Dharma is a six-year-old boy from Nepal who currently studies in the second standard. He enjoys solving problems in mathematics and is concerned about missing school because he will have to rest after his surgery. Dharma has been living with a hernia-- a protrusion of intestinal tissue through the abdominal wall-- for a few months now. When it hurt him initially, he was too shy to tell anyone. When his brother found out about Dharma's condition, he informed their mother. His mother finally brought him to the hospital when Dharma's hernia had gotten too painful and hard in the last week. Dharma is one of a family of six, and he has one elder and one younger brother. His father stayed back home to look after the youngest son and his own brother. They tend to the farm year round and look after their cattle to keep the family going. The family needs financial assistance to cover the $491 hernia repair surgery for their son. During the procedure, doctors will return the herniated tissue to the abdominal cavity and mend the weakened area in the abdominal wall. After surgery, Dharma will be pain free once again and able to return to school. "I hope Dharma's treatment happens soon," says Dharma's mother. "There is a lot of work to do back home and with each passing day, the work is pending." Let's help fund Dharma's procedure and get him back to school.

Mpuuga is a 10-year-old boy in fifth grade. He lives with his mother and sister in an urban city in Uganda. His best subjects in school are math and English, and he wants to be a teacher when he grows up. He enjoys eating chips. Mpuuga was one-month-old when he began crying a lot. His mother took him to the hospital where he was diagnosed with a hernia and given medicine. The hernia eventually disappeared, but reappeared three years ago. It has been very painful and sometimes Mpuuga has not been able to go to school. Mpuuga says the hernia is more painful when he plays. $220 covers the cost of the hernia repair surgery that Mpuuga needs to get healthy. Mbuuga's mother feels stressed because she is unable to pay for the treatment herself. If not treated, Mpuuga may suffer intestinal obstruction, strangulation and/or incarceration. "I want to get well and have fun with my friends," Mpuuga shares.

Sela is an eight-month-old baby girl from Cambodia. Sela is living with syndactyly--she has webbed fingers and an extra digit on her left hand. Due to these abnormalities, it has been very difficult for Stela to use her hand. Thus, she and her mother traveled three hours to seek the help of our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). Under normal conditions, the webbing dissolves, leaving five independent digits on every extremity. With syndactyly, on the other hand, the degradation of the tissue between fingers or toes is left incomplete during gestation and, in a few cases, like Sela’s, the webbing also covers an extra digit wedged in between. This specific situation, known as “polysyndactyly,” is a very rare occurrence, but when treated early in life it does not present lasting complications. However, if left unaddressed, Sela will lose significant functionality in her left hand. For $321, Sela will undergo a syndactyly repair, which will include a release to separate her fingers and a procedure to remove her extra digit. She will have also receive a skin graft to help heal her remaining digits. The funds will also cover supplies, inpatient care for ten days, and follow up visits for up to one year after the procedure. Because of the skin graft, this operation can be slightly more complicated than other surgeries, but CSC’s medical team says that the benefits of surgery (releasing Sela’s digits and allowing her to live a comfortable life) outweigh the minor risks. Sela’s parents are grateful and eager to have her surgery done. “I hope my daughter will have a normal hand like other people after surgery,” shares Sela’s mother.

Meet Khoeun, a 67-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia with four sons, two daughters, and 11 grandchildren. When he is not farming to support his family, he enjoys reading Buddhist texts. “Khoeun developed a cataract in each eye 4 months ago," our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) tells us. "This causes him blurred vision, tearing, irritation, and he is afraid of sunshine. He can't see everything clearly, do work well, or go anywhere outside.” The cataracts have clouded his vision to the point that it is difficult for him to work. As he works to provide for his family, it is difficult to make enough income to afford the surgery that would restore his eyesight. $225 funds cataract surgery that will remove the cloudy lenses from both of his eyes and replace them with artificial lenses. These funds will cover the costs of post-operative care, where he will be given eye drops to apply daily to prevent infection and help his eyes heal. After one or two days of recovery, Khoeun will be able to see clearly again.

