Selemani is a 45-year-old farmer from Malawi. He lives with his wife. Together, they have six children and four grandchildren. Selemani stays very busy working on his farm and building public works for his village. When not working, Selemani likes to relax and chat with his friends. For several years, Selemani has experienced urinary dysfunction. He has undergone serval procedures to help his condition, but they have not proven successful. Recently, he was diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia, a condition in which the prostate gland is enlarged and blocks the urethra, making it difficult to use the restroom. On February 16, Selemani will undergo a prostate resection—a procedure in which part of the prostate gland is removed—at our medical partner's care center, Nkhoma Hospital. Our medical partner, World Altering Medicine, is asking for $733 to fund this treatment. "I have been very sick and if this operation goes well, my life will change for the better," says Selemani.

Koun is a 59-year-old farmer who is married and has four sons and two daughters. He likes to feed his chickens, plant vegetables, and relax in his free time. Koun has Buerger's disease, which is the inflammation of blood vessels. This caused necrosis, or tissue death, in a toe of his left foot. He went to a Khmer traditional healer for treatment, but his symptoms did not improve. It is difficult for Koun to walk, and he is in pain. Koun heard about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), from his relative. He traveled for three hours with his wife to reach CSC for treatment. There, surgeons told Koun that they will need to perform an amputation of his left leg to prevent the spread of infection. His procedure is scheduled for February 24. Koun and his family cannot afford this procedure, so CSC is requesting $446 on his behalf.

Roeun is an 82-year-old married woman who has three sons, three daughters, and twelve grandchildren. In her free time, she likes to go to the pagoda and listen to monks praying on the radio. Three years ago, Roeun developed blurred vision and itchiness in both eyes, making it difficult for her to see things clearly or work. She and her daughter visited our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. Her doctors recommended that she undergo a surgical intervention to alleviate her symptoms. They proposed a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye, which will replace her internal lenses with artificial lenses and restore her vision to full clarity. In total, the procedure, supplies, drugs, and three days of inpatient care will cost $292. Roeun's procedure is scheduled for February 24.

12-year-old Dachka lives in a small town in the Dominican Republic with her mother, father, and two younger sisters. She is in the sixth grade and hopes to become a doctor one day. Dachka was born with a cardiac condition called coarctation of the aorta, in which the aorta is abnormally narrow. As a result, the heart must pump harder to push blood, resulting in high blood pressure and risking heart failure. Although Dachka is not Haitian, our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is collaborating with their partners in the Dominican Republic to offer treatment to Dominican children. She will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center. First, Dachka will undergo a full cardiac assessment on February 17. This assessment will include physical exams, labs, and an overnight stay at the hospital. Haiti Cardiac Alliance is requesting $1,500 to fund these procedures. Funding for Dachka also covers the cost of medications and social support for her and her family. Gift of Life International is contributing $7,000 to cover additional costs associated with Dachka's surgical care. "I am excited to have my surgery," Dachka says, "so that I will no longer feel tired all the time and will have the energy to play with my friends."

Savong is a 31-year-old construction worker who is married with one daughter. He likes to watch TV and look after his daughter in his spare time. Three years ago, Savong was in a car accident that caused a fracture in his left femur. Despite an earlier hospital visit, Savong still has a hard time walking and is in pain. Savong heard about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), from his neighbor. He traveled there with his wife to receive treatment. On February 15, surgeons at CSC will operate on Savong's left leg to surgically realign his broken bone and allow it to heal again. This procedure will allow Savong to walk easily again. He needs help to fund this $411 surgery.

Thea is a ten-year-old girl from Cambodia in the second grade. She has seven siblings. Thea developed a skin growth in her left ear that causes her discomfort, hearing loss, and tinnitus (a ringing or buzzing in the ear). It is difficult for Thea to hear, and she often misses school. On February 16, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), will perform a mastoidectomy procedure in Thea's left ear. They will remove the skin growth. This will heal her of her symptoms and improve her hearing. CSC is requesting $842 to fund the procedure.

Daniel is a 12-year-old boy who lives with his three siblings and parents in a two-room house in central Kenya. Daniel was playing in school when he accidentally fell and injured his groin. When treating their son, his parents noticed that he has an abnormal condition in a sensitive area. Daniel has been diagnosed with an undescended testis. He needs to undergo an orchidopexy, a repair surgery. If he is not treated, Daniel is likely to develop testicular cancer or a hernia. He is also at risk of infertility. His parents are farmers. They contributed $51, but they are unable to afford this treatment. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting an additional $535 to fund this treatment. Daniel will undergo surgery on February 3.

