Meet Laneta, a talented and caring 42-year-old mother from the Philippines. Laneta has an enlarged thyroid gland, which has greatly affected her daily life. "She cannot sustain the tasks she used to do before as they usually result in a throbbing pain at the back of her head and neck,” says our medical partner, International Care Ministries (ICM). In addition, "Laneta can no longer wash their laundry as efficiently as before for her family," says ICM. "She can no longer cultivate land and clean backyards for hire and can no longer do household chores with ease." She misses doing these tasks that “she used to do with ease and confidence,” says ICM. Unfortunately, Laneta's family cannot afford thyroid surgery. A thyroidectomy will remove her entire thyroid gland and relieve her current symptoms. For $525, we can help provide Laneta with full treatment, including surgery, medication, and transportation and food for Laneta and her caregivers. Government insurance in the Phillippines has contributed $100 toward this treatment. After surgery, Laneta will “gain self confidence as a mother and seek better ways to elevate the quality of life of her family,” says ICM. “I am hoping there will be sponsors who could elevate my quality of life," Laneta shares, "so I can go back to how I used to take care of my family.”

Meet one-year-old Saradjina from Haiti. She has hydrocephalus which means that there is excess fluid in her head causing brain swelling. "The baby cries a lot, sometimes she vomits, and has a fever," Project Medishare tells us. Hydrocephalus can be fatal if left untreated. With $1260 Saradjina would be able to have shunt replacement surgery to drain the excess fluid and release pressure on her brain. This is a prohibitive cost for Saradjina's parents who work hard in labor to make ends meet for their three children. "My wish for my little girl is to see her able to live a healthy life," Saradjina's father says. Let's fund Saradjina's care today so she can grow up healthy tomorrow!

This young girl is Mya, a three-year-old from Burma. Mya is happy and energetic, and adores her sister and four brothers. Mya gets upset when her brothers leave for school, and she even pretends to go with them by carrying her bag to the door each morning. Mya's father farms rice while her mother stays at home and looks after the children. The family also raises a few chickens and ducks for their own consumption. About a year ago, Mya developed a mass on her neck, which has since grown rapidly. The tumor presses on her neck and makes it difficult for her to breathe. Her family has traveled to various clinics to find affordable treatment, but have been unsuccessful. Fortunately, our medical partner Burma Border Projects (BBP) can remove Mya's tumor with a $1,500 procedure. Not only will the mass go away, but Mya will experience better breathing and overall health. Mya's doctor says, "She can continue to be a bubbly three-year-old and begin school in two years time, which she is already looking forward to." Let's make sure Mya is happy and healthy now, and soon enough she'll be happy and healthy and walking to school with her brothers.