Sammy is married and a young father of two children from South Sudan. He, his wife, and child live in a small servant quarter paying about $3 per month. His other child lives with the mother in Uganda. His wife operates a small eatery to supplement her husband’s income. In the first week of June, Sammy suffered a spinal fracture. While he was working, ten bags of sorghum fell on his back and fractured his spine. Sammy was taken to several hospitals in the country but was only given medications to manage the pain. Due to the lack of specialized medical facilities in the country, he had to seek care in Kenya. He was driven for an entire day lying on a stretcher since there are no flights due to COVID-19. Fortunately our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, can help. Sammy is currently unable to ambulate, has constant pain and is fully dependent on nurses for any movement. If not treated, Sammy is at risk of total paralysis of his lower limbs. Now, Sammy need you to help fund this $1,500 surgery. He shared, “My desire is to regain my health and continue providing for my young family."

Daw Ei is a 48-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her husband, mother, two daughters, son, and daughter-in-law in Yangon. Her husband is a security guard, her mother is retired, and her daughter-in-law is a homemaker. Her eldest daughter works in a factory, her other daughter is a student, and her son works as a mason. Daw Ei used to work as a shop vender herself but had to stop three years ago due to her health problem. Daw Ei 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, Daw Ei suffers from chest pains, feels tired and cannot walk long distances. Sometimes, she has no appetite. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Daw Ei. The treatment is scheduled to take place on June 14th and, once completed, will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably. Daw Ei said, “I’m worried about my health problem. Also, I’ve spent all my money on [seeking] treatment and I had to borrow 300,000 kyat (approx. 300 USD) from my daughter’s friend. I want to be cured.”

Kelvin is a 13-year-old student and the fourth born in a family of six children. The family hails from Karangia village in Nyeri County of Kenya. He is a class 3 student at Karangi Primary School. His mother is a peasant farmer while his father passed away six years ago after a long illness. According to his teacher, Kelvin is a bright boy and performs well in class however she has noted that his self-esteem has been very low. “Kelvin likes playing with other kids but he cannot, he falls every time as his feet knock each other.” Kelvin 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, Kelvin traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on March 9th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,224 to fund Kelvin's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk easily. “I am appealing to the people of goodwill to support my son for surgery so that he can live a better life free from struggles/hardships and also progress well in his studies,” Ann, Kelvin’s mother shared with us.

Loeum is a 44-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She has four sons, and her favorite activities include growing vegetables, feeding the farm animals, and taking care of her family. In January 2020, Loeum was in a motorcycle accident and fractured her left knee. She is unable to walk without support, and cannot stand for long periods of time without pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On February 26th, Loeum will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $465. This operation will help Loeum's knee injury to heal and allow her to walk independently again. "I hope that after my surgery, I will feel much better and I will be able to walk and stand like before without any pain and can return to work," she shared.

Tin is a 20-year-old from Burma. He lives in a nunnery with his mother and aunt, who are nuns, in a village in Katha Township. Tin became a monk 13 years ago when his father passed away. His mother then became a nun. Tin left monkhood two months ago, when he became very ill. He is now unable to work, and he is looked after by his mother. However, sometimes when he feels better, he teaches Buddhist theology to boys from a nearby monastery. As his mother is a nun, she has no income except for whatever she is given during weekly alms collections. Usually she receives dried food staples such as rice in addition to money. Currently, Tin feels tried if he has to walk for a while and if he has to use stairs. Tin was born with ventricular septal defect, a cardiac condition in which a hole exists between the two lower chambers of the heart. Blood leaks through this hole without first passing through his lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him sick and short of breath. Tin is scheduled to undergo heart surgery on March 15th to correct the condition and improve his quality of life. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Tin's procedure and care. Tin said, “Sometimes I have chest pain and when I have them, I have difficulty breathing.”

Tatu is an eleven-week-old baby girl with a twin sister from Tanzania. Tatu and her twin sister are the first-born children to her parents. They live in a small rental home, and her father is a small-scale farmer. Tatu has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of her condition, Tatu has been experiencing an increasing head circumference. Without treatment, Tatu 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 Tatu that will treat her hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on May 13 and will drain the excess fluid from Tatu's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Tatu will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. Tatu’s mother says, “I pray that Tatu will receive treatment, and I hope she will be well like her twin sister.”

Ikram is a toddler from Tanzania. He is the only child to his single mother. Ikram was born with hypospadias, a congenital abnormality that causes urinary dysfunction. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and will be at risk of infertility. Fortunately, Ikram is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on April 9. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $986 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Ikram’s mother says, “I have been concerned about my son’s condition for a long time but due to financial challenges I have not been able to help my son please help him.”

Srey Nuon is a teenager from Cambodia. Her favorite subjects to study in school are chemistry and math, and one day she hopes to become a chemistry teacher. Srey Nuon was born with scoliosis, 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 her spine, and prevent further worsening of the condition. Fortunately, spinal surgery has been scheduled for March 11. Our medical partner needs help raising $1,500 to fund this procedure. Srey Nuon says, "I hope that after my surgery I will no longer have any pain and I will be able to take care of myself and sleep better."

Benson is a laborer from Kenya. He is married and has a young child. In January of this year, Benson was in a motorcycle accident. His right leg was broken twice. He is not able to move or walk and is in chronic pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On February 12, Benson will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help him walk again and provide for his family. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,451 to fund this procedure. Benson says, “I am worried I may lose my leg if I am not treated and that means I cannot take care of my young family.”

Phally is a rice farmer from Cambodia. He has one son and one daughter. He likes to watch TV, play sports, and spend time with his children. Seven months ago, he was in a motor vehicle accident that caused a fracture in his leg. It is difficult for him to walk and he is in chronic pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On January 9, Phally will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $430. This procedure will help him walk easily again. He says, "I hope after surgery I won't be in pain and I can return to work."

Sy is a rice farmer from Cambodia. He lives with his grandmother. He likes to play football and watch TV in his free time. Nine months ago, he 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 use his arm below his elbow and he cannot work. Sy traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On December 11, 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 the operation I hope I can use my arm and hand normally and I can return to work."

Aida is a mother of four from Malawi. As a self-made entrepreneur, she sorts through discarded clothing and washes it for resale. She enjoys singing Gospel music in her free time. Since August, Aida has been experiencing stomach pain radiating to her back and arms, along with full body numbness. She has been diagnosed with fibroids. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, World Altering Medicine, is requesting $650 to fund Aida's surgery. On November 8, she will undergo gynecological surgery at Nkhoma Hospital, our medical partner's care center. The requested money pays for supplies, medications, and seven nights of hospital stay. She is looking forward to being free of pain after surgery. She says, "I am very happy that you have considered to help me through this program. God should bless you!"