Thol is a father of nine from Cambodia. He makes and sells handmade artisan products. He has two sons, seven daughters, and four grandchildren. He likes watching the news and boxing matches on TV. He also enjoys exercising in his free time. One year ago, Thol developed a cataract in each eye, causing him blurred vision, photophobia, and itchiness. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Thol learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for half an hour seeking treatment. On March 5, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $398 procedure. He says, "I hope I can see everything clearly and have no irritation in my eyes so I can find a job to support my family again."

“My wish is to be a driver when I am older,” shares Michael, who lives in Kenya. At 13, Michael is an eloquent young man. He and his three other siblings live with neighbors in their village. Although his foster family can take care of his basic needs, they do not have the extra money to help treat an ongoing injury Michael has experienced. In 2009, Michael and his sister were preparing food when he was accidentally burned by cooking oil on his hand and neck. After several hospital visits, he received a skin graft in 2011. Michael mostly healed, but contractures—abnormally tight, tough sections of tissue—formed on his neck where the burn had been. As Michael continued to grow, the contractures stretched his neck into an abnormal position. Unless he is treated, this twisting will only continue to worsen. Fortunately, though, we can help Michael. For $1,176, we can sponsor the surgical procedure that will release his contractures, allowing his neck to return to its normal position. This sum will also cover the lab tests, medications, and nine-day hospital stay that will accompany his operation on January 17, 2018. Michael has already faced many challenges in his short life. Let’s help make sure chronic medical disability doesn’t become another one.

Chaw is a 13-year-old girl from the Mogok town of Mandalay Division, Burma. She lives with both of her parents, and her father works as a miner. Both Chaw and her brother are currently attending school. When Chaw was born, her family noticed that her right arm and leg were much weaker than her left side. Whenever she tried to walk, her right leg's muscles would tense up and prevent her from walking properly. She frequently has to walk on her tiptoes as her right foot cannot sit flat on the floor and her ankle mobility is limited. Chaw connected with our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), at a local clinic and was diagnosed with a congenital foot deformity. This malformation will require an Achilles tendon lengthening procedure. The goal of this procedure is to stretch a tight Achilles tendon to allow increased motion at the ankle joint. As Chaw's father's work is inconsistent and depends heavily on the season, his income alone is not enough to cover the surgery. BCMF is requesting $1,500 to help Chaw walk properly again. Her procedure is scheduled for June 27.

Eric is a nine-year-old student from the Philippines. He lives with his parents and three siblings. When he's not in school, Eric helps his mother with household chores and likes to play with his friends in the neighborhood. Also, as the eldest of four, he is often put in charge of his younger siblings when his parents are not around. Eric has difficulty walking because he was born with bilateral clubfoot. Clubfoot refers to the internal rotation of the feet and can only be corrected surgically. In order to help Eric receive the treatment he needs, our medical partner, International Care Ministries, is requesting $1,500 to fund Eric's surgery, hospital stay, and medication. He is scheduled to undergo clubfeet correction on August 8 at our medical partner's care center, Tebow Cure Hospital. Surgeons will re-align the ligaments and tendons that are affected by his condition. "We are looking for a very good result after the operation," says Rowena, Eric's mother. "Hopefully his both feet will be corrected after the operation and he will live a normal life."

Alfred is a 30-year-old father of one from Kenya who loves discussing politics and watching the news when he is well. While his wife is a farm laborer, Alfred has been unable to work for the past year due to his condition. Since June 2015, Alfred has been suffering symptoms of a brain tumor. While he was first diagnosed with epilepsy, MRI test results received towards the end of 2016 indicated that Alfred has a brain tumor. In April 2017, Alfred became paralyzed on his left side. The wait for surgery at his provincial hospital was too long, so Alfred was referred to our medical partner's care center, AIC Kijabe Hospital, for a craniotomy. Alfred complains of loss of balance and vision, painful head migraines, and altered speech. If not treated, the brain tumor might increase in size and result in brain damage or death. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,495 to fund Alfred’s brain surgery, which is scheduled to take place on June 23. Alfred says, "I wish to be treated and work hard for my family. I want my child to read and excel in future."

Matia is a 29-year-old farmer from Uganda who is married and the father of two children. Matia and his wife are both farmers and cultivate food for their own consumption, as well as to sell. About four years ago, Matia started feeling intermittent pain in his right groin region. Later, he noticed a swelling in the same place. When Matia noticed that the swelling and pain was increasing over time, he decided to get an evaluation at a local hospital. At the hospital, an ultrasound was performed and Matia was diagnosed with a hernia. Without surgery, Matia could suffer from intestinal tissue damage. Seeking treatment, Matia visited our medical partner, African Mission healthcare Foundation. He is now scheduled to undergo hernia repair surgery on June 7, and is requesting $249 to cover the total cost of his procedure. After his surgery, Matia hopes to continue his farming with his family.

