Sue is a 48-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her mother, husband and son in Hlaingbwe Township, Karen State. Sue and her husband are farmers. Sue has a kidney stone. She has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, Sue's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), Sue is scheduled to undergo her cholecystectomy on July 3. BCMF is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Sue's procedure and care. Sue said, “I would like to become healthy again, so that I can be able to work and support my family.”

Chheang is a teenager from Cambodia. He was born with scoliosis, which is progressing with age and making it difficult to sit in school for long periods, and causing a lot of discomfort. Surgery can help correct the position of his spine, and prevent further worsening of the condition. Spinal surgery is scheduled for June 6 and will cost $1,500. In his free time, he likes to read books, watch TV, listen to music, and go outside with his family. He hopes to one day become a doctor when he grows up.

Eliette is a young woman from Haiti. She lives with her husband in Port-au-Prince, and works as a customer representative for an insurance company. Eliette has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral stenosis. One of the four valves in her heart is too narrow to allow sufficient blood to pass through, as the result of an infection she suffered several years ago. Eliette will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On May 1, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will use a balloon at the tip of a catheter to stretch her valve open to a more normal size. Another organization, The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano, is contributing $28,000 to pay for surgery. Eliette'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 Eliette's family overseas. She says, "I would like to thank everyone who is helping to make this life-saving surgery possible for me."

Dominick is a toddler from Tanzania. He is the first of two children. Dominick was born a healthy baby but he soon developed a left inguinal hernia. His condition is worsening as he is growing up. Fortunately, on April 11, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $539 to fund Dominick's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. Dominick’s mother says, “Please help my son get this treatment, so that he may be well.”

Thearo is a young man from Cambodia. Ten years ago, Thearo's spine started to curve, which is progressing with age, making it difficult to sit in school for long periods, and causing a lot of discomfort. Surgery can help correct the position of his spine, and prevent further worsening of the condition. Fortunately, surgery is scheduled for March 14. Our medical partner needs help raising $1,500 to fund this procedure. Thearo hopes to go back to school and become a teacher one day. He says, "I hope that after surgery, I will no longer have any pain and will be able to go back to school without any discomfort."

Yanara is a young student from Haiti. She lives with her parents and siblings on an island off the west coast of Haiti; her father is a fisherman. Yanara has a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus. A hole exists between two large blood vessels near her heart; blood leaks through this hole, leaving her sick and short of breath. On February 11, she will undergo cardiac surgery at St. Damien Hospital, our medical partner's care center. During surgery, surgeons will sew the hole closed so that blood can no longer leak through it. Another organization, Gift of Life International, is contributing $5,000 to pay for surgery. Yanara'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 happy that our daughter can become normal and stop being sick so often."

Bros is a construction worker from Cambodia. He has three brothers and four sisters. He likes to go for walks, watch TV, and hang out with friends in his free time. Five months ago, he was in a motor vehicle accident that caused paralysis of his right arm. He has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his right side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. He is unable to use his arm and he cannot work. Bros traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On January 10, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, he will be able to use his arm again. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $637 to fund this procedure. He says, "After surgery I hope I don't have any more pain and I can use my arm again."

Jilungu is a child from Tanzania. His parents are farmers. Jilungu 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, Jilungu traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on December 5. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $890 to fund Jilungu's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk. Jilungu’s father says, “Please help my son.”

Nikolaus is a baby from Tanzania. He is the youngest in a family of three children. Nikolaus’s parents are farmers. Nikolaus has clubfoot of both his feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Nikolaus traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on September 10. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $890 to fund Nikolaus's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk again and without pain and discomfort. Nikolaus’s mother says, "It hurts us to see him this way but there was nothing we could do due to money problems. We will always be grateful for your help.”

Sokchea is a tuk tuk driver from Cambodia. He has two sisters and four brothers. He likes to play football and listen to music in his free time. Five years ago, Sokchea had an ear infection. This infection caused a cholesteatoma, or an abnormal skin growth, to develop in the middle ear behind the ear drum. For this reason, Sokchea experiences pain, ear discharge, tinnitus, and hearing loss. He has difficulty hearing. Sokchea traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On August 9, he will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure in his right ear. During this procedure, ENT surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $842 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. His sister in law says, "We are happy he can have this operation and have good hearing again."

Lebahati is a 16-year-old from Tanzania. He is the third child in a family of seven. He loves playing football. After Lebahati was born, he began to experience unpleasant symptoms. The family walked a long distance to visit the hospital, where he was diagnosed with a bowel malformation. The family learned that he would need to undergo several procedures to correct the condition. Lebahati's father borrowed money from friends to pay for the first procedure, but his parents were unable to raise enough money to pay for further treatment. Fortunately, the family learned about our medical partner's care center and came seeking help. Now, Lebahati is scheduled to undergo another corrective surgery on July 11. This treatment will cost $1,500, and his family needs help raising these funds. He says, "Help me because I also want to go to school too."

Kar is an eight-month-old boy. He lives with his family in Hpa-an, Karen State, Burma. When Kar was three months old, his parents noticed for the first time that his head size was increasing. Kar was recently diagnosed with hydrocephalus, which has caused fluid to build up in his brain. Without immediate surgery to alleviate the intracranial pressure that the excess fluid is causing, he is at risk of developing severe, potentially fatal medical complications. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund the insertion of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt for Kar, which will drain the fluid that has accumulated in his brain. The procedure is scheduled to take place on May 23, and, once completed, will greatly improve Kar's quality of life. His mother says, "I really want my son to look like other normal kids. So I believe that this surgery will make him look better."