“I just want to see my daughter laugh and play again,” shares Shallon’s mother. Shallon, an 18-month-old baby girl from Uganda, has been sick for two months. She is extremely thin and weak, experiences diarrhea, and has lost her appetite. Her mother brought her to Bwindi Community Hospital, our medical partner's care center, where she was diagnosed with malnutrition. In addition to the immediate dangers that Shallon faces from a compromised immune system, she runs the long-term risks of compromised physical and cognitive development. Before she fell ill, Shallon was a very different girl. She was a lively child who liked running and playing. She would mimic everything she saw her mother do, from rinsing dishes and washing her father’s hands to digging in the garden. In order to restore her to this state of health and happiness, Shallon’s doctors need to provide her with emergency nutritional supplies, such as therapeutic milk and dextrose. On April 16, they will also run a number of lab tests to evaluate her body’s needs and to determine whether there are any additional causes for Shallon’s lack of appetite. Shallon’s parents—who provide food for the family through subsistence farming and earn a small income making bricks and baskets to sell—do not have enough money to pay for their daughter's medical care. But for $316, we can cover the costs of Shallon’s lab tests and nutritional supplies, as well as her ten-day stay at the hospital and transportation home. Let’s make sure Shallon can once more become the energetic child that her parents remember. “I am so grateful for the help,” says Shallon’s mother.

Karyn Dayana is nine months old. She and her twin sister, also named Karyn, are only the size of healthy two-month-olds. Their mother cannot produce breast milk to feed her twins, so they are small and malnourished. Karyn Dayana lives on a limited diet, which is insufficient and has dangerous implications for her health. Lactation failure can lead to starvation and dehydration. It can also provoke electrolyte imbalances that cause seizures. Brain development occurring during this delicate time is compromised, so she is at risk of long-term damage. Karyn Dayana’s father works as a day laborer, and her mother works at home. Her family cannot afford to pay for her treatment. Our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq (WK), is requesting $1,107 to fund this treatment. To stabilize her condition, Karyn Dayana was given a preliminary supply of formula, which will last until WK's nutritionist can create a nutritional plan and formally begin treatment on February 3. By supplying Karyn Dayana with formula and her mother with health education, Karyn Dayana will receive the calories she needs to grow and thrive. One-on-one education with Karyn Dayana’s mother will teach her how to provide a nutritious, inexpensive diet for her daughter. She will also learn to check for signs of malnutrition and other illness. Karyn Dayana’s immune system will strengthen, and she will grow up to be a healthy, energetic baby. Karyn’s mother says, “We are worried about our daughter’s health since she is so small and keeps getting sick. Before this, we had not thought to look for help since we live so far away from the community. We hope our twin daughters can get better and grow well so that they can someday have dignified jobs.”

19-month-old Eber is a shy boy who lives with his family in Guatemala’s rural highlands. Eber likes playing with his plastic ball and his toy car, and he often pretends that the car is taking him on long trips. Despite his love of lighthearted games, Eber is battling a serious medical condition: malnutrition. In the short term, malnutrition means that Eber’s immune system is weak and that he is underweight and small for his age—conditions that could result in permanent stunting if he does not regain his health soon. Other long-term consequences of his nutritional deficiency could include a lower IQ and a higher likelihood of dropping out of school. Although Eber’s parents want badly to help their son recover from malnutrition, they do not have the resources to pay for the medical intervention he needs. Eber’s father works every day in the countryside planting corn, while the boy’s mother takes care of the household and weaves traditional Mayan textiles. Fortunately, we can give this family a hand. For $492, Eber will receive both short- and long-term help beginning on April 17. Food supplementation and micronutrients will make sure the boy returns quickly to a standard weight. One-on-one nutrition lessons between Eber's mother and a community health worker will make sure Eber remains healthy. “I am glad to be a part of this program so that my son has the opportunity to get better,” Eber’s mother shares. “I hope that over time he will develop into a healthy boy.”

Oeu is a 65-year-old woman from Cambodia. She is married and has two sons, three daughters, and six grandchildren. She likes to read the Bible and do housework. Oeu developed a cataract in each eye about one year ago, resulting in blurred vision, itchy eyes, cloudy lenses, and photophobia, or extreme sensitivity to light. As a result, it is difficult for her to see things clearly, recognize faces, do any type of work, or go anywhere on her own. On January 23, at the Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, Oeu will undergo a phacoemulsification procedure, through which her cataracts will be broken up with ultrasound and removed. She will also have a new intraocular lens implanted in each eye. After this treatment, Oeu will be able to see clearly again. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $292 for Oeu's treatment, which will pay for her surgery, medications, and four nights in the hospital. Oeu says, "I hope to be able to see more clearly so that I can help my family do some work, like cook, clean, and take care of my grandchildren. I also want to read easily and go to the pagoda or anywhere else by myself."

Nay Myo is a nine-year-old boy from Burma. He lives with his parents and has one older brother. Nay Myo's parents work as day laborers. They cut grasses, plant vegetation, and collect bamboo shoots. When Nay Myo was three months old, he fell very sick. He was subsequently diagnosed with thalassemia, a blood disorder characterized by an abnormal oxygen-carrying protein. Symptoms of this condition include fatigue, anemia, and trouble breathing. In order to treat these symptoms, Nay Myo has to receive oral medications and blood transfusions on a regular basis. Thalassemia has also caused Nay Myo's spleen to enlarge. After examination, his doctors decided to remove the spleen before other medical complications arise. On January 18, Nay Myo will undergo a splenectomy. Our medical partner is asking for $1,500 to fund the surgery. Nay Myo's mother is inspired by the caring hospital staff. She says, "I want Nay Myo to be an educated person and work like the staff."