Tha Shee is a 35-year-old woman who lives with her husband, four daughters, son, and grandchild in Mae La Refugee Camp, Tak Province, Thailand. Nine years ago, Tha Shee started to feel tired when she walked and worked. After two years, her condition got worse, and she decided to visit the hospital in the camp. There, a medic gave her medication that did not improve her condition. Finally, she went back to the same hospital, and an ultrasound test revealed that she has a heart problem and that she needs surgery. They referred her to our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF). Now, Tha Shee is scheduled for surgery on August 8 to repair her heart condition called atrial septal defect closure. She needs help raising $1,500. She says, "I am not able to work nor to do any household chores because of my condition. My family suffers from a lower monthly income, and my children have to take over the household chores. I hope to get better soon and work hard after my treatment to save up money."

Nwe Nwe is 42-year-old woman from Thailand. She lives in Thailand with her husband and youngest son. She has two other children who study in Burma and currently live with her mother. Nwe Nwe has multiple gallstones and suffers from abdominal discomfort, headaches, difficulty breathing, and vomiting. Nwe Nwe has been advised to undergo a biliary obstruction repair, a procedure to repair the blockage of the bile ducts, which carry bile from the liver to the gallbladder. If left untreated, Nwe Nwe'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), Nwe Nwe is scheduled to undergo her biliary obstruction repair on June 29. BCMF is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Nwe Nwe's procedure and care. If she recovers after surgery, Nwe Nwe would like to work and save money for her children’s school fees. “My oldest son will be starting grade ten next year so his school fees will be more expensive,” said Nwe Nwe. “I am not educated so I want my children to receive an education."

Masiku is a farmer from Malawi. He lives with his wife, and together with their large extended family, they run a rice farm. Masiku has been unable to work due to his condition, but he still enjoys getting out to his local church and singing hymns with his family. For two years, Masiku has been experiencing pain and 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 Masiku's surgery. On June 7, 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. Masiku and his family were overjoyed to find out his surgery would be funded. Masiku is eager to once again be able to work his fields and plant his crops. He says, "I am so happy. I did not expect this gift and I thank you!"

Branton is a toddler from Kenya. He has one sibling. His mother is a stay-at-home mother, and his father is a taxi driver. Branton was born healthy, but when he was one year old, his mother noticed an abnormal growth on his head. A few weeks ago, Branton was diagnosed with a brain tumor. The family was referred to our medical partner's care center, where an MRI was performed and surgery was recommended. If not treated, Branton is at a risk of losing vision and suffering brain damage. Fortunately, he is now scheduled to undergo surgery on May 9. His family needs help raising $1,500 to fund the procedure. “These are the worst news one could ever receive. We are optimistic though and hope for the best,” shares Branton’s mother.

Bivol is a driver from Cambodia. He has two sons and one daughter. He likes to repair things around his house in his free time. Two months ago, Bivol was in a motor vehicle accident that resulted in the dislocation of his right elbow. It is difficult for him to use his right arm and he can't bend his elbow. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On April 5, Bivol will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $430. This procedure will improve the mobility in his right arm and allow him to return to work. He says, "I hope after the operation I can bend my right arm without any pain. I will be able to return to work."

Myo is a two-month-old boy from Burma. His father works as a tenant farmer and a day laborer on neighboring farms. He lives with his parents in the western part of the country. Soon after he was born, Myo's abdomen began to swell. They took him to a midwife, who recommended that they increase his fluid intake. Myo was unable to drink more, however, and his abdomen grew larger and larger. The midwife provided them with medication to help release gas, but it did not help. His parents took him to the hospital and were sent home after a few days when his swelling went down. Soon enough, the swelling returned and his parents took him back to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with a hernia. This means that there is a gap in the abdominal wall where the intestine protrudes through. Surgery is required to correct the issue. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund Myo's surgery. He is scheduled for treatment on October 20 at our medical partner's care center, Mae Sot General Hospital. After his operation, Myo will be able to grow and develop normally. “I want my son to be a doctor when he grows up,” Myo's mother says. “I want my son to get a chance to study in Thailand," his father adds.

