Bunaidie is an 18-year-old student living with her parents and younger sister outside of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Bunaidie would like to become a doctor or nurse one day and was a junior in high school last year, but is taking this year off of school because of her health. Bunaidie has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation. One of her four heart valves was severely damaged by a fever she suffered earlier in childhood. As a result, her heart cannot adequately pump blood through her body, leaving her weak and short of breath. The surgery that Bunaidie needs is not available in her country, so Bunaidie will fly to Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On October 5th, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will remove the damaged heart valve and implant an artificial replacement. Another organization, Haitian Hearts, is contributing $12,000 to pay for surgery; however, Bunaidie's family also needs $1,500 to help to fund the costs of surgery prep and follow up, including labs expenses, medicines, and checkup and follow-up appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social worker from our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Bunaidie's family overseas. Bunaidie says, "I am hopeful that after my surgery my heart will be normal. I want to be able to focus on my school and be ready for the rest of my life."

Gifton is a fifteen-month-old boy. He is the only child in his family and resides in an urban area Nairobi. His mother, Mercy, works as a housemaid in the area, undertaking various household tasks, including washing clothes. Gifton's mother noticed a deformity in his feet immediately after birth. His feet were turned inward, not as other children's. Gifton has been diagnosed as having clubfoot of both feet--a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. As Gifton grows, this will cause difficulty walking and even wearing shoes if not corrected. Mercy sought medical help for Gifton. When he was just one month old, a course of serial casting to correct the position of his feet was started. Despite these efforts, the condition has not improved, prompting Mercy to seek a pediatric orthopedic review. Doctors at AIC CURE International Hospital in Nairobi have determined that Gifton needs bilateral PMR surgery to correct the deformity. This surgery will be performed on October 23. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,286 to fund Gifton's clubfoot repair. After treatment, there will be a significant impact on Gifton, as the treatment will realign his feet to their normal position. As he grows, he will gain the ability to walk comfortably, just like other children. “I am appealing for help from well-wishers to help my boy walk comfortably like other children,” Gifton's mother told us.

John is a 2-month-old baby from Tanzania. He resides in a modest home with his parents and two siblings. His mother is a devoted stay-at-home mother, while his father works as a carpenter. His father’s income is enough to cover the family’s basic needs. After John's birth, the doctors realized he was born with a congenital condition and advised his mother to seek specialized care. His right foot was twisted inward and downward. They started him on casting at the hospital for three weeks, hoping it might help him heal. However, it became apparent that his condition was more complex and would require surgical intervention as the only viable option to give John a chance at a more mobile and fulfilling life. However, the financial burden proved to be overwhelming for John’s family. Living on a modest income, they could not afford the surgical treatment cost. They had to make a hard decision to stop their son’s treatment. Sometime after discontinuing their son’s treatment, John’s mother learned about our medical partner the Plaster House and the services it provides. Fueled by love and hope for her son, she sought assistance from the center. John underwent a comprehensive wellness assessment; however, the family cannot raise money for his treatment and is appealing for financial assistance. John has clubfoot on his right foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. The Plaster House team will begin clubfoot treatment on September 19. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $935 to fund John's clubfoot repair. After treatment and as he grows he will be able to walk comfortably, wear shoes, enjoy playtime with his peers, and reassure his parents that their son is free from disability. John’s mother says: “I hope my son’s treatment will be smooth and he will turn out okay after his treatment.”

Thu Zar is a 47-year-old woman from Thailand. She lives with her daughter and son-in-law. She is a homemaker, her daughter is a babysitter and her son-in-law is a construction worker. Thu Zar spends most of her time doing household chores, allowing her daughter and son-in-law to concentrate on their work. Since March 2023, Thu Zar has been experiencing occasional heavy bleeding and a gradual enlargement of her abdomen which she had initially thought was caused from gaining weight. Now, she has been diagnosed with leiomyoma--a tumor in the uterus, also known as uterine fibroids. She has been advised to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy, the surgical removal of her uterus and cervix. If left untreated, Thu Zar's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. Fortunately, Thu Zar is scheduled to undergo her hysterectomy on August 21st. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Once recovered, Thu Zar will no longer have her worrying symptoms. Thu Zar said, “Because of my condition, I feel worried, fearful, and sad. At the same time, I feel relieved and happy that my condition is treatable through surgery and that it is not cancerous. I am grateful to everyone for their support in facilitating my treatment."

