Thuok is a 27-year-old tuk tuk driver from Cambodia. In 2008, Thuok noticed a foul smelling discharge coming out of both of his ears that caused him pain. He has experienced hearing loss, pain, and recurrent discharge since then. Thuok is married with one daughter. After work he enjoys listening to the radio and playing football with his neighbors. One of Thuok’s friends, also a tuk tuk driver, told him about our medical partner Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC) and urged him to get medical care at CSC's clinic. Thuok was diagnosed with bilateral cholesteatoma - small growths in Thuok’s middle ear that are causing his discharge and pain. $809 will fund surgery to remove the growths in Thuok’s ears to stop the discharge and pain, and permanently treat his condition. “I hope that my husband will stop having ear discharge and have no more pain after his operation,” says Thuok’s wife, who accompanied him to the clinic. “I am very worried about his disease and I am happy that he can get surgery done at CSC."

Two years ago, Joshua’s mother noticed that Joshua’s legs had gradually begun bowing, and that Joshua couldn’t keep up with the other kids. Joshua’s feet eventually became so weak that he could no longer stand up. Four-year-old Joshua was diagnosed with severe fluorosis, a limb deformity that prevents his feet from supporting the weight of his body. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, says, “If not treated, Joshua will never be able to walk.” Joshua is an active boy from Tanzania who one day hopes to be able to run around and kick a ball. However, because Tanzania has one of the most under resourced and overburdened healthcare systems in the world, he has been unable to receive full treatment. Joshua’s mother is a small scale farmer, and his father is employed at a small kiosk selling spare bicycle parts. They have exhausted their savings on Joshua’s treatment so far, and can no longer cover the cost of the operation Joshua needs. $940 will cover the cost of Joshua’s operation, which will be conducted at Arusha Lutheran Christian Medical Centre. After the operation, Joshua will have straight legs and gain the ability to walk. “All I hope for is my son to be able to walk,” shares Joshua’s mother.

"Before her condition, Adera was a very vibrant woman selling vegetables with her husband to support their family needs," her doctor says. The pain and discomfort associated with her uterine fibroids, however, has forced 37-year-old Adera to stop working as a vegetable vendor in her home country, Kenya. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), tells us, "About one and a half years ago, Adera began experiencing excessive bleeding, dizziness and lower abdominal pain radiating to the back." She visited a doctor and discovered that these were all early symptoms of uterine fibroids—non-cancerous growths of the uterus that can eventually worsen and lead to anemia, which may even require blood transfusion. Due to Adera and her husband's small income—most of which goes toward supporting their three children—the family is unable to afford the cost of Adera's treatment. $790 will provide Adera with the surgical procedure and recovery time that she needs. She will undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH), in which doctors will remove her uterus and cervix. After treatment, Adera is expected to recover fully. "Adera will be free from the pain and bleeding. She will be able to go back to her work to support her family and also regain her social life," AMHF shares. “I hope to get help and have a successful surgery because this condition is really affecting my social life. When I was well, I could support my husband but now he is struggling alone. I hope to get well and resume my work so that we can take care of our family,” says Adera.

Meet Nem, a 68-year-old woman from Cambodia. Our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC) tells us, “Nem is married with two sons, three daughters, and 12 grandchildren. She enjoys going to the pagoda to join in ceremonies.” One year ago, Nem developed cataracts in both of her eyes. This condition causes a filmy layer to develop over the eye lens. Due to vision loss, cataracts often detract from a patient’s overall independence. “My vision is cloudy,” Nem explains. “I can't do my work very well or go walking by myself. It is hard to see the faces of people clearly.” Hopeful for treatment, Nem and her nephew traveled three hours to reach CSC’s clinic. For $225, Nem will receive cataract surgery to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with a clear lens implant. This is a widely practiced procedure and only takes about an hour. Afterwards, Nem will be able to see clearly again. Nem shares, "I hope I can see everything clearer than now so I can take care of my grandchildren at home easily, and go walking anywhere outside by myself."

Meet Hezron, a 19-month-old boy who lives with his mother and older sibling in Kenya. “Hezron was born with an abnormal urethral opening, forcing him to pee with a lot of difficulty,” explains our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). “His mother sought treatment when he was six months old, but she could not raise the required funds for his treatment.” Hezron’s condition, known as hypospadias, is characterized by a urethral opening on the underside of the penis instead of at the tip and often contributes to other health issues. “If not treated,” AMHF explains, “Hezron is likely to suffer urinary tract infections. He will also not be able to pass urine normally.” To treat hypospadias, a surgeon takes tissue grafts from the foreskin or from the inside of the mouth to extend the length of the urethra so that it opens at the tip of the penis. After surgery, “Hezron will be able to pass urine normally,” explains AMHF. “The risk of urinary tract infections will also be minimized.” Hezron’s mother, who sells second-hand clothes to support her family, has not been able to raise the total funds required to pay for the surgery that Hezron needs. $655 pays for Hezron to undergo surgery to repair the hypospadias as well as 10 days of hospital care after surgery. Family and friends have contributed $215 to cover additional costs associated with his care. “I try to give my children the best,” Herzon's mother says. “I have no one to look up to, and I’ll appreciate any support.”

Meet Hugo, a 16-month-old boy from Guatemala. His favorite food is hard boiled eggs and he enjoys playing with toy cars. Hugo is the only child to his mother, a blouse weaver, and father, a plantation worker. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK), reports that Hugo has acute malnutrition. His symptoms include a below average height and weight. "Most children in the village where Hugo lives are malnourished, and as a result it is more difficult for the mothers to identify that their children are suffering, as there are limited examples of how healthy children grow/develop," WK states. If left untreated, Hugo's malnutrition could lead to a weakened immune system, decline in energy, and delays in developmental milestones such as walking and talking. WK shares that as a result of a continued decline in Hugo's health, his family may face tough financial challenges. $535 will fund care for Hugo's acute malnutrition. "This treatment will supply Hugo with the growth monitoring, micronutrient and food supplementation, and medication for him to recoup some of the weight and height he has lost and prevent any sort of parasitic infection," states WK. “This is a great help… this will help our son grow well. We can’t afford what he needs to grow well at this time, but the education and supplementation will help us learn what we can do,” says Hugo's mother.

