Samuel is a nine-year-old student who lives with his parents and three siblings in Haiti's capital city, Port-au-Prince. He is currently in third grade and enjoys studying history and science. Samuel has a cardiac condition called Tetralogy of Fallot, which is a combination of four different congenital heart defects, including a hole between two chambers of the heart and a muscular blockage of one of the valves. Fortunately, Samuel is scheduled to travel to the United States where he will undergo cardiac surgery on September 14th at Akron Children's Hospital. During the procedure, surgeons will sew a patch over the hole in his heart and remove the blockage from his valve. A portion of the cost of Samuel's treatment is being supported by Akron Children's Hospital. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA), is raising the remaining $1,500 to cover the costs of his surgery prep, which includes all labs, medication, check-up and follow-up appointments, and the passports needed for HCA’s social workers to accompany Samuel and his family overseas. Samuel's mother says, "I have been very worried about my son's health for many years. I am looking forward to being able to stop worrying so much after this surgery!"

Dawentz is a student from Haiti. He lives in a small town in the mountains of central Haiti with his parents and siblings. He is in his last year of high school, and would like to go on to university to study law or business. Dawentz has a cardiac condition called severe rheumatic aortic regurgitation. One of the four valves of his heart was severely damaged by a rheumatic fever he suffered earlier in childhood. As a result, his heart can no longer adequately pump blood through his body, leaving him weak and short of breath. The surgery that Dawentz needs is not available within Haiti due to limited cardiac care. He is scheduled to fly to the United States to receive treatment. On November 18th, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will remove his damaged valve and implant an artificial replacement. Another organization, Baylor Scott & White Heart Hospital, is contributing $20,000 to help pay for surgery. Dawentz's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep and travel. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. It also supports the costs of obtaining his passport and the expenses of the social worker from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Dawentz's family overseas. Dawentz says: "I am very glad to know that so many people are helping me to get my health back."

Myo is a 14-year-old boy from Burma. He lives with his parents in a village in Karen State. His mother is a homemaker who is currently eight months pregnant. His father is a subsistence farmer, but he also works as a day laborer to earn money. Myo is in grade six and he enjoys playing football in his free time. Two years ago, Myo developed a pain in his arm which he noticed while playing football with his friends. Right away he was in a lot of pain, but his arm did not look broken. At first, the pain lessened, but gradually the pain worsened and his upper left forearm became swollen. Myo could also feel a mass under the swollen area of his left forearm. Myo and his father went to Chiang Mai Hospital, where he received a MRI and other tests, as well as a biopsy which confirmed that the tumor in his forearm was cancer. Now he needs surgery to remove the tumor, and he will need a chemo after surgery. The enlarged mass in Myo's left forearm has not increased in size, and only causes him pain when he lifts something heavy or when he does any physical activity with that arm such as washing his clothes or cleaning. Although he can take a shower by himself, using only his right arm makes it challenging. When he plays with his friends, he needs to protect his left forearm to prevent getting hurt. Myo's family sought treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund. He is now scheduled to undergo mass removal surgery on December 8th, and his family needs help funding the $1,500 cost to cover his procedure and care. He said, “I feel sorry for my mother and I pity her that she has to stay alone with the new baby. I also feel sad that I cannot go to school this year. I want to recover quickly and go back to see my brother and mother.”

Phana is an active ten-year-old boy. He has three brothers and three sisters, and his parents are rice farmers. Phana finished grade one in school, but was not able to continue due to his limited vision from congenital cataracts, so he stays home with his parents. At home, he likes to listen to cartoons and spend time with his siblings. From birth, Phana developed a cataract in each eye, causing him blurry vision, cloudiness, or lack of transparency, of his lens. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Phana learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for seven and a half hours seeking treatment. On October 24th, doctors will perform a lensectomy and then implant a new lens in each eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $443 procedure. His father said: "I hope after surgery my son can see well like his siblings and go to school again."

Chantra is a 16-year-old student in the 11th grade. He goes to the local public school and has one younger brother. At school, he enjoys physics and chemistry and would like to go to medical school to be a surgeon. Chantra's parents sell fresh chicken at a local market in Kandal province. At home, he plays several sports, does homework with his friends, and likes listening to music. Last week, Chantra was involved in a motorbike collision. When he stretched out his arms to break his fall, the impact fractured bones in both hands. His parents took him to a clinic for a splint and pain medication, but both hands still have pain, and he is unable to use them to feed or dress himself. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On November 1st, Chantra will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $483. This procedure will repair his fractures and help him to use his hands again. Chantra shared: "I hope after surgery my hands can move well again, so I can go to school. I want my dream to be a surgeon to come true."

Manith is a playful and creative 7-year-old student from Cambodia. He lives with his parents and is the only child in his family. His mother works as a garment worker, and his father works as a taxi driver for a private company. Some of Manith's favorite activities include painting, playing with toys, watching cartoons, and playing with his friends. At home, he loves to eat soup and yogurts! Manith was born with a condition that caused two of his toes on his right foot to be fused together. Although he can walk, run, and play with ease, it is difficult for him to wear shoes. Fortunately, Manith is scheduled to undergo surgery to heal his condition on August 2nd at our medical partner's care center. This procedure will allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), is requesting $299 to fund this procedure. Manith's father says, "I hope his foot will heal well and feel good after the surgery."