When Sina was 7 years old, she began experiencing hearing loss and discharge in both ears. Although she received surgery on her left ear in 2007, and a subsequent mastoidectomy on her right ear in 2015, she still experiences difficulty with her left ear. Sina now needs a mastoidectomy surgery on her left ear to improve her hearing and stop the discharge. Sina is 21 years old and lives in Cambodia. She works in a factory to support herself. She learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), on the radio and traveled for two hours with her mother to reach CSC. “I am unhappy that I have pain in my left ear," Sina told the CSC staff. "It is difficult to communicate with other people. Sometimes, I cannot go to work because of the pain.” With $809, Sina will recieve mastoidectomy surgery on her left ear. These funds will provide for the costs of surgery, medication, and post-operative care at the hospita. “After a mastoidectomy surgery on her left side, Sina’s left ear will stop producing discharge and her hearing will improve," CSC says.

Meet Kilai, a 17-year-old boy living in Tanzania. Kilai has been working as a shepherd since he was a young boy, but his right knee started to progressively bow inwards when he was five years old, which has limited his ability to work. Kilai has a condition called genu valgus, also known as "knock knees." Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), explains that this condition “has completely changed his gait and ability to be as active as he used to.” Left untreated, Kilai will most likely develop osteoarthritis at a young age. Although Kilai’s mother does beadwork and his father is a livestock keeper, they are not able to afford the cost of corrective surgery. For $940, Kilai will receive surgery and physiotherapy to correct his gait. After surgery, "Kilai will have a straight leg, the ability to walk without knocking his knees and reduced risk of developing osteoarthritis at a young age," AMHF says. “Herding cattle is what I do best. I will be happy to regain my ability to walk properly and walk a long distance without feeling pain,” Kilai shares.

“Maung Win is a 45-year-old man who lives in Burma with his wife and 18-year-old son,” shares our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP). “He has lived in the township his entire life and works as a shop vendor with his wife. Their son is currently studying at college.” “Maung Win has rheumatic heart disease,” reports to BBP. “He is often tired and feels tenderness in his chest. It is difficult to breathe when it is hot at home. Due to his conditions, he has to take medicines every day and has to buy more medicine once a month. It is difficult to afford to costs of medicine and is sometimes difficult to work as a shop vendor due to fatigue.” $1,500 will cover life-saving cardiac surgery for Muang Win. This procedure will increase his ability to breathe and decrease his tiredness. Post-surgery, he should be able to return to work full-time. “After surgery, I want to work hard for my family, especially for my son who is studying at college,” Maung Win says. “I worry for my son and his schooling. I worry that I cannot earn as much money as I can to support my family.”

Linda is a three-year-old girl from Guatemala. A few years ago, Linda's older sister passed away from symptoms consistent with Rett syndrome, a neurodevelopmenal disorder resulting in delayed development. However, she was never properly diagnosed, as her family could not afford diagnostic tests. Linda is now showing the same symptoms as her sister. Linda was born a seemingly healthy child, however, “Around the age of 2 1/2 she started to lose development milestones—she used to be able to talk and walk and slowly that dissolved,” says our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq (WK). "Now, she has lost the ability to walk, talk or communicate in any way. She has muscle contraction in her hands and legs and has difficulty controlling her movements." WK suspects that Linda has a metabolic disorder such as Tay-Sachs disease or Rett syndrome. Given Linda’s sister’s early death and her mother’s pregnancy history, Rett syndrome is a possible diagnosis. A confirmed diagnosis is needed to help Linda and her family plan how to best care for her. With $1385, Linda will receive a full workup screening for conditions associated with developmental delays, receive routine physical therapy, and receive anti-epileptic medication to decrease muscle convulsions and allow her more comfort. “I will take her anywhere, wherever she needs to go to get care,” says Linda’s mother. “If it’s for her I want to fight."