Sareth is a 77-year-old grandmother from Cambodia. "Sareth is married with a son and seven grandchildren," our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) tells us. "She spends her days doing house work and talking with her neighbors." Sareth has a hyper-mature cataract, a clouding of the normally clear eye lens, in each eye. “Sareth has found it very difficult for her to do her work at the farm because of the cataracts in her eyes," CSC explains. "She also can't see the faces of her family very well and she doesn't go out on her own, nor does she go to the pagoda very often anymore." For just $225, we can fund cataract removal surgery for both eyes. Sareth will first undergo the surgery on her right eye, then return two weeks later for surgery on her left. "When she is done with surgery she hopes to start going to the farm and working again, plant veggies around her house and start going to the pagoda by herself," CSC tells us.

Fancy is a smiling three-year-old girl from Kenya. The last born of seven children, Fancy lives with her parents and other siblings. At birth, Fancy was diagnosed with congenital anorectal malformation—a defect that is the result of the anus developing improperly in utero. Anorectal malformation is rare and complicated. Due to her condition, Fancy does not have an anal opening. According to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), after Fancy was born, “An artificial opening was made on her abdomen,” allowing her to pass stool. Unfortunately, this procedure does not adequately resolve the issue, as AMHF explains, “The opening is prone to infection and leaks.” Without intervention, this condition can cause Fancy’s bowel to become perforated over time. “Fancy’s mother is a small-scale farmer, while her father is a casual laborer in construction sites,” AMHF reports. “Unfortunately, their combined income is inadequate for Fancy’s surgical care.” With $595 in funding, however, Fancy will be able to receive the treatment she needs. At this point, an anal opening has been created but further surgery is required to fully address the issue. Fancy will thus undergo a colostomy closure to reposition her bowel and create an anal opening. AMHF explains, “After the colostomy closure, it is expected that Fancy will be able to relieve herself normally.” “I am hopeful that Fancy will get treated. I can’t wait for her to pass stool normally,” shares Fancy’s mother.

Meet Deneus, an eight-month-old baby boy from Haiti. His parents are small farmers in the Haitian countryside: his father works in the fields while his mother sells beans and corn in the streets. “Deneus was very little when he was born – malnourished and very skinny,” reports our medical partner, Project Medishare. “He spent three months in the hospital receiving care to gain weight.” It wasn’t until Deneus hit four months of age, however, that his head “started swelling and getting large,” causing him to vomit and experience pain. A CT scan revealed that Deneus has hydrocephalus – a condition where cerebrospinal fluid pathways in the brain become blocked, causing increased pressure. If left untreated, hydrocephalus could cause Deneus permanent mental dysfunction, loss of mobility and premature death. $1,260 will fund treatment for his hydrocephalus -- a shunt placement to drain the fluid, a five-day hospital stay, and the anesthesia and post-operation medication necessary for a successful surgery. The procedure will drain Deneus’ brain of excess fluid so that he will be able to grow up healthy and enjoy his childhood. Let’s help make this surgery happen for Deneus!

"Since 2010, Jane has been suffering from this condition. She went to a hospital and a scan was done which showed she has uterine fibroids and required surgery to treat," says our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). "However, Jane did not have money for treatment." 44-year-old Jane is a single mother of three children from Kenya. She works as a tailor, but her small income is not enough to cover any additional expenses beyond basic needs. Jane needs a total abdominal hysterectomy to treat her uterine fibroids, and we can help make it possible. The surgery will cost $790. Included in the cost is Jane's hospital stay, meals, laboratory testing, imaging, and anesthesia. "I have been in pain for a long time and it is having a negative effect on my small business," Jane shares. "I look forward to the day when I will get well and be able to work and support my family.”

Meet Linn, a two-year-old girl from Thailand. “Linn is a happy baby with a quiet disposition," shares our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP). "She is an only child and really enjoys the company of other children." Linn has a unilateral congenital glaucoma in her right eye. “Her right eye is slightly larger than her left with an enlarged black pupil," says BBP. "The condition has left her blind in her right eye. Her head is extremely sensitive and she cries when touched too frequently or with too much pressure." Linn needs surgery to remove her right eye and replace it with a prosthetic, which will prevent the glaucoma from spreading to her left eye. “The surgery will improve her appearance and give her the best chance of living a normal life," says BBP. Linn’s mother is a single parent and currently does not earn an income. She cannot afford the $1500 necessary to cover the cost of treatment. “I want Linn to be treated well and to get a job that provides a good income and life," says Linn's mother. "I want her to receive an education someday. I’ll support her the best way I can in whatever she would like to do with her life."

Say hello to Jayden, a one-year-old baby boy from Kenya! According to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), “Jayden is only two months old, the first and only child to his parents. Jayden’s father is a casual laborer, while his mother is a housewife.” Unfortunately, Jayden has a cystic mass on his lower back. As a result, Jayden is particularly exposed to infections and is more likely to develop a series of spinal complications if this condition is not addressed soon. According to AMHF, Jayden’s parents “have exhausted the little money they had while seeking treatment for their son in a Government referral hospital – the efforts proved futile.” For $805, Jayden will receive the proper surgery to close his spinal malformation, and will no longer be at risk of infection or additional complications. Let’s help Jayden have a healthy start to life!