Rebecca is a young woman from Haiti. She lives with her parents and younger sister in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince; she graduated from a local college with a business degree but has been unable to work for the past ten years because of her heart condition. She enjoys cooking and listening to Haitian music. Rebecca has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation. One of the four valves of Rebecca's heart was severely damaged due to an infection she suffered as a teenager; her heart could not adequately pump blood through her body, leaving her weak and short of breath. The surgery that she needs is not available anywhere in Haiti. Rebecca need to fly to the United States to receive treatment. She will undergo cardiac surgery, and doctors will remove Rebecca's damaged valve and implant an artificial replacement. Another organization, Baylor Scott and White Heart Hospital, will contribute $26,000 to pay for surgery. Rebecca's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep and follow-up care. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, checkups, and follow-up appointments. Rebecca shared with us: "Once I am fully healthy, I would like to return to Haiti and adopt a child to start my own family."

Run is a 57 year-old grandmother who lives in Battambang with her youngest daughter. Her other children live nearby, and Run helps look after her grandchildren. She enjoys cooking, watching Cambodian soap operas, and playing with her grandkids. Two years ago, Run had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the eardrum, in her left ear to perforate. For this reason, Run experiences pain, ear discharge, and hearing loss. She cannot communicate clearly with others and is worried when looking after her grandchildren. Run traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On September 7th, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in her left ear, during which surgeons will close the perforation. Run is able to contribute $100 towards the cost of the procedure and she and our medical partner Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) need help raising $487 to fully fund the surgery, which will cover medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Run shared, "I want to improve my hearing so that I can take care of my family, and I want my family not to worry about me."

Jackson is a 28-year-old young man from Kenya. He is the second born in a family of three children and was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at birth, which caused paralysis on one side of his body. He lives with his parents in a rural county. His father is a pastor at a small church in their hometown, and his mother is a homemaker. He loves to learn and was sponsored to take a computer-networking course at a local technical institute in the capital city. On July 29th, Jackson was involved in a road traffic accident that caused a fracture on his left leg. He was hit by a speeding vehicle along a busy highway as he was trying to cross the road. He was rushed to a nearby local hospital where an x-ray revealed a broken bone that needed surgery. He had a cast applied and requested to return to the facility once he raised the amount needed for the surgery. Jackson is currently confined to a wheelchair and unable to walk on his own. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH) can help. On August 3rd, Jackson will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. The procedure will relieve him of pain and help him walk easily again. He will also be able to resume his studies. AMH is requesting $1,500 to fund this procedure. Jackson says, “I can feel the bones pricking my legs from the inside. I cannot walk, and I am in pain. I have so far missed my classes because of the accident.”

Naiduka is a 14-year-old boy from a large family in Ngorongoro, Tanzania. His father, a livestock keeper and being the eldest child of his family, Naiduka has always harbored a strong desire to attend school. Unfortunately, his aspirations have been thwarted, as most of his siblings were fortunate enough to receive an education, while he was left behind to care for the family’s livestock. At the tender age of 4, Naiduka’s legs began to bow inward, marking the onset of a mild condition that has since worsened as he grew older. While attending church, Naiduka received news of an upcoming clinic for children with treatable disabilities, which would be staffed by visiting doctors and nurses. He was excited to hear of this clinic and hopeful for a chance at receiving the treatment he needed. On July 6th, a kind priest facilitated his transportation to our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH). Naiduka was diagnosed with bilateral genu valgus, meaning that his legs bow inwards. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, this condition severely limits his purpose and role in his Maasai community, preventing him from undertaking the crucial task of herding cattle over vast distances in search of nourishing green pastures. He was also diagnosed with malnutrition and has been undergoing treatment and the implementation of a feeding plan to address this issue before he undergoes surgery. Our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH) is requesting $880 to fund surgery for Naiduka, which is scheduled for June 27th. Treatment will hopefully restore Naiduka's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Naiduka says, "I wish to get better and for my legs to look normal. Hopefully, after this treatment, my legs will be fine."

Meet Eva, a beautiful two-week-old newborn from Tanzania! Her mother had a smooth delivery and is overjoyed with her new baby. Eva also has a sibling, and her family lives in a small, remote village. Eva’s family depends on small-scale agriculture for food and income. Unfortunately, agriculture has not been enough, and they are trying to find different sources of income, but with no success so far. Eva was born with clubfoot of both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape, which causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Eva’s mother shared concerns about the challenges Eva will face growing up. Eva’s family traveled to visit our medical partner’s care center; on May 5th, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $935 to fund Eva’s clubfoot repair. After treatment and with proper therapy, Eva can learn to walk as she grows. Eva’s mother says, “I am relieved to hear that my daughter has a chance to get treatment that will help with her condition. I hope she grows to face no stigma in her life.”

