Jesca is a hardworking, friendly, and sociable girl who loves music and singing in the choir at church. She's an 18-year-old teenager, born as the third child in a family of nine. Jesca was only able to study until seventh grade because she was experiencing mobility issues due to clubfoot, making going to school particularly challenging. Jesca's father tried to encourage his daughter to continue with school by discussing with her the the importance of education. However, Jesca was too concerned about going to secondary school, which is located even further away and thereby posing an even bigger challenge for her. Jesca has clubfoot on her left foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape, causing difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Jesca has now traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform a clubfoot repair surgery on June 29th, and requests support of $935 for her treatment costs. After treatment, Jesca will be able to walk normally and is hopeful for a better life ahead. Jesca describes her previous decisions about school with regret but turns an optimistic outlook for her future: "If it wasn’t for my foot I would have probably continued with school and maybe today I would be in a better position. I am now working but my foot is still limiting my work. Please help me have my foot corrected."

Chanreth is a 21-year-old, hard working man. He is married and has two daughters. Chanreth's wife is a garment worker. He enjoys listening to music on his phone. Three months ago, Chanreth was in a motor vehicle accident that caused paralysis of his left shoulder. 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 right now because of this. Chanreth traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On October 13th, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, he will be able to use his arm again. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $696 to fund this procedure. Chanreth says, "I hope after surgery my shoulder will move again. I have a four-month-old daughter that I would like to take more care of once I am healed."

Touch is a 68-year-old retired farmer with two daughters and two sons. Her husband passed away ten years ago, so she currently lives with her oldest daughter. Touch enjoys keeping a garden behind her house. She is a caring grandmother and loves to cook for her grandchildren and watch them play outside. Besides taking care of her grandchildren, Touch likes listening to the monks pray on the radio. Five years ago, Touch developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her to have photophobia, blurry vision, and occasional tearing. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Touch learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled there with her daughter seeking treatment. On June 15th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $229 procedure. Touch is hopeful: "I hope I can see well after my surgery, so I can do more to help my family. I want to take my grandchildren to the pagoda too."

Israel is a three-year-old boy from Tanzania and an only child. His parents raise livestock for a living. They are able to buy maize for food if they sell the milk they get from their cattle. They live in a semi-arid area where raising livestock is the main economic activity since the region is not favorable for farming. Early one morning in June of last year, Israel got burned in an accident. His mother woke up and went out to milk the cows while Israel was still sleeping. The fireplace still had a few charcoals burning from the fire that had burned all night. Israel woke and tried to get out of bed. He fell off the bed and his right leg went into the fire. His wounds have healed, but the skin around his knee contracted making Israel unable to straighten his leg. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Israel receive treatment. On March 3rd, surgeons at AMH's care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help him walk easily again. Now, he needs help to fund this $639 procedure. Israel’s mother shared, “my son would be running around and playing with his siblings and friends if not for the fire accident that has left him with a deformed leg. Please help correct his leg so that he can stand and walk.”

Savath is a 65-year-old who is married with one child. She sells items in her neighborhood to earn an income for basic items for their family and in her free time, Savath enjoys listening to the radio. In June of 2020, Savath developed a severe skin infection on her left forearm. She experiences pain, swelling, and discharge from the wound. When Savath learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled there seeking treatment. On March 17th, surgeons at CSC will perform a debridement procedure to remove the damaged and infected tissue from the wound. Now, Savath needs help to fund this $273 procedure. Savath shared, "I hope my arm heals quickly and I am finally free of pain."

Dieunika is a student from Haiti. She lives with her parents, two brothers, and one sister in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. She is in the seventh grade and likes studying math and science. Dieunika has a cardiac condition called atrial septal defect. A hole exists between the two upper chambers of her heart, leaving her sick and short of breath. On February 10, she will undergo cardiac surgery at St. Damien Hospital, our medical partner's care center. During surgery, surgeons will sew a patch over the hole in her heart so blood can no longer leak through it. Another organization, Gift of Life International, is contributing $5,000 to pay for surgery. Dieunika'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. She says, "I am excited to have my heart fixed and want to say thank you to everyone who is helping me!"