Emmanuel is 16 months old and lives in Haiti with his mother and father. He enjoys smiling around his family, listening to music, and eating fresh mangoes. "Emmanuel was born with only three valves in his heart, instead of the normal four," explains our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA). "The fourth, his tricuspid valve, is completely missing, limiting his heart's ability to pump blood to his body and leaving him sickly and fatigued." Emmanuel's condition requires two surgeries. Health City Cayman Islands has subsidized $10,000 of the total surgery cost, and an additional $1,500 is needed to cover transportation and surgical preparation costs. "Following surgery, Emmanuel should have increased blood circulation to his body, and should be more healthy and stable," HCA adds. "This will allow him to grow, and when he is older and bigger he will undergo a second surgery to complete the repair." "I am very thankful to everyone who is helping my son," his mother shares. "My husband would also like to say thank you so much."

Meet Tin, a 59-year-old wife and mother from Burma who raises cows, chickens, and pigs and plants vegetables near her house. Tin came to our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP) with an ovarian mass. “Six months ago, Tin noticed her first symptoms,” explains BBP. “At that time, she thought she had a stomachache.” Since then, Tin's abdominal pain has persisted, and she has begun to lose weight and feel nauseous whenever she eats. “Currently, Tin experiences pain in her abdomen and back, so she finds it difficult to walk,” says BBP. “She also experiences body pain and headaches, and sometime she gets tired and has difficulty breathing.” The combined income from Tin, her husband, and their adult daughter is enough to cover the family’s daily expenses, but they do not earn enough money to save, and they must borrow funds for health care. Tin’s five married children live in the same village and provide financial help whenever they can. The recommended treatment for Tin is an oophorectomy to remove the affected ovary. $1,500 covers the cost of the surgery as well as a seven-day hospital stay and one outpatient appointment post-surgery. After surgery, “Tin will not be in constant pain and will be able to work again and care for her family,” shares BBP. “I want to be well so that I can work for my family, save money, and have a happy family,” says Tin.

Meet Petronila, a one-year-old girl from Guatemala who is just learning to speak! “Petronila’s favorite toy is a little doll given to her by her cousin,” says our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK). Petronila is the youngest of five children and lives with her mother, two brothers and two sisters. After experiencing constant illness, Petronila’s mother brought her to WK’s medical clinic. Physicians at WK confirmed that Petronila has acute pediatric malnutrition, stating, “Petronila is malnourished and has intermittent diarrhea, fever and a sore throat.” Acute malnutrition results from a nutritional imbalance--the body does not consume as many essential nutrients as it needs to be healthy. A healthy diet is extremely important in early childhood development and malnourishment can contribute to stunted physical and mental growth. The condition also weakens the immune system--often causing a variety of other illnesses. WK explains, “even when Petronila is not sick, her appetite is low.” Petronila’s family is very supportive--WK says, “her older brother cares for and plays with Petronila while her mother works out of the home or at home weaving blouses.” However, the modest income that her mother earns is not enough to cover the cost of Petronila’s treatment. With $535, Petronila will undergo a three-month program to treat her acute malnutrition. With this treatment, Petronila will receive a 90-day supply of nutrient-rich food supplements, which will gradually introduce essential nutrients into her diet. By improving her diet slowly, her body can safely adjust to the changes. As her immune system is currently weak, Petronila will also receive deworming medication to protect her against infection during her treatment. With the fourth-highest rate of malnutrition in the world, WK states, “this condition is common in Guatemala.” Therefore, as part of Petronila’s total cost of treatment, her mother will receive an intensive education on nutrition from a certified nutritionist. As WK says, “this education will not only improve Petronila’s health, but also the health of her siblings.” “Over time, Petronila will recoup the height and weight she has lost and will begin to develop normally,” WK comments. Additionally, “her immune system will strengthen,” therefore allowing Petronila to restore her overall health. “Thank God you found me and want to help my child,” shares Petronila’s mother. “My wish is that she is healthy and free of malnutrition!”