Lysander is 81 years old and a father of two from the Philippines. He and his wife live with their daughter and son, who provides for the family's needs. He likes listening to the radio and reading the newspaper. Five years ago, Lysander was diagnosed with an inguinal hernia. This hernia causes him frequent pain, making him irritable. He has difficulty moving and lifting heavy objects. Fortunately, on February 7th, Lysander will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center, Our Lady of Peace Hospital. A portion of the cost of Lysander's treatment is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation. Our medical partner is raising the remaining $1,038 to cover the cost of his surgery and care. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Lysander's children shared, "It is unbearable to see our father in pain, but now he has a chance to live normally again. He is looking forward to recovering and moving comfortably like before."

Ana is a one-year-old girl from Bolivia. She lives with her mom, who sells vegetables, her dad, who is a locksmith, and her twin sister. When Ana was born, her mom noticed that she couldn't gain weight, and she was always tired. Doctors soon discovered her heart condition and informed her mother that she needed surgery. Ana has a cardiac condition called a ventricular septal defect. A hole exists between the two lower chambers of her heart: blood leaks through this hole instead of circulating normally, leaving her weak and short of breath. Ana was also born with a cleft lip and palate. After heart surgery, doctors can then proceed to repair her cleft. On May 6th, Ana will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, surgeons will sew a patch over the hole in her heart so that blood can no longer leak through it. Ana's family needs help to fund the costs of cardiac care and surgery. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, requests $1,500 to cover the cost of cardiac exams and diagnostics, surgical costs, follow-up care, and medications. Ana's mother shared, "I pray this surgery goes well so my little daughter can feel better and have a happy life."

Alan is a nine-year-old boy from Colombia. He dreams of becoming a police officer to help people. He is a curious child who performs well academically. However, constant pain and oral discomfort have affected his concentration, attendance, and participation in school activities. About a year ago, he was examined for the first time by a pediatric dentist, who diagnosed multiple deep cavities. Since then, he has been under observation, but the progression of the disease has been associated with intense and persistent pain, inflammation, infection, and difficulty eating and sleeping. On January 21st, Alan will undergo dental surgery under general anesthesia with the help of our medical partner, Clinica Noel. He needs help to raise $868 to fund his procedure and care that will allow him to live more comfortably. Alan's mother says, "I would like to express my sincere gratitude for helping my son. We have been waiting to undergo this procedure for some time. I thank you from the bottom of my heart."

Say is a 26-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her husband and daughter in a refugee camp in Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand. She is a homemaker, and her husband works as a day labourer outside of the camp. Say weaves traditional Karen dresses to help earn extra income. Often, their income is not enough to cover their daily needs, and they have to purchase groceries on credit, paying them back when they have money. Say is currently expecting her second child. Her doctors recommend that she deliver via a caesarean section due to a high-risk pregnancy. This way, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, Burma Children's Medical Fund, is helping Say undergo a C-Section on March 8th. This procedure will cost $1500, and Say needs your support. Say says, “I would love to have either a boy or a girl. When my children are older, I would like to attend midwife classes in the refugee camp and work as a midwife at the camp hospital.”

Srey Neang is 18 years old and a twelfth-grade student from a small village in Prey Veng Province, Cambodia. She lives with her parents, who are rice farmers. She is the second of four siblings; her older brother works in a garment factory, while her two younger siblings are in school. She enjoys studying literature, which is her favorite subject at school, and she hopes to become a teacher in the future. In her free time, she likes listening to music and helping with housework. Her favorite food is spicy stir-fried chicken. Srey Neang has had scoliosis since she was 13 years old, a condition in which the spine curves abnormally to one side, often forming a “C” or “S” shape. As she has grown, the curve in her spine has progressively worsened and now bends toward the right side. This condition causes frequent pain and makes it difficult for her to sit for extended periods. Because of this, she struggles to concentrate in class and feels worried about being bullied by her classmates due to her appearance. She also experiences difficulty walking, which further affects her daily life. In the past, Srey Neang had not sought hospital treatment because her family could not afford the cost. Recently, a relative informed her family about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). On February 6th, surgeons at CSC will implant a metal “growing rod” into her spine to help correct the curve and allow for continued spinal growth. Her family can only afford to contribute $75 and needs help with the remaining $1,425. This will cover the costs of surgery, the implant, and post-operative care, including physiotherapy. Srey Neang's mother said, “After the surgery, I hope that Srey Neang will no longer have any pain so that she can do a good job at school and focus on her studies.”

Saw Zaw is 39-years-old. He was recently diagnosed with several kidney and urological problems; he has multiple stones blocking his bile ducts and a benign tumor causing dizziness, fatigue, jaundice, and fever. He's unable to work because of the condition. Saw Zaw first noticed his health problem seven years ago, while he was living in Burma. He and his wife are both school teachers, but after spending their savings on medical bills and taking out risky loans, they ultimately lost their home. They now live in a refugee camp near the Thai-Burma border where our medical partner works. For $1,000, we can help Saw Zaw receive treatment to permanently resolve his condition and enable him to work, take care of his family, pay back his loans, and get his life back.

Exodus is an 11-year-old boy living in Malawi. He's known as an engaged and sweet child. He insists on bathing and wearing his best clothes to appointments, and loves opening the car door for others. Since birth, Exodus has had difficulty passing urine because of a malformed urethral valve. His condition is damaging his kidneys. He is often ill with high fevers and back pain. His family is worried this will compromise his education as well as his ability to have a family in the future. Our partner, World Altering Medicine, is asking for $235 to perform surgery on Exodus to repair the valve in his urethra. They say the effects would be immediate in helping him avoid infections and stay active in school. Our support will cover the cost of the transportation, food, and post-op care Exodus needs to live life as a normal kid.

Aye Aye is a 30-year-old woman who lives near the Thai-Burma border. She has supported herself since she was very young because her parents passed away when she was just a child. Most recently, Aye Aye worked in a sewing factory. A few months ago, Aye Aye began having severe pain in her lower abdomen so she went to a clinic for help. That's when the doctors discovered that she had a myoma, a benign tumor, in her uterus. The mass is so large that it is pressing on her bladder, making it difficult for Aye Aye to pass urine. To counteract this, her doctor inserted a catheter. Unfortunately, she's now unable to continue working. Aye Aye's pain has now become almost unbearable and she is having difficulty performing day-to-day tasks. Without the ability to work in the sewing factory, Aye Aye cannot afford the operation she needs to remove the tumor. For $880, we can fund Aye Aye's surgery and enable her to live comfortably again. After the operation, Aye Aye will be able to return to work.