Morn is a 72-year-old woman from Cambodia. She is married with one son, three daughters, and nine grandchildren. In her free time, she likes to go to the pagoda to join ceremonies and listen to monks pray on the radio. 30 years ago, Morn developed a pterygium in each eye. These growths have caused her blurred vision, irritation, tearing, and burning. It is difficult for her to see things clearly, do any type of work or go places by herself. Morn worries about her vision deteriorating further. Morn traveled for three hours with her granddaughter to reach our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), for treatment. On May 15, eye surgeons will remove the pterygium from each of Morn's eyes. After the procedure, Morn will be able to see clearly again. CSC is requesting $148 to cover Morn's treatment.

Phue is a 14-year-old girl who lives with her parents in Burma. She is currently in eighth grade. Last October, a medical team visited Phue’s school and did checkups on all the students. After Phue was examined, the doctor explained to her parents that he suspected Phue was born with a hole in the wall separating the different chambers of her heart. This hole needs to be closed. Since Phue's diagnosis, her mother has stopped working and has accompanied her to different clinics. This has cut the family income in half. Fortunately, Phue will undergo surgery to close the hole on April 8. Her family needs help to pay for this $1,500 procedure.

Meet Francisco, a 83-year-old grandfather from Guatemala. He has worked as a farmer for most of his life but has recently retired due to his age and worsening eyesight. Francisco has been diagnosed with a case of complicated cataracts. The clouding of the lenses in his eyes makes it very difficult for Francisco to see. Francisco is very sad about his current inability to see but is very hopeful about his upcoming surgery. Francisco will undergo surgery on March 3 to remove his cataracts. Our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq (WK), is asking for $1,500 to help pay for Francisco's surgery. This will also cover travel costs to and from the hospital, pre- and post-operative treatment, and medical evaluation by an ophthalmologist (eye specialist). Francisco shares with WK that his dream is to regain enough eyesight to be able to get his driver's license again and drive himself around. He says, "I give thanks for the opportunity you are giving me in surgery to be be able to see, and therefore live out my old age happily."

Emily is a nine-month-old baby girl who loves playing with her dolls and toy dish set. She is the fifth child in her family. Her mother takes care of household needs, and her father works as a day laborer. Emily is experiencing symptoms of malnutrition, a dangerous condition that results from consuming too few calories and nutrients. In the short term, this means that Emily has little energy to grow, and she also gets sick more often than other children. The long-term consequences of malnutrition include increased risk of chronic diseases and delayed development. While malnutrition can have devastating effects, it is also very treatable. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, is asking for $492 to fund treatment for Emily. On March 28, Emily will begin routine growth monitoring and nutrient supplementation. Local health workers will also teach Emily's mother about nutrition. These interventions will ensure Emily grows up strong and healthy. Emily’s mother says, “We hope that our daughter grows up well to become a teacher in the future.”

Nay Myo is a nine-year-old boy from Burma. He lives with his parents and has one older brother. Nay Myo's parents work as day laborers. They cut grasses, plant vegetation, and collect bamboo shoots. When Nay Myo was three months old, he fell very sick. He was subsequently diagnosed with thalassemia, a blood disorder characterized by an abnormal oxygen-carrying protein. Symptoms of this condition include fatigue, anemia, and trouble breathing. In order to treat these symptoms, Nay Myo has to receive oral medications and blood transfusions on a regular basis. Thalassemia has also caused Nay Myo's spleen to enlarge. After examination, his doctors decided to remove the spleen before other medical complications arise. On January 18, Nay Myo will undergo a splenectomy. Our medical partner is asking for $1,500 to fund the surgery. Nay Myo's mother is inspired by the caring hospital staff. She says, "I want Nay Myo to be an educated person and work like the staff."

Ma Sein is a 25-year-old woman with mitral valve disease, a condition affecting her heart. She was born in a village in Burma. However, when she was 15, she moved to Thailand to work. She worked as a day laborer, peeling and de-veining prawns near Bangkok. She met and married her husband, and together they had a baby boy. When she was 14 years old, Ma Sein began to experience extreme fatigue, which sometimes prevented her even from walking short distances. Her family purchased oral medication from a local pharmacist. This treatment helped to alleviate her symptoms, but it did not fully cure her illness. One year later, when Ma Sein was working in Thailand, she felt her heart beating abnormally. She visited a local clinic, where the doctor told her she needed a surgery. The doctor also prescribed her medication. Knowing she could not afford surgery, Ma Sein decided to rely solely on the medication. Then, one year ago, her symptoms severely deteriorated. She was extremely tired, and she began to experience chest pain. In early 2016, she stopped working entirely and returned home. Back in her village, Ma Sein spoke with a friend who told her about our medical partner. To traveled to our medical partner's hospital, Pinlon Private Hospital, to seek treatment. On January 6, she will undergo a mitral valve replacement. Now, she needs help to fund this $1,500 procedure. "I don’t want anything but a healthy life," says Ma Sein.