Mon is a 40-year-old mother from Thailand. She lives with her husband and son in a small village. She is a seamstress while her husband is unemployed. Her son goes to nursery school. In her free time, she enjoys playing with her son and riding bikes with him. Since 2015, Mon has been experiencing pain in the right side of her abdomen. She has been diagnosed with uterine myoma. She has been advised to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy, the surgical removal of her uterus and cervix. If left untreated, Mon's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. Fortunately, Mon is scheduled to undergo her hysterectomy on July 19th. Our medical partner Burma Children Medical Fund (BCM) is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Once recovered, she will no longer experience pain. She said, “I was depressed when I learned I have to undergo surgery, but my husband comforted me and encouraged me to continue seeking medical treatment so I will feel better.”

Peris is a 67-year-old woman from Kenya. Peris is married and practices subsistence farming with her husband–a type of farming where the majority of crops or livestock raised are used to provide food for the farmer and their family. On May 4th, 2023, Peris was preparing to go to church when she was hit by her cow. She was rushed to a nearby hospital where she received an x-ray. The images revealed a left patella fracture that requires surgical attention. Now, Peris is unable to walk or use her leg due to the fracture and is in chronic pain. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), can help. On June 7th, Peris will undergo a fracture repair procedure called open reduction and internal fixation. During the surgery, AMH's surgeons will use a fixing device such as plates or screws to stabilize Peris's bone. After the procedure, Peris will be able to walk again. Now, AMH is requesting $1,500 to fund this procedure. Peris says, “I was well and walking. However, my cow hit me and broke my knee. I need the surgery to walk."

Evans is a 22-year-old from Kenya who just completed his training as a plant operator with the National Youth Service. He will be looking for jobs as a plant operator but is currently unable to work and depends on his parents for support. His mother is a hairdresser, and his father is a casual laborer. Evans was in a bad accident in April and had to use his mother’s medical insurance, but their coverage is now exhausted. Evans shared that he has a large medical bill that they are struggling to raise money for, and he still needs to undergo two more procedures and is requesting financial support. On April 30th, Evans was involved in a road accident while traveling for a site-seeing visit that caused him to sustain hip and wrist fractures. The bus he and the other youth members from his church were in was involved in a head-on collision with an oncoming truck that was speeding. Evans has undergone multiple surgeries, including ex-fixator placement for a pelvic fracture, laparotomy surgery, and minor bowel repair surgery. His treatment journey is ongoing, with two more fracture repair surgeries scheduled. Currently, it is difficult for him to walk or use his left hand; he is bedridden and in chronic pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On May 16th, Evans will undergo a fracture repair procedure called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help him walk, sit, and restore grip on his hand. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $1,500 to fund this procedure. Evans says, “I am lucky to be alive. It is a miracle considering the magnitude of the accident. I hope to walk again and be a productive citizen now that I have recently finished my training.”

Aaron is a 16-month-old baby boy from Haiti. He lives in Port-au-Prince with his two loving parents and three older sisters. His parents describe him as a happy and outgoing baby. Aaron was born with a congenital heart defect called Aortic coarctation, where a major blood vessel leading from the heart is too narrow. It forces the heart to pump harder to move blood through the aorta. Often, this condition can go undiagnosed and result in fatality later in life. Fortunately, Aaron was diagnosed by our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA), and a treatment plan has been created. On April 17th, doctors will perform the surgery and use a balloon attached to a catheter to stretch the aorta to a more appropriate size. HCA is requesting $1500 to fund the procedure. After the surgery, Aaron should live more comfortably and his parents with less worry. His mother says, "We are very excited to know that this surgery will finally be possible for our son!"

