Barihare is a small-scale farmer from Uganda. He is a widower with nine children. For four months, Barihare has had an inguinal hernia. If not treated, the hernia may result in intestinal tissue damage and death. Fortunately, on January 8, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $219 to fund Barihare's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Barihare says, “I will be very happy when I am free from this condition and I continue with farming.”

Savat is a government worker from Cambodia. He has one son, six daughters, and nine grandchildren. He likes to watch the news on TV. Four years ago, Savat developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him blurry vision, tearing, a clouded lens, and photophobia. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Savat learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for seven hours seeking treatment. On January 9, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $211 procedure. His daughter says, "I hope my father's surgery is successful so that he can return to work."

Roem is a vegetable farmer from Cambodia. She has two sons and five grandchildren. She likes to listen to the monks pray on the radio. Two years ago, Roem developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Roem learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four hours seeking treatment. On January 8, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $211 procedure. She says, "I look forward to helping the monks cook food and cleaning the pagoda."

Maria is a student from Tanzania. She is the fourth in a family of six children. Maria 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, Maria traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on January 4. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $890 to fund Maria's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will be able to walk to school. Maria says, “I wish to be able to walk well like my school friends, please help me get this treatment.”

Rachhith is a twelfth grade student from Cambodia. He has three brothers and a sister. He likes to read and play football. Sixteen years ago, Rachhith developed nasal polyps, noncancerous growths in the lining of the nasal passage. For this reason, he experiences nasal obstruction. It is difficult for him to breathe. When Rachhith learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for four hours seeking treatment. On December 5, doctors will perform a nasal polypectomy to remove the polyps. After recovery, he will be able to breathe more easily. Now, he needs help to fund this $267 procedure. He says, "I hope I can breathe and sleep better after the operation."

Srey Leak is a factory worker from Cambodia. She has one brother and two sisters. She likes to play games online in her free time. Three years ago, Srey Leak had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in her left ear to perforate. For this reason, Srey Leak experiences headache, pain, and ear discharge. She cannot communicate easily with others. Srey Leak traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On December 12, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in her left ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $423 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. She says, "I hope my headache and ear pain is gone soon."

Tiya is a girl from Cambodia. She is an only child. She enjoys studying mathematics and wants to be a doctor when she grows up. She likes to eat fried fish and drink Coca Cola. She likes to play with her toys, read books, and go for walks with her family. Four years ago, Tiya's right hand was caught in a tread machine at a gym and she was injured. She developed a flexion contracture in her right and middle fingers after the trauma. Now, Tiya needs to undergo a contracture release operation on her right hand. Surgery is scheduled for January 8 and will cost $417. Her mother says, "I hope that my daughter feels better after the surgery and gains more confidence."

Meet Antony, a three-day-old boy in Kenya. Antony was born with a swelling at the lower part of his back—a medical condition called spina bifinda. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, (AMHF), explains: “Antony will be at a risk of getting infection, stool and urine incontinence and even tethered cord if not treated soon.” “He was born at a nearby hospital and was immediately referred for specialized treatment,” continues AMHF. “He is the last child in a family of three...His father is a driver, while his mother is a housewife. Antony’s parent’s income is not enough for household let alone paying for Antony’s surgery.” For $805, we can fund a procedure that will close the opening in Antony’s lower back, minimizing his risk of infection and tethered cord, and giving him the opportunity to lead “a normal and healthy life,” according to AMHF. “I am thankful our child will get the treatment he requires,” shares Antony’s mother. “I pray he get well soon so that we can finally take him home.”

This is Ei Ei, a 24-year-old woman from Burma. “Ei Ei lives with her husband on the Thai-Burma border," says our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP). "Her husband supports her with his income as a motorcycle taxi driver. Between them they earn $250." Ei Ei has mitral valve stenosis, a valvular heart condition characterized by the narrowing of one of the heart’s valves. “Ei Ei’s current symptoms include fatigue, palpitations, and difficulty sleeping," BBP explains. "She said when she sleeps lying down she stops breathing and wakes up in a panic. The only way she can sleep is if she is sitting down in the brace position." Ei Ei needs surgery to repair the valve in her heart. The procedure costs $1500, and will provide complete symptom relief. Not only will she have a healthy heart, but she will be able to return to work as a housecleaner, which she has stopped since her condition worsened. “Ei Ei hopes that one day she can have a baby but she understands that might not be possible with her heart condition,” explains BBP. Let's help Ei Ei get healthy and hopefully make this dream possible.

Meet Klein, a one-year-old little boy from Burma. Klein has a condition called hydrocephalus -- an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the ventricles of the brain. “His mother began noticing the health condition when he would not be able to be breastfed without soon getting a headache and crying," says our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP). "His condition has gotten worse; the boy endures diarrhea, fevers, coughing, vomiting, runny noses, in addition to the gradual growth of the buildup of fluid." Klein's parents are under financial strain from supporting their large family, and Klein’s father had to take a job in Bangkok to send wages home. They are unable to fund the surgery Klein needs. For $1,485, BBP can insert a ventriculoperitoneal shunt to drain the fluid. “Treatment will allow him to sleep and eat normally which will help him develop normally. He will no longer suffer from nausea and headaches and bouts of fever,” says BBP. BBP adds that "his mother would like to see him finish higher education, so that he may become a doctor one day."