Bona is a tuk tuk driver from Cambodia. He has one son and one daughter. He likes to listen to music, play sports, and spend time with his kids. One year ago, Bona 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 lift his arm and he cannot work. Bona traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On January 9, 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 surgery I hope I can return to work soon and support my family."

Joseph is a baby from Kenya. He is the youngest child in his family. Joseph has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of his condition, Joseph has been experiencing an increasing head circumference. Without treatment, Joseph will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $685 to cover the cost of surgery for Joseph that will treat his hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on December 13 and will drain the excess fluid from Joseph's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, Joseph will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. Joseph’s mother says, “My prayer is to have my son grow as a normal child with fewer health-related problems."

Ry is a tailor from Cambodia. He has one son and one daughter. He likes to listen to music in his free time. Fifteen years ago, Ry 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, Ry experiences ear discharge and tinnitus. It is difficult for him to hear Ry traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On November 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 ear heals after the surgery and I can hear normally."

Than Aye is a 45-year-old single woman from Burma. She lives with her friend in Kaw Bay Village, Kawkareik Township, Karen State, Burma. Four months ago, Than Aye has been experiencing cramps and pain in her lower 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, Than Aye's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. Fortunately, Than Aye is scheduled to undergo her hysterectomy on October 2. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Once recovered, she will no longer experiences cramps and pain, and she will be able to return to her work.

Yasin is a baby from Tanzania. He is an only child to his young parents. Yasin was diagnosed with bilateral genu varus. His legs are bowed outward. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, he has difficulty walking. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $940 to fund corrective surgery for Yasin. The procedure is scheduled to take place on September 6. Treatment will hopefully restore Yasin's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Yasin’s mother says, “Thank you very much you have brought hope to us."

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."

Richard is a laborer from Kenya. He is married and a father of two children. One day in June, as Richard was going home from work, he was hit by a vehicle and sustained an open fracture of his right tibia bone. He is not able to walk and uses a wheelchair to move. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On July 12, Richard will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help him walk easily again and go back to work once he is fully recovered. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $998 to fund this procedure. “I have a lot of pain and am afraid to delay the surgery. My family is still very young and require my support. Kindly help me so that I can be well again to earn for my family," he says.

Hla is a 35-year-old woman from Thailand. She is originally from Karen State, Burma but moved to Thailand when she was 12 years old. She lives with her 11-year-old son. She sells vegetables, which she picks on different farms around Mae Sot. In June, Hla had an accident while she was riding a bicycle with her son from school. She is now suffering with pain in her arm. Her left forearm and fingers are swollen, and she is unable to move and use them properly. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Hla will undergo surgery to reset her fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for June 8 and will cost $1,500. After surgery, Hla will be able to return home. She says, “I am worried that soon I might not be able to pay rent for our house anymore. Also, I am worried about my arm. I hope that I will be able to use it again in the future, so that I can go back to work and support me and my son.”

Iloveda is a young woman from Haiti. She lives on an island off the west coast of Haiti with her parents, who are both farmers. Iloveda is in the seventh grade in school, and would like to be a nurse or a teacher when she grows up. Iloveda has a cardiac condition called Tetralogy of Fallot, in which a hole exists between the two lower chambers of the heart and a muscular blockage prevents adequate blood flow through one of the valves. This condition leaves her sick and short of breath, and would eventually be fatal. Iloveda will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On May 8, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will close the hole with a patch, and remove the muscular blockage. Another organization, HeartGift Foundation, is contributing $20,000 to pay for surgery. Iloveda'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 Iloveda's family overseas. She says, "I am excited to have a healthy heart and to do everything I want to do without getting tired!"

Edoso is a baby from Ethiopia. He is a smiley toddler who loves to play and laugh with his mother. His father passed away a year ago, leaving his mother with six children. Edoso's mother rented out their small farm and is barely able to meet the needs of her family. Edoso was born with an anorectal malformation, a congenital abnormality that leads to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. He needs to undergo a series of procedures to eliminate bowel dysfunction. Edoso is scheduled to undergo surgery to correct his condition on April 10. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Edoso's procedure and care. After his recovery, Edoso will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. Edoso’s mother says, “I was a house wife. When I lost my husband, life got difficult because he was the one who supported the family. Now I am struggling with the financial needs of my family. I am trying to raise my children with the limited money I get from my rented land."

Faraja is a girl from Tanzania. She has not started school yet, and she loves to play with other children. She has an older brother and an older sister. Faraja’s father is a security guard, and her mother is a maize farmer and cattle breeder. Three years ago, while her mother was making breakfast in their house, Faraja tripped and fell into a jar of boiling tea. She sustained burns on the left side of her body. Faraja’s parents took her to the hospital, where she was hospitalized for two months. She recovered but was left with burn scar contractures. She now requires surgery to regain function of her left arm. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Faraja receive treatment. On March 5, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery. After recovery, Faraja will be able to join school, carry things, and play happily with her friends. Now, she needs help to fund this $608 procedure. “When Faraja gets treated and recovered, I will make sure she gets her higher degree in school, because me and her mother did not get the chance to attend school," Faraja’s father says.

Thun is a grandmother from Cambodia. She has eight children and six grandchildren. She is a rice farmer and enjoys spending time at home with her family. Four years ago, she started experiencing pain in her knee. She is finding it difficult to work and walk. Fortunately, Thun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. At CSC, surgeons can perform a total knee replacement to relieve Thun of her pain and allow her to walk easily. Treatment is scheduled for January 12, and Thun needs help raising $1,025 to pay for this procedure. She says, "I want to be able to take care of my grandchildren."