Abdunasir is beautiful toddler from Ethiopia. He loves to play with his mom and dad. They shared that he is already smart and fast, and loves to run and play. Abdulnasir is the first child to his parents. Abdunasir's mom is a homemaker but sometimes she helps washing people’s clothes for income. His dad is a traditional farmer. Their home area has been drought-affected for many years and shared that they can’t sustain the family from their harvest. Their basic needs are supported by well-wishers and support from the government. Abdunasir was born with hypospadias, a congenital abnormality that causes urinary dysfunction. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and will be at risk of future complications. His mom is worried and concerned because of his condition. She said “I showed friends and family the case seeking explanation and help. Then I took him to many hospitals. Finally, I found out about BKMCM and brought him here.” Fortunately, Abdunasir is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on May 10th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,293 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. His mom told us, “After the treatment I hope my boy will heal. I will feed other poor people if my child heals. And I will bless all those who support us.”

La is a 36-year-old mother of three children. She is married and her husband works as a construction worker. To help support her family, she sells soft drinks and coffee from her home. The couple has one son and two daughters, who are all in public school. In her free time, La enjoys walking her children to and from school, cooking, and, after a long day, watching television. Five years ago, La injured her left knee and she has experienced intermittent pain since the injury. Unfortunately, in December 2021, she was involved in a motorbike accident where she re-injured the same knee. After an x-ray, she was diagnosed with an aneurysmal bone cyst, or a benign, blood-filled lesion in the bone that often expands or grows. She experiences severe pain and now has difficulty walking. To treat her condition, surgeons plan to remove the cyst from her left knee and help to heal the joint. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), is helping La receive treatment. On April 9th, surgeons will perform a procedure to relieve La of her pain and allow her to walk easily. Now, she needs help raising $273 to fund her procedure and care. La shared, "I am thankful that I will be able to return to work and care for my children after this surgery."

Thein is a 56-year-old man who lives with his family in a refugee camp. Two of his daughters and his son-in-law work as seasonal workers outside of the camp, while Thein and his wife look after their three grandchildren, send them to school, and care for the household chores. In January, Thein was diagnosed with a cataract in his right eye and an early cataract in his left eye. Currently, he cannot see with his right eye, as his vision is blurry, and the vision in his left eye is also beginning to blur. As a result, Thein cannot walk easily and relies on a bamboo staff to help stabilize him as he tries to avoid tripping on any objects in his path. He shared that he feels discomforted and like he is living in darkness. Fortunately, Thein was able to visit our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), and they can help him heal. On March 8th, doctors will perform a lens replacement. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. BCMF is requesting $1,500 to fund this procedure. Thein shared, “When I recover from surgery, I will help my family plant and water vegetables around the house. It can save us money from buying the vegetables. I can help send my grandchildren to school and pick them up in the evening. I will also be able to visit my friend.”

Joan is a smart and outgoing 12-year-old girl. She is in grade five in school and enjoys playing basketball in her free time. She is the third born child in a family of five children. Her parents work as casual laborers, doing a variety of jobs to make ends meet. For about three years, Joan has been experiencing intermittent enlargement of her tonsils. Over the past month, her tonsils have become very swollen, and it has become difficult for her to swallow and speak. She has been unable to attend school because she experiences so much pain. She visited a local ENT clinic where a surgeon recommended that she undergo an adenotonsillectomy. If she is not treated, Joan may continue to have recurrent tonsillitis, difficulty breathing when asleep, or infections like tonsillar cellulitis. These complications could also lead to rheumatic fever. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Joan receive treatment. On February 8th, she will undergo an adenotonsillectomy, during which surgeons will remove her tonsils and adenoids. After recovery, Joan will be able to live comfortably and continue with her studies. Now, she and her family need help raising $565 to fund her procedure and care. Joan's father shared, "Because of this illness, our house is now very quiet. Joan makes everyone happy. I am kindly requesting help so that she can be treated and get back to her normal life and go back to school."

Chhang is a 22-year-old construction worker in Kampong Speu, Cambodia. Chhang comes from a large family; he has four brothers and two sisters. Several of his siblings are married; he lives with his parents who are rice and mango farmers. He enjoys hanging out with his friends, singing songs, and playing football. A month ago, Chhang fell off his motorbike late one night on a bumpy road on the way home from work. He suffered a right femur fracture, and lost consciousness. His family took him to the local hospital, who referred him to Children's Surgical Centre for specialty care of his fracture. He is in constant pain, unable to walk or place any weight on his injured leg. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On January 5th, Chhang will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $465. This procedure will heal his fracture and help him to walk again. He said: "I hope my leg will be fixed, and I will be able to walk again and work to help support my parents and my siblings."

