“The symptoms make it difficult to focus on my studies and that upsets me. My mind wants to study, but my body will not allow it,” says Mu Eh. Meet Mu Eh, a 19-year-old woman who lives in a refugee camp in Thailand with her parents and three younger siblings. “Mu Eh was 15 years old when she first noticed the symptoms of her condition,” shares our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP). “She has made multiple visits to health clinics and hospitals over the past four years and been prescribed several different types of medication, however her symptoms have become more severe over time.” Mu Eh has nasal poylps. Nasal polyps are soft, sac-like growths on the lining of the nose or sinuses. BBP tells us they cause her pain and “make it difficult for her to breathe through her nose.” The growths also lead to “frequent headaches and her nose will sometimes swell and turn red.” Mu Eh passed grade 10 and is about to begin her post-term education. “She enjoys school and is interested in studying medicine,” BBP continues. “She occasionally misses school because of her condition and the pain makes it difficult to concentrate when she is studying.” $1500 will fund the procedure to remove the polyps along with transportation to and from the hospital. "With treatment, Mu Eh can be expected to make a full recovery and live symptom-free. She will able to return to her studies and work toward her dream of becoming a doctor.”

“My children look to me for guidance and support since I separated from their father," Ann shares. "This problem is hindering my work to support them. When I get well, I hope to start a boutique where we can work together." 42-year-old Ann is a mother of three children from a rural town in central Kenya. "Before she became unwell, she was a very active woman, selling second had clothes in a local market," shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). "Early this year, Ann began to experience some lower abdominal pain. This pain got worse, forcing her to seek medical attention. Coming from a very poor home, and being a single mother, Ann has been unable to give a good education to her children, who can now only manage to get casual jobs like washing clothes for neighbors. Ann's abdominal pain has made it impossible for her to work to support her children. Her and her family cannot afford the treatment that Ann requires." Ann was diagnosed with uterine fibroids, and needs a total abdominal hysterectomy to remove her uterus and allow her relief from pain. This procedure costs $790. "We expect that a total abdominal hysterectomy for Ann shall alleviate her abdominal pain," AMHF adds. "And prevent any possible bleeding that could have occurred, that could have led to anemia."

This little boy is one-year-old John Knox from Haiti. "John Knox lives with his parents and one older brother. His father is a fisherman, and his mother sells goods in the market," shares our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA). "John Knox was born with a heart condition called pulmonic stenosis, in which the valve carrying blood between the heart and the lungs is too narrow to allow blood to pass freely," continues HCA. "Because of this, the body is deprived of oxygen and blood backs up into the heart, causing heart failure." John Knox is a happy and curious baby, although he is small for his age because of his heart condition. His mother tells us, "I have seen that John Knox has been suffering ever since he was born, and it's very hard for me. I'm very happy that the doctors have agreed to help him!" Surgery for his condition costs $1,500, and it is expected to have a huge impact on his health and development. "John Knox's pulmonary valve should be stretched to a near-normal size, allowing blood to pass freely to his lungs. He should be able to live a full life without further cardiac issues," explains HCA.

“I am glad that our daughter will get treatment. I thank God and I am hopeful for a successful surgery,” shares Favour’s mother. Say hello to Favour, a little girl only 15-days-old! Favour was born with spina bifida, which has resulted in a swollen mass on her lower back. If surgery is not done soon, Favour is at risk for developing an infection coupled with a tethered cord, which can lead to kyphosis or scoliosis. She is the last born of her eight siblings and lives with her brothers and sisters and parents in Kenya. Favour’s parents have a small farm where they grow maize and vegetables for their consumption and sell surplus to the market. Their income does not allow to Favour’s parents to pay for the surgery she needs. For $805, we can provide Favour with a spina bifida closure, which will surgically correct the spina bifida. According to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, “After the surgery, Favour will be able to live a normal life with no risk of infection nor spinal complications.”

Meet Abdirahman, a one-year-old baby boy from Somalia. "Abdirahman has been having issues feeding, which is a common complaint for children with hydrocephalus," our medical partner Edna Adan Hospital explains to us. Hydrocephalus is a condition in which fluid accumulates in the skull, which causes brain swelling. With this condition, Abdirahman is unable to sit by himself. His mother brought Abdirahman from their hometown to the hospital hoping they could help. For $640, we can pay for a surgical shunting procedure to remove excess fluid from Abdirahman's brain, which will decrease the size of his head and give him a chance to grow up healthy. "His mother was very happy to find out that more treatment was available!" his doctors say.