Veronica is a 12-year-old from Tanzania who has a bilateral club foot. She enjoys studying mathematics and has 5 siblings, with one brother suffering from the same condition. Our outreach program met Veronica and referred her to our hospital where manipulation and casting were recommended. She struggles with walking and suffers from blisters due to long walks to school. With successful surgery, Veronica will be able to walk to school with ease and less pain. Veronica's parents are peasant farmers, relying on little harvest to meet their daily needs. They have not been able to send Veronica and her brother to the hospital due to lack of funds. They are saddened by their children's condition but are hopeful that she will be able to walk with ease soon. They appeal for help. Fortunately, Veronica traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre, where surgeons will perform clubfoot repair. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $890 to fund Veronica's treatment. Veronica’s father says, “I have always felt hurt and that I failed my children every time I see them walking with difficulty due to their leg condition that I couldn’t afford the treatment. Please help.”

U Chit is a 55-year-old man from Myawaddy Township, Karen State, Burma. He divorced his wife seven years ago and has two daughters and three sons. His youngest daughter lives with his ex-wife in Yangon and their other children live in Myawaddy Township. In March 2019, he entered into monkhood. Now, he receives alms from laypeople and from his children. In February 2019, U Chit began to experience back pain and a burning sensation when urinating. To treat his symptoms, he bought medication from a nearby pharmacy. However, after taking the medicine, he did not feel any better. He later went to a local clinic where he received more medication for his symptoms. They suggested that he go to Myawadday Hospital to receive an ultrasound scan. However, he did not go to the hospital because he did not think he would be able to pay for the cost of the scan. Instead, he continued taking the medicine that the doctor had prescribed. Unfortunately, his pain when urinating did not get better. Finally, U Chit decided to visit Mae Tao Clinic (MTC), where he got his hernia treated four years ago, to seek treatment. U Chit arrived at MTC on April 24th, 2019, where an ultrasound scan revealed that he had a bladder stone. The next day, he was sent to Mae Sot Hospital (MSH) where he received an injection and oral medication. On May 16th, 2019, he received an Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP) test for further investigation. After the IVP test, the doctor told him that he requires surgery and is scheduled for 20th November 2019. Currently, U Chit experiences back pain and he continues to feel a burning sensation when urinating. Aside from his concerns about his condition, he is worried about financial problems because he is a monk and does not have a regular income. U Chit likes reading Buddhist texts and newspapers in his free time. He said, “I want to cure my condition as soon as possible and I would like to focus on religious activities. After I am cured, I also would like to help find treatment for my daughter who has suffered from a stroke.”

Kaung is a three-year-old boy from Thailand. He lives with his parents and grandmother. His mother works in a sewing factory and his father as a day labourer while his grandmother taking care of him at home. On October 16th, around 10 in the morning, Kaung was playing with a stick after breakfast. While his grandmother went to wash the dishes, after feeding him, Kaung tried to climb up onto the fence but fell off onto the ground and broke his right humerus bone. Currently, Kaung is in pain and he cannot lift up his right hand. He cries a lot and his grandmother has to carry him around in her arms. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Kaung will undergo surgery to reset his fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for October 16th and will cost $1,500. This surgery will help Kaung to be able to use his hand again without pain. His grandmother said, "I am very worried for my grandson when I see that his hand is broken. I don't know what to do to help him. I just know that I am worried as we do not have money to seek treatment for him."

Gedeon is a student from Haiti. He lives in Port-au-Prince with his mother and two older sisters. He is in high school and would like to study to become a doctor. Gedeon has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation. One of the four valves of his heart was severely damaged as a result of an infection suffered in childhood; as a result, his heart cannot adequately pump blood through his body. Gedeon will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On September 16th, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will replace his damaged valve with an artificial implant. Another organization, Baylor Scott and White Heart Hospital, is contributing $40,000 to pay for surgery. Gedeon'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 Gedeon's family overseas. Gedeon said, "I am excited to be able to visit a new country and to get my heart back to normal."

