Htoo is a five-year-old boy from who lives with his parents and four siblings in a refugee camp in Thailand. His mother is a homemaker and his father used to work as a day laborer in a nearby Thai village, but has been unable to leave the camp for work since COVID-19 broke out in Thailand. Htoo will start Kindergarten this year. Their family's monthly stipend is not enough to cover their daily needs. Recently, Htoo climbed a guava tree to pick some fruit. He slipped, fell, and landed on his left arm. Htoo injured his elbow in the fall and his father immediately rushed him to the camp hospital run by Malteser International (MI). After receiving first aid, the medic referred him to another hospital, where he was diagnosed with a broken elbow and referred for treatment. Knowing that Htoo needed surgery, MI staff referred him to our Medical Partner Burma Children Medical Fund for financial assistance to access surgery. Currently, Htoo is in pain and cannot bend his left arm. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Htoo will undergo surgery to reset his fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for March 12th and will cost $1,500. This procedure will help Htoo regain use of his left arm so that he can complete daily tasks. Htoo's father is hopeful he'll be feeling well soon. He shared that right now, "Htoo does not want to go to school or study. He loves to play football."

Sreynich is a 35-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She has two sons and one daughter, and likes to do housework in her free time. When she was ten years old, Sreynich had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in both ears to perforate. For this reason, Sreynich experiences ear discharge, pain, irritation, and hearing loss. She is unable to hear clearly, affecting her speech and communication with others. Sreynich traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On July 9, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in both ears. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforations. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $831 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. She says, "I hope that after my surgery, the infection will stop and my hearing will improve."

Mu is a 45-year-old woman from Burma. Mu and her husband are farmers who own land and harvest rice and beans. They use most of their crops to sustain their family, and sell any additional harvest for profit. March 2019, Mu has been experiencing pain and discomfort in her lower abdominal area. She has been diagnosed with an ovarian cyst. She has been advised to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy, the surgical removal of her uterus and cervix. If left untreated, Mu's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. Fortunately, Mu is scheduled to undergo her hysterectomy on June 10. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. “I really hope the mass is not cancerous. I am so grateful that I am able to have this surgery, but I am scared that I’ll need further treatment,” Mu says.

Inoti is a child from Tanzania. She is ten years old. Inoti was diagnosed with bilateral genu varus. Her legs are bowed outward. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, Inoti can barely walk. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $940 to fund corrective surgery for Inoti. The procedure is scheduled to take place on May 16. Treatment will hopefully restore Inoti's mobility, allow her to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease her risk of future complications. Inoti’s mother says, “My daughter is having difficulties walking.”

Nafthali is a laborer from Kenya. He has four sons. Nafthali was injured in early April. He sustained fractures in both legs, and he is not able to walk. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On April 18, Nafthali will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help him walk easily again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $968 to fund this procedure. He says, "I am humbly requesting for assistance to cover my surgeries so that I can be able to provide for my children.”

Mopiani is a boy from Tanzania. He is the fourth in a family of five children. Early last year, Mopiani developed a swelling on his mouth. The swelling has been increasing in size, making eating difficult. Mopiani traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On March 5, surgeons will remove the mass. Now, Mopiani needs help to raise $689 to fund this procedure. Mopiani’s father says, “Please help our son.”

Jean is a young man from Kenya. He is a husband and a father to three children. Jean sustained an injury on his leg, just above the ankle joint. Now, he is in pain and needs to walk with a crutch. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Jean receive treatment. On February 14, surgeons will perform a debridement and skin graft procedure to help him walk easily again. Now, Jean needs help to fund this $1,129 procedure. Jean says, “I wish to go back home and do business there. Begging is quite demeaning but it is the only way to feed my family and educate my kids for now."

Paul is a casual laborer from Kenya. He is a father of four children. In August 2018, Paul sustained a tibia fracture. He is not able to walk on his own without pain and discomfort. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On January 7, Paul will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help him walk easily again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,451 to fund this procedure. Paul says, “I hope that with the treatment, I will be able to walk.”

Aung is a 15-year-old student from Thailand. He lives with his mother and younger brother in Mae Sot, Tak Province. His mother works as a greengrocer at her own stall in the market, and his younger brother studies at the same school with Aung. In his free time, he likes to play football and cane ball with his friends. In 2017, Aung started to experience blurry vision. He had his eyes checked and received a new pair of glasses. However, in 2018, his left eye became cloudy. He now has a headache and cannot see clearly with his left eye. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund lens replacement surgery for Aung. On December 19, doctors will perform a lens replacement, during which they will remove Aung's natural lens and replace it with an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $1,500 procedure. Aung’s teacher says, “His mother is worried that Aung’s condition will worsen, and she is also afraid that he will go blind.”

Woobens is a toddler from Haiti. He lives with his parents, who are farmers, and three older siblings in the mountains of Northern Haiti. Woobens has a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus. A hole exists between two major blood vessels near the heart. Woobens also has Down syndrome. On October 9, he will undergo cardiac surgery at St. Damien Hospital, our medical partner's care center. During surgery, Surgeons will use a patch to close the hole near his heart. Another organization, Gift of Life International, is contributing $5,000 to pay for surgery. Woobens's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 requested by our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, covers cardiac exams and medications. His mother says, "I am hopeful that after this surgery, my son will start growing and gaining weight."

James is a 32-year-old man from Kenya. He works as a luggage carrier in a city market and barely earns enough to support himself. After undergoing an MRI, James was recently diagnosed with a brain tumor, a pituitary macroadenoma. If not treated, this tumor may threaten his life due to increased pressure in his brain. He will also be at risk of vision loss, frequent headaches, and loss of normal pituitary functions. Fortunately, James visited our medical partner's care center and is scheduled for a craniotomy to remove the tumor on July 23. Now, he needs help raising $1,495 to fund treatment. James says, “I hope that soon I will be treated and regain my health. I feel quite weak and am not able to engage in any work."

Narith is a father of five from Cambodia. He has one son, four daughters, and one grandchild. He likes to watch social programs on TV. He is a rice farmer. Three months ago, Narith developed a cataract in each eye, causing him blurry vision and irritation. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Narith learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On August 9, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $398 procedure. He says, "I hope my vision improves so I can return to work and drive again."