Mirriam is a young student from Kenya. She is the oldest in a family of three children. Mirriam 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, Mirriam traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on November 18. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,224 to fund Mirriam's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will be able to walk and stand on her own. Her mother says, “I will be grateful to see my daughter walking, my joy would be restored. God bless you.”

Saw Wah is a three-year old boy from Burma. He lives in Htee Moo Hta Village in Myawaddy Township, Karen State, Burma with his parents, aunt, and great-grandmother. In January 2018, Saw Wah’s mother noticed a small bump in a sensitive area. It was small and did not cause him any pain at first. However, the bump grew over time. He was eventually diagnosed with a left inguinal hernia with hydrocele. Fortunately, on September 12, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at Mae Sot General Hospital, our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund Saw Wah's hernia repair surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on September 12 and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. "When he grows up I want him to be a doctor or medic, but he wants to be a pilot,” said Saw Wah's mother.

Emmanuel is a baby from Kenya. He was born with spina bifida, a type of neural tube defect in which the spine does not properly close around the spinal cord. Without treatment, Emmanuel is at risk of lower-limb paralysis, infection of the exposed nervous tissue, development of tethered cord syndrome, and possible developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,097 to cover the cost of Emmanuel's spina bifida closure surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on August 24. This procedure will hopefully spare Emmanuel from the risks associated with his condition, instead allowing him to grow and develop along a healthy trajectory. “I am truly happy that we may get help for Emmanuel’s treatment,” says Emmanuel’s guardian.

Timotheo is a child from Tanzania. He is the first born child in a family of three children, and he is almost seven years old. He is expecting to start his primary school education next year. Timotheo’s parents are subsistence farmers. Timotheo 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, Timotheo traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on August 7. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $890 to fund Timotheo's clubfoot repair. After treatment, Timotheo will be able to walk easily. Timotheo’s father says, “I wish I knew sooner that there is hope for my son’s treatment. I just hope that he will be okay and able to walk normal.”

Kasimi is a man from Kenya. He works on a plantation and is a father of five children. His wife also works as a laborer. Recently, Kasimi sustained a spinal injury. Without treatment, it could result in total paralysis. Currently, he is wearing a brace for support. Fortunately, Kasimi is scheduled to undergo a spinal fusion surgery at our medical partner's care center on June 5. He needs help raising $1,500 to fund the treatment. Kasimi says, “I wish to be treated and resume my fatherly duties."

Christella is a student from Haiti. She lives with her mother and aunt in a small village in the mountains of northern Haiti. She is in the sixth grade, and enjoys studying math and science in school. Christella has a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect with subaortic membrane. Her heart has two defects: a hole between the two lower chambers of her heart, and a piece of tissue that partially blocks one of the heart's four valves. These conditions prevent blood from flowing normally through the heart, and could eventually be fatal. Christella will fly to Cayman Islands to receive treatment. On June 7, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will close the hole in her heart with a patch, and remove the tissue blocking her valve. Another organization, Have a Heart Cayman, is contributing $17,000 to pay for surgery. Christella'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 Christella's family overseas. She says, "I am nervous about my surgery but excited to fly on a plane!"

Upendo is a young girl from Tanzania. She is an only child in her small family. Upendo is currently in kindergarten, and she hopes to enroll to primary school next year. Upendo is a happy child who loves her friends and enjoys singing. Her mother sells cloths, and her father is drives a motorcycle. For three years, Upendo has been experiencing difficulty breathing and frequent fever. This has caused her to miss school often. Upendo 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 Upendo, which is scheduled to take place on May 3. Surgeons will remove her tonsils, hopefully relieving Upendo of her symptoms and helping her live more comfortably. Upendo says, “Please help me get treatment so that I can be able to breath okay.”

Nyo is a 16-year-old student from Burma. Her parents are farmers. Two of Nyo's older sisters work in Bangkok, and they send money to help pay for Nyo's school fees. Nyo was diagnosed with a heart condition that involves a malformation of the mitral valve, the valve between the left atrium and left ventricle. This valve controls the flow of blood, but certain conditions may cause blood to flow backward or the valve to narrow. Nyo experiences chest pain, difficulty breathing, fatigue, and discoloration of her lips. Her symptoms have caused her to miss school, and to frequently be late. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Nyo. The treatment is scheduled to take place on April 2 and, once completed, will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably. "I would like to become a doctor someday, and help low-income patients in need," said Nyo.

Lwin is a 61-year-old housewife from Burma. She used to rent a patch of land for farming, but a recent medical condition has forced her to stop working. Lwin's husband passed away and she has six adult children. Now Lwin lives with one of her daughters and son-in-law. Lwin experiences back pain if she sits for long periods, and she feels a tightness and discomfort in her upper abdomen. Eventually she went to Mae Tao Clinic, our medical partner's care center, to have her symptoms checked. The doctor diagnosed her with a large kidney stone and told her that she requires surgery to remove the stone. Lwin will undergo a shockwave lithotripsy on March 8. Now, she needs help raising $1,500 to fund this procedure. She says, "Now I have a small garden where I plant vegetables. When I was away for my treatment, I didn’t get to water my garden and when I returned home, I saw that the plants were all dry. It’s costly to visit the hospital very often and I have no time to look after my garden. I just want to have the treatment and fully recover from my symptoms so that I can work in my garden again."

Lin is construction worker from Cambodia. He likes watching movies and playing games on his phone. Five years ago, Lin fell at his house and has been experiencing pain ever since. Due to a recurrent hip dislocation, he has difficulty walking and working. Fortunately, Lin learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. At CSC, surgeons can perform a total hip replacement to relieve Lin of his pain and allow him to walk easily. Treatment is scheduled for January 17, and Lin needs help raising $1,025 to pay for this procedure. After recovery, he hopes he can return to work.

Martin is a 23-year-old man from Narok, Kenya. He recently married, and he is enjoying family life. Martin works a motorcycle taxi rider, ferrying clients and luggage within his local town. About a week ago, Martin was hit on his head with a club. He was taken to the local hospital and after first aid, referred to our medical partner's facility. He underwent a CT scan and was diagnosed with a depressed skull fracture. A craniotomy has been recommended to treat the injury. Martin is scheduled to undergo surgery on January 4. Now, he needs help raising $1,495. Martin says, “I want to be treated and resume my work. I am having painful head migraines.”

Seak is a hat maker from Cambodia. He makes hats from palm leaves for a living. He likes to watch the news and boxing on TV and listen to the news on the radio in his free time. Four years ago, Seak developed a cataract in each eye, causing him blurred vision and photophobia. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Seak learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, he traveled for four hours seeking treatment. On July 13, doctors will perform 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.