Sary is a 34-year-old man who was born and raised in the capital city of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. His mom has always worked as a cleaner, and his dad is a vegetable farmer. Sary currently lives with his younger brother but hasn't been able to work in years due to his deteriorating condition. He enjoys watching Cambodian comedy shows on television and spending time with his brother. From the age of 12, Sary and his parents noticed his spine was curved. By the age of 20, he lost some function in his right hand. He did not seek treatment due to fear of the costs. Since that time, the condition has worsened. He experiences back pain, ankle pain, and weakness in his right leg and arm. He needs a scoliosis corrective surgery to improve his function and decrease pain. He has presented to our medical partner Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) to seek intervention for his disability. Surgeons plan to do a spinal fusion with implants on August 3rd. Sary was able to contribute $100 to the cost of the surgery and needs help with the remaining $1,500, which will cover the costs of radiology, medications, surgery, and post-op physiotherapy care. Sary shared, "I hope I can walk better, not have pain, and help my brother at home."

Sospeter is a toddler from Kenya. He is the youngest in a family of three children. He is being raised by a single mother who is the breadwinner. His mother makes and sells readymade food at construction sites. Income from this venture is inconsistent and their family does not have medical coverage. In December 2022, Sospeter sustained hot water burns on his stomach and thigh. He was taken to the nearest district hospital after the accident, where he was treated for burns and later discharged back home. Burn contractures and a massive keloid have developed on his abdomen. He often itches the area and feels very uncomfortable. His mother has been unable to take him to a hospital due to a lack of funds. In September 2023, a mobile team visited their area; they reviewed him and advised them to visit Kijabe Hospital for review. His mother pooled resources and visited the plastic surgery clinic. Surgery was recommended, but the family is financially constrained and unable to afford the proposed cost of the treatment. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Sospeter receive treatment. On October 13th, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery to relieve him of the itchiness and discomfort associated with the wound; thus, he will be able to live a normal and quality life. Now, their family needs help to fund his procedure and care. Sospeter's mother says, “My child is in pain. Look at the way he cannot stop crying and scratching himself. It hurts to see him this uncomfortable. Please help.”

Paul, who is 25 years old, lives in Kenya, and works in an electronics shop. On the 3rd of November at around 8 pm, Paul was heading home, when he was accosted by two robbers. Paul attempted to fight them off, but in the process he was beaten, and his jaw was broken. Paul managed to return home, and his family rushed him to the hospital. As it was the weekend, Paul was sent home, and told to return on the Monday. When he did return, he was examined and diagnosed with a mandible fracture. Paul was told to buy the metallic plate for the surgery, which was very expensive. Instead, the family opted to take him back home to devise another plan. As they were about to leave, one of the hospital staff members found them, and advised them to come to Kijabe Hospital, where scans were performed, and surgery urgently recommended. Currently, Paul cannot use his jaw, and he is in pain. Fortunately, our medical partner African Mission Healthcare can help. On November 9th, Paul will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation at AIC Kijabe Hospital. The procedure will eliminate Paul's pain, and allow him to use his mouth normally again. Now, Paul and his family need your help to fund this $979 procedure. Paul says: “I have been in pain since Friday, and eating has been a big problem for me.”

Felix is a young man from Haiti. Felix lives with his parents, older sister, and younger brother in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. His father is a maintenance worker at a local hospital, and his mother is a market vendor. He attends high school and would like to become a teacher. Felix has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral stenosis. One of the four valves in his heart is severely damaged as the result of an infection he suffered earlier in childhood. As a result, his heart cannot adequately pump blood through his body, leaving him weak and short of breath. Felix now has the opportunity to fly to United States to receive treatment as the care he needs is not available anywhere in Haiti right now. On October 21st, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will remove Felix's damaged valve and implant an artificial replacement. Another organization, Baylor Scott and White Heart Hospital, is contributing $26,000 to pay for surgery, but Felix's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep and follow up. 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 Felix's family overseas. Felix is excited for the future, and says "I am looking forward to being able to re-enroll in school once I have recovered from my surgery."