Sim is a 64-year-old mother and grandmother from Cambodia. She likes to listen to monks pray on the radio and go to the pagoda to help cook food for the monks. Three years ago, Sim developed cataracts in both eyes, causing her blurred vision, tearing, cloudy lenses, and extreme sensitivity to light. It is difficult for her to see things clearly, recognize faces, do any type of work, and go anywhere outside by herself. Sim learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), on the radio. She traveled for four hours with her sister-in-law to reach CSC for treatment. On March 28, surgeons will perform small incision cataract surgery and intraocular lens implantation in both eyes. After the procedures, Sim will be able to see clearly again. CSC is requesting $292 to fund her surgery.

Three-year-old Sitotaw lives with his family in Ethiopia and loves watching animated movies. He is a generous boy and likes to share his belongings with other children. “Sitotaw was born with congenital anomaly called bladder exstrophy,” our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), tells us. “His bladder is exposed to air and leaks urine directly outside his abdomen.” Bladder exstrophy is a rare birth defect, occurring in approximately three out of every 100,000 live births. The condition is slightly more common in males than in females. Sitotaw needs surgery to repair his bladder, bladder neck, and urethra to enable normal urination. “Sitotaw's bladder is exposed to dirt,” explains AMHF, and without treatment, this exposure “will cause infections and direct injury.” Sitotaw’s father works in horticulture industry but does not earn enough money to pay for his son’s medical care. $1,500 pays for surgery for Sitotaw as well as imaging, lab work, and medicine as he recovers in the hospital. After surgery, “Sitotaw will no longer be at risk of infection and direct injury to his bladder,” says AMHF. “I always wait for God’s provision to see my child’s problem get solved,” shares Sitotaw’s father. “And now, I believe this is the time for that provision, and I am so thankful for that.”

Erick is a one-year-old boy living in Kenya. He has a twin sister and two hardworking parents. Although Erick’s parents work tirelessly to provide basic necessities for the family, they are struggling financially. Erick has a condition known as coronal craniosynostosis. The skull of a young child is made up of bony plates that allow for growth of the skull. But this condition puts pressure on his brain and can prevent him from fully developing. Erick’s mom is afraid, and says she prays “his bulging forehead is treated as soon as possible to prevent further damage to his brain.” Without this treatment, doctors are concerned that the major milestones in Erick’s life may be delayed, preventing his full development. We can help Erick and his family by funding the cranial expansion treatment he needs! This treatment will give his brain the room to properly grow. For $1,500, we can help Erick develop right along with his twin sister. Let's do this!

“I wish I could go to school. My dream is to someday work in our village dispensary as a nurse,” says Asha, a 12-year-old from Tanzania. 
Asha severely burned her right hand in an accident over a year ago. As the burn healed, scars formed that caused the skin on her wrist and hand to become stiff and inflexible. Known as a burn scar contracture, due to this condition Asha cannot use her right hand. She cannot attend school or perform her daily chores. Asha, the youngest of four, lives with her grandmother. Her grandmother works hard as a casual laborer at nearby farms to provide for her grandchildren. However, she does not have the means to pay for the $505 surgery Asha needs to regain mobility in her right hand. The contracture release surgery would release the tension from the damaged skin tissue and help Asha’s wrist and arm heal properly with casting. Let’s help Asha return to school so she can pursue her dreams of becoming a nurse!

This is Grace, a 26-year-old from Kenya! Grace is currently expecting her second child and needs specialized care to ensure the baby is delivered safely. Grace worked as a businesswoman until her husband passed away. Now, she supports her family by working on farms. She is optimistic in her new vocation and believes in her ability to be successful, but cannot afford the cost of the specialized treatment. Hospital deliveries can be the difference between life and death for new mothers in Grace's community. For $215, Grace will receive a safe delivery in a health facility under the supervision of attending nurses, as well as postnatal checkups. Let's help Grace deliver her child safely and give her baby a healthy start.

When Keany was a year old, she burned her hand in a cooking fire. It's common for people in her community to cook over open flames, and this is sadly a common result. Now, Keany is in the sixth grade. Her hand is covered in thick scar tissue, and it doesn't function the way it's supposed to. Keany says she feels embarrassed about her scars and disabled hand. She cannot do basic things, such as gripping objects and writing, like her peers. For $300, we can fund surgery to remove the scar tissue from Keany's hand and replace it with a skin graft. Let's help Keany restore the function and appearance of her hand so she can live a healthy life!