Marie is a mother of two from Haiti. She lives with her mother and two sons in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince; she previously worked in an apparel factory but had to stop working last year due to her cardiac illness. Marie has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral stenosis. One of the four valves of her heart was damaged due to an infection she suffered earlier in life, and she can no longer pump blood normally through her body. Marie needs surgery that is not available within Haiti so she will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On October 19th, she will finally undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will attempt to repair her existing damaged valve; if this is unsuccessful, they may need to implant an artificial replacement. Another organization, Baylor Scott and White Heart Hospital, is contributing $25000 to pay for surgery. Marie's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep and followup. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. "I am hopeful that after this surgery, I can stop worrying so much about my health and my heart. I want to focus instead on my beautiful family and my future," Marie shared.

Abnet, a precious 9-month-old baby girl from Ethiopia, has captured our hearts with her beauty and spirit. She is the only child of her young 20-year-old parents. Her father works alongside his own father as a coffee farmer, while her mother lovingly tends to their home. Despite not having had the opportunity for formal education, they pour their efforts into providing for their family through the limited farming they do, though it yields barely enough to sustain them. From the very beginning, Abnet's parents demonstrated their determination to seek medical care for their daughter, even in the face of financial challenges. Abnet was born with a congenital anorectal malformation, a condition that disrupts bowel function due to a partial or complete blockage of the intestines. In order to alleviate her suffering and restore her health, she must undergo a series of intricate procedures. Their family initially went to a government hospital, where they were referred to another medical facility. Sadly, their hopes were dashed as they were asked to return two years later. Recognizing the worsening state of Abnet's health, they reached out to a local social worker, sharing their child's condition. Fortunately, the social worker was able to introduce them to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH). Abnet underwent a thorough evaluation leading to a recommendation for the necessary surgery. Abnet is now scheduled for surgery on August 15th. AMH is requesting $1500 to help fund her procedure. Following her successful recovery, Abnet will be a healthy little girl, able to resume normal activities. Abnet's mother shared, "When we first learned of our daughter's condition, a sense of worry and helplessness engulfed us. The path forward seemed uncertain and daunting. Despite the challenges we faced, we relentlessly pursued treatment for our beloved child. Though previous avenues turned us away, the administrative office introduced us to this lifeline of support. We embraced it with hope, and it has brought us to this moment, filled with gratitude and anticipation."

Ni Win is a 27-year-old woman from Thailand who lives with her husband, mother, and brother in Tak Province. She works at a garment factory and during her free time, Ni Win enjoys playing with her cats and feeding her little rabbits. In May, Ni Win began experiencing severe pain and bloating in her right lower abdomen. Her left ovary was removed due to an ovarian cyst three years ago. She has been diagnosed with an endometrioma, a type of ovarian cyst in which cystic lesions are filled with cells derived from endometriosis. She has now been advised to undergo an oophorectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her other ovary. Ni Win is scheduled to undergo her procedure on July 12th. Our medical partner Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF) is requesting $913 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Ni Win shared, "I am married, and of course, I want children. I feel sad when I learn that I cannot have children due to my disease. However, we as human beings have our own problems that we cannot always understand. We can’t just sit and feel sad, we have to think positively and be able to adapt to any situation.”

Khemar is an active 23-month-old toddler from Cambodia. His parents work in Thailand, so he lives with his grandmother and older sister in Southern Cambodia. He stays home with his grandmother and his sister is in first grade in school. His favorite foods are fried chicken and milk, and he loves playing with the neighborhood children. Khemar was born with syndactyly of both feet, which means that he was born with fused or webbed toes. Khemar's big toe and second toe are fused together on both of his feet. His parents worry that he will face challenges when he starts school, and he does not walk well due to his condition. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), is helping Khemar receive treatment. On May 19th, surgeons at CSC will perform a syndactyly repair procedure to separate and release the fused toes. After surgery, Khemar will be able to walk more easily and wear shoes. Now, he and his family need help raising $444 to fund his procedure and care. Khemar's grandmother shared, "after surgery, we hope Khemar's feet look better and it will be easy for him to move his toes."

62-year-old Sarom is a retired garment factory worker from Phnom Penh in Cambodia. Unfortunately, Sarom was widowed eight years ago when her husband passed away after being in a traffic accident. Together, they had two daughters, three sons, and four grandchildren. Sarom now lives with her elderly mother and youngest daughter, spending her days caring for her mother. About four years ago, Sarom developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. In addition to the discomfort caused by the cataract, Sarom's vision is impaired. Sarom sought treatment from our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. On April 26th, doctors at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre will perform phacoemulsification cataract surgery and implant an intraocular lens in her right eye. After she has recovered, Sarom should be able to see clearly once again. Now, Sarom needs help raising $253 to fund this procedure. Sarom shared: "I hope after surgery that I will be able to do my housework and take care of my mother and grandchildren well."

