Thu is a 27-year-old man who lives in Dala Town, Yangon Division, Burma. He lives with his 25-year-old wife, who take care of their five-year-old daughter who goes to kindergarten. Thu works as a security guard in a tower in Yangon. His total income is just enough to cover all their general expenses, such as food and clothing, as well as pay for his daughter’s school fees. Five years ago, Thu started to experience chest pains while he ate lunch. He continued to suffer from chest pains but he worked through the pain until June 1, 2019, when he suddenly developed severe back pain. He was brought to Yangon General Hospital (YGH) and was admitted for 13 days. While he was admitted, he received a blood test, chest X-ray and an injection to help alleviate the pain. When doctor listened to his chest with a stethoscope, Thu was advised to receive an echocardiogram (echo). After he received the echo on June 16th, the result showed that he has aortic regurgitation, a heart condition caused by problems with the aortic valve. Currently, Thu is suffering from chest pains. He has had to temporarily stop working. Thu is looking forward to receiving surgery soon and getting back to work so that he can continue to support his family.

Guivens is a student from Haiti. He lives with his parents and older sister in a small town on the western coast of Haiti. His father is a fisherman and his mother is a vendor in the local market. Guivens has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation. One of the four valves in his heart was severely damaged due to a fever he suffered earlier in childhood, and cannot adequately pump blood through his body. Guivens will fly to Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On September 2, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will first attempt to repair his damaged valve; if this is not possible, they will implant an artificial replacement. Another organization, Mitral Foundation, is contributing $6,000 to pay for surgery. Guivens'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 Guivens's family overseas. His mother says, "I am very thankful that God is answering our family's prayers and allowing our son to have surgery!"

Zaw is 15-year-old boy from Thailand. He lives with his mother, grandmother, twin sisters, and two older brothers. Last year he dropped out of school to help his mother run a food stall. In May, Zaw was playing tag with his friend. He climbed a tree but slipped and fell, breaking his left femur. Zaw is in a lot of pain. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Zaw will undergo surgery to reset his fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for May 31 and will cost $1,500. This procedure will help him to walk again in the future.

Remedan is a baby from Ethiopia. He loves to play and laugh with people. He loves food. Remedan 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. Remedan is scheduled to undergo surgery to correct his condition on May 14. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Remedan's procedure and care. After his recovery, Remedan will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing health complications in the future.

Dominick is a toddler from Tanzania. He is the first of two children. Dominick was born a healthy baby but he soon developed a left inguinal hernia. His condition is worsening as he is growing up. Fortunately, on April 11, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $539 to fund Dominick's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. Dominick’s mother says, “Please help my son get this treatment, so that he may be well.”

Srey Nuon is a teenager from Cambodia. Her favorite subjects to study in school are chemistry and math, and one day she hopes to become a chemistry teacher. Srey Nuon was born with scoliosis, 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 her spine, and prevent further worsening of the condition. Fortunately, spinal surgery has been scheduled for March 11. Our medical partner needs help raising $1,500 to fund this procedure. Srey Nuon says, "I hope that after my surgery I will no longer have any pain and I will be able to take care of myself and sleep better."

Benson is a laborer from Kenya. He is married and has a young child. In January of this year, Benson was in a motorcycle accident. His right leg was broken twice. He is not able to move or walk and is in chronic pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On February 12, Benson will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help him walk again and provide for his family. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,451 to fund this procedure. Benson says, “I am worried I may lose my leg if I am not treated and that means I cannot take care of my young family.”

Buuna is a government worker from Cambodia. She has two sons and six grandchildren. Two years ago, Buuna developed a cataract in each eye, causing her blurry vision and headaches. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Buuna learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for one hour seeking treatment. On January 8, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $398 procedure. Her son says, "I worry about my mom's vision failing and that she won't be able to meditate."

Davidson is a preschooler from Haiti. He lives with his parents and older brother in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. He will start preschool once he recovers from surgery. Davidson has a cardiac condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. This condition involves several related defects, including a hole between two chambers of the heart and a muscular blockage of one of the valves. On October 10, he will undergo cardiac surgery at St. Damien Hospital, our medical partner's care center. During surgery, surgeons will close the hole with a patch and remove the muscular blockage. Another organization, Gift of Life International, is contributing $5,000 to pay for surgery. Davidson'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, "I will be very relieved for this surgery to be over because I have been very worried about my son's health."

Srey Nin is a vegetable vendor from Cambodia. She has one daughter. She likes to watch TV and listen to classical music. Nine months ago, Srey Nin was in a motor vehicle accident that caused a fracture in her right tibia. It is difficult for her to walk, and she is in chronic pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On December 10, Srey Nin will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $430. This procedure will help her walk easily again. She says, "After the operation, I hope I can walk well and have no more pain."

Najati is a child from Tanzania. She has one younger sibling, and her mother cooks in a restaurant. When she was young, Najati began to have difficulty breathing and sleeping. She 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 Najati, which is scheduled to take place on November 2. Surgeons will remove her tonsils, hopefully relieving Najati of her symptoms and helping her live more comfortably. Najati’s mother says, “Please help my daughter get well, she is really suffering and it hurts me to watch her struggle and I cannot do anything, she does not sleep most nights due to not being able to breathe.”

Fidelica is a preschooler from Haiti. She lives with her parents and two older brothers in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. She goes to preschool and likes drawing and watching cartoons. Fidelica has a cardiac condition called atrial septal defect. A hole exists between the two upper chambers of her heart. Fidelica will fly to Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On October 4, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will use a patch to close the hole in her heart. Another organization, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is contributing $5,000 to pay for surgery. Fidelica'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 Fidelica's family overseas. Her mother says, "We are very happy about this surgery so that Fidelica can start kindergarten without having health problems!"