Han is a 67-year-old rice farmer. She is married and has one daughter, two sons, and four grandchildren. She lives with her husband and her youngest son, who is a laborer. She likes to cook at home, make toys for her grandchildren, and listen to monks praying on the radio. Six years ago, Han developed a pterygium in her right eye causing her sensitivity to light, irritation, and tearing. In the past year, her symptoms have worsened, causing her to become less independent. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Han learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On August 23rd, Han will undergo a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. The total cost of her procedure is $216. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. Han shared, "I hope after surgery I can see well and start to work and help my family again. I want to join in the ceremonies at our pagoda too."

Shallet is a humble and jovial three-year-old girl. She's the third child born in a family of four children and her parents are teachers. Shallet has hydrocephalus, spina bifida, and clubfoot of both feet. She has visited local hospitals since birth for treatments, and began casting for clubfoot when she was four weeks old. Her condition causes her difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Shallet traveled to visit our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), for treatment. At AMH's care center, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on August 18th and now, AMH is requesting $1,286 to fund Shallet's clubfoot repair. Her parents shared that they hope that the treatment will be of great impact to Shallet because she will be able to wear shoes and walk with ease. Shallet's father shared, “we have high hopes for Shallet and it is our joy to see her excel in life and become an independent person like other girls in the society.”

Tin is a 56-year-old woman who lives with her husband, daughter, son in-law and granddaughter in Burma. Her husband and son in-law are day laborers, but because of the coup d'état and COVID-19, they are having difficulty finding work. Four years ago, Tin was diagnosed with diabetes and due to financial difficulties, she was not always able to buy medication. In April, Tin noticed that both of her hands were swollen and slightly achy while doing household chores. She applied traditional medicine, but her right hand did not heal. Over time, the pain and swelling increased, her right hand became red, and she developed a high fever. She visited a local clinic where the nurse told her she would need surgery and suggested she seek treatment at a local hospital. Fortunately, our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF) is helping Tin receive treatment. At our BCMF's care center, the doctor found an ulcer on Tin's right hand and diagnosed her with cellulitis. Surgery was recommended as soon as possible, as this type of ulcer can spread quickly. On May 11th, Tin will undergo a wound debridement procedure at BCMF's care center and now, she needs help to fund this $694 procedure. Tin shared, "during these difficult times, my family does not have enough money and we cannot afford to pay for my treatment. I would like to receive surgery as soon as possible so that I can go back to doing the household chores."

Prince is a 8-year-old boy and the second born in a family of four children. Prince's father sells maize and his mother plants vegetables, which she is able to sell sometimes to supplement her husband’s earnings. His family feels they are not well off financially, but proud to own a small house that they live in. Prince was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which both of the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, Prince has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Prince will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare. Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on May 27th. African Mission Healthcare Foundation is requesting $569 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Prince’s mother shared, “It is very difficult for us as a family to raise the required funds for Prince’s surgery. We are requesting financial help.”

Thunchey is am 11th grade student and the youngest of five children in his family. At school, Thunchey's favorite subject is mathematics. Outside of school, he loves to play football and wants to start a Youtube channel to share about life in Cambodia. One year ago, Thunchey had a severe ear infection, causing his eardrums in both ears to perforate. Thunchey experiences pain, pus discharge, and hearing loss. He cannot communicate clearly with others and often has to miss school. Thunchey traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On July 13th, he will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in both ears so that the surgeons can repair his eardrums. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), is requesting $913 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Thunchey is eager to recover, "I hope that I can hear well after this surgery and understand my friends better. I can become a better friend and soccer player."

Munyantwari is an 18-year-old student from Uganda. He completed his secondary education and is waiting for the examination results so as to continue with the rest of his education. Munantwari lost his mother in 2018 and currently lives with his father and six siblings. His siblings are all in school, making it a major struggle for his father to meet all their expenses. The father trades in second-hand clothes to make ends meet. During Muyantwari's free time, he enjoys spending time with family. Six months ago, Munyantwari began to experience troubling symptoms, including abdominal pains. When he came to Rushoroza Hospital due to severe pain, he was diagnosed with appendicitis and had surgery recommended to prevent the symptoms from getting worse. The condition limits his work output at home, especially when doing domestic chores. However, with the struggles the father is going through, Munyantwari is afraid the cost might be too high for them to afford. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Munyantwari receive treatment. He is scheduled to undergo a curative laporotomy on June 10th at our medical partner's care center. This procedure will cost $284, and Munyantwari and his family need your support. Munyantwari shared, “I pray for a successful surgery. I hope to resume and proceed with education comfortably for a better future.”

Dennis is a nine-year-old boy and the oldest in a family of four children. His mother shared that she works hard on people’s farms in the villages, and his father is also a farmer. Dennis fell into a fire that unfortunately burnt half of his right arm. Since the burn, his elbow and wrist have developed a contracture, which has caused him pain. He also cannot extend his arm fully. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Dennis to receive treatment. On June 1st, surgeons at AMH's care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery on his right elbow, wrist, and fingers. After surgery, he will be able to use his hand without any limitations. He will also continue his education, use his hand to write, and help out his parents at home. Now, their family needs help to fund this $840 procedure. Dennis's mother shared, "my desire is to see Dennis using his hand like other boys. Any kind of help to my son to undergo surgery will be greatly appreciated."

David is a small scale farmer from Nazareth, Kenya. He is married, with six children. David does not work as much as he used to but does farming on his small piece of land. However he hasn't been able to do this since his fall. David was referred to our medical partner's care center, Nazareth Hospital, by his neighbor, who is one of the support staff there. The staff reported that David had fallen and broken his leg, to which the doctor advised an ORIF repair surgery to heal his leg. David says that bad luck is following him. In 2018, he had also fallen and sustained a closed fracture on his femur. On May 21st of this year, he fell again and sustained a closed fracture tibia on the same leg. David is experiencing pain and is unable to use his right leg. If not treated, he may develop malunion or healing with deformity. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), can help. On June 17th, David will undergo a fracture repair procedure (ORIF), so that David can be relieved of the pain, walk with ease, and farm. Now, AMH is requesting $1,049 to fund this procedure. “If my neighbor did not help me come to Nazareth and access this help, I don’t know what would have happened to my leg. My family still depends on me so I humbly request for help, to see myself walking again. I will appreciate,” said David.