Zerubabel is a 17-month-old, energetic baby boy from Ethiopia. He is the only child of his mother. He already loves to run and play football with other children. Bread is his favorite food. Both of his parents currently have no income. His father used to work at Mekele University at the student's café, but lost touch with their family after the war broke out. Zerubabel's mother has no income and has moved to Addis Ababa where she stays with relatives. Zerubabel 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 cancer and infertility. A year ago, Zerubabel's mother noticed his condition but was unable to take him to the hospital sooner. The neighbor of her relatives told her about our medical parter at BKMCM and she came to the hospital with hope. The doctors have recommended surgery to treat Zerubabel, his mother is appealing for financial assistance. Fortunately, Zerubabel is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on April 4th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,293 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Zerubabel's mother said, “I look forward to seeing him completely healthy. I want to see him grow up. I hope he will be a professional football player. ”

Amina is a shy 11-year-old student living in Tanzania. Amina was born with albinism, a condition feared and misunderstood within her culture. But Amina enjoys going to school, as it is when she is able to socialize with her friends. While she is at school, her parents work on people's farms to earn money, and Amina's mother also sells fruits, vegetables, and spices at the market. Amina suffered burns to both of her hands in an accident in 2020. Burn scar contractures have developed, tightening the skin around her burns. Her right wrist has limited extension, which makes it difficult for her to accomplish a variety of daily tasks. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Amina receive treatment. On March 9th surgeons at Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre will perform burn contracture release surgery to help Amina to use her hands freely. Now she needs your help to fund this $874 procedure. Amina’s mother says: “We are excited that Amina is going to get better after the surgery.”

Marvens is a toddler who lives with his parents and his older sister. His parents are looking forward to starting him in preschool as soon as he recovers from his surgery. Marvens has a cardiac condition called partial anomalous pulmonary vein return (PAPVR). One of the major veins in Marvens' chest connects to his heart in a location that is not anatomically normal. As a result, blood cannot flow normally through his body, leaving him weak and short of breath. On March 1st, Marvens will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will detach the vein from his heart and reattach it at the anatomically correct position. Marvens' family needs help to fund the costs of surgery, and the prep and follow-up care required. Marvens family and our medical partner have been able to raise some of the support needed, but still are in need of $1,500 and have turned to the Watsi community for support. Marvens' mother says: "Our family is very happy to have this chance, and will be praying for everyone who is helping us!"

Nanyu is a 3-year-old girl from Southern Kenya near the Tanzania border. She is from a nomadic community and is the youngest of 6 children. Her mother is a homemaker, while her father is a pastoralist. The family lives in a traditional Masai mud-built grass-thatched house. Nanyu has a right foot deformity where her knee bends inwardly to touch the other left knee. This has made walking difficult, and sometimes she has pain. She has been taken to several clinics without getting any help. Luckily, our partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH) can finally help. They will perform a surgery treat the deformity, scheduled for July 17th. Nanyu and her family are asking for $1,224 to fully fund the procedure. With successful treatment, Nanyu will be able to walk easily and grow up like any other child. Nanyu's mother shared, “As a mother, my joy would be to see my daughter walking well and playing with other friends."

Simon is an 11-month-old baby and the second born in his family. He also has a twin sister. They all came together to our medical partner because the mother couldn’t leave Simon’s twin at home. Their family lives in a remote area in the western part of Tanzania. They are from a community that mainly depends on small-scale subsistence agriculture, depending on the rainy season as their major source of agriculture. They have had a good rice harvest that enables them to provide food for their family. And then they sell the little harvest surplus they have, to afford other basic needs. Simon has clubfoot of both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, they visited our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre where surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery to heal his condition. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $935 to fund Simon's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to wear shoes and walk easily. Simon’s mother says, “I wish my son to be free from this disability so that he will be able to play with his twin sister as they grow old.”

Naw is a 47-year-old mother from Burma. Her whole family is now unemployed as they moved from Burma due to conflict near their village. She enjoys gardening and growing flowers in her free time. Naw was diagnosed with a heart condition that involves a malformation of her mitral valve, the valve between the left atrium and left ventricle. This valve controls the flow of blood, but certain conditions may cause blood to flow backward or the valve to narrow. Currently, Naw has difficulty breathing, tiredness, and trouble sleeping at night. She often has headaches and feels dizzy. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Naw. The treatment is scheduled to take place on June 16th and, once completed, will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably. Naw said, “I felt very happy when I heard about you. I almost cried from happiness. I hope that I can recover completely. After I am treated, I want to get a suitable job that is comfortable enough for me because I do not want to feel tired like this again.”