Samnang is a 30-year-old agriculture worker from Cambodia. He takes care of the cows on a farm, and does additional work planting and selling vegetables. He loves music and cooking for his family. One year ago, Samnang was in a motor accident. After falling off his motorbike, he fractured his right elbow. He traveled to recieve emergency care at a public hospital in Phnom Penh, and doctors there fixed hardware to heal his fracture. But the surgery was botched. His elbow has not healed properly, and still has an open wound with pus discharge. Samnang is still in pain and cannot bend his elbow. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On May 8th, Samnang will undergo a hardware removal procedure, which will cost $230. The surgery will remove the hardware from his elbow, clean and seal his wound, and set the bone so that it will heal properly. Samnang's wife said, "I hope that after this surgery he will regain the use of his arm. Then he can return to caring for his cows."

Joel is a one-month old baby boy from Kenya. He is the youngest of three children and lives with his parents. His mother is a farmer, and his father is a construction worker. When Joel was born, doctors noticed a swelling on his lower back that was leaking fluid. They diagnosed him with spina bifida, a condition in which there is an incomplete formation of the spine and a leaking of cerebrospinal fluid through the gap. If left untreated, this condition can lead to the development of a tethered spinal cord, infections of the exposed tissue, scoliosis, and a rounding of the back. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,097, on top of the $52 subsidized by Joel's family, in order to cover the cost of Joel's spina bifida closure surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on June 29 and, once completed, will hopefully allow Joel to grow and develop in a healthy manner. “This was so unexpected and quite devastating," says Joel's mother. "But I am encouraged to know that there is a solution to his condition."

When Joyce was born, the doctors noticed her constant agitation and the abnormal size of her head. She was immediately admitted into the nursery for further observation, where she experienced convulsions. Joyce was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a skull condition causing excess pressure on the brain. As she grew, Joyce continued to be irritable and was unable to keep anything she ate down. Joyce’s mother says, “I really hope that Joyce can get treatment.” Fortunately, Joyce will undergo brain surgery to repair her condition and alleviate the symptoms caused by hydrocephalus. Surgery is scheduled at our medical partner's care center for August 23. Joyce's father is in school and her mother stays at home to take care of her and her three-year-old brother. They need help funding this $685 operation. Joyce's mother hopes and prays that her daughter will be able to get the treatment so that she can live a healthy, normal life.

“Mitchena has a heart condition called mitral valve regurgitation, as a result of an untreated strep throat that she suffered as a child,” describes our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance. Strep throat led to rheumatic fever, which severely damaged her heart valve. “She is in advanced heart failure and very emaciated, as her body cannot adequately retain nutrients. She has had to leave school, and cannot summon the energy to be active in any way.” Mitchena is a shy girl who enjoys reading and going to school. She lives with her father and younger sisters, and is looking forward to having her condition treated. "I want to say thank you to everyone who helps me," Mitchena says. With $1,500 from us, Mitchena's family will have enough to cover the cost of the complex logistics of Mitchena’s overseas medical transport, allowing her to receive advanced care for her heart. She will be fitted with a mechanical mitral valve, and will receive post-surgery care and monitoring from Haiti Cardiac Alliance. “After her heart heals and gains strength, she should be able to lead a full and active life, and to gain weight and improve her overall health,” says Haiti Cardiac Alliance. Let’s help Mitchena return to school and live a full life!

"Sambo has two children," Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) tells us about this 38-year-old man from Cambodia. "He likes to listen to the news on the radio. Sambo said he wants to be able to return to feeding the pigs and planting morning glory on his farm." "Sambo's vision began to blur three months ago," CSC writes. "He had to stop working as a welder - making it hard for him to support his family. He is sad that he cannot work and help his wife care for their children and home." CSC clinicians are prepared to remove cataracts from both of Sambo's eyes to help restore his vision. The procedure is a simple one and will run at $150. Let's fund Sambo's care and get him back to work.

This is Isaya, a friendly and polite nine-year-old boy from Tanzania. Isaya is the third born in his family of six children, all supported by his father's job as a security guard for an apartment complex. Isaya's mom finds time to make home-made liquid soap which she sells in her neighborhood. He loves to play with Lego blocks and engineer houses and silly shapes with them. "My dream is to become an architect when I grow up. I will start by designing and building a nice house for my parents," Isaya says. In school he enjoys math and learning Swahili. When he is walking Isaya knocks his knees together, causing him pain and preventing him from walking long distances. If not treated, Isaya will have an increased chance of developing early osteoarthritis. A corrective orthopedic surgery will fix Isaya's walk and protect him from future conditions. His parents can not afford the cost of surgery but for $940 we can make sure Isaya receives the treatment he needs. Let's help Isaya start walking comfortable on two feet and in the direction of his lofty dreams!

Juana is a one-year-old who's been diagnosed with malnutrition. Her family has been unable to seek medical help on her behalf because of their limited resources. Juana is continuing to lose weight and will miss pivotal developmental stages if her condition is left untreated. For $525, Juana and her family will receive intensive home health assistance and nutrition coaching to help them to manage the resources they have. In addition she will receive nutrient supplementation for several months in order to move toward a healthy developmental trajectory.

The lifetime risk of a woman dying from pregnancy-related causes in a developing country is 23 times higher compared to their counterparts living in a developed country. Lwala Community Alliance is helping women beat these odds by providing healthcare and education services to their community. Sheila is 23 and pregnant with her second child. The baby is due this spring. Sheila is a widow who works at two jobs as a nursery school teacher and farmer. For $215 Sheila can receive essential antenatal care, a hospital delivery and a check- up for mom and child after the baby is born. Lets help Sheila and her baby by giving them the crucial care they deserve.

Jaqueline is a lovely 6-year-old girl with congenital cataracts. Her mother brought her to Wuqu’ Kawoq about a year ago because she thought her daughter was blind. Doctors at WK immediately noticed Jaqueline had cataracts in both eyes, “presumably that she was born with or acquired shortly after birth from an eye infection.” They performed surgery to remove the cataract in her left eye at the time, enabling her to see for the first time in her life. Unfortunately, at that point her right eye was still too scarred for surgery. Luckily, after a year of healing, Jaqueline’s right eye is now ready for treatment. Jaqueline’s life has improved dramatically since her first cataract was removed. She can now see out of one eye, and as the doctors who sent us her profile point out, “she also has cool purple glasses!” We want to help Jaqueline regain vision in both eyes. Her family is very devoted to her care, but this type of surgery is financially out of their reach. We hope to help them get Jaqueline the care she needs to live a normal life.