Prince is a four-year-old boy from Tanzania. He has been diagnosed with genu varus. His legs bow outward. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, he has difficulty walking. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $940 to fund corrective surgery for Prince. The procedure is scheduled to take place on June 21. Treatment will hopefully restore Prince's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Prince’s mother says, “We would like to see our son walking normally like his sister but we are unable to afford the treatment cost please help us.”

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.

Mavelt is a preschooler from Haiti. He lives with his parents and younger brother in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. He likes watching cartoons and drawing. Mavelt has a cardiac condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. This condition involves several related defects including a hole between two chambers of the heart, and a muscular blockage of one of the valves. Mavelt will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On April 19, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will close the hole in his heart with a patch, and remove the muscular blockage. Another organization, HeartGift Foundation, is contributing $18,000 to pay for surgery. Mavelt'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 Mavelt's family overseas. His mother says, "My son's heart has been making him very sick, and so I was very happy to learn he can have surgery!"

Nelson is a farmer from Malawi. He has seven children and 22 grandchildren. For one month, Nelson has been experiencing urinary difficulty. These symptoms are caused by an enlarged prostate, a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia. He needs to undergo a prostate resection surgery, a procedure in which surgeons will remove part of the enlarged gland. Our medical partner, World Altering Medicine, is requesting $733 to fund Nelson's surgery. On March 21, he will undergo prostate surgery at Nkhoma Hospital, our medical partner's care center. The requested money pays for supplies, medications, and two weeks of hospital stay. He says, "I believe that I am being helped by God."

Aung is a 34-year-old from Thailand. He lives with his retired parents and one sister at Thaton Town, Mon State, Burma. Aung 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. Currently, Aung feels tired when walks or climbs the steps. He also has poor appetite and difficulty falling asleep. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Aung. The treatment is scheduled to take place on February 10 and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. “I want to open a motorcycle repair shop in Thahton. This is what I plan to do after receiving surgery. I want to support my family as much as I can,” says Aung.

Kisembo is a woman from Uganda. She is married and a mother of five children. For one year, Kisembo has been experiencing lower abdominal pain. She has been diagnosed with symptomatic uterine fibroids. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $268 to fund Kisembo's surgery. On December 18, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center. Once recovered, Kisembo will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. She says, “After surgery I will resume with my business.”

Hosea is a motorcycle taxi operator from Kenya. He is a hardworking man. In early December, Hosea was hit by a falling tree while he was riding a motorcycle. He sustained a severe injury to his right leg. He cannot stand or walk with his right leg. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On December 20, Hosea will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help him walk easily again once he is recovered. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $968 to fund this procedure. Hoasea says, “My ultimate dream is to work in the matatu (public transport vehicles) industry in whichever capacity if I can find."

Hikma is a child from Ethiopia. She is a cute baby girl who loves to play with other chidlren and dolls. She also loves to eat fruits. Hikma was born with an anorectal malformation, a congenital abnormality that leads to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. She needs to undergo a series of procedures to eliminate bowel dysfunction. Hikma is scheduled to undergo surgery to correct her condition on November 22. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Hikma's procedure and care. After her recovery, Hikma will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing health complications in the future.

Davidson is a preschooler from Haiti. He lives with his parents and older brother in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. He will start preschool once he recovers from surgery. Davidson has a cardiac condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. This condition involves several related defects, including a hole between two chambers of the heart and a muscular blockage of one of the valves. On October 10, he will undergo cardiac surgery at St. Damien Hospital, our medical partner's care center. During surgery, surgeons will close the hole with a patch and remove the muscular blockage. Another organization, Gift of Life International, is contributing $5,000 to pay for surgery. Davidson's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 requested by our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, covers cardiac exams and medications. His mother says, "I will be very relieved for this surgery to be over because I have been very worried about my son's health."

Meshack is a baby from Kenya. He is a very energetic child who likes playing. Meshack is the youngest in a family of two children. Meshack has clubfoot of both his feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Meshack traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on October 3. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,224 to fund Meshack's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk easily. “I will greatly appreciate any help aimed at making my son walk well,” Meshack’s mother says.

Kevin is a young man from Kenya. He is the oldest in his family, and his parents are farmers. When Kevin joined high school, he had high hopes of completing his studies and maybe joining university or college. Unfortunately, to help his family, he was forced to drop out and look for a job. Now, he works as a motorcycle taxi driver. In June 2017, Kevin was hit by another motorcycle, fracturing his femur. He has had three surgeries to correct the fracture and requires the forth surgery: a bone transport. Right now, he is walking on crutches. Kevin says, “I wish that soon I will be able to walk without the crutches and be able to fend for myself." This fourth surgery is scheduled for August 6. While the first three surgeries were paid for by the National Health Insurance Fund, he needs help raising $1,500 to fund this one.

John is a student from Kenya. He is the third born in a family of four. John loves playing football. His father is a mechanic at the local shopping center, while his mother is a housewife. John recently got into a motorcycle accident, which left him with a fracture of the left tibia. It is difficult for him to walk without support, and he is in chronic pain Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On July 12, John will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help him walk easily, and he will be able to play football again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $998 to fund this procedure.