Coming from a village in Kenya, Jecinta is the youngest of 24 siblings. Her mother is the third of three wives, with six biological children of her own. Jecinta’s mother is a housewife who takes care of her children. His father is a pastoralist, who, unfortunately, lost the majority of his livestock to the drought that swept the region dry. The entire family depends on ten acres of land with is not producing well due to the drought. Jecinta was born in perfect health. Apart from a small bump that never seemed to disappear everything was well. She continued on in that state until she went in for her three months old clinical review. The doctor observed that the bump was abnormal and had grown to a big swelling. Over time, it began to impact her vision. Jecinta has a frontal encephalocele - a neural tube defect that causes visible, sac-like protrusions of the brain. Specialized treatment is now required, but Jecinta’s parents cannot afford the cost. Her father sold one of his cows but they are not able to raise the rest of the funds needed. If not treated, Jecinta may have mental and growth retardation, seizures, uncoordinated movement of voluntary muscles. Encephalocoele repair surgery will allow Jecinta to avoid these long-term consequences and grow up healthy. “I am now very aged and want to see my children to grow up with nothing affecting them whatsoever," Jecinta's father said. "I will appreciate if we can get help for her surgical care."

Ruth lives in the mountains of Haiti with her mother, grandmother, and four siblings. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA), tells us that eight-year-old Ruth "does not attend school, but likes helping her mother around the house, playing with her brothers and sisters, and singing." Ruth loses her breath and energy quickly, however, because she was born with a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect. "A hole exists between the two lower chambers of her heart," HCA says. "Ruth also has down syndrome." Ruth's heart condition makes it difficult for her body to circulate and process her blood efficiently. HCA explains that "because she has lived for so long with this condition, there is a chance it may no longer be repairable, but the only way to determine this is by inserting a catheter into the chambers of her heart. Since this is not possible in Haiti, arrangements are being made to bring her to Dominican Republic to perform this extremely important test in the hopes that she can have heart surgery soon." For $1500, Ruth will be taken to the Dominican Republic for the catheterization procedure that will determine whether she is a candidate for heart surgery. If she is operable, she will be prepared for surgery as soon as possible. "We are very happy that there is hope for Ruth, and hope that she will be able to have surgery," her mother says.

"Hirandya fell from the porch of his house and fractured his right hand," shares our medical partner, Possible. As a result of this injury, Hirandya has consistent pain and swelling in his hand, and can't do everything like he used to. Five-year-old Hirandya lives in Nepal, and likes to play volleyball. As the youngest of three, Hirandya's siblings enjoy helping him out with his chores and academics. His father and mother make a living as a watchman and farmer, respectively. In order for Hirandya's hand to heal properly, doctors must perform a surgical repair to ensure proper alignment. $224 covers the cost of this procedure as well as the casting required for a smooth recovery. Possible adds that "within a month, his pain and swelling will subside and he can carry on doing his basic activities." Hirandya's father looks forward to his little boy playing volleyball and getting active again. "I really want to see him up and about again," he says.

Meet Thi Dar, a 43-year-old mother of four from Burma. “Thi Dar lives with her husband, three sons, and one daughter,” shares our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP). “Her husband works as an agricultural day laborer, and she sells fried snacks outside of her house. Her oldest daughter is 12 years old and has had to stop school due to family financial problems. Her other three children are still studying in primary school.” Thi Dar has a uterine myoma, a noncancerous, fibrous growth within the tissue of the uterus. “Currently, Thi Dar has abdomen pain and body aches. She is worried about her condition and also worried about her financial problem,” reports BBP. “She has had to stop working and now depends on her husband’s salary, which isn’t enough to cover their living costs.” For $1500, Thi Dar will receive a total abdominal hysterectomy to remove her uterus and strengthen her pelvic floor, resolving her painful symptoms. This cost includes pre and post-surgical outpatient visits, hospitalization, transportation, and food. “Following treatment, Thi Dar should be able to go back to work selling snacks outside of the house, and she can take care of her children,” continues BBP. “She shouldn’t have any more abdominal pain or worries from her condition.” Thi Dar is eager to regain her strength. She tells us, “I want to get healthy and be able to support my family again.”

Christine is a 25-year-old wife and mother from Kenya. She has uterine fibroids, benign tumors that cause her abdominal pain, swelling, prolonged bleeding, and general body weakness. Christine's husband works as a pastor. He earns just enough to take care of the family, but Christine's new medical situation presents a challenge. "We are struggling. The church is very gracious, but they simply cannot afford to assist us," says Christine. A $1,200 treatment will remove Christine's fibroids, which will alleviate her pain, restore her quality of life, and preempt long-term problems that unresolved fibroids might cause.