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.

Alice is a baby from Kenya. She was born with a slight mass on her forehead and nose. Alice 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, Alice 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 Alice. The procedure is scheduled to take place on April 15. Hopefully, the repair of this condition will allow Alice to grow up healthy. “Please help my child,” says Alice’s mother.

John is a motorbike driver from Kenya. Recently, he was involved in a road accident, suffering a closed acetabulum fracture. He is in pain and if not treated, he might heal with a malunion or suffer complications such as an infected bone or arthritis. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On March 14, John will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. After treatment, he will be able to return to work. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,042 to fund this procedure. John says, “My hope is to be treated and resume my duties. I am in pain and would not wish to be confined in bed unable to move”.

Jackson is a child from Kenya. Jackson was born with an anorectal malformation, a congenital abnormality that leads to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. He needs to undergo a series of procedures to eliminate bowel dysfunction. Jackson is scheduled to undergo surgery to correct his condition on February 15. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,327 to cover the total cost of Jackson's procedure and care. After his recovery, Jackson will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. “Please help us and we will appreciate,” says Jackson’s father.

Bikolimana is a student from Tanzania. He is the fifth born child in a family of seven children. Bikolimana’s parents are both subsistence farmers. Bikolimana 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, Bikolimana traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on January 31. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $890 to fund Bikolimana's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk easily. Bikolimana says, “I wish to be able to walk to school without difficulty and be able to play.”

Ruth is a mother of four and grandmother to four from Malawi. She is a farmer who is also responsible for household chores such as cleaning, fetching water, and tending to her garden. Since October 2016, Ruth has been experiencing abdominal pain and urinary pain. She has been diagnosed with uterine fibroids. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, World Altering Medicine, is requesting $650 to fund Ruth's surgery. On October 23, she will undergo gynecological surgery at Nkhoma Hospital, our medical partner's care center. The requested money pays for supplies, medications, and seven nights of hospital stay. She is very much looking forward to living a normal and healthy life again. She says, "I came here for surgery but am unable to pay for it myself, so thanks to this program I can have good care."

Jackson is a farmer supporting a large family from Malawi. He has ten children and 28 grandchildren, and he works to feed his family. He enjoys resting in his free time after working very hard on the farm. For two months, Jackson 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 Jackson's surgery. On October 4, 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, "This is a very good program because I believe I will be helped!"

Rosenie is a young woman from Haiti. She lives with her older sister and her husband in Port-au-Prince. Rosenie 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 blockage in one of the heart's valves. Rosenie will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On November 9, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will close the hole in her heart with a patch, and remove the muscular blockage. Another organization, The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano, is contributing $45,000 to pay for surgery. Rosenie'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 Rosenie's family overseas. She says, "I am very happy to have this surgery so that I can have more energy and stop worrying about my heart."

Naw December is a mother of eight children from Burma. She lives with her husband and eight children. Naw December and her husband are farmers. In November 2017, Naw December noticed that she could not sit due to pain in her stomach and back. She went to the nearest clinic, where the doctor examined her and prescribed medication. The medication did not help, and the pain continued to worsen. The doctor then suggested that she visit Mae Tao Clinic (MTC), our medical partner's care center. Once there, she was referred to Mae Sot Hospital (MSH) for an x-ray. She was diagnosed with gallstones. Naw December has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, Naw December's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), Naw December is scheduled to undergo her cholecystectomy on August 28. BCMF is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Naw December's procedure and care. Naw December says, "Now, I experience the abdominal pain and a dry throat, and am stressed because I do not have money to continue visiting hospitals. I hope to get better soon and help out on the farm."

Noktheu is a vendor from Cambodia. He is married. He likes to watch TV and listen to classical music. Three years ago, he developed pain on his left hip. He was diagnosed with avascular necrosis, which is death of bone tissue due to lack of blood supply. Fortunately, Noktheu learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. At CSC, surgeons can perform a total hip replacement to relieve Noktheu of his pain and allow him to walk easily. Treatment is scheduled for August 13, and Noktheu needs help raising $1,025 to pay for this procedure. He says, "I hope after the surgery I will be able to walk again."

James is a 32-year-old man from Kenya. He works as a luggage carrier in a city market and barely earns enough to support himself. After undergoing an MRI, James was recently diagnosed with a brain tumor, a pituitary macroadenoma. If not treated, this tumor may threaten his life due to increased pressure in his brain. He will also be at risk of vision loss, frequent headaches, and loss of normal pituitary functions. Fortunately, James visited our medical partner's care center and is scheduled for a craniotomy to remove the tumor on July 23. Now, he needs help raising $1,495 to fund treatment. James says, “I hope that soon I will be treated and regain my health. I feel quite weak and am not able to engage in any work."

Elias is a baby from Ethiopia. He loves to play with his mother. His family lives in a small rental house and is having a hard time making ends meet. Elias was born with an anorectal malformation, a congenital abnormality that leads to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. He needs to undergo a series of procedures to eliminate bowel dysfunction. Elias is scheduled to undergo surgery to correct his condition on June 21. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Elias's procedure and care. After his recovery, Elias will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. His mother says, “I am very concerned and sad because of my child's condition. It is hard as a mother to see your child in this condition. I tried my best to get him treatment. I went to religious and other institutions in order to get help. I did not get a positive response until I came here. Now I am hopeful he will treatment.”