Sokban is a sixth grader from Cambodia. He likes to study mathematics, the Khmer language, and science. He enjoys eating fried pork and loves to read and play games with his friends. Five months ago, Sokban 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, Sokban experiences ear discharge and tinnitus. It is difficult for him to hear clearly and pay attention in school. Sokban traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On August 10, 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 mother says, "I hope my son's surgery is successful and he can get back to school."

Mary is a woman from Kenya. She is a mother of four and used to work as a farmer. Due to recent health problems, she has had to stop working, so her husband is the only one providing for the family. For three years, Mary has been experiencing leg and spinal pain. Painkillers have not worked, and she has difficulty walking. She visited our medical partner's care center, where she underwent an MRI and was diagnosed with cervical myelopathy, a compression of the spinal cord. She needs to undergo a spinal fusion surgery, scheduled for July 23. Now, Mary's family needs help funding this $1,500 procedure. Mary says, “My wish is to be able to walk upright again and with no pain. I want to be there for my family."

Dorcus is a baby from Tanzania. She is very playful and the youngest in a family of two children. Dorcus's father is a shopkeeper, while her mother looks after the children. Dorcus was diagnosed with genu varus. Her leg bows outward. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $940 to fund corrective surgery for Dorcus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on June 18. Treatment will hopefully restore Dorcus's mobility, allow her to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease her risk of future complications. Dorcus's mother says, "We are scared our daughter’s leg may never be straight if we don’t get help now that she is still young. We don’t where else to go."

David is a farmer from Kenya. He is a father of six. He is a hardworking man and has tried his best to educate his children. A month ago, David was busy preparing his land for planting when he began to feel pain. He used painkillers, but the pain persisted. David later noticed a swelling on his abdomen. David has a right inguinal hernia. The hernia causes him pain and is affecting his ability to work on his farm. Fortunately, on May 2, he will undergo repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $384 to fund David's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. David says, “My hand was healing, I had just started preparing my farm for planting when I felt frequent pain when on my lower abdomen."

Roodensky is a toddler from Haiti. He lives with his parents and two older siblings in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. He likes listening to music and playing with toy cars. Roodensky has a cardiac condition called atrial septal defect. A hole exists between the two upper chambers of his heart. Blood leaks through this hole, leaving him weak and unable to gain weight. On April 12, he will undergo cardiac surgery at St. Damien Hospital, our medical partner's care center. During surgery, surgeons will close the hole in his heart with a patch. Another organization, Gift of Life International, is contributing $5,000 to pay for surgery. Roodensky'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. His mother says, "Our family is very thankful to everyone who is helping our son to have this surgery!"

Dah is a 46-year-old woman who lives with her husband, one son, and two daughters in Karen State, Burma. Dah has been unable to work since 2015 due to her poor health. Her oldest son works as day laborer on someone else's farm and supports their family. Both of her daughters are currently studying at school. Four years ago, Dah started experiencing back pain and had difficulty walking or standing for long periods of time. She went to see the doctor in a Burmese hospital, where she was diagnosed with a kidney stone. At that time, she was unable to afford the cost of treatment. Eventually, she went to Mae Tao Clinic, our medical partner's care center, for further treatment and the doctor sent her to Mae Sot Hospital for further investigation. At the hospital she was again diagnosed with a kidney stone and was told she would require surgery to remove the stone. She was referred to Burma Children Medical Fund, our medical partner, for assistance in receiving treatment. Now, Dah is scheduled for a procedure called shockwave lithotripsy on March 8. She needs help raising $1,500 to pay for this treatment. Dah said, “I want to recover quickly so I can return to work. I want to be able to support my daughters so that they can continue with their studies.”

Paul is a farmer from Kenya. He is married and a father of seven. Paul plants cassava and millet for both commercial purpose and family use. Earlier this month, Paul sustained several injuries. Now, he is not able to walk and is in a lot of pain. He has been diagnosed with a bilateral tibia fracture. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On February 12, 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 $968 to fund this procedure.

Luza is a toddler from Haiti. She lives with her parents and several older siblings and cousins in a rural, mountainous area of central Haiti. Her parents are both farmers. Luza has a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect. A hole exists between the two lower chambers of her heart. Blood leaks through this hole without first passing through her lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving her weak and short of breath. Luza also has Down syndrome. Luza will fly to Cayman Islands to receive treatment. On January 24, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will close the hole in her heart by sewing a patch across it. Another organization, Have a Heart Cayman, is contributing $17,000 to pay for surgery. Luza'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 Luza's family overseas. Her mother says, "We are excited for this surgery so that Luza can run and play with her brothers and sisters."

Po is a 44-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her husband and two children in a rural village. She and her husband are subsistence farmers, growing peanuts and beans. Po 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. She began to experience frequent tiredness in 2014, and her symptoms intensified in 2017. She could not walk long distances due to heart palpitations. She often feels dizzy and even loses her appetite during extreme tiredness. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Po. The treatment is scheduled to take place on December 13 and, once completed, will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably. Po says, “I hope to continue to work on the farm with my husband. And bring my children back to take care of them. I want to be cured of my condition and I am not worried about having to go through a surgery. I believe in the surgeon who will take care of my condition.”

Mohamed is a three-year-old boy Tanzania. He loves giving hugs to people and is often laughing and playing around. He loves to learn and is always sounding out words, counting, and finding out how things work. Mohamed has genu varus, commonly called "knock-knees." This is a condition in which the knees angle in and touch each other when the legs are straightened. For this reason, Mohamed finds it difficult to walk. He makes his best effort to get around, but he tires quickly and ends up sitting most of the day. Mohamed needs treatment. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $838 to fund corrective surgery, scheduled for August 18. If not treated, Mohamed will continue to experience pain and tiredness when walking or running. This will prevent him from playing and attending school. However, with this surgery, the hope is that he will be able to walk, run, and play with his friends. “Mohammed is a bright young boy with the world at his fingertips. My hope is that he will have it within his grasp when he receives his surgery,” says Mohamed’s caretaker.

Meet Brian, a playful boy from Kenya. At four years old, he is his parents’ only child. When he was two years old, Brian was playing at home and badly burned his left hand in hot water. Although he was admitted to the hospital for two weeks, his hand did not heal properly. The wound site now bears contractures, or shortened, rigid muscles and skin. As a result, Brian is not able to fully extend or use his left hand. Without further treatment, Brian will likely live the rest of his life with an impaired hand. The wound could even get worse once he begins playing more with other children, as his risk of re-injuring the vulnerable tissue will be increased. Seeking treatment through our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, Brian is scheduled to undergo surgery on his hand to increase mobility on July 3. Although his family is able to contribute $208 towards his medical bills, Brian is still in need of $1,176 to cover the rest of his expenses. “I want my son to have a fully functional hand,” shares Brian’s father. “I will thank God when this happens.”

Kunthea is a 14-year-old student from Cambodia. When Kunthea was a child, she was diagnosed with scoliosis, a sideways curvature of the spine. The curve in her back has worsened and causes Kunthea discomfort. Seeking treatment, Kunthea visited our medical partner’s care center, Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, where she was told she would undergo a procedure to treat her condition. The surgery with help correct the position of the bones, and prevent further curving of the spine. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is asking for $1,500 to cover the cost of Kunthea's surgery on September 5. Kunthea's mother says, "I want my daughter to be healthy and stay in school".