Sovanneath is a one-year-old girl from Takeo Province, Cambodia. She lives with her parents and is their only child. Her father works for a private company, and her mother is a primary school teacher. In her free time, she enjoys playing with toys, and her favorite food is soup—especially soup with plenty of vegetables. Sovanneath was born with polydactyly in her left hand. This means that she has an extra thumb that is non-functional and immobile. It makes everyday activities challenging, as the extra thumb often bumps into objects and can cause injury. Her parents worry that she may feel self-conscious about her hand as she grows older. On March 23rd, surgeons will perform a polydactyly repair to remove the extra finger. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $379 to fund this procedure. After surgery, she will feel more comfortable, be able to use her hand normally, perform daily activities without pain, and gain confidence in her appearance. Sovanneath's mother said, “I sincerely hope that after the surgery, my daughter will be able to use her hand normally, do everyday activities without pain, and grow up healthy, confident, and happy like any other child.”

Gracious is three years old, and the only child in her family. She lives with her parents - her mother and father are small scale farmers, growing maize, beans and whey. Her father also works for Serengeti Balloon Safaris, a job to which he has only recently returned, after the disruptions in the tourist industry caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. In September of last year, Gracious was playing with a friend on the verandah of her home. She stumbled over a stool that was sitting next to a charcoal stove, where a pot of beans was cooking. As a result of her fall, Gracious' face, neck and chest were burned by hot steam from the pot of beans. She was rushed to the hospital, where she was treated, and sent home. However, as a result of the scarring from the burns, Gracious has developed contractures on her neck, making her unable to move her neck around, and causing her discomfort. Gracious will need surgery to release these burn contractures. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Gracious to access the care that she needs. On October 11th, she will undergo a procedure at Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre, that will enable her to move her neck more freely, and without pain. Now, her family needs your help to fund this $639 operation. Gracious’ mother says: "I hope my child recovers fully and lives a normal life.”

Chan Fa is a 22-year-old blacksmith. He is married and has one son. His wife works in a garment factory. While he is working, Chan Fa enjoys listening to music. Two years ago, Chan Fa developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him partial blindness, sensitivity to light, and tearing. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Chan Fa learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled there with his wife seeking treatment. On June 3rd, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $229 procedure. Chan Fa shared, "I hope after surgery I can see well so I can return to work and take care of my family better."

Sharon is a 22 year old from Singore Village in Kenya. She is social, friendly and loves music. Sharon is the 2nd born together with her twin sister in a family of 5 children. She is currently enrolled at Eldoret Technical Training Institute pursuing a medical record course with her sister. Sharon's mother is a farmer and her father a carpenter. Sharon had a normal birth but at a young age she couldn’t walk and her knee was stiff. She previously underwent surgery 16 years ago, but she has never improved and is still walking with a lot of difficulties. Sharon currently limps as she walks and feels pain as she strains to move. Her self esteem has also been affected and sometimes while in college she gets imitated by her colleagues in school. Sharon is scheduled to undergo surgery on her right knee. This treatment will be of great help to her as she will be able to walk without any difficulty. Her self esteem will improve and she will continue with her dream career of becoming a record officer in a hospital. Sharon and her family are not able to raise the estimated bill and thus requested for support saying, "my desire is to walk well like my sister without straining. Any kind of support purposed to make/ improve my walking is highly appreciated.”

Saroeun is a 31-year old corn bread baker from Cambodia. In her free time, she enjoys looking after her two daughters and cooking for her family. When she was 12 years old, Saroeun had an ear infection. This infection caused a cholesteatoma, or an abnormal skin growth, to develop in the middle ear behind the ear drum. For this reason, Saroeun experiences headaches, infection, discharge, tinnitus, and itchiness. It is difficult for her to listen clearly to others and cannot communicate well. Saroeun traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On November 18th, she will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure in her right ear. During this procedure, ENT surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $842 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Saroeun said, "I hope that after my surgery, the ear infection will stop and my hearing will improve."

Widline is a student from Haiti. She lives with her parents and three sisters on a small farm in central Haiti. She enjoys going to school and church. Widline has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation. One of the four valves of her heart was severely damaged by a rheumatic fever she suffered in childhood, and can no longer adequately pump blood through her body. Widline will fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On October 29th, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will attempt to repair her valve; if they are unable to do so, they will implant an artificial replacement. Another organization, The Mitral Foundation, is contributing $7500.0 to pay for surgery. Widline'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 Widline's family overseas. Widline's mother said, "Our family is praying for everyone who is helping our daughter get better!"

Leah is a housewife from Kenya. She is married with three children. Leah is a housewife but sometimes she does casual work at neighbor’s farms or washing clothes for them. The husband is a casual laborer at construction sites but their income is not much. One year ago, Leah has been experiencing heavy abdominal bleeding. 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, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $718 to fund Leah's surgery. On October 09, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center. Once recovered, Leah will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. “I have suffered a lot with this bleeding and it is making it hard to serve my family and to join other friends. Kindly support me so that I can be well again to take care of my family,” said Leah.

Ngwe is a 47-year-old woman from Thailand. She works on a farm. Since May 2019, Ngwe has been experiencing tightness in her abdomen and other symptoms. She has been diagnosed with an ovarian tumor. She has been advised to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy, the surgical removal of her uterus and cervix. If left untreated, Ngwe's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. Fortunately, Ngwe is scheduled to undergo her hysterectomy on August 13. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. After surgery, Ngwe will be able to work again. Ngwe said, “I will continue to work after I recover.”

Christian is a baby from Kenya. He was born with hypospadias, a congenital abnormality that causes urinary dysfunction. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and will be at risk of infertility. Fortunately, Christian is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on July 2. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $700 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. “I do not have another source of income. Please help me,” says Christine’s mother.

Ratha is a 29-year-old father of two from Cambodia. In his free time, he likes to watch television, help the family with the housework, take care of his children, and feed the farm animals nearby the house. In April 2019, Ratha suffered injuries to his right wrist after being in an accident with a machine at work. He has limited movement in his wrist. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On June 11, Ratha will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $430. This procedure will help Ratha regain movement in his wrist and help the fracture heal properly. He says, "I hope that after my surgery, I am able to use my hands again without any pain and return to work."

Sherley is a mother of two from Haiti. She lives with her husband and two children in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince; she is a homemaker. Sherley has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral stenosis and mitral regurgitation. One of the four valves of her heart does not open and close properly and is also too narrow, as a result of an infection she suffered several years ago. Sherley will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On May 6, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will either repair or replace her damaged valve. Another organization, The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano, is contributing $46,000 to pay for surgery. Sherley'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 Sherley's family overseas. She says, "I am so happy to have this surgery so I will be in better health to play with my children."