Chit is a 30-year-old man who lives with his wife, daughter, son and father-in-law in Noh Poe Village, Myawaddy Township, Karen State, Burma. Chit’s daughter and son go to school. Chit, together with his wife and father-in-law work as farmers on land they rent. Chit’s family does not have regular income, but they sell durian and betel nut that they grow in their garden. Seven years ago, Chit started to experience pain in his lower left abdomen. He also had difficulty passing urine so he went to Myawaddy Hospital for help. He received an ultrasound and an x-ray before the doctor informed him that he has a urinary tract infection (UTI) and a kidney stone. He was treated for the UTI but he did not received treatment for the kidney stone. He was given a follow-up appointment for every month, to receive medication for the abdominal pain. He continued to return for his appointments until late-2018, but when he did not feel better he followed his neighbour’s suggestion and sought help at Mae Tao Clinic (MTC) in Thailand on 20 February 2019. When Chit arrived at MTC, he received an ultrasound as well as a urine and blood test. After the tests, the medic informed him that he has a kidney stone and he was prescribed some medication. On 29 February, MTC referred him to Mae Sot Hospital (MSH) for further investigation. At MSH, he underwent an intravenous pyelogram (IVP) and was asked to return to MSH for his follow-up appointments and he returned several times. Eventually, he was told that the kidney stone had moved into his urethra and that he would need to undergo laser treatment to break up the stone. Currently, Chit still experiences pain in his lower left abdomen and sometimes he has difficulty passing urine. He worries that his condition will get worse if he does not get treatment. Sometimes his urine has blood in it, especially when he drinks less water and he has difficulty passing urine. Sometimes, he feels like the pain of his abdominal is worse and he is not able to walk or work. He is unable to sleep, and he feels more comfortable when he lies down and rests. In his free time, Chit loves to forage for vegetables in the forest.

Ngwe is a 72-year-old retired widow from Burma. She lives with her daughter, her son-in-law, and her two grandsons. Ngwe has an abdominal mass that causes her discomfort. Ngwe sought treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund. She is now scheduled to undergo mass removal surgery on July 5. She is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care.

Hnin is a 15 year-old student from Thailand. In early June, she fell from a roof and fractured her arm. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Hnin will undergo surgery to reset her fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for June 26 and will cost $1,500. After surgery, Hnin will no longer be in pain, and she will be able to continue her studies. Hnin says, “I want to be a medical doctor in the future and treat sick people."

Andrice is a student from Haiti. He lives with his parents and younger brother in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince; he is in the second grade. Andrice has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation. One of the four valves of his heart is severely damaged due to an infection he suffered earlier in childhood. As a result, his heart cannot properly circulate blood through his body. Andrice will fly to Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On May 27, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will attempt to repair his damaged mitral valve; if this is not possible, they will implant an artificial replacement. Another organization, The Mitral Foundation, is contributing $8,500 to pay for surgery. Andrice'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 Andrice's family overseas. His mother says, "Our family is praying for a successful surgery and for our son to become healthy."

Win is 54-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her father, sister, brother-in-law and two nephews. She usually cares for her father and looks after him. Three years ago, Win started to experience abdominal and back pain. She has been diagnosed with an ovarian cyst. Currently, she suffers from pain in her lower abdomen. She also feels dizzy, has back pain, and cannot sit for long periods of time. Doctors want Win to undergo a CT scan, a procedure in which x-ray images taken from several angles are combined to produce cross-sectional images of the body. This scan will hopefully help doctors diagnose her condition and formulate an appropriate treatment plan. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $414 to cover the cost of Win's CT scan and care, scheduled for March 18. "When I get better, I want to look after my father full-time and give him all of my attention," said Win.

U Kyaw is a 44-year-old man from Burma. He lives with his his wife, three daughters, and a grandson in Karen State, Burma. U Kyaw is a soldier who lost his left leg when he stepped on a land mind five years ago. U Kyaw is unable to see in both his eyes. The doctor told him that he cannot restore vision in his right eye but he can help him with his left eye. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund lens replacement surgery for U Kyaw. On March 26, doctors will perform a lens replacement, during which they will remove U Kyaw's natural lenses and replace them with an intraocular lens implant. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $1,500 procedure.

Michael is a day laborer from Kenya. He is the only child to his single mother. He works as a mechanic. On January 20, Michael was involved in a motorbike accident. He sustained a closed fracture of his left clavicle bone and bruises on his face. He is in pain and is not able to use his left hand easily. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On January 28, Michael will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $998 to fund this procedure. “I am still young and was hoping to have my own family soon. I kindly seek for help so that I can get back to my work and plan to have my own family,” says Michael.

Rene is a young student from Kenya. She is in the second grade. She is also the only child to her single mother. Renee likes reading books. Rene has clubfoot of her left foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Rene traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on January 23. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,224 to fund Rene's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will be able to walk easily. “I am kindly requesting for support so that she can be able to walk completely well without any support. God bless you," Renee’s mother says.