Angel is a four-year-old girl from Kenya. She is the second born in her family. Her father is a waiter in a small hotel in their village, while her mother stays home. Angel was born with clubfoot on both feet, a condition that makes it difficult for her to walk. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. She began treatment soon after birth, starting with serial casting to correct her feet. Unfortunately, the family had to stop the follow-up treatments because they could not afford the transport costs as the hospital was far from their home. They recently heard about our medical partner's care center, Cure Hospital, and sought treatment there. Angel has been in the hospital undergoing serial casting to prepare her for surgery. On September 24th, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery, and our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,286 to fund the treatment. After treatment, Angel will be able to stand upright, play, walk, and run like other children. Angel's mother shared, " I am looking forward to her healing quickly and walking like other children, which will be my joy."

Naw Hser is a 21-year-old woman, currently living in a refugee camp in Thailand with her husband, son, parents-in-law, and two brothers-in-law. She is originally from Karen State in Myanmar, and has been at the refugee camp since March 2020. Her plans to return to Myanmar after visiting her brother were interrupted by unexpected COVID-19 travel restrictions and the ensuing civil war, leaving her far away from her home. Presently, her husband works twice a week as a laborer, unloading food rations from trucks. Naw Hser and her parents-in-law manage the household, while one of her brothers-in-law is a student and the other works as a day laborer. Her husband's aunt, who lives in the US sends them 3,300 baht (approx. 100 USD) once a year. They also receive 1,172 baht (approx. 39 USD) on a cash card every month from The Border Consortium. Their total monthly income of 3,047 baht (approx. 102 USD) is hardly enough to cover their basic needs. They receive free basic health care in the hospital in the refugee camp. Naw Hser is currently expecting her second child. Due to a higher-risk pregnancy, her doctors have recommend that she deliver via a caesarean section. This way, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is helping Naw Hser undergo a C-Section on August 14th. This procedure will cost $1500, and Naw Hser needs your support. Naw Hser says: "I aspire to become an assistant teacher at a nursery school in the future."

Rivaldo is a four-year-old boy from Haiti. He lives with his mother and grandmother in a neighborhood of the capital, where he goes to pre-school. He loves to read and play games with his classmates and neighbors. Rivaldo has a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect where a hole exists between the two lower chambers of his heart. Blood leaks through this hole without passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him weak and short of breath. Rivaldo will fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On July 24th, he will undergo cardiac surgery, where surgeons will sew a patch over the hole in his heart so that blood can no longer leak through it. Another organization, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is contributing $8,000 to help pay for the surgery. Rivaldo's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 will cover labs, medicines, check up and follow-up appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and enable social workers from our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, to accompany Rivaldo's family overseas. Rivaldo's mother says, "Our family is all very thankful to everyone who is helping to save our son's life."

Jeremias is a two-month-old baby from Bolivia. He lives with his mother, father, and three older siblings in a rural area two hours outside the capital. Jeremias' parents are both farmers. Jeremias has a cardiac condition called coarctation of aorta. He was born with an aorta that is narrower than normal. His heart struggles to pass blood through the valve, leading to weakness and heart failure. On June 26th, he will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, surgeons will open his aorta to a size where blood can flow more easily. Jeremias' family needs help to fund the costs of cardiac care and surgery. The $1,500 requested by our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, covers cardiac exams and diagnostics, surgical costs, follow-up care, and medications. Jeremias' mother shared, "Our family has been very sad and frightened because our son has been so sick since he was born. We are very happy to know that there is a way to fix his heart problem!"

Thi Ha is a three-year-old boy from Burma. He lives with his mother and an older sister in a village in Karen State, Burma. His mother is a stay-at-home parent, and his sister goes to school. His father works in Bangkok, Thailand, as a cleaner in a market to support his family. When Thi Ha was born, his mother noticed a mass at the bottom of Thi Ha’s spine. As he grew older, the mass grew larger and started causing him pain, even if something soft touched it. Thi Ha and his mother visited our medical partner’s care center, Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, where the doctors wanted Thi Ha to undergo an MRI to diagnose his condition and prepare an appropriate treatment plan for Thi Ha. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $968 to cover the cost of Thi Ha’s MRI and care, scheduled for February 13. His mother said, “Sometimes his friends do not care and ignore him because of his disease. Then Thi Ha feels embarrassed and upset with his friends.”

Moo is a 34-year-old man who lives with his wife and three children in a refugee camp. He is a homemaker while his wife studies at the local school. Two of his children go to school while the youngest stays home with him. During his free time, Moo loves to play with his children and listen to music. Moo recently began to experience troubling symptoms, including fever and lower abdominal pain. He was diagnosed with appendicitis and now needs surgery to prevent his condition from worsening. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is helping Moo receive treatment. He is scheduled to undergo an appendectomy, a surgery to remove the appendix. As a refugee in Thailand, Moo's healthcare is not supported or subsidized by the government. This procedure will cost $1500 and Moo and his family need your support. “I would like to get the surgery as soon as possible and I hope that I can be discharged from the hospital in a few days because there is no one who can look after my youngest child while my wife studies," Moo said.

