Noah is a 3-year-old boy from Tanzania. He is the second-to-last child in a family of 4 children. His family resides in a remote village known in Simanjiro, Tanzania. Noah’s mother is a homemaker and also assists her husband with agricultural activities, given that farming is their primary source of sustenance and income. Noah takes pleasure in helping others and enjoys solving puzzles alongside his friends. When Noah was merely eight months old, he was crawling around the house and ventured into the kitchen alone, just as his mother was occupied with washing chores. Inadvertently, he encountered a pan which slipped from the stove, causing hot water to spill onto the left side of his body, resulting in severe burns on his left armpit and elbow. Noah’s parents swiftly transported him to the nearest medical facility for urgent treatment. After receiving initial first aid, he was subsequently discharged with instructions for proper wound care. Despite these efforts, his wounds took two months to fully heal. Even after healing, noticeable damage to the skin remained on his left axilla (armpit) and elbow, which subsequently restricted the range of motion in his left arm, leading to his discomfort while crawling. The gravity of the situation became apparent to Noah’s parents, who were initially unaware of the necessity for further medical intervention to enhance their son’s quality of life. Noah was diagnosed with burn scar contractures affecting his left axilla and elbow. The contractures tighten the skin around the arm such that he is unable to use his hand without discomfort. Recognizing the significance of their son’s well-being, Noah’s parents humbly seek assistance to ensure he receives the requisite treatment to enhance his quality of life. Fortunately, our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH) is helping Noah receive treatment. On August 14th, surgeons will perform a burn contracture release surgery to enable him to use his hand with ease and improve his quality of life. AMH needs help raising $874 to fund the procedure. Noah’s father says, “We are excited for his treatment as this condition has made him less interactive with his peers, and we are hopeful for a positive outcome from the treatment."

Sopheaktra is an 18-year-old air conditioning maintenance worker from Cambodia. He lives in Kampong Chnang province with his parents and older brother. His parents work as rice farmers to support their family. Sopheaktra enjoys spending time with his friends and being active. In June 2023, Sopheaktra was in a motorbike accident where he fractured his left femur. He was treated by a local village healer, but he still experiences pain and difficulty walking. Sopheaktra is currently unable to work due to his injury. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), can help. On July 11th, Sopheaktra will undergo a fracture repair procedure at CSC's care center. CSC is requesting $483 to fund his surgery. After his procedure, Sopheaktra will be able to walk easily again. He shared, "I hope I can not have pain anymore so I can sleep better at night and walk again. I want to be able to return to work as soon as possible."

Mitchelle is the only child in her family and always loves being in the company of her mother. Mitchelle met Cure International at their Satellite clinic in Makindu, Kenya, accompanied by her mother, Evelyn, who is a housewife while her father works as a labourer in a company based in Nairobi. Mitchelle was born healthy, however at the age of 2 years, her mother noticed her knees bending towards each other, a condition they refer to as knock knees. She took Mitchelle to a nearby hospital where plaster casts were applied for 2 weeks to check whether the condition would correct, but the condition did not improve and instead deteriorated. Mitchelle is now scheduled to undergo orthopedic surgery to correct her leg deformity. The treatment will impact her because she will be able to walk well and continue her education like other children. Our medical partner African Mission Healthcare is requesting $1,224 to fund orthopedic surgery and care for Mitchelle so that she can grow up active and healthy. Mitchelle's mother said, "My hope and joy would be to see Mitchelle walking well, just like other children, and without any discomfort.”

Irene is a 43-year-old mother dedicated and resilient mother from Philippines who diligently cares for her family, despite facing the challenges of stomach pain and financial constraints. Her dedication is evident as she strives to provide for her five children by taking on various chores. Her husband works as a room attendant and is the sole provider of the family. The burden of her health issues not only affects her but also weighs heavily on the concerns of her entire family. Five years ago, Irene began to experience troubling symptoms, including severe stomach and back pain. When she was examined, the attending physician recommended an open cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, her symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), Irene is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy on December 8th. A portion of the cost of the procedure is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP and Irene need your help raising the remaining $1,128 to cover the cost of Irene's surgery and care. Irene shared, "I am hoping to be one of the beneficiaries for this surgery. This would be an immense blessing not just for me but also for my family who also suffers greatly from my illness. I would never be able to afford an expensive surgery and so I am very grateful to everyone who will make this possible for me."

Alex is the 3rd born in a family of four children and hails from Longonot, Naivasha, in Nakuru county. His mother told us he likes playing with other kids at home. Alex came to Cure Hospital accompanied by his mother, Grace, a housewife, and his father, farmer. Alex was born with multiple disabilities - spina bifida, hydrocephalus, and bilateral foot deformity. He underwent treatment for spina bifida when he was five days old, and hydrocephalus treatment was done at the age of eight months. Currently, he tiptoes as he walks and often falls. He is scheduled to undergo bilateral serial casting and then foot reconstruction surgery. The treatment will be impactful to the young boy because he will be able to walk, run, and play like other children and continue with his education uninterrupted. Alex's mother said, "I believe the joy of a mother is to see her children growing well and not with challenges, and therefore, I would love to see Alex walking normally like other children if given assistance."