Pov is a 74-year-old grandmother. She has two sons, three daughters, and eight grandchildren. Pov lives with her son who works as a delivery driver. She enjoys playing with her grandchildren and listening to monks pray on the radio. Two years ago, Pov developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her photophobia, itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking. For this reason, she is not able to go places on her own. When Pov learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled there seeking treatment. On September 14th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs your help to fund this $253 procedure. Pov says, "I hope after surgery my vision improves so I can get around easily on my own."

Consolata is a shy, eight-year-old girl. She is the third born in a family of three children. She loves going to school and proudly wears her school uniform. She lives with her single mother, two siblings, and her grandmother. Her grandmother works in a support staff role at a local hospital to support her family. For the last two years, Consolata has suffered from bouts of tonsillitis, pain, infections, and fevers that make it difficult for her to concentrate on her studies. After examination, an ENT surgeon recommended that she have a tonsillectomy. If left untreated, Consolata will continue to experience pain and fevers, and could be at risk of complications. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Consolata to receive treatment. On December 3rd, she will undergo an adenotonsillectomy at AMH's care center. Now, she and her family need help raising $565 to fund her procedure and care. Consolata's grandmother shared, "I love my grandchildren, especially Consolata. It pains me to see her struggle with this condition. I kindly request assistance so that she can live a normal life and continue with her education."

Zin is a 15-year-old boy who lives with his parents and two younger sisters in Tak Province in Thailand. He and his sisters are all students. His father is an agriculture day laborer and his mother is a homemaker. In his free time, Zin likes to play football with his friends. He also helps his father with his work when he has time to earn pocket money. Early morning on December 28th, Zin and his friend rode out on his friend's motorcycle to the field to help Zin's father. While driving on the dirt road, Zin's friend suddenly lost control and their motorcycle slide off the road. Zin, who was sitting behind his friend, hit his leg against a metal post beside the road andthey both fell off the motorcycle. Currently, Zin is experiencing a lot of pain in his left thigh and hip. He cannot move his leg, walk, nor go to the bathroom by himself. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Zin will undergo surgery to reset his fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The emergency procedure is scheduled for December 28th and will cost $1,500. This treatment will help Zin heal, regain mobility in his left leg, and live pain free. He will be able to take care of himself again without requiring help from others. Zin's mother said, "I was very worried when I learned that I would need to deposit a large amount of money so that my son could receive surgery. We do not even have enough money to buy enough food to last us until the end of the month. I really needed your help and I was extremely happy when I saw your staff and was told that donors could help pay for my son's treatment! Thank you in advance to all the donors and the organization for helping my son!"

Clarkson is a 9-year-old jovial and social boy. He's the fourth and last born in his family. Together his family lives in a two-roomed mud house in a village in rural Kenya. Clarkson was accompanied to our clinic by his mother. His mother shared that at the age of 2, Clarkson suffered from malaria and went to get an injection. The injection is assumed to have been the cause of his condition. Now he walks with discomfort and cannot play with friends. His mother shared that his friends make fun of how he walks which causes him to have lower self-esteem. Clarkson's family traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on December 6th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,286 to fund Clarkson's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk like other friends, be in less pain, and even play football (which he is excited for!). His family is not financially able to fund the surgery and is appealing for financial assistance. Clarkson says, “I would love my feet to be corrected so I can walk confidently.”

Somanith is a 17-year-old university student. She is the oldest child in her family and has two siblings: an 8-year-old brother in 2nd grade and a 12-year-old sister in 4th grade. Somanith is in her first year at university, where she is studying accounting. Her father works for the government, and her mother stays at home to care for her siblings. Somanith likes to read books, exercise, and meet up with friends in her free time. Six months ago, Somanith noticed swelling on the left side of her face and thought it was from her wisdom tooth. She received a biopsy at the government hospital, which revealed she has a mass called ameloblastoma. Somanith is experiencing swelling and pain and is concerned with how quickly the mass has grown. Specialty surgeons will need to perform an excision and histology to determine her future treatment. When Somanith learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled across the country for eight hours seeking treatment. On December 7th, surgeons at CSC will perform an excision to remove the mass and help Somanith feel comfortable again. CSC is requesting $657 to fund her procedure. Somanith shared that she is hopeful the tumor will be easily removed and the biopsy will be benign.

Adrian is a shy and happy five-year-old boy. He is the oldest child in a family of two children, and lives in a single roomed rental house with his family. His mother works at a shop selling cereal near their home, while his father works as a casual laborer to make a living for their family. For about a week, Adrian has had a right inguinal hernia—a condition where soft tissue bulges through a weak place in the abdominal muscles. After a CT, ultrasound, and several tests, he was diagnosed with a hernia and surgery was recommended by his medical team. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Adrian receive treatment. On December 21st, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at AMH's care center. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. Now, he and his family need help raising $585 to fund his procedure and care. Adrian mother shared, "my son is in constant pain and complains a lot. He is in dire need of this treatment. Please help us."