Meet Miyron, a 16-month-old baby boy from Guatemala, and a patient with our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq. Miyron lives with his parents and his older sister in a one-room adobe house with a tin roof. Miyron is often playing outside with his toy cars, or eating vegetables, his favorite foods. Miyron is suffering from acute malnutrition--he is over three standard deviations below a normal size for his age. He has not had access to a nutritious diet, leaving him unable to gain weight and develop physically. His mother is worried because he is not growing as well as his older sister. Malnutrition has also weakened his immune system, and he has gotten frequent respiratory infections. In the long term, he could have a low IQ and increased risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease if he does not receive treatment. Unfortunately, his parents do not have the resources to buy their son even one piece of fruit or vegetable every day, making it impossible for him to overcome malnutrition without treatment. His parents both want the best for him, but since their only income is his father's inconsistent work as a day-laborer, they lack the resources to pay for the treatment he needs. $512 funds a multifaceted program to fight malnutrition that will give Miyron's mother the nutrition education and food supplements she needs to help her son grow and develop.This treatment will help his immune system get stronger, allowing him to use the extra calories he's ingesting to grow taller and bigger instead of burning them recovering from frequent respiratory illnesses. Let's help Miyron get back on track!

"I am unhappy that I have right ear pain, and it is difficult to communicate with other people," shares Sao, a 39-year-old wife and mother. She works as a cook and cares for her parents in her home in Cambodia. “For two years, Sao has experienced discharge from her right ear every day as well as hearing loss,” our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), tells us. “She has been treated with antibiotics at another hospital, but her condition did not improve.” Doctors at CSC have discovered a cholesteatoma—an abnormal skin growth located behind the eardrum—in Sao’s right ear. A cholesteatoma initially develops as a cyst after chronic ear infections or perforation of the eardrum. Over time, the cyst sheds layers of old skin that collect within the ear. Without treatment, a cholesteatoma can grow large enough to cause hearing loss, dizziness, or facial paralysis. Treatment for Sao is a mastoidectomy, a surgical procedure in which doctors remove the diseased cells in the hollow, air-filled spaces in the skull behind the ears. The cells—known as mastoid air cells—are diseased as a result of the chronic ear infections that spread to the skull structures near Sao’s right ear. Doctors will also remove the cholesteatoma that has grown behind her right eardrum. $809 pays for surgery for Sao as well as two hearing tests, one night in the hospital, one day of inpatient post-operative care, and three outpatient follow-up visits in the month following surgery. “Sao’s ear discharge and pain will stop after the surgery,” says CSC. Sao’s uncle, who accompanied her to the appointment at CSC, looks forward to a successful procedure for his niece. "I hope after the operation is done, Sao's ear discharge will stop, and she can have good hearing and health,” he shares.

Seven-year-old Elia lives in Tanzania with his parents and seven siblings. "He very much enjoys playing football even though he cannot run very quickly," says our medical partner African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). That is because Elia was born with congenital bilateral clubfoot, which caused both of his feet to grow inward and with very high arches. Elia has done his best to live a normal childhood despite having this condition. "He started class one, but he had to quit school because it was difficult for him to walk the long distance to school," says AMHF. If not properly treated, Elia will continue to have difficulty walking and he will also be at risk of developing early osteoarthritis. "Due to the severity of his condition, doctors saw it was best for his feet to be treated one at a time," AMHF continues. "His right foot was successfully corrected and he now needs the left foot to be corrected as well." Unfortunately, funding this second operation has been difficult for Elia's family. His parents are small scale farmers, but their small earnings are barely enough to support their large family--let alone a surgery. $1,660 will fund the treatment Elia needs. These funds will cover the costs of his operation where doctors will surgically release the overly tight tendons in his left foot that are causing it to turn inward. Then his foot and ankle joints can be re-aligned, and casts will hold them in place while they heal. To ensure that these casts are properly cared for, Elia will also receive rehabilitation care for about four months. After recovering from his procedure, Elia will have a better gait and reduce his risk for developing osteoarthritis at an early age. "When I can walk properly I will be happy to go back to school," Elia shares.

“Flescher is a happy boy whose favorite thing to do is suck on his fingers and thumbs,” our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA), tells us. Flescher is 16 months old. He was born with a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus, in which a hole in the heart which normally closes shortly after birth, remains open. "Blood leaks through this hole without passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him sickly and weak,” explains HCA. Much of Haiti's infrastructure was destroyed in the earthquake of 2010, further damaging a healthcare system that was already struggling to meet the needs of the people. Today, care for a complicated condition such as Flescher's is difficult to access and often unaffordable. To combat these difficulties, HCA partners with medical facilities around the world to connect Haitian patients with the treatments they need and assist in funding. $1,500 will allow Flescher access to surgery that will close the hole in his heart. Following surgery, Flescher should be able to lead a normal life with no further cardiac symptoms. The treatment is being subsidized with an additional $5,000 from Gift of Life International. “I am so happy to know that Flescher can have surgery to fix his heart so that he will be able to grow and start preschool,” says his mother.

"Nazrawit fell inside the house about one year ago and sustained an open fracture," our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), tells us. She is 11 years old and lives in Ethiopia with her large extended family. Since the fall, Nazrawit sustained a tibia fracture and developed osteomyelitis (infection in the bone) due to her lack of treatment. Her open wound has kept her from going to school, as she is unable to walk normally. Without treatment, she will have to leave school permanently and may develop a deformity or possibly have to amputate her leg. $1,470 will cover the surgery, cast, and medication she needs. "When the bone heals, Nazrawit will be able to walk without assistance and live a normal life," AMHF explains. Due to the size of Nazrawit's immediate family, she lives with her maternal aunt, uncle, and cousins. When possible, she likes to help out with the younger children, however it is often difficult due to her condition. "Nazrawit is very eager to learn and is looking forward to going back to school and eventually becoming a teacher," her uncle expresses.