Belta is a 14-year-old girl from Kenya. Belta's father operates a boda-boda taxi in town, while her mother sells clothing in a nearby market. Belta is the second of three children and she aspires to become a pilot. When Belta was 10 years old, her mother noticed a change in how she walked. Belta would complain of pain while walking, which emanated from her back to her legs. Belta's family heard about our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure Hospital, through a friend, whose child had been successfully treated for a similar condition. The doctors found that Belta has a curvature of the spine and scheduled her for posterior instrument fusion surgery to take place on March 20th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to fund Belta's life-changing surgery which will enable her to walk without pain and discomfort. Belta shared, “I am looking forward to a complete recovery, continuing and finishing my studies well, and becoming a better person in the future who will greatly impact society.”

Poe is a 28-year-old loving mother from Burma. She lives with her husband, her daughter and her son in Karen State, Burma. Poe is the primary caregiver of the children and runs the household, and her husband is a farmer. Their family also raise chickens and pigs to feed their family. During her free time, she enjoys going out to forage vegetables in the forest and going fishing in the stream. Poe and her family are unable to pay for healthcare. Poe is eight months pregnant with her third child. Her doctors recommend that she deliver her baby via a caesarean section because of her labor pain and severe bleeding. This way, doctors can ensure the safety of both Poe and her child. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is helping Poe undergo a C-Section on February 9th. This procedure will cost $1500, and Poe needs your support. Her brother says, "Thank you to the donors and everyone who helps my sister during our difficult time."

Abdul is is charming, energetic, and friendly boy from Tanzania. He is four years old and the youngest member of a family comprising of four children, residing in Katundi village, Kigoma Region. Enrolling Abdul in school has posed challenges for his parents due to his difficulty in walking. Abdul was diagnosed with bilateral genu valgus. His legs curve inwards, significantly impacting his mobility. His school, situated 4 km from home, compounds the issue, making the daily walk difficult. The family faces financial hardships, relying on small-scale agriculture for sustenance without additional sources of income. They make ends meet primarily because of the relatively low cost of living in their village. Sponsorship from the church supports most of Abdul’s siblings’ education. Despite his physical condition, Abdul remains enthusiastic about life. He engages in playful activities, running around and enjoying time with his friends. The family became aware of Kafika House Care Centre through an outreach program, and Nomad Tours played a significant role in facilitating Abdul’s transportation to the facility. After examination, it was concluded that he would require surgical intervention to correct his deformity. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery and treatment for Abdul at their care center Kafika House. The procedure is scheduled to take place on January 16th. Treatment will hopefully restore Abdul's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Abdul’s mother says: “I hope my son’s leg will be straight and he will be able to walk comfortably.”

Shane is a four-year-old toddler from Bolivia. She is the middle of three children and lives in a jungle valley in northern Bolivia where her parents are both farmers. When Shany began to walk, her parents noticed that she would become out of breath very easily. After several doctor visits she was diagnosed with a condition called pulmonary valvar and subvalvar stenosis, in which the area in and near one of the four valves of her heart is too narrow. Blood cannot pass easily through this valve, leaving her weak and short of breath. Surgery is recommended to repair her heart. Our medical partner International Cardiac Alliance is requesting $1,500 to fund Shane's surgery. During surgery, doctors will open the valve to a more normal size so that blood can circulate normally through her body. Her mother shares: "Our family is hopeful that after this surgery our daughter will be healthy and strong enough to start school."

Marife is a loving wife and mother from the Philippines. She previously worked as a janitor at Makati Medical Center but had to quit to give more time to her daughter, who has difficulty breathing with asthma. Marife occasionally does freelance work, but their family mostly depends on the income her husband makes as a janitor. Marife and her family reside in a Housing Relocation Site provided by the National Housing Authority. One year ago, Marife began to experience troubling symptoms, including vomiting and extreme abdominal pain. She described it as even worse pain than when she gave birth. For a year, she tried various medications and home remedies to help ease the pain, but to no avail. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), Marife was diagnosed with cholelithiasis, or gallstones. If left untreated, her symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. Marife is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal) on October 21st. A portion of the cost of the procedure is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is raising the remaining $1,128 to cover the cost of Marife's surgery and care. Marife says, "This surgery will be a great help for me and my family as it will regain my confidence. I have been through depression since I first felt my symptoms. This illness sacrificed my supervision and parenting time with my daughter. I had come to the point of being hopeless but thanks to this hospital and the donors I will fight and continue my life. I hope they can help more people like me who need an operation. Thank you very much."

Rosita is a 71-year-old food vendor from Philippines and lives with her daughters and sister. Despite her diligent efforts to provide income, it is difficult to earn enough for their daily needs and expenses. Things are more difficulty now because her daughter is taking medication due to a recent accident. Four years ago, Rosita began to experience troubling symptoms, including severe abdominal pain and excruciating stomach discomfort. Oftentimes, her pain prevented her from working. Rosita has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, her symptoms would be expected to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), Rosita is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy on September 8th. A portion of the cost of the procedure is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is raising the remaining $1,128 to cover the cost of Rosita's surgery and care. Rosita said, "This support for surgery will provide massive assistance to me because it will allow me to get better and save money that we can use to pay for my daughter's medicines so I am very grateful to all the people who made this possible for me."