Mi is a 38 year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her husband, her mother, and her uncle. She used to work as a seamstress, but due to her symptoms, she stopped working seven years ago. Her husband plants vegetables and sells them in the market. He is the only provider for the family. Mi was diagnosed with a heart condition that involves a malformation of the mitral valve, the valve between the left atrium and left ventricle. This valve controls the flow of blood, but certain conditions may cause blood to flow backward or the valve to narrow. She experiences severe fatigue and chest pain. She cannot sleep, and sometimes her vision gets blurry. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Mi. The treatment is scheduled to take place on February 23 and, once completed, will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably. Mi says, “I want to stay with my family and open a bazaar shop in Myawaddy to sell everyday objects.”

Tha is a driver from Cambodia. He is single and has two brothers and a sister. He enjoys spending time with his family. Two months ago, he was in a motor vehicle accident, and his foot was badly injured. He went to a private clinic, where they treated the wound. Now, the wound is infected. He experiences pain and discomfort from the open wound. When Tha learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On March 15, surgeons at CSC will perform a debridement procedure to to remove damaged and infected tissue from the wound. Now, Tha needs help to fund this $262 procedure. He says, "I hope my wound is healed and I can walk easily again to be able to work."

Kitinisa is a farmer from Uganda. She and her husband cultivate food for home consumption and sell the surplus. Since 2012, Kitinisa has had an epigastric hernia. The hernia causes her pain and discomfort. She is not able to lift heavy objects, farm, or eat to her fill. Fortunately, on March 21, she will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $249 to fund Kitinisa's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably. She says, "After surgery I will resume farming with my husband."

Leas is a food vendor from Cambodia. She has one daughter. She enjoys listening to social programs and monks pray on the radio. Three years ago, Leas developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her blurred vision, tearing, and photophobia. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Leas learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for half an hour seeking treatment. On February 12, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $211 procedure. She says, "I hope my vision is clearer so I can easily do my work at home and take care of my husband."

Lucy is a farmer from Kenya. She is married and a mother of an 11-month-old baby. Lucy has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Without treatment, the cancer may spread to other organs. A mastectomy, a surgery to remove breast tissue, has been suggested to rid her body of breast cancer and to prevent the cancer from metastasizing. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $816 to cover the cost of a mastectomy for Lucy. The procedure is scheduled to take place on March 12. After treatment, Lucy will hopefully return to a cancer-free life. Lucy says, “I wish to be there and see my child grow. I appeal for assistance.”

Lwin is a 61-year-old housewife from Burma. She used to rent a patch of land for farming, but a recent medical condition has forced her to stop working. Lwin's husband passed away and she has six adult children. Now Lwin lives with one of her daughters and son-in-law. Lwin experiences back pain if she sits for long periods, and she feels a tightness and discomfort in her upper abdomen. Eventually she went to Mae Tao Clinic, our medical partner's care center, to have her symptoms checked. The doctor diagnosed her with a large kidney stone and told her that she requires surgery to remove the stone. Lwin will undergo a shockwave lithotripsy on March 8. Now, she needs help raising $1,500 to fund this procedure. She says, "Now I have a small garden where I plant vegetables. When I was away for my treatment, I didn’t get to water my garden and when I returned home, I saw that the plants were all dry. It’s costly to visit the hospital very often and I have no time to look after my garden. I just want to have the treatment and fully recover from my symptoms so that I can work in my garden again."

Vanessa is a young child from Tanzania. She looks forward to starting school. She has five brothers and three sisters. Vanessa lives with her parents, who are farmers. A few years ago, Vanessa was burned by hot porridge on her left hand and elbow. She was taken to the hospital and received treatment. She later developed burn contractures (tightened skin) and keloids (raised scar tissue). Vanessa cannot stretch her left hand because of the burn scar contractures and keloids around her elbow. She cannot carry things or play happily with her friends. Vanessa traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On March 6, surgeons will remove the mass. Now, Vanessa needs help to raise $689 to fund this procedure. “I am very excited that I will receive treatment soon and join school," Vanessa said.

Som is mother of six from Cambodia. She has three daughters and three sons. She likes to watch TV and spend time with her family. Two years ago, Som developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her blurred vision, itchiness, and a clouded lens. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Som learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On February 1, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $211 procedure. She says, "I hope I can see everything more clearly so I can learn about Buddha more."

Mugabe is a child from Uganda. He is in pre-school and is an only child to his single mother, who works in the local grocery market. Since he was about three months old, Mugabe has had a hydrocele, which is a swelling in a sensitive area. The hydrocele keeps increasing in size and causing discomfort. Fortunately, on March 7, he will undergo hydrocele repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $185 to fund Mugabe's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. His mother says, "After surgery my son will continue with his studies without anything disturbing him.’’

Manyindo is a farmer from Uganda. She is 80 years old and a mother of three children. Recently, she has been unable to work because of the pain of a hernia. For three years, Manyindo has had a right reducible inguinal hernia. She feels pains when she coughs, laughs, and lifts heavy items. Fortunately, on March 7, she will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $249 to fund Manyindo's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably and confidently. Manyindo says, "After surgery I will resume working in my banana plantation.’’

Sam is a rice farmer from Cambodia. She has one son and enjoys spending time with her family. 43 years ago, Sam had an ear infection. This infection caused a cholesteatoma, or an abnormal skin growth, to develop in the middle ear behind the ear drum. For this reason, Sam experiences inactive ear discharge, hearing loss, and tinnitus. It is difficult for her to hear, and she often experiences ear discomfort. Sam traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On March 19, she will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure in her left ear. During this procedure, ENT surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $842 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. She says, "I really hope my hearing is improved and I can more easily listen to my family members and return to work."

Ahabwe is a child from Uganda. He is 21 months old and the youngest in a family of three kids. He has not yet started school. His father is small-scale farmer, and his mother is a nursery teacher. Since birth, Ahabwe has had an umbilical hernia. The swelling causes him a lot of pain. Fortunately, on March 6, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $219 to fund Ahabwe's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Ahabwe's mother says, “I hope my son will be relieved of this condition and I too continue with teaching as am a nursery teacher for the support of my family.”