“Maung Win is a 45-year-old man who lives in Burma with his wife and 18-year-old son,” shares our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP). “He has lived in the township his entire life and works as a shop vendor with his wife. Their son is currently studying at college.” “Maung Win has rheumatic heart disease,” reports to BBP. “He is often tired and feels tenderness in his chest. It is difficult to breathe when it is hot at home. Due to his conditions, he has to take medicines every day and has to buy more medicine once a month. It is difficult to afford to costs of medicine and is sometimes difficult to work as a shop vendor due to fatigue.” $1,500 will cover life-saving cardiac surgery for Muang Win. This procedure will increase his ability to breathe and decrease his tiredness. Post-surgery, he should be able to return to work full-time. “After surgery, I want to work hard for my family, especially for my son who is studying at college,” Maung Win says. “I worry for my son and his schooling. I worry that I cannot earn as much money as I can to support my family.”

Meet Jean Willio, a 17-month-old boy who lives in Haiti with his parents and seven older siblings. Jean Willio's two favorite pastimes are playing with his older siblings and enjoying music. His parents are both farmers. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA) shares, "Jean Willio was born with a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus, in which a hole in the heart which normally closes shortly after birth, remains open." As a result of his heart condition, "blood leaks through this hole without passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen." Without treatment, Jean Willio will remain sickly and weak. Jean Willio's family cannot afford the $1,500 surgery he needs to restore blood flow to his heart. Fortunately, we can help. After the surgery, "he should not have any further cardiac symptoms," says HCA. "We have made many trips to the hospital with our son," Jean Willio's father shares. "We are very happy his heart can be fixed so we don't have to do that anymore."

Meet Aron, a 21-month-old baby boy from Guatemala who "loves to play with toy cars, run around his house, and hang out with the chickens in his front yard," our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq (WK), shares. Aron is malnourished, and has frequent bouts of diarrhea. He has struggled to gain weight since he was born. "Without intervention Aron’s immune system will continue to weaken and his growth will continue to decline, both of which are large threats to his future,” WK reports. His condition threatens his mental development and eventually his performance in school. WK explains that Aron's family is unable to afford the necessary treatment. “Aron’s mother feels that he is sick because of her. Her family cannot afford a lot of food, and her parents have given her very little guidance on how to raise children.” Aron's father works in the field, but doesn't generate sufficient income for his son's healthcare. For $535, Aron will receive treatment for his malnutrition, and his mother will enroll in a nutritional education program. "Aron will recoup the height and weight he has lost and will avoid the long term effects of malnutrition, instead developing the ability to concentrate and eventually succeed in school and the workforce,” WK details. “I will never forget that you want to help me,” expresses Aron’s mother.

Meet Djouvensley, a 4-year-old boy from Haiti. “He is an only child and is very close to his mother, and shy around people he doesn’t know,” explains our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA). “He hasn’t started preschool yet, in part because of his cardiac condition, but his mother plans to enroll him as soon as he has healed from surgery.” “Djouvensley was born with a cardiac condition called double outlet right ventricle, a birth defect in which both major arteries flow out of the same chamber of the heart, creating circulatory problem,” reports HCA. “This leaves him weak and at risk of death if not corrected.” It is important that Djouvensley’s condition is treated as soon as possible. The treatment for double outlet right ventricle is surgery. Upon looking at the heart to decide the best course of treatment, surgeons will proceed to connect the aorta to the left ventricle and the pulmonary artery to the right ventricle. This will fix the circulatory problem and ensure blood flows through Djouvensley’s heart correctly. An organization called International Children’s Heart Foundation is helping with the costs of the surgery. With their generous subsidy, Djouvensley only needs our help in raising $1,500 for the surgery. After the surgery, doctors anticipate that Djouvensley will no longer experience any cardiac symptoms. He will be able to live a normal life and do the things he enjoys without complication. “We are so thankful to everyone who is helping my son,” shares Djouvensley’s mother. “I can never thank you enough but God will reward you.”

Meet Francis, a 13-year-old boy from Kenya. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), says, “Francis is the fourth born in a family of seven and all of his siblings are in school, where Francis is in class five.” Francis’s parents used to farm in a forest, until they were given notice to stop because some people were illegally cutting trees in the area. AMHF says, “Now Francis’s father works as a casual laborer on nearby farms, and he is barely able to put food on the table at the end of the day; his family has had to go many days without food.” Two weeks ago, Francis broke both of his legs. AMHF tells us, “Francis was in the forest playing with friends and looking for firewood for the household to use when he fell from a tree.” Both of his legs have bilateral midshaft femur fractures, and because of this he cannot walk and is on pain management medication. AMHF goes on to say, “If the surgery is not done soon, Francis could develop infection or suffer malunion and he would not be able to attend school in September - but if treated, he will be able to use crutches and move around a bit.” Francis needs orthopedic surgery to open the area around the broken bones and realign them with metal hardware. This procedure costs $1,410 and AMHF reports, “After the surgery and recovery, Francis will be able to resume school and walk normally again.” “I was begging the hospital to treat my son and hold me here to work off the bill when the doctor called," his father shares. "This support is a miracle from God.”