Derrick is a boy from Kenya. He has a right hydrocele. Fortunately, on May 27, he will undergo repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $423 to fund Derrick's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. “I am praying and hoping we get help towards my son’s surgical care,” says Derrick’s mother.

Ricky is a baby from Kenya. He is the youngest of three children. Ricky 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, Ricky 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 Ricky's spina bifida closure surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on May 6. This procedure will hopefully spare Ricky from the risks associated with his condition, instead allowing him to grow and develop along a healthy trajectory. “I hope we get help so that Ricky is treated,” says Ricky’s mother.

Ebeneza is a toddler from Tanzania. He is the youngest in a family of six children. Ebeneza 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, Ebeneza traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on April 5. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $890 to fund Ebeneza's clubfoot repair. Ebeneza’s mother says, “Please help our son we have tried to treat our son but nothing has worked so far.”

Zaw is a 15-year-old boy who lives with his mother and his 11-year-old brother in Burma. Both Zaw and his brother are students, but Zaw stopped attending when his health deteriorated. Zaw has been diagnosed with atrial septal defect, which means there is a hole in his heart. He needs to undergo heart surgery to treat his condition. Fortunately, surgery is scheduled for March 12. Now, his family needs help raising $1,500 to fund this procedure.

Lastin is a baby from Kenya. She is the youngest in a family of four children. Lastin has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. Without treatment, Lastin will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $685 to cover the cost of surgery for Lastin that will treat her hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on February 4 and will drain the excess fluid from Lastin's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Lastin will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. “I came all the way with the little transport money I had to BethanyKids in faith that somehow we will get assistance," says Lastin’s mother.

Paul is a casual laborer from Kenya. He is a father of four children. In August 2018, Paul sustained a tibia fracture. He is not able to walk on his own without pain and discomfort. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On January 7, Paul will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help him walk easily again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,451 to fund this procedure. Paul says, “I hope that with the treatment, I will be able to walk.”

Ma Hnin is a 31-year-old woman from Thailand. She lives with her son and husband in War Ka Yauk Village, Mae Sot District, Tak Province. Her son is a student who studies at a migrant school. Ma Hnin was diagnosed with a heart condition that involves a malformation of the mitral valve, the valve between the left atrium and left ventricle. This valve controls the flow of blood, but certain conditions may cause blood to flow backward or the valve to narrow. Currently, Ma Hnin has bad back pain, feels fatigued, experiences heart palpitations, and has difficulty breathing. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Ma Hnin. The treatment is scheduled to take place on December 4 and, once completed, will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably. “If I feel better after surgery, I want to open a small shop and I want to sell snacks to increase my family’s income,” says Ma Hnin.

Sokkong is a coffee vendor from Cambodia. She has one son and one daughter. She likes to watch TV and take care of her kids. Three years ago, she developed hip pain on her right side. She was diagnosed with spondyloarthritis of both of her hips. Fortunately, Sokkong learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. At CSC, surgeons can perform a total hip replacement to relieve Sokkong of her pain and allow her to walk easily. Treatment is scheduled for November 8, and Sokkong needs help raising $1,025 to pay for this procedure. She says, "After surgery I hope I can walk well and return to work."

Michelot is a student from Haiti. He lives in a small village in southwest Haiti with his mother and other relatives. He attends a high school near his home, although he often misses days of class because of his illness. Michelot has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation. One of the four valves of his heart is damaged because of an infection he suffered earlier in childhood, and it cannot adequately pump blood through his body. Michelot will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On November 7, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will remove his damaged valve and implant an artificial replacement. Another organization, The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano, is contributing $35,000 to pay for surgery. Michelot'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 Michelot's family overseas. He says, "I have been praying for a long time that one day I could get my heart fixed. I am very happy to have this chance!"

Stephen is a baby from Kenya. He is the youngest in a family of three children. His parents are farmers. Stephen 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, Stephen 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 Stephen's spina bifida closure surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on September 10. This procedure will hopefully spare Stephen from the risks associated with his condition, instead allowing him to grow and develop along a healthy trajectory. Stephen’s mother says, “I wish to see my son grow up as a healthy child."

Pheaktra is a baker from Cambodia. He has one sister and five brothers. He likes to watch TV in his free time. Three months ago, Pheaktra was in a motor vehicle accident that caused paralysis of his left arm. He has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his left 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 move his left hand and has no sensation below his elbow. Pheaktra traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On August 3, 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, "I hope after the operation I am better and can move my arm without pain."

Stanley is a baby from Kenya. He has one sibling. His mother is a laborer, and they live in a single-roomed rental home. Stanley 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, Stanley 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 Stanley's spina bifida closure surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on July 9. This procedure will hopefully spare Stanley from the risks associated with his condition, instead allowing him to grow and develop along a healthy trajectory. “I want my boy to be treated and lead a normal life," says Stanley’s mother.