Susan is a mother of three, with her eldest child now 23 years, and two twins who are 17. She used to work at a salon in Nairobi, but the owner closed the business at the beginning of the year. She has been out of work since then and husband works as a casual laborer in a pharmaceutical firm, which recruits them in intervals depending on the availability of funds. She has applied for national health insurance coverage, but it is not yet approved and her doctors have recommended that she undergoes her surgery as soon as possible. Susan first noted a lump in July so she visited a facility in Nairobi and was treated with pain medication and an ointment. She felt better, but the pain recurred after two months. Due to the pain, she went to a government clinic and was advised to visit a higher-level facility. She opted to visit our medical partner's care center Kijabe Hospital after a recommendation by a neighbor. However, Susan is not in a financial position to pay for the surgery and is appealing for financial assistance. Susan has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Without treatment, the cancer may spread to other organs. A mastectomy, a surgery to remove breast tissue, has been suggested to rid her body of breast cancer and to prevent the cancer from metastasizing. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1110 to cover the cost of a mastectomy for Susan. The procedure is scheduled to take place on December 6th. After treatment, Susan will hopefully return to a cancer-free life. Susan says, "My family and my kids are my motivation. This lump is just increasing in size and pain. I hope I get the treatment I need.”

Namayani is a fourteen-year-old student and the last-born girl in a family of five children. Namayani is social and friendly and has just completed her primary school education. She hopes she will get good grades to enable her to join a prestigious high school. She wishes to become a teacher when she completes her studies. Her parents are livestock keepers and cannot afford the required surgery cost. Namayani was diagnosed with bilateral genu valgus. Her legs bend such that her knees are knocking. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, Namayani says she struggled a lot walking to and from school because she felt pain when walking. The problem started three years ago, but has worsened over the years. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Namayani. The procedure is scheduled to take place on November 9th. Treatment will hopefully restore Namayani's mobility, allow her to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease her risk of future complications. Namayani says: “I will be happy if I have my legs corrected so that when I join secondary school next year I don’t struggle walking anymore.”

Naw Day is a 31-year-old pregnant woman who lives with her husband and three-year-old son in a refugee camp in Northern Thailand. Naw Day works as a high school teacher, however since August 2021, schools have been closed in the refugee camp due to an increase in COVID-19 cases. She currently only works one day a week, where she helps clean the school. Naw Day and her husband are expecting their second child. Her doctor has recommended that she give birth through a scheduled Caesarean section to ensure a safe arrival for her baby. Fortunately, our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF) is helping Naw Day to receive labor and delivery care. On October 8th, she will deliver her baby via C-Section. Now, their family needs help raising $1,500 to fund a healthy and safe delivery for her and her baby. Naw Day shared, "Thank you for helping me."

Carlens is a three-year-old boy from Haiti. He lives with his parents and three siblings in a neighborhood in the capital city. He likes playing with blocks and drawing pictures. Carlens was born with a condition called aortic valve stenosis, in which one of the four valves of his heart is too small to allow blood to flow through normally. This causes his heart to work too hard, leaving him feeling sick and weak. Fortunately, our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is helping Carlens to receive treatment. On September 9th, doctors will use a catheter with a balloon at the end to stretch the valve open so that his heart can pump blood more normally. Now, his family needs help to raise $1,500 towards the cost of his procedure and care. Carlens' mother shared, "we are very hopeful that our son will have more energy and will become stronger after his surgery!"

Furahini is a five-year-old student from Tanzania and the oldest child in a family of three children. Furahini is hardworking, friendly, and social; she is currently in kindergarten and loves coloring in her free time. "Furahini" is a Swahili word that means "be happy". Her grandmother suggested the name to her parents because even though they were worried about her birth condition, they were thankful for their firstborn child. Furahini has clubfoot of right foot, a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. The condition causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Furahini to receive treatment. She traveled to visit AMH's care center where surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on August 10th. Now, AMH is requesting $935 to fund Furahini's procedure. After treatment, she will able to walk easily and wear shoes. Her grandmother shared, "my granddaughter is struggling to walk thus she was sent to stay with me so that she does not have to walk long distances to school. If she is able to have her foot corrected she will go back to her family and enjoy living with her parents and siblings."

Makara shared, "I hope this surgery can help me return to work in the future so I can support my family. My life will change if I can use my arm again." Makara is a 31-year-old man who has been married for four years and has a three-year-old daughter. Makara's wife works in a garment factory near their home in the province. In April 2021, Makara was in a motor vehicle accident that caused paralysis of his left arm. He has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his left side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. He is unable to lift his arm and he cannot work. Makara traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On June 21st, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, he will be able to use his arm normally again. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $696 to fund this procedure.

Kyin is a 48-year-old woman who lives with her daughter, her friend, and her friend's family in a village in northern Thailand. Kyin’s daughter and her friend’s two children study at a migrant school. Kyin used to work as an agricultural day laborer, but stopped two months ago when her vision deteriorated. In her free time, Kyin likes to garden and clean her house. Kyin has lost most of the vision in both of her eyes. Sometimes her eyes are watery and itchy, and if she tries to focus on identifying someone’s face, her eyes will hurt and she will develop a headache. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund lens replacement surgery for Kyin. On June 7th, doctors will perform a lens replacement in both eyes, during which they will remove Kyin's natural lenses and replace them with intraocular lens implants. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $1,500 procedure. Kyin shared, “I hope that I will get better soon so that I can go back to work. I want to support my daughter so that she becomes an educated person. I also want to build a new house and live with my daughter happily for the rest of my life.”