Nan is a 41-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her husband and two children. She is a homemaker and her husband is a day laborer. They also have a small garden where they grow betel nut and trees and raise cows, goats and chickens. She loves to take care of her garden during her free times. Nan was referred to BCMF to treat her severe heart condition (ASD) at Chiang Mai Hospital (CMH). After she arrived at our medical partners "BCMF-B.K. Kee Patient House" on the evening of March 2nd, she felt weak and tired. She also felt dizzy, had a headache and difficulty breathing. During the night, she suffered a seizure and fell semi-conscious. BCMF staff rushed her to the emergency room at CMH. Nan underwent a CT scan of her head and was diagnosed with intracranial hemorrhage. The doctor then planned to perform surgery on her immediately. She had a seizure and is semi-conscious. Nan is now scheduled to undergo mass removal surgery on March 3rd. Her family is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Nan’s husband said, "I am hoping for a good outcome. I hope she can get through this. Thank you for helping us. I do not know what to do right now. I am praying for her.”

Ohn, who is 52 years old, lives with her husband in a village in Tak Province in Thailand. While Ohn's husband no longer works because of pain in his lower legs, Ohn earns money as a day laborer on a local farm. In the middle of 2021, Ohn began experiencing lower left abdominal pain, and discomfort when she urinates or has a bowel movement. She has been diagnosed with myoma, a uterine fibroid, and has been advised to have a total hysterectomy. Left untreated, Ohn's symptoms will worsen, and she will be at risk for additional medical complications. Ohn's income barely covers her and her husband's daily living expenses. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is seeking $1,500 to cover the cost of Ohn's procedure and care. Ohn is scheduled to undergo a hysterectomy on February 1st, at Mae Sot General Hospital, where both her uterus and cervix will be removed. After she has recovered, Ohn should be able to resume her life, free from pain. Ohn said: “I cannot sleep well because I am worried and feel depressed about my condition. When I learned that the organization [BCMF] would pay for the cost of my surgery, I felt very happy. I am very thankful to all donors and to BCMF for paying for my investigation and treatment. When I recover, I will try to work and save money, so I can pay back my debt."

Meet Zephania, a jovial, 34 year old farmer, living in the highlands of Kenya with his wife and three children. Zephania has a small piece of land, on which he plants maize and potatoes, mainly for his family's consumption. He dropped out of high school early because his family could not afford to cover the necessary fees. He has been a casual laborer working on people's farms, clearing bushes and carrying loads, in order to earn a living. His wife is not working currently, as she is expecting a child. Zephania was involved in an accident while riding his motorbike. When he arrived at the hospital, he was unable to stand or to walk, and he complained of a lot of pain in his left leg. Upon examination, it was revealed that his leg had been shortened, and there was also some swelling of the limb. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, can help. On January 10th, Zephania will undergo a fracture repair procedure at AIC Kapsowar Hospital. As a result of this surgery, called an open reduction and internal fixation, Zephania will no longer be in pain; his leg will heal, and he will be able to return to work and to provide for his family. Now, African Mission Healthcare Foundation is requesting $1,145 to fund this procedure. Zephania says: "My family depends on me for their daily needs, so it is really difficult for them. I don’t want to see them struggle when I am living.”

Sue is a 25-year-old woman living with her husband, mother and child in a camp for internally displaced people and refugees in Thailand. Both Sue and her husband are unemployed, and the family depends upon the rations that they receive from the organizations that support the camp. Five months ago Sue noticed that her abdomen was swelling. At first she thought that she might be pregnant, but other symptoms started to emerge. She was able to receive an ultrasound at the hospital, which showed that there is a large tumor growing on her ovary. As the tumor may prove to be cancerous, the doctors told Sue that she would need to have both of her ovaries and her uterus surgically removed. Sue sought treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, and she is now scheduled to undergo mass removal surgery on December 23rd at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital. Her family is seeking $1,500 to cover the cost of her procedure and care. Sue said: "I wish my condition will get better so that I can spend more time with my daughter and mother, and my husband in the future." Her husband also shared: "I feel pity on my wife when I see she is in pain and cannot sleep. I am stressed about her condition, but now I feel released of worry when I heard that she is going to receive surgery soon. Thank you to Burma Children Medical Fund and all the donors for helping my wife."