Samuel is a baby from Kenya. He lives with his single mother, who washes people’s clothes and farms to earn a living. Samuel has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. Without treatment, Samuel will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $685 to cover the cost of surgery for Samuel that will treat his hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on December 7 and will drain the excess fluid from Samuel's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, Samuel will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. Samuel’s mother tearfully says, “My prayer is to see my child recuperate, be able to breath, and lead a normal life."

Pishina is a baby from Kenya. She is the youngest in a family of seven children. Pishina was born with spina bifida, a type of neural tube defect in which the spine does not properly close around the spinal cord. Without treatment, Pishina is at risk of lower-limb paralysis, infection of the exposed nervous tissue, development of tethered cord syndrome, and possible developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,097 to cover the cost of Pishina's spina bifida closure surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on November 2. This procedure will hopefully spare Pishina from the risks associated with her condition, instead allowing her to grow and develop along a healthy trajectory. Pishina’s mother says, “I pray that my child will be treated and not experience any health complications in the future."

Ler Moo is a 32-year-old man from Thailand. He lives with his wife and three daughters in Mae La Refugee Camp, Tak Province. In his free time, Ler Moo likes spending time with his family. Ler Moo experiences abdominal pain, and his condition has not improved with medication. He was diagnosed with gallstones, and his doctor informed him that he requires surgery. Ler Moo has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, Ler Moo's symptoms will continue to worsen and put him at risk for further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), Ler Moo is scheduled to undergo his cholecystectomy on October 4. BCMF is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Ler Moo's procedure and care. “After surgery, if I feel better, I will try support my family as much as I can. I will apply for a suitable job in the camp so I can have an income to support my family,” says Ler Moo.

Linn is a 30-year-old man from Burma. In May 2017, he fell down the stairs at his house and hurt his right leg. Since then, his leg became very painful. A doctor diagnosed him with bone tuberculosis, and he was on medication for 18 months. However, his condition did not improve, so he went to another hospital, where he was diagnosed with a hip problem that needs a surgical intervention. Currently, Linn cannot walk for more than five minutes. He also experiences pain. Fortunately, Linn learned about our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF). At BCMF's care center, surgeons can perform a total hip replacement to relieve Linn of his pain and allow him to walk easily. Treatment is scheduled for September 11, and Linn needs help raising $1,500 to pay for this procedure. He says, “I wish I can walk again with no pain in the future. I am very grateful that I will receive help for my surgery.”

Nicholaus is an infant from Tanzania. He is the only child to his young parents. Nicholaus’s father works as a welder, while his mother is a housewife. Nicholaus has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of his condition, Nicholaus has been experiencing regular fevers and vomiting. Without treatment, Nicholaus will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,238 to cover the cost of surgery for Nicholaus that will treat his hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on August 9 and will drain the excess fluid from Nicholaus's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, Nicholaus will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. Nicholaus’s mother says, “Please help my baby get treated. I don’t want t lose him.”

Olerubari is a baby from Tanzania. His father is a livestock keeper, while his mother practices subsistence farming and keeps a few goats, cows, and chickens. Olerubari has clubfoot of both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Olerubari traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on July 10. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $890 to fund Olerubari's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk when he grows up. His father says, "Please help my son get treatment for his legs."

Hla is a 35-year-old woman from Thailand. She is originally from Karen State, Burma but moved to Thailand when she was 12 years old. She lives with her 11-year-old son. She sells vegetables, which she picks on different farms around Mae Sot. In June, Hla had an accident while she was riding a bicycle with her son from school. She is now suffering with pain in her arm. Her left forearm and fingers are swollen, and she is unable to move and use them properly. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Hla will undergo surgery to reset her fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for June 8 and will cost $1,500. After surgery, Hla will be able to return home. She says, “I am worried that soon I might not be able to pay rent for our house anymore. Also, I am worried about my arm. I hope that I will be able to use it again in the future, so that I can go back to work and support me and my son.”

Iloveda is a young woman from Haiti. She lives on an island off the west coast of Haiti with her parents, who are both farmers. Iloveda is in the seventh grade in school, and would like to be a nurse or a teacher when she grows up. Iloveda has a cardiac condition called Tetralogy of Fallot, in which a hole exists between the two lower chambers of the heart and a muscular blockage prevents adequate blood flow through one of the valves. This condition leaves her sick and short of breath, and would eventually be fatal. Iloveda will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On May 8, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will close the hole with a patch, and remove the muscular blockage. Another organization, HeartGift Foundation, is contributing $20,000 to pay for surgery. Iloveda's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Iloveda's family overseas. She says, "I am excited to have a healthy heart and to do everything I want to do without getting tired!"

Stessie is a toddler from Haiti. She lives with her parents and older brothers in Cap Haitien, a city in northern Haiti. She likes listening to music and going to church with her family. Stessie has Down syndrome. Stessie also has a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus. A hole exists between two major blood vessels near the heart. Blood leaks through this hole without passing through her lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving her sickly and short of breath. On April 8, she will undergo cardiac surgery at St. Damien Hospital, our medical partner's care center. During surgery, surgeons will use stitches to close the hole so that blood can no longer leak through it. Another organization, Gift of Life International, is contributing $5,000 to pay for surgery. Stessie's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 requested by our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, covers cardiac exams and medications. Her mother says, "We are looking forward to this surgery so our daughter can play and be more active."

Iwalani is a farmer from Malawi. He is a retired police officer who now runs a small farm with his wife. They have two children and many, many grandchildren. Iwalani enjoys tending his land, attending church with his family, and playing games with his village friends. Since January 2018, Iwalani has been experiencing pain and urinary difficulty. These symptoms are caused by an enlarged prostate, a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia. He needs to undergo a prostate resection surgery, a procedure in which surgeons will remove part of the enlarged gland. Our medical partner, World Altering Medicine, is requesting $733 to fund Iwalani's surgery. On March 8, he will undergo prostate surgery at Nkhoma Hospital, our medical partner's care center. The requested money pays for supplies, medications, and two weeks of hospital stay. Iwalani was thrilled to find out his surgery would be funded. He is ready to have his procedure and get back to his normal life. He says, "Thank you."

Abdillah is a child from Tanzania. He is the last born in a family of four children. He is a playful child who loves spending time with his friends. Abdillah's mother is a stay-at-home mother, while his father sells fruits in the market. For three years, Abdillah has been experiencing breathing problems and sleep apnea. This leads to frequent illness, and it will likely affect his school attendance when he starts school. Abdillah was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils, which, if not treated, will cause his symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $633 to fund a tonsillectomy for Abdillah, which is scheduled to take place on February 8. Surgeons will remove his tonsils, hopefully relieving Abdillah of his symptoms and helping him live more comfortably. Abdillah’s mother says, “Thank you for helping us get this treatment. I am very grateful for all the help and support given to us.”

Chit is a one-year-old boy from Thailand. He lives with his parents in Mae Sot, a border town. He loves to play with his parents. Since he was one month old, Chit has had an inguinal hernia. Now, his hernia is getting bigger. He is in pain and cries a lot, and he is no longer able to play. Fortunately, on January 6, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at Mae Sot General Hospital, our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund Chit's hernia repair surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on January 6 and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. His mother says, "I want my son to be a teacher when he grows up."