This is Punlouk, an 11-year-old boy from Cambodia. “Punlouk has one brother and six sisters, and is the youngest in the family of eight children. He enjoys eating all kinds of fish and meat, and likes to play football,” says our medical partner, the Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). Punlouk has had congenital meningoencephalocele (MEC) — a neural tube defect — since birth. This means he has sacs of brain tissue and fluid protruding through a defect in his skull. Punlouk is shy to go outside because of his symptoms. For $390, we can fund surgery that will reposition the protrusions back in the skull and correct the deformities, which could otherwise delay normal brain development. After treatment, “Punlouk will be able to go outside and play with his friends without being shy,” says CSC.

Joselin is a sweet nine-year-old girl from Guatemala for whom a tiny amount of money can make a huge difference. For over a year, Joselin has been affected time and time again by a skin infection called scabies. Scabies is a microscopic parasite that causes swelling, sores, and an unbearable itching. It is a common problem in Guatemala and one most often treated with topical skin medication. For more than a year, Joselin's family has been to countless medical appointments seeking treatment. This comes at a great financial cost to the family, but they have no other choice. Every time Joselin contracts the parasite, the rest of the family is at risk for it too. For $150, we can help Joselin receive a short round of highly effective medication that will eradicate this problem forever, allowing Joselin and her family to live normal, healthy lives again!

Luis is a two-year-old from Guatemala who is battling malnourishment. He is below normal height and weight for his age, and fighting off frequent infections as a result of his condition. Luis' family would love to see him develop normally, but they often struggle to make ends meet and cannot provide him with the nutrition he needs. We can turn this around. For $525, we can fund Luis' intensive nutritional therapy. His doctor at our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq, expects that this treatment will get Luis back on the right track and give him the ability to achieve his full potential. Let's help Luis grow up healthy!

Meet Nassoro, a friendly five-year-old from Tanzania who is cared for by his aunt and uncle. When he was a toddler, Nassoro was severely burned on his right elbow and wrist. This has caused a burn scar contracture, a condition in which the damaged skin pulls in and becomes inflexible. Without surgery, Nassoro will never be able to use his right arm. “Nassoro is a good boy," his aunt and uncle say. "He tries to use his right arm but it’s just not possible. We hope that something can be done to restore Nassoro’s functionality.” Nassoro's guardians can't cover the $505 required to restore movement to his arm. Let's help them out by covering the costs of surgery to allow Nassoro to use his arm normally!

Say hello to Mulunge from Kenya! Mulunge is a 60-year-old widow who lives with her three grandchildren. She has developed a cataract in her left eye and can no longer see from it. Mulunge has supported her family by doing small-scale weaving and working on farms. Since her blindness, she has been unable to weave or work on the farm much. For $200, doctors will perform a cataract operation that will restore Mulunge's sight. Let's help Mulunge get her sight back so she see her grandchildren again!

Meng La broke his elbow while playing with his friends. He says the worst part of his injury is that it prevents him from doing the ‘sampeah’ - the traditional Cambodian greeting to show respect by bending your arms and putting the palms of the hands together in front of the chest. Meng La needs surgery for his arm to fully heal, but his family can't afford it on their own. For $300, we can make sure he receives surgery and physiotherapy to help him regain mobility and properly perform the sampeah, as well as play with his friends, as all 15-year-olds should!

A few months ago, Ralph's mom started noticing that his head was swelling. She took him to the hospital, and after doctors performed a CT scan, they learned that Ralph has excess fluid in his brain, a condition called hydrocephalus. The excess fluid in Ralph's brain places extra pressure on his nerves and blood vessels. As a result, he is at increased risk of a stroke or vision loss. Because his head is heavy, it is difficult for Ralph to sit up. Ralph also has frequent seizures and flu-like symptoms because of his condition. Ralph is his mom's first child. She sells goods from her home, and her husband takes care of Ralph full-time. They need help raising $1,260 so that Ralph can receive surgery to drain the excess fluid from his skull and reduce his risk of paralysis or nerve damage. Let's work together to help improve Ralph's health!

Meet Jessica! Jessica is a 33-year-old wife and mother of two. She lives in the Philippines with her husband and children and works as a school cleaner. Jessica has a painful inguinal hernia in her lower abdomen. Because of the hernia, Jessica has had to stop working. With her husband's monthly income of $40, the cost of this surgery that Jessica needs is out of her financial reach. For only $235, we can fund a complete repair of Jessica's hernia. This will fund the cost of hospital fees, laboratories, radiology, and medications to ensure a healthy recovery. Jessica says, "This surgery is an answered prayer because after this I can go back to work and help my husband in raising our family!"