Jeremy is a seven-year-old playful boy from Kenya. He is the second and the last born in the family and a hard working grade 1 student; his mother shared that despite his challenges he likes riding bikes and playing football. The family hails from a semi-urban area in the capital city. His mother is a housewife, caring for the home and family, while his father works as a laborer in the infrastructure department of their county. Jeremy has clubfoot of both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape because the tissues connecting the muscles to the bone (tendons) are shorter than usual. Jeremy was examined at our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. The doctors determined that Jeremy could be helped, hopefully enabling Jeremy to eventually walk like other children he knows. The surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on October 18th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,286 to fund Jeremy's bilateral clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk much more easily and live a higher quality life free from disability. Jeremy's mother said, “I will be happy to see my son walking like other children.”

Mar is a 56-year-old woman who lives with her family in a refugee camp located on the Thai-Burma border. They sell vegetables to earn income. During her free time, Mar enjoys reading religious books. Since late August, Mar has had an incisional hernia at the side of her previous caesarean section scar. The scar bulged from her abdomen, and was accompanied by significant pain and vomiting. This hernia causes pain and discomfort in her abdomen which worsens with physical activity. It hinders her ability to work to support her family. Fortunately, she will be able to undergo hernia repair surgery at Mae Sot General Hospital, our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund Mar's hernia repair surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on September 21 and, once completed, will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably. Mar said, “I just want to return to a normal life, free from worries brought on by this condition. After surgery, I will be able to work more and contribute more money to my family's income. Thank you.”

Thu Zar is a 47-year-old woman from Thailand. She lives with her daughter and son-in-law. She is a homemaker, her daughter is a babysitter and her son-in-law is a construction worker. Thu Zar spends most of her time doing household chores, allowing her daughter and son-in-law to concentrate on their work. Since March 2023, Thu Zar has been experiencing occasional heavy bleeding and a gradual enlargement of her abdomen which she had initially thought was caused from gaining weight. Now, she has been diagnosed with leiomyoma--a tumor in the uterus, also known as uterine fibroids. She has been advised to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy, the surgical removal of her uterus and cervix. If left untreated, Thu Zar's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. Fortunately, Thu Zar is scheduled to undergo her hysterectomy on August 21st. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Once recovered, Thu Zar will no longer have her worrying symptoms. Thu Zar said, “Because of my condition, I feel worried, fearful, and sad. At the same time, I feel relieved and happy that my condition is treatable through surgery and that it is not cancerous. I am grateful to everyone for their support in facilitating my treatment."

Gift is a 5-year-old playful boy from the coastal region of Kenya. He is the youngest of three children, and they all live with their mother. Gift's mother is a casual labourer, often vending sweet potatoes, arrow roots and vegetables to earn a living for her children. Gift desires to be a doctor, and his mother says he loves reading. Gift sustained a fracture on his left humerus (upper arm) and was taken to a nearby hospital, where a cast was applied. However, the factured arm did not heal properly. Doctors determined that Gift needs a left derotational surgery osteotomy to heal his fracture, meaning that doctors will cut the bone and realign it properly. The corrective surgery will allow Gift to use his arm with ease, continue playing with other children, and grow up active and healthy. Our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH) will perform this surgery on July 17th and is requesting $1,224 to fully fund the procedure. Gift’s mother shared, “I am looking forward to seeing him progress with life like other children.”

Therry, who is 15 years old, lives in a small town in the mountains of central Haiti, with his parents and three younger siblings. His mother is a nurse, while his father is a schoolteacher. Therry aspires to be a doctor when he grows up. Therry was born with a cardiac condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. This is a rare condition, caused by a combination of four, distinct heart defects, that are present at birth. When he was a baby, Terry was brought to the United States to have open heart surgery that saved his life; however, one of the valves in his heart remained damaged, and it can no longer adequately pump blood through his lungs and body. World Pediatric Project will be covering the $8,000 cost of the surgery that Therry needs. This will involve the insertion and expansion of an artificial valve inside of Therry's existing valve, so that it can take over the function of Therry's own valve. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,500 to fund Therry's pre-surgical tests, transportation to the U.S. for Therry and a family member, and post operative check ups to ensure he is healing. Surgery is scheduled for May 23rd with the incredible heart team at St. Louis Children's Hospital. Therry's mother said: "Our family would like to say that we are extremely grateful to everyone for helping Therry return to good health."

Six-year-old Tay lives with her mother, sister, and brother in a village in Shan State in Burma. Tay's mother is a teacher. When Tay was three years old, she was frequently ill with a rapid heartbeat and fingertips that would turn blue. Her mother brought her to a nearby hospital, where the doctor told them that Tay had congenital heart disease and would need to be treated in Yangon. However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Tay's mother did not feel it was safe to take Tay to Yangon. When she turned five, Tay's symptoms worsened, and her mother brought her to a hospital in Yangon in August 2022. At the hospital, Tay was diagnosed with an atrial septal defect, and her mother was told that Tay would require surgery- which the family could not afford to pay for. Fortunately, Tay's aunt referred her to our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, for help. Now Tay is scheduled to undergo atrial septal defect closure at Pun Hlaing Hospital on May 13th. As Tay is becoming progressively more ill- with episodes of rapid breathing and weight loss due to a lack of appetite- this procedure is critical for her health and well-being. Burma Children Medical Fund is seeking $1,500 to cover the cost of Tay's care. “When I learned that my daughter [Tay] needs surgery, I felt very sad and I cried because I cannot afford to pay for her surgery. But when I learned that the organization [BCMF] will support the cost of my daughter’s surgery, I felt very happy and thankful to all the donors and that organization. I want to see her healthy,” said Tay's mother.