Koun is a 59-year-old farmer who is married and has four sons and two daughters. He likes to feed his chickens, plant vegetables, and relax in his free time. Koun has Buerger's disease, which is the inflammation of blood vessels. This caused necrosis, or tissue death, in a toe of his left foot. He went to a Khmer traditional healer for treatment, but his symptoms did not improve. It is difficult for Koun to walk, and he is in pain. Koun heard about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), from his relative. He traveled for three hours with his wife to reach CSC for treatment. There, surgeons told Koun that they will need to perform an amputation of his left leg to prevent the spread of infection. His procedure is scheduled for February 24. Koun and his family cannot afford this procedure, so CSC is requesting $446 on his behalf.

Pendo is a five-month-old girl from Tanzania. She is the firstborn child in her family. Pendo and her mother live with her mother's father and brother while Pendo's father is away working. Pendo was born with spina bifida, a dangerous malformation of the spinal cord. She is also now beginning to develop hydrocephalus, a buildup of cranial fluid surrounding the brain. Her head is 30% larger than it should be. “Please help my daughter get better,” says Pendo’s mother. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,369 to fund Pendo's operations. She is scheduled to undergo surgery on May 15 at our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. After treatment, Pendo will be able grow and develop normally.