Zawadi is a baby from Tanzania. For seven months, Zawadi has been experiencing difficulty breathing and swallowing. Zawadi was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils, which, if not treated, will cause her symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $633 to fund a tonsillectomy for Zawadi, which is scheduled to take place on July 18. Surgeons will remove her tonsils, hopefully relieving Zawadi of her symptoms and helping her live more comfortably. Zawadi’s mother says, “We didn’t know our daughter’s problem was treatable we happy to hear she could be treated and be ok, but the cost is too high for us to afford please help us.”

Sue is a 48-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her mother, husband and son in Hlaingbwe Township, Karen State. Sue and her husband are farmers. Sue has a kidney stone. She has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, Sue's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), Sue is scheduled to undergo her cholecystectomy on July 3. BCMF is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Sue's procedure and care. Sue said, “I would like to become healthy again, so that I can be able to work and support my family.”

Choy is a 20-year-old football player from Cambodia. He has three brothers and one sister, and takes care of his mother during the daytime. When he was nine, Choy had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in his right ear to perforate. For this reason, Choy experiences fever, discharge, itchiness, headache. He cannot hear clearly, and this affects his ability communicate well with others. Choy traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On June 06, he will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in his right ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $423 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. He says, "I hope that surgery will help to improve my hearing and stop the ear discharge."

Aye is a 14-year-old girl from Thailand. She lives with her family in Mae La Refugee Camp, Tak Province. In 2018, Aye experienced extreme pain and her mother took her to the hospital in the camp. There, the medic performed an ultrasound test and found a mass near her uterus. Currently Aye is suffering from severe lower back and lower abdominal pain. The mass is quite big and makes it uncomfortable for her to sit down. Aye sought treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund. She is now scheduled to undergo mass removal surgery on May 3. She is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care.

Thearo is a young man from Cambodia. Ten years ago, Thearo's spine started to curve, 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 his spine, and prevent further worsening of the condition. Fortunately, surgery is scheduled for March 14. Our medical partner needs help raising $1,500 to fund this procedure. Thearo hopes to go back to school and become a teacher one day. He says, "I hope that after surgery, I will no longer have any pain and will be able to go back to school without any discomfort."

Saw Shine is a 23-year-old student from Burma. He lives with his parents in Htee Thae Lay Village, Hpa-pun Township, Karen State. His parents work as farmers, planting beans, tobacco and vegetables on their small farm. In his free time, he loves to play football or help his parents on the farm. On April 27, 2018, a branch fell on Saw Shine’s right leg and broke it. At present, Saw Shine cannot walk without crutches. He feels a lot of pain when he tries to walk. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Saw Shine will undergo surgery to reset his fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for February 20 and will cost $1,500. He will be able to walk properly and also able to study again. Saw Shine says, “I want to serve my community. I am especially interested in management of education systems.”

Soe is a 35-year-old woman from Thailand. She lives with her husband and youngest son in Mae Sot, Tak Province. Soe has a bile duct stone. Currently, she experiences from back pain as well as lower abdominal pain. Soe has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, Soe's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), Soe is scheduled to undergo her cholecystectomy on February 13. BCMF is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Soe's procedure and care. Soe says, “I want to be healthy and stay happy with my family in my own house.”

Panha is a woman from Cambodia. She has one son and three daughters. She likes to watch TV and spend time with her family. Five months ago, Panha fell down and dislocated her left elbow. She has difficulty bending and using her arm and is in chronic pain. She needs to undergo an open reduction procedure to help her regain function in her arm and elbow. Surgery is scheduled for December 12 and will cost $390. She says, "I hope after the surgery I have no more pain and can work normally."

Jilungu is a child from Tanzania. His parents are farmers. Jilungu 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, Jilungu traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on December 5. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $890 to fund Jilungu's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk. Jilungu’s father says, “Please help my son.”

Paul is a young boy and the fifth in a family of six children. He is playful and very social. His parents are planning to enroll him in school next year. Paul was born with a malformation of his left leg, which was caused by the amniotic band wrapping around it and preventing blood flow during development. His parents were advised to let him grow for a few years before undergoing surgery. Now, on October 11, Paul is scheduled to undergo an amputation, which is going to enable him to use a prosthetic leg. His family needs help raising $1,035 to fund this procedure. His father says, “We wish to get the needed surgery for our son so that he can be able to use a prosthetic leg and be able to walk to school like other children, but we are unable to afford the cost of the surgery. Please help us.”

Rabson is a basket-maker from Malawi. He works on a small family farm with his wife and kids, while making baskets from home to earn extra income. He enjoys chatting with his friends in his free time. Since 2017, Rabson has been experiencing pain and urinary difficulty. These symptoms are caused by an enlarged prostate, a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia. He needs to undergo a prostate resection surgery, a procedure in which surgeons will remove part of the enlarged gland. Our medical partner, World Altering Medicine, is requesting $733 to fund Rabson's surgery. On September 18, he will undergo prostate surgery at Nkhoma Hospital, our medical partner's care center. The requested money pays for supplies, medications, and two weeks of hospital stay. He is very eager to be helped through this surgery. He says, "I am just waiting to recover and continue doing everything as I was before these health problems started. Thank you so much for this program to help me get better again!"

Oudom is a grocer from Cambodia. He has one daughter and one son. He likes to listen to music and play football. Fourteen years ago, Oudom 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, Oudom experiences pain, tinnitus and ear discharge. It is difficult for him to hear well. Oudom traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On September 6, he will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure in his left 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. He says, "I hope my hearing improves after the operation."