Aye is a seven-year-old girl from Burma. She is a first grade student, and she lives with her grandmother, aunt, uncle, and four cousins while her parents work in Bangkok, Thailand. Aye was recently diagnosed with hydrocephalus, which has caused fluid to build up in her brain, after a CT scan. The scan also showed a small mass in her brain. Doctors want Aye to undergo an MRI, an imaging procedure that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce images of bodily organs. This scan will hopefully help doctors diagnose her condition and formulate an appropriate treatment plan. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $968 to cover the cost of Aye's MRI and care, scheduled for March 5. Her grandmother says, "I am very worried for my granddaughter especially that they find a mass in her brain."

Nephtalie is a student from Haiti. She lives with her mother and younger sister in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. She enjoys going to school and attending church. Nephtalie has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral stenosis. One of the four valves of her heart is too tight and narrow as a result of a fever suffered earlier in her childhood. Blood backs up behind the valve, leading to heart failure. Nephtalie will fly to India to receive treatment. On February 25, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which Surgeons will first attempt to open the valve by inserting a catheter and expanding a balloon. If this is not successful, they will immediately proceed to open-heart surgery to open the valve. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is contributing $5,000 to pay for surgery. Nephtalie'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 Nephtalie's family overseas. She says, "I am very happy to have this surgery so I can be healthy and stop worrying about my health."

Anita is a mother from Kenya. She has four children and works as a farmer. One week ago, Anita injured her right leg. She is unable to walk or stand using her right leg because of the broken bone. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On January 3, Anita will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help her walk easily again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $968 to fund this procedure. Anita says, “My prayer is to get healed so that I can provide for my children. I am a hardworking woman. I do everything to save my family from poverty.”

Shama is a toddler from Haiti. She lives with her mother and father in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince, and is their first child. She is getting ready to start preschool once her surgery is behind her. Shama has a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus. A hole exists between two major blood vessels near the heart. Blood leaks through this hole, leaving her short of breath and causing heart failure. On October 7, she will undergo cardiac surgery at St. Damien Hospital, our medical partner's care center. During surgery, surgeons will tie off the hole so that blood can no longer flow through it. Another organization, Gift of Life International, is contributing $5,000 to pay for surgery. Shama's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 requested by our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, covers cardiac exams and medications. Her mother says, "I am very excited that my daughter can have this surgery and become normal!"

Shaban is a boy from Tanzania. He is the youngest in a family of three children. Recently, Shaban has been experiencing a sore throat. He also experiences recurrent fevers. Shaban was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils, which, if not treated, will cause his symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $633 to fund a tonsillectomy for Shaban, which is scheduled to take place on November 2. Surgeons will remove his tonsils, hopefully relieving Shaban of his symptoms and helping him live more comfortably. Shaban’s father says, “I would like for my son to be able to sleep soundly, eat better, and be happy.”

Samuel is an infant from Kenya. He is 11 days old. Samuel’s mother is a farmer. Samuel was born with spina bifida, a type of neural tube defect in which the spine does not properly close around the spinal cord. Without treatment, Samuel is at risk of lower-limb paralysis, infection of the exposed nervous tissue, development of tethered cord syndrome, and possible developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,097 to cover the cost of Samuel's spina bifida closure surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on October 15. This procedure will hopefully spare Samuel from the risks associated with his condition, instead allowing him to grow and develop along a healthy trajectory. “I am hoping that my son can get help in all ways possible because this condition is really heartbreaking,” shares Samuel’s mother.

Beatrice is a farmer from Kenya. She plants maize and beans for her family's consumption. She has three children. Earlier this month, Beatrice sustained serious injuries on her right leg. She is currently walking with crutches because she is unable to walk or stand using her right leg. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On September 11, Beatrice will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. After surgery, Beatrice should be able to walk again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $968 to fund this procedure. She says, "I want to receive treatment so that I can continue taking care of my children."

Grace is a single mother from Kenya. She is a middle-aged woman from the central region of Kenya. She earns a living picking tea. Grace 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 $816 to cover the cost of a mastectomy for Grace. The procedure is scheduled to take place on September 3. After treatment, Grace will hopefully return to a cancer-free life. Grace says, “I wish to be treated and fight off this cancer. I want to join other people who have fought against cancer and want to campaign on its awareness.”

Mousanto is a baby from Haiti. He lives with his mother and father in Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti. He is their first child. Mousanto has a cardiac condition called abnormal origin of the right pulmonary artery. One of the two arteries that connects Mousanto's heart to his lungs is malformed and does not properly circulate blood. As a result, his body cannot obtain the oxygen it needs. In order to understand exactly what is wrong with the artery and how best to fix it, a diagnostic catheterization is required. To determine if Mousanto's condition is operable, he must undergo a diagnostic cardiac catheterization, a procedure that is not available in Haiti. During the procedure, a catheter probe will be inserted into his heart to perform the necessary measurements and tests. On August 21, he will travel to the Dominican Republic to receive the scan at our medical partner's care center, Clinica Corominas. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is asking for $1,500 to cover the costs of Mousanto's travel expenses, catheterization procedure, and lab work. His mother says, "We are very thankful to everyone who is helping our son become healthy."

Trevin is a child from Kenya. He is the second born in a family of two children. His mother is a single parent who sells boiled eggs at their local market. Trevin 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 infertility. Fortunately, Trevin is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on June 26. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $676 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. “I have worried for my son for the past four years. I hope he will get help and be treated. I hope to see him passing urine normally and growing up like a normal child," says his mother.

Matteo is a boy from Haiti. He lives in Port-au-Prince with his parents and younger brother. He is a fifth grade student, and likes watching soccer games and listening to music. Matteo suffers from a condition called severe pulmonary stenosis, in which one of the four valves of his heart is too small. As a result, blood backs up into his heart, leading to heart failure. This will eventually be fatal. Fortunately, Matteo will undergo interventional heart catheterization on May 24. During the procedure, doctors will use a catheter tipped with a balloon to stretch Matteo's valve open to a more normal size. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is asking for $1,500 to cover the costs of Matteo's travel expenses, catheterization procedure, and lab work. He says, "I am excited to be able to play soccer after my heart is fixed."

Lewis is a student from Kenya. He is the second child in the family. His father is a cobbler, while his mother is a vendor in town. Lewis has clubfoot of his left foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Lewis traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on May 14. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,224 to fund Lewis's clubfoot repair. After treatment, Lewis will be free from pain. “I will be happy to see my son walking," says his father.