Zacharia is a baby from Tanzania. Zacharia 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, Zacharia 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 $966 to cover the cost of Zacharia's spina bifida closure surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on July 22. This procedure will hopefully spare Zacharia from the risks associated with his condition, instead allowing him to grow and develop along a healthy trajectory. Zacharia’s mother says, “We are living in fear of losing our son due to his condition please help save our baby we have not been able to afford his treatment cost all this time.”

Zawadi is a baby from Tanzania. For seven months, Zawadi has been experiencing difficulty breathing and swallowing. Zawadi 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 Zawadi, which is scheduled to take place on July 18. Surgeons will remove her tonsils, hopefully relieving Zawadi of her symptoms and helping her live more comfortably. Zawadi’s mother says, “We didn’t know our daughter’s problem was treatable we happy to hear she could be treated and be ok, but the cost is too high for us to afford please help us.”

Alex is a child from Kenya. For one year, Alex has had an inguinal hernia. This hernia causes him pain. Fortunately, on August 5, he will undergo repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $423 to fund Alex's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. “Please help us. To be honest we will take years and years to raise the funds needed yet our son is suffering,” says Alex’s mother.

Sieng is a first grade student from Cambodia. She likes to watch television and play with her toys, and her favorite subject in school is painting and reading. When Sieng was one year old, she received a poorly administered injection, which resulted in the contracture of her left knee. She is unable to fully straighten her leg. When Sieng learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On May 9, surgeons at CSC will perform a quadricepsplasty procedure of her left leg to help release the contracture and allow her to walk and bend her leg without difficulty. Now, Sieng needs help to fund this $413 procedure. Her mother says, "I hope that after surgery, my daughter will be able to move her leg normally."

Pauline is a baby from Kenya. She has been diagnosed with encephalocoele, a type of neural tube defect in which brain tissues and overlying membranes protrude through openings in the skull. Encephalocoele usually results from a failure of the neural tube to completely close during fetal development. Without treatment, Pauline is at risk of developmental delays, brain damage, or premature death. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $929 to fund encephalocoele repair surgery for Pauline. The procedure is scheduled to take place on May 7. Hopefully, the repair of this condition will allow Pauline to grow up healthy.

Sok Korng is a 37-year-old dessert seller from Cambodia. She has six brothers and enjoys cooking and doing housework in her free time. When she was six years old, Sok Korng had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in her left ear to perforate. For this reason, Sok Korng experiences discharge, itchiness, hearing loss, and tinnitus. She cannot communicate properly with others and reads lips due to the hearing loss. Sok Korng traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On April 24, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in her left ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $423 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. She says, "I hope that after surgery, my ear will heal and my hearing will improve."

Sreymean is a first grade student from Cambodia. She likes to watch television and read books, and hopes to become an English teacher when she grows up. Sreymean was born with a condition known as nevus, affecting her face and both lower and upper body. She has large patches of darkened skin and hair due to the proliferation of melanocytes, and is at risk for the condition to expand over time with the potential to turn malignant. When Sreymean learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for half an hour seeking treatment. On June 18, surgeons at CSC will perform giant nevus excision to remove the nevus from her skin, preventing its expansion and growth. Now, she needs help to fund this $606 procedure. Her mother says, "I hope that my daughter's surgery goes well so that she will be able to look better and so that I will not have to worry about her condition anymore."

Ny Sa is a five-year-old girl from Cambodia. She has one younger sister, and likes to play with her toy cars and watch television while at home. Two months ago, Ny Sa developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Ny Sa learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. On June 13, doctors will perform lensectomy and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $211 procedure. Her mother says, "I hope that my daughter's surgery will allow her to see clearly again, so she can return to school and play with her friends."

Aung San Mon is a boy from Burma. He lives with his grandmother, mother and brother in a village in Mon State, Burma. When he was four year old, San Mon’s skin turned pale and yellowish. He also had frequent fevers. Currently, San Mon suffers from fatigue and has difficulty breathing. Aung San Mon has been diagnosed with thalassemia, a blood disorder. He needs to undergo spleen surgery, scheduled for April 2, to treat the condition. Our medical partner is requesting $1,500 to help fund this procedure. His mother says, "Now I am very happy that he will receive surgery through BCMF and BCMF’s donors soon.”

Kosal is a third grade student from Cambodia. He likes to read books in his free time, and his favorite subject in school is Khmer. When he was one year old, Kosal had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in his left ear to perforate. For this reason, Kosal experiences discharge, itchiness, and hearing loss. He finds it difficult to communicate with his friends and family and cannot focus at school. Kosal traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On June 5, he will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in his left ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $423 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. His mother says, "I hope that my son will be able to recover and his ear discharge will stop and his hearing will improve."

Saul is a mechanic from Malawi. He lives with his wife, five children, and two grandchildren. He enjoys chatting with his wife in his free time. For eight months, Saul has had a hydrocele, which is a swelling in a sensitive area. He experiences pain due to this condition. Fortunately, on March 21, he will undergo hydrocele repair surgery at Nkhoma Hospital, our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, World Altering Medicine, is requesting $302 to fund Saul's surgery. The requested money pays for supplies, medications, and six nights of hospital stay. He says, "This is helping me so much because with this condition, I cannot live a normal life; I cannot even properly wear trousers!"

Daung Naw is a four-year-old girl from Burma. She lives with her parents, grandmother and an older brother who goes to school. Her parents opened a copy and print shop in the village, and they both work together. According to her mother, Daung Naaw likes drawing and painting. When she was born, she had a problem with breathing. The doctor placed her on oxygen for a few months. After that her throat became narrow and she was not able to breathe properly. She was referred to Mandalay Hospital and underwent a tracheostomy, which provides an airway passage to help her breathe. Doctors want Daung Naw to undergo a CT scan, a procedure in which x-ray images taken from several angles are combined to produce cross-sectional images of the body. This scan will hopefully help doctors diagnose her condition and formulate an appropriate treatment plan. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $414 to cover the cost of Daung Naw's CT scan and care, scheduled for April 25. Daung Naung says, “I want to be an actress. “