Sopheaktra is a car repairman from Cambodia. He grew up in Kampong Cham province and is the oldest of four siblings. Four years ago, Sopheaktra had an ear infection. This infection caused a cholesteatoma, or an abnormal skin growth, to develop in the middle ear behind the ear drum. For this reason, Sopheaktra experiences tinnitus, discharge, itchiness, and hearing loss. He finds it difficult to go about his normal work, and constantly suffers from ear discharge and hearing loss. Sopheaktra traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On April 25, he will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure in his left ear. During this procedure, ENT surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $842 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. He says, "After my surgery, I hope that I will no longer have any ear discharge and my hearing will improve."

Bedens is a baby from Haiti. He lives with his parents on an island off the west coast of Haiti. His father is a local radio presenter, and his mother cares for him at home. Bedens has a cardiac condition called coarctation of the aorta. A portion of his aorta has a muscular blockage, causing blood to back up into his heart and leading to heart failure. Bedens will fly to United States to receive treatment. On March 20, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will cut out the blockage in his aorta so that blood can flow more freely. Another organization, Akron Children's Hospital, is contributing $35,000 to pay for surgery. Bedens'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 Bedens's family overseas. His father says, "My entire family is very grateful for this opportunity to save my son's life!"

Sogomo is a grandmother from Kenya. She plants millet and cassava. She is the mother of five children. Early this month, Sogomo slipped and broke her right hand while crossing a fence. She is now unable to stretch or lift her right hand. Sogomo will not be able to perform her normal duties of farming and fetching water for her house if she is not treated. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On February 13, Sogomo will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. She will be able to use her hand again with no pain. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $968 to fund this procedure. Sogomo’s son says, “We were forced as family to borrow money from a money lender with high interest rates to pay bills for Sogomo’s first treatment. We are unable to afford for her second treatment again."

Emmanuel is a baby from Kenya. He is the youngest of two children. The family hails from Kayole, Nairobi, Kenya. His mother is a single parent and works as a vendor. Emmanuel has a rare condition called an amniotic band that requires surgery. He is unable to walk, and his mother that his condition will worsen as he grows. Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on January 27. The procedure will cost $1,165. His mother says, “I will appreciate any kind of support I receive. And God bless you for creating time to listen to me.”

San Win is a 14-year-old from Burma. He lives with his parents and a seven-year-old sister. His parents work as daily agricultural laborers growing rice and corn. Since 2004, San Win has had an inguinal hernia. Fortunately, on January 8, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at Mae Sot General Hospital, our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund San Win's hernia repair surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on January 8 and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. San Win says, “The pain annoys me and I feel distressed. Nonetheless, I always have the ambition of becoming a technician."

Megan is a baby from Kenya. Her mother named her after Meghan Markle. Megan has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. Without treatment, Megan will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $685 to cover the cost of surgery for Megan that will treat her hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on November 28 and will drain the excess fluid from Megan's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Megan will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl.

Pya is a 57-year-old man who lives in Karen State, Burma with his wife, daughter, and grandson. Pya’s family owns land on which they grow rice. In March 2017, Pya started feeling pain in his lower abdomen, but he did not seek any medical care. Shortly after this pain developed, it forced him to stop working. Pya used to take herbal medicines for his symptoms. However, they were not very effective, and his condition deteriorated. He could not manage the pain, so he traveled to a clinic, where a medic examined him and performed an ultrasound. He was then referred to Mae Sot Hospital, our medical partner's care center, for further testing. Over three visits, he received an x-ray and blood and urine tests and was diagnosed with bladder stones. Pya was then scheduled for surgery on October 24. In addition to his pain, Pya’s condition has affected numerous other aspects of his life. Because he has had to stop working, his family has been struggling financially. Fortunately, we can help by raising $1,500 to pay for his surgery. Pya says, “I want to be able to work on my own farm again. I want my family to be able to eat well and have meat again.”

Linn is an 11-month-old baby boy from Thailand. He lives with his parents and two uncles in Mae Sot, Tak Province. His family moved from Karen State, Burma to Thailand just a month ago for better job opportunities. Linn has been diagnosed with a scrotal hernia. Fortunately, on September 26, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at Mae Sot General Hospital, our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund Linn's hernia repair surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on September 26 and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. His father says, "My plan for him is to keep him in school when he recovers. Then, I want him to either become a doctor, a teacher, or a boxer.”

Trevis is a child living with cerebral palsy from Kenya. He is the youngest in a family of two children. His mother sells small items in order to provide for her two children. Trevis 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, Trevis traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on September 25. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,224 to fund Trevis's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to stand and walk easily. “My desire is to see my son standing, sitting upright, and walking like other children," Trevis’s mother says.

Chan is a food vendor from Cambodia. She has a daughter and two sons. She likes to listen to radio programs and watch TV in her free time. Twenty years ago, Chan had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in her left ear to perforate. For this reason, Chan experiences pain, tinnitus, and discharge. She cannot hear well and is in pain. Chan traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On July 17, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in her left ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $423 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. She says, "I really hope my hearing is better and my ear heals with no more pain."

Jane is a woman from Kenya. She has six siblings and two children. She used to work as a cleaner in a hotel. Jane has been experiencing severe discomfort in her back, leading to weakness and loss of function in her lower limbs. She took painkillers and antibiotics, but the problem continued. From several doctors, she received different diagnoses, such as a kidney infection and pneumonia, but the medications they prescribed never worked. Finally, Jane visited our medical partner's care center, where she underwent an MRI. This scan revealed that she has a lower spine deformity. She needs to undergo a spine fusion surgery to treat the condition. Fortunately, surgery is scheduled for June 21. Now, she just needs help raising $1,500 to fund the procedure. “I am appealing for support, the pain I have is intolerable, I cannot be able to pay the bill and am afraid I might not walk again. Please help me," Jane says.

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."