"I hope to become a doctor in the future," shares 15-year-old Everest, a student living in Tanzania. He is the ninth born in a family of ten, and enjoyed playing football and marathon before a recent accident. After he completed his primary education, Everest fell while playing football and incurred a fracture on his left femur, explains our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). He was taken to the hospital but, due to a lack of funds for treatment, the fracture was not treated. Everest's left knee became very swollen since the accident, and caused him a lot of pain. He went back to the hospital when he was completely unable to walk and "was diagnosed with osteomyelitis, which was successfully treated," explains AMHF. "But, now, Everest cannot walk without crutches because of acquired deformity of the left femur due to the old fracture." "Everest needs corrective surgery so that he can walk again," says AMHF. Unfortunately, his parents' income as farmers is not enough to support their large family and fund Everest's medical expenses. $940 will cover the cost of Everest's treatment - surgery to realign the bones in his leg, as well as casting and post-operative care. After his operation, Everest will be able to walk again and his risk of developing osteoarthritis will be reduced. "I will be happy to go back to school," shares Everest.

A six-year-old boy, Ayubu likes to skip rope and play football with the other children in his village in Tanzania. Despite his love for being active, Ayubu has been diagnosed with bilateral congenital clubfoot. He was treated as a baby, but it has since relapsed. He needs proper medical treatment to ensure he can recover permanently. "If not treated, Ayubu will be at risk of developing osteoarthiritis at a young age," our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), reports. Clubfoot is a developmental disorder that results in the feet turning inwards and with very high arches. To treat his condition, Ayubu will undergo a surgical procedure called a tenotomy, which is the release of of an overly tight tendon, and will also have to wear casts to realign the foot and ankle joint. $1,160 will cover the cost of the surgical and casting procedures, along with a four-month stay in Plaster House, a home where children can recover after surgery. After treatment, "Ayubu's gait will improve and he won't be feeling pain in his ankles when walking," AMHF explains. "I hope my son will be able to walk properly so that he can walk to school with ease," Ayubu's father shares.

Astania is two months old and lives in Haiti with her parents and four older siblings. She was born with a heart condition called ventricular septal defect, in which a hole exists between the two lower chambers of her heart. "Blood leaks through this hole without first passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen," our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA) shares. "This leaves her feeling sick and weak." Astania’s father works in construction, and her mother sells rice in a marketplace. Although they work hard, they cannot afford the heart surgery that their daughter needs. Her mother told HCA that “Astania has been sick ever since she was born,” and she is “very happy that [Astania] can have her surgery.” $1,500 will fund preparation and overseas transportation costs for Astania's surgery, which is also being funded with a subsidy of $5,000 from Gift of Life International. "A successful surgery will restore normal blood flow to Astania’s heart, and she will not have any further symptoms," HCA adds.

Jordy is a four-year-old boy who “nearly constantly smiles and laughs,” shares our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA). He is very attached to his mother, and his father is a church minister. “Jordy was born with a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus, in which a hole in the heart which normally closes shortly after birth remains open. Blood leaks through this hole without passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him sickly and weak,” explains HCA. The Haiti Cardiac Alliance transports patients to overseas locations to receive heart surgical procedures that are not readily accessible in Haiti. In this case, Jordy will be transported to the Cayman Islands for his treatment. $1,500 funds treatment that will restore normal blood flow to Jordy’s heart and prevent further cardiac symptoms. An additional $5,000 to fund the treatment is being subsidized by Health City Cayman Islands. In the words of Jordy’s mother, “I am excited for Jordy to have more energy and to be healthier after his surgery is finished.”

“Sometimes I feel depressed about my current situation, and I am worried. I just want to be healthy and happy,” says Su, a 42-year-old woman living in Burma. Our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP), tells us that two years ago, Su began experiencing severe abdominal pain due to a mass in her uterus, called a uterine myoma. The mass was found after a long history of pregnancy complications and vaginal bleeding. Su has sought out medical attention numerous times to no avail. Because of Su’s abdominal pain, she has been forced to stop working as a private teacher, and instead do part-time teaching. This has caused a reduction in her income, forcing her to borrow money for medical expenses. BBP can treat Su through surgeries to remove her uterus and ovaries, known as a hysterectomy and oophorectomy. For $1,500, Su will undergo these two procedures in addition to prolapse surgery to ensure that her lower abdominal organs remain in place. The cost includes a 7-day hospital stay with food, and post-surgical care. “I would like to work more and go to computer training, so that I can learn how to use a computer,” shares Su. “I want to learn new things and work hard.” “With treatment for her myoma, Su should be able to return to her work and commence paying of the debts she has incurred while she has been unwell,” adds BBP. “She can commence computer classes and following her dreams.”

Meet Thi Dar, a 43-year-old mother of four from Burma. “Thi Dar lives with her husband, three sons, and one daughter,” shares our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP). “Her husband works as an agricultural day laborer, and she sells fried snacks outside of her house. Her oldest daughter is 12 years old and has had to stop school due to family financial problems. Her other three children are still studying in primary school.” Thi Dar has a uterine myoma, a noncancerous, fibrous growth within the tissue of the uterus. “Currently, Thi Dar has abdomen pain and body aches. She is worried about her condition and also worried about her financial problem,” reports BBP. “She has had to stop working and now depends on her husband’s salary, which isn’t enough to cover their living costs.” For $1500, Thi Dar will receive a total abdominal hysterectomy to remove her uterus and strengthen her pelvic floor, resolving her painful symptoms. This cost includes pre and post-surgical outpatient visits, hospitalization, transportation, and food. “Following treatment, Thi Dar should be able to go back to work selling snacks outside of the house, and she can take care of her children,” continues BBP. “She shouldn’t have any more abdominal pain or worries from her condition.” Thi Dar is eager to regain her strength. She tells us, “I want to get healthy and be able to support my family again.”