daily activities without frequent discomfort. Stephano says, "I hope that I can get better after this surgery because I have high hopes of returning to school and completing my studies." Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $920 to help fund surgery for Stephano. On February 12, he will undergo the surgery. He will feel significantly more comfortable thereafter.

Amparo is a 50-year-old woman from the Philippines. She lives with her husband and son. Her family's main source of income is fishing, and Amparo sells seashells and cooks and sells food to supplement her husband's income. Three years ago, Amparo noticed a lump in her throat and began experiencing difficulty swallowing. A physician diagnosed her with a goiter, or benign swelling of the thyroid gland in the neck. However, Amparo was unable to afford medical follow-up. Over time, her thyroid has continued to increase in size, causing pain and discomfort and limiting her ability to provide for her family. On March 13, surgeons at our medical partner, International Care Ministries (ICM), will perform a thyroidectomy procedure to remove some or all of her thyroid gland, helping to resolve the symptoms of goiter. ICM is requesting $923 to cover Amparo's surgery. Amparo is grateful for the chance to receive treatment, and looks forward to life after the surgery. She says, "I am thankful that I was given a chance to be treated...After the treatment, I am looking forward to a better life."

Kyaw is a 30-year-old farmer who lives in rural Thailand with his wife and their four-year-old twins. Kyaw and his wife both work on a farm, planting corn and onions. However, Kyaw has not been able to work for about two weeks due to pain caused by bladder stones. Kyaw reports that he has been experiencing symptoms of bladder stones for one year. However, the symptoms have worsened considerably in the past two weeks. Kyaw was seen at a local clinic and hospital for his symptoms, and an ultrasound confirmed that he has bladder stones that will need to be removed through a procedure called a ureteroscopy. On April 9, surgeons at our medical partner's care center, Mae Sot General Hospital, will perform a ureteroscopy to remove Kyaw's bladder stones. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 for Kyaw's treatment. This will pay for his surgery, medications, laboratory tests, imaging, and five nights in the hospital. Kyaw hopes that he can recover from surgery as soon as possible so that he can return to work and provide for his family. He says, "I want to look for a job that will pay more so I can pay for food for my family and afford to send my children to school."

“I thank the doctors who are going to work on me to take away my pain,” shares Shaban. “But most especially, I thank the people that are donating their resources toward my surgery.” Shaban is a 30-year-old farmer from rural Uganda. During his free time, he likes to listen to the radio and watch soccer—especially games in which his favorite team, Chelsea United, is winning. For a decade now, Shaban has been battling a scrotal hernia, meaning part of his abdominal tissue has pushed through a weak spot in his stomach and into his genital region. This past year, the hernia has gotten substantially worse. The pain has become so pronounced that he can no longer complete the housework and farming tasks that he shares with his parents. Fortunately, there is hope for Shaban. He will undergo hernia repair surgery on February 4. This operation will relieve his pain and remove the risk of complications. However, he needs our help to pay for this $228 procedure. After recovery, Shaban hopes to save up money to start a small business. Let’s help get him back to a pain-free life so he can achieve that goal!

Wedeline is a ten-year-old fourth grader who lives with her parents and two brothers in Mirebalais, a small city in the mountains of central Haiti. She hopes to become a doctor when she grows up, and she likes playing with her friends and singing in church. Wedeline was born with a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus, in which a hole in the heart that normally closes shortly after birth remains open. This is dangerous because blood leaks through this hole without passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving her feeling weak. Wedeline needs to undergo heart surgery to close the hole at our medical partner's care center, St. Damien Hospital. First, Wedeline will undergo a full cardiac assessment on January 15. This assessment will include physical exams, labs, and an overnight stay at the hospital. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,500 to fund these procedures. Funding for Wedeline also covers the cost of medications and social support for her and her family. Gift of Life International is contributing $3,500 to cover additional costs associated with Wedeline's surgical care. "Thank you to everyone who is making this surgery possible for our daughter!" says her father.

27-year-old Sharon lives her husband and their four-year-old daughter in Uganda. Together, they work as subsistence farmers who grow cassava, potatoes, and millet. To earn an income, Sharon's husband does casual labor in the community. During her free time, Sharon likes playing with her daughter. She is an excellent weaver, and she weaves baskets to sell in the local markets or to give as gifts to her friends. Sharon is currently pregnant with her second child. Her doctors consider her pregnancy to be high-risk. They recommend that she receive medical attention before, during, and after labor to ensure a safe delivery. On November 9, she will begin to receive supplements and attend antenatal checkups and health education classes. She will deliver her baby in the hospital, and her baby will be examined by a midwife. After birth, Sharon and her baby will be monitored by the hospital staff. $241 will fund all medical costs associated with Sharon's pregnancy, including three nights in the hospital, one postpartum visit, and four antenatal visits. Sharon and her husband are paying $4 towards medical expenses. Sharon is looking forward to having her baby and sending him or her to school. Sharon hopes to name her child “Emma,” and she hopes that he or she will love and care for the family and the community. “God bless all the people that are supporting my safe delivery," says Sharon.