Srey Leak is 21 years old and works in a sock factory. She has three sisters and three brothers. In her free time, she likes to watch TV and cook. When she was ten years old, Srey Leak fell from a mango tree and fractured her right wrist. Since then, she has experienced wrist pain, which makes it difficult for her to write. When Srey Leak learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled for four hours to seek treatment. On November 1, CSC surgeons performed an open reduction internal fixation procedure on her wrist to heal her fracture. After recovery, Srey Leak should be able to go back to work. Now, she needs help to fund this $411 procedure.

Mach is a 67-year-old farmer. She is married with two daughters and one grandchild. Mach likes to watch the news and Khmer dramas on TV and go to the pagoda to join ceremonies. Two years ago, Mach developed a cataract in each eye, causing her blurred vision, cloudy lenses, pain, and burning. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, doing work, and going outside on her own. When Mach learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled for eight hours seeking treatment. On September 22, CSC surgeons removed her cataracts and replaced them with lens implants. Now, Mach needs help to pay for this $292 procedure. After recovery, she should be able to see clearly. "I hope I can see things more clearly," she says, "so that I can do any work easily, sell bags or clothes, and go anywhere outside by myself without needing to disturb another person to take care of me anymore."

Five-year-old Turyasingura is a nursery school student in Uganda who loves drawing various animals and shapes. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), tells us, “Turyasingura presented with a right scrotal swelling that has been increasing in size over the past 2 years." Turyasingura has a hydrocele, a sac of watery fluid around one or both testicles that causes swelling in the scrotum or groin. The fluid comes from the abdomen and travels along the same paths that the testes follow when they descend into the scrotum before or shortly after birth. While hydroceles may occur at any age, the cause of their development is generally unknown. “If not treated,” says AMHF, “Turyasingura is at risk of testicular atrophy, infection, and progressive swelling, which would affect his quality of life.” For $215, Turyasingura will undergo a hydrocele repair to decrease the scrotal swelling. The surgeon will make a small incision in his scrotum to remove the sac of fluid and then use stitches to close the path between the scrotum and abdomen so that no more fluid can accumulate. Funding also covers the cost of a two-week hospital stay and medicine to prevent infection. “I cannot afford to pay for my son’s treatment,” shares Turyasingura’s father, who supports his family with a stipend for his work at their church and income from selling the extra produce from his gardens. “Thank you in advance for offering to help me. God bless you and your generosity.”

18-year-old Abigaba lives in Uganda with her husband, who works at a hair salon. This September, Abigaba spent six hours in labor at the health centre in her home village, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), tells us. “Abigaba was referred to a government hospital in Fort Portal where she had surgery and her first baby was stillborn. After the surgery, Abigaba noticed that her urine could not be controlled.” Abigaba has a vesicovaginal fistula, an abnormal fistulous tract extending between the bladder and vagina that allows for continuous and involuntary discharge of urine. She discovered the Watsi program at Virika Hospital after being unable to afford additional transportation and surgery at the government-run hospital. Fistula repair for Abigaba costs $290 and will lower her risk of chronic pain, chance of infection, and possibility of being a social outcast. “After surgery she hopes to recover, regain her dignity, and continue supporting herself without having to depend on her sister-in-law,” says AMHF. “Thank you in advance for offering to help me," shares Abigaba.

"I hope my eye can see clearly, so that I can go anywhere outside with good feelings," Samon says about her hopes for after treatment. Several months ago, 55-year-old Samon's vision began to cloud due to the pterygium growing on her eye. Now, she has a hard time seeing which has made it difficult for her to go about her normal tasks. Samon visited Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) for treatment in her native Cambodia. Not only is her vision impaired, they add that the pterygium "causes her tearing, redness, itchiness, and irritation. It is hard for her to see clearly or go anywhere outside because she is afraid of the bright sunshine." This means she has difficulty caring for her six children and 11 grandchildren, and doing one of her favorite hobbies, "watching comedy programs on TV." For $150, Samon will have the pterygium surgically removed from her eye. This operation will restore her vision and prevent any further discomfort from light sensitivity and itching. Samon's sister says, "I hope my sister can see everything normally again so I don't worry about her eye problem anymore."

