Maria is a lovely 13-year-old girl living in Guatemala, who was born without a right arm from just above the elbow downward. Maria enjoys going to school and learning everyday, however, she often feels distressed when her classmates fail to be compassionate about her condition. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, writes, “It also limits her independence with simple daily tasks. Given her complex anatomy and lack of an elbow, she’ll need a custom molded and fitted prosthetic.” For $1,255 Maria will receive a molded prosthetic arm that would greatly improve her self-esteem and allow her to be more independent. Let’s give Maria the chance to enjoy her adolescence!

Cherry is a 36-year-old mother living in Burma. She lives with her two daughters and her husband, who works at a furniture shop to support their family. Cherry herself has not been able to work for her family due to her medical condition. Cherry has a uterine myoma, which is a tumor in the wall of the uterus. "In the last five years, what Cherry can do has been very limited," our medical partner in Burma tells us. "She used to earn an income but now she stays at home and looks after the children. She also is unable to perform her religious activities and has difficulty getting up in the mornings because her body aches. She experiences chest pain and cannot eat or sleep well. She feels pain when she is sitting and lying down and cannot walk properly. Her condition has made her inactive in her community, which combined with the pain, has made her feel increasingly depressed.” For $1,500, Cherry will receive a total hysterectomy to remove her uterus, which will eliminate her pain. Burma Border Projects tells us that Cherry “wants to be healthy so she can be a good wife and mother. She wants to be able to do chores without any pain.” We can help Cherry live pain free by helping to fund her surgery – let’s do it!

Seven-year-old Elia is a friendly boy who loves playing and drawing in his coloring books. When Elia first started nursery school he developed swelling in his left cheek; he was later diagnosed with a giant cell tumor in his jawbone. If left untreated, the swelling will result in pathological fracture of the mandible, impairing his quality of life. “Our hope is for our son to have a normal life," say Elia's parents. They work as small-scale farmers to support the family. "He will be happier and wouldn't have to come home crying because someone teased him about his facial appearance,” For $825 Elia will undergo surgery to drain the cyst and treat the tumor area. Our medical partner expects that the treatment will reduce the swelling in Elia’s jawbone and will allow for the bone to heal. Elia and his family look forward to his recovery; let’s help support it!