Emmanuel is a three-month-old baby boy from Tanzania. He has one older sibling. His parents are Olkokola Center volunteers, who dedicate their time to helping those in need. However, they face challenges in finding jobs that would offer them a stable income to provide for their family. Emmanuel has clubfoot of both feet. This is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape, making it difficult for the individual to wear shoes and to walk. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), can help. Emmanuel's family brought him to AMH's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. On August 4th, AMH's surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on Emmanuel's feet. AMH is requesting $935 to fund Emmanuel's clubfoot repair. This procedure is the first step of Emmanuel's treatment, and will ultimately help him run, walk, and play like other children. Emmanuel’s mother says: “I hope my son's treatment will go smoothly, and his legs won't have a permanent condition.”

Peter, a 27-year-old, earns a living as a sales representative specializing in selling computer accessories. His income primarily stems from commissions earned through this endeavor. However, his earnings have been insufficient to cover the costs of his required surgery. Currently residing with his parents, both engaged in casual labor – his father on construction sites and his mother in various manual occupations – Peter finds himself in a challenging financial situation. As the eldest among three siblings, he carries the responsibility of being the firstborn. Unfortunately, he has no medical insurance to alleviate the impending medical expenses. On August 5th, Peter was involved in an accident that caused a fracture on his left leg and left him immobile. He has a broken tibia bone that can only be treated through surgery. He has been scheduled for a fracture surgery, where the orthopedic doctors plan to insert a nail to help the bone heal without a deformity. Yet, he cannot raise the required amount for the procedure. Currently, he can get by with the help of crutches and occasional support from relatives. Thankfully, the skilled surgeons at our medical partner's facilities, African Mission Healthcare, are ready to assist. Scheduled for August 9th, Peter is set to undergo a fracture repair intervention known as open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). This surgical process aims to restore his ability to walk comfortably and reduce the pain stemming from the fracture. He is currently reaching out for your assistance in raising the required $1,500 to cover the expenses associated with this intervention. Peter says, “A few days ago, I was well. Suddenly, I am unable to work because of the injury. I hope to go back to work once I get the surgery.”

Moe is 42-year-old man from Thailand. He lives with his mother, sister, brother and nephew on the Thai-Burma border. They are all unemployed due to the difficulties of the local situation. In his free time, he enjoys playing badminton and designing t-shirts. On July 3rd, Moe was playing badminton with his friends when he slipped and fell. After he fell he could not move and experienced pain in his right leg. He received an x-ray at Mae Sot Hospital and was diagnosed with fractures in his right tibia and fibula (both bones in the lower leg). He experiences extreme pain in his right leg. He cannot move or lift it, nor can he comfortably sit up. Due to the pain, he cannot sleep well, and he has little appetite. He needs to rely on his brother for all personal care. With the help of our medical partner Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), Moe will undergo surgery to reset his fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for July 20th and BCMF is requesting $1,500 to fund his treatment. This procedure will help Moe walk again and be free of pain. He will no longer have to rely on his brother to help him with personal care. Moe shared, “I feel so upset because I never thought that I would be like this [bed-bound]. I want to have my surgery soon because I feel a lot of pain in my right leg. I am really thankful for the donors who are paying for my treatment."

Anne is a 13-day-old baby from Haiti. She is loved deeply by her parents and big brother. Anne has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of her condition, Anne has been experiencing an increased head circumference. Without treatment, Anne will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, Project Medishare, is requesting $957 to cover the cost of hydrocephalus treatment for Anne at Hospital Bernard Mevs, the only hospital in the country where this care is currently available. The procedure is schedule to take place on May 30th. This critical treatment will place a shunt to drain the excess fluid from Anne's brain to reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life as she grows. With proper treatment, Anne will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. Anne's family is hopeful that this early intervention will allow her to develop into a healthy young girl!

A (Aye) is a 37-year-old homemaker who lives with her husband, father, and son in a village in Thailand. Her father cannot work as a result of having suffered a stroke and her son was born with a disability. A's husband works as an agricultural day laborer. Since April 2022, A has been experiencing back pain and difficulty sleeping. These symptoms are caused by a large mass on her ovary. She has been advised to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy, which is the surgical removal of her uterus and cervix. If left untreated, A's symptoms will continue to intensify, and she will be at risk for further health complications in the future. Fortunately, A is now scheduled to undergo her hysterectomy on April 23rd at Mae Sot General Hospital. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Once she has recovered, A should be free from pain and able to comfortably sleep through the night. “I really want to be healthy again so that I can take care of my father and son. My husband had to stop working for the past week to look after our son, so now we have no income. But I am happy that I have a donor [to pay for my surgery], and I hope that I will get better soon. After I recover, my husband can go back to work and save money to pay back our debt,” said A.