14-year-old Rosemary lives with her parents in a mining town high in the mountains of central Bolivia. Her father is a farmer, and her mother is a homemaker. Rosemary is in the ninth grade and especially enjoys studying chemistry; she hopes to become a scientist one day. Rosemary was born with a cardiac condition called atrial septal defect, in which a large hole exists between the two upper chambers of her heart. Blood leaks through this hole without circulating properly through her body, leaving her weak and short of breath. Fortunately, our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, can help. On November 8th, Rosemary will undergo heart surgery at Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría, during which doctors will sew a patch over the hole, so that blood can no longer leak through it. Once she has recovered, Rosemary should be able to live the life of a healthy 14-year-old. Now her family needs your help to raise $1,500 for her procedure. Rosemary said: "I am very excited to go back to my school and my friends after surgery with a normal heart."

Laurecia is a 19-year-old tailor living in Tanzania. When she was about two years old, her parents noticed her legs bowing outwards. They did not seek treatment, however, due to financial challenges. Laurecia, who is a very determined young woman, was able to complete her Form 4 studies and pursue her passion for tailoring, enrolling in a vocational school where she could hone her skills. Laurecia was diagnosed with bilateral genu valgus, a condition typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, stemming from the consumption of contaminated drinking water. As a result of her condition, Laurecia has a difficult time walking and doing the work of a tailor. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Laurecia. The procedure is scheduled to take place on April 17th, at Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. Treatment will restore Laurecia's mobility, allow her to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease her risk of future complications. Laurecia says: “I have lived with this condition for too long. I’m hopeful for the future now that I am about to start treatment.”

Benedict is a 57-year-old father from the Philippines. His wife, two daughters, and two stepchildren all reside with him and he works hard to support them. He keeps himself occupied by caring for doves, which is a love that become his hobby. He lost his job due to the COVID-19 pandemic and to provide for his family, he turned his hobby into a business. Benedict now sells doves which is the family's only source of income. He usually earns around Php 8,000 ($141 USD) a month doing this. One month ago, Benedict began experiencing troubling symptoms, including excruciating discomfort, which restricts his ability to perform his day to day tasks. He suffers greatly from even the smallest movement. He cannot sit, stand up, or walk without pain. Benedict was diagnosed with Mixed Hemorrhoids Grade IV, the most severe level of internal hemorrhoids. He needs surgery to prevent his symptoms from getting worse. Fortunately, our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), is helping Benedict receive treatment. He is scheduled to undergo a hemorrhoidectomy on September 30 at WSFP's care center. A portion of the cost of his treatment is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is raising the remaining $1,285 to cover the cost of Benedict's procedure and care. Benedict said: "I hope to be a beneficiary of surgery as we cannot afford the expenses for the operation. Our family does not have a lot of income and I am hoping to remove the pain of my illness to return to work as the breadwinner for my family."

Merisiano, who is 77 years old, is a passionate woman, rich in amusing tales of the past. She was widowed in 2000, but she has one daughter who is a fruit vendor and two sons who are teachers. She still works on her small coffee and banana farm, although she now only grows enough to feed her family. Merisiano sought the advice of doctors regarding an anterior neck swelling, which she has had for over 20 years. It had never caused her any concern until recently when she began to experience shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, and continuous coughing. She was diagnosed with a nontoxic goiter and recommended she undergo surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Merisiano receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on March 21st at Karoli Lwanga Hospital, Nyakibale. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland at a cost of $252. Merisiano and her family need your help to raise the necessary funds to cover the cost of her care. Merisiano says: “I will be grateful to see my health well once again if am given your support to undergo my surgery.”

Esther is a 37-year-old businesswoman, who lives with her husband and two young children in Kenya. Both she and her husband work as brokers, selling cars. Business has been slow, and in addition, two of Esther's sisters passed away, leaving Esther and her husband to care for the sisters' children. One month ago, Esther was trying to reach for something in her home, by standing on a stool. The stool broke, and Esther fell, injuring her left arm. She was in a lot of pain, and was rushed to a nearby clinic for examination. From there, she was sent on to another facility, where an X-ray revealed that she had fractured her left humerus. Since the accident, Esther has not been able to work, and currently, the family relies on her husband for provisions. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, can help. On September 6th, Esther will undergo a fracture repair procedure - called an open reduction and internal fixation - at AIC Kijabe Hospital. The surgery will help her to heal, so that she will be able to resume her work to support her family. Now she needs your help to fund this $1,500 procedure. Esther says: “I cannot work and help provide for my family. I want to be independent again.”

Sat is a 78-year-old loving grandmother from Prey Veng province. She has eight children and eighteen grandchildren. Since her husband passed away seven years ago, she has been living with her oldest daughter, who supports the family by working as a rice farmer. Sat enjoys spending time with her grandchildren and going to her local pagoda. One year ago, Sat developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her blurry vision and sensitivity to light. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, thus is unable to travel on her own. When Sat learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On March 7th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and place an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Sat said, "After surgery, I hope I can help my daughter more around the house and cook for my grandchildren."