“All I want is to be able to take good care of my daughter,” says Paw, adding, “I want to find a job in a nursery school because I love children so much. Actually, I would really like to be a teacher, if I had the opportunity.” Meet Paw, a 21-year-old mother from Burma with ASD, or atrial septal defect. Since she was young, she has been dealing with the symptoms of this heart disease, including difficulty with breathing, fatigue, and regular bouts of dizziness. “Her condition is also very emotionally draining and causes her a lot of worry,” explains our medical partner, Burma Border Projects. Paw’s family moved to Nu Po Refugee Camp about 12 years ago as result of consistent fighting between ethnic rebel soldiers and the Burmese army. Because Paw could never work independently, her parents support her and her three-year-old daughter. However, her father only earns 100 Baht a day, equivalent to about $3 USD. Combined with the basic rations they are given in camp, this is only enough to cover daily expenses. They cannot save enough to pay for Paw's healthcare. If left untreated, Paw's condition can be fatal. For $1,500 we can fund the complex cardiac surgery necessary to treat Paw. Together, let’s lift the burden of Paw’s cardiac problem!

"We call Nehissa our princess at home," says Nehissa's mother about her one-year-old daughter from Haiti. "Of course she is a princess; we love her very much and my only wish is to see her able to have a healthy life." "Nehissa is the first baby of the family," Project Medishare (PM) tells us. "Her mother is a raw food products seller in the streets and the father is a taxi driver. The mother says she loves to go to church and spend time with the family." "One month after she was born, Nehissa had seizures, fever and flu," the PM team writes. "After the hospital transferred them to our facilities where a CT scan has been performed on the baby's head, the family knew that it wa] hydrocephalus disease." Hydrocephalus, or "water on the brain," puts potentially fatal pressure on the brain. It's treated with a shunt that helps to drain the excess fluid in the brain. With $1260, clinicians will be able to provide Nehissa a shunt replacement to reduce head swelling associated with hydrocephalus and prevent her from having seizures in the future. Let's help Nehissa's family give their princess the best care they can possibly provide by funding her care.

Blanca is 27-year-old mother from Guatemala who came to our medical partners at Wuqu’ Kawoq for help and guidance during her second pregnancy. Blanca has had a heart condition since birth, and with this pregnancy she is now experiencing troubling swings in her blood pressure, shortness of breath, and frequent headaches. Blanca has been to several other doctors in her area, but they were all too cautious to help her out given her heart condition. Her doctors at Wuqu’ Kawoq agree that her underlying heart disease means "she needs consultation with a heart specialist and close monitoring of her medications so that she can deliver this baby safely!” “I want everything to turn out ok, so that I can get back home and spend time with my new baby,” said Blanca. Let’s raise the $310 needed to help Blanca get the care she and her baby need!

This is Monicah, a 42-year-old wife and mother from Kenya. She used to sell vegetables to help support her family but has been experiencing heavy bleeding and pain for the last couple of years which has made it difficult to work. Clinicians with African Mission Healthcare Foundation have found that Monicah has uterine fibroids and needs a total abdominal hysterectomy to prevent her from developing anemia and free her from pain so she can work again. ''I hope to get help from the donors and get well so that I can resume my business and be able to support my children,” says Monicah. Let's raise $790 and help Monicah get well and back on her feet!

Meet Andrea, a 20-year-old expectant mother from Philippines. "Andrea is pregnant and is experiencing difficulties in her daily needs because of financial insufficiency," says our medical partner, International Care Ministries. After giving birth, Andrea plans to return to her position as a housemaid to continue supporting her family. Currently her family earns just $17 a month, which is not enough to cover a safe delivery in a medical facility. For $70, we can cover a high risk pregnancy care procedure so Andrea can have a safe delivery. Both Andrea and her baby will be protected from any dangerous complications during the delivery process. “We are so thankful for the sponsors for this opportunity to have a delivery at a birthing home, in order for me and my baby to be safe,” says Andrea. Let's make sure Andrea and her baby have a healthy start.