Chanthoeun is a 28-year-old farmer, with two older sisters and one older brother. Chanthoeun spends his time playing football and helping his parents. He traveled 3 hours with his sister to reach our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), for treatment. Chanthoeun began experiencing ear discharge and hearing loss in both ears when he was 8 years old. The tympanic membrane is perforated on both sides. Ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctors discovered a cholesteatoma, or an abnormal growth, on the left side. $809 will cover the cost of Chanthoeun's treatment. ENT surgeons will perform surgery, or a mastoidectomy, on his left ear first to remove the cholesteatoma. When he has healed, he can return to have his perforated eardrum repaired, or myringoplasty surgery, on the left side. After the procedures, his ear pain and discharge will stop. Over time, Chanthoeun's hearing can improve.

Edwin is a 17-month-old baby boy and the last-born in a family of two children. The family lives in a one room rental house in Kenya. Edwin’s father is a security guard in an estate near their home while his mother was a cleaner before she quit to care for Edwin. Edwin was born with a leaking mass swelling on his lower back that has been growing in size. To prevent infections from the leaking, Edwin has required dressing changes for the swelling. His parents were advised to seek for specialized treatment and went to a government hospital, but the wait became unbearable as their case kept getting postponed. Finally, a friend advised them to visit African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). A surgery to correct the open spina bifida is required to avoid the risks of infection or the development of a tethered cord. These complications can lead to either scolisis or kyphosis, and loss of muscle function of the lower limbs. Edwin's parents have contributed $73 towards their son's treatment, but are not able to raise all the money needed for their son's treatment. To cover the cost of treatment, they need $805. “Please help my son get treated," Edwin's father shares.

Two-month-old Gregorio lives with his parents and older sibling in Guatemala. “Gregorio is acutely malnourished due to his mother's lack of breast milk,” our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK), tells us. “His mother is not able to produce enough breast milk for him to survive, meaning that he weighs even less than when he was born.” While Gregorio’s mother takes care of the children during the day, his father leaves their home early every morning to chop wood on the mountain and sell it in town. Despite the long hours of hard work, his father earns very little money and can afford only very basic foods like tortillas. As a result, the family is unable to buy formula for Gregorio. “Gregorio’s mother has been supplementing the little milk she makes with water, which depletes Gregorio’s electrolytes and puts him at risk of seizures and permanent brain damage,” WK continues. The inability to produce breast milk—known as lactational failure—is a serious condition for a newborn baby without access to formula. Fortunately, treatment for Gregorio is possible. “Formula will give Gregorio the nutrients, calories, and protein he needs to grow,” WK explains, “His mother will receive one-on-one motivational nutrition education to prepare her to give him solid foods and teach her how to prevent future malnutrition.” $1,016 pays for a one year’s supply of formula and six months of micronutrient support for Gregorio. Funding also covers the cost of a case manager and a nutritionist to help Gregorio’s mother coordinate his care, plan his meals, and monitor his progress. With treatment, “Gregorio's immune system will grow stronger, saving his life and helping his family to be much less stressed economically,” says WK.

Meet Uzeyfen, a two-month-old baby boy living in Ethiopia with his parents. Uzeyfen was born with a birth defect known as anorectal malformation. According to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, (AMHF), "Children with this defect have an imperforate anus or they have no opening where the anus should have been. Uzeyfen developed bowel obstruction because of this condition and an emergency colostomy was successfully done when he was four days old." Uzeyfen has not yet had the definitive procedure to treat this condition; Posterior sagittal anorectoplasty (PSARP) and colostomy closure. As a result, he cannot pass stool in the normal way. Uzeyfen's mother is worried about her son because there is a high social stigma against children with this condition. Although Uzeyfen's father works hard in a government office to provide for his family, his income is not enough to cover all of the medical procedures that Uzeyfen needs. With a donation of $1,500 we can help Uzeyfen recover without long-term complications from his imperforate anus. He will undergo a PSARP procedure and a colostomy closure. After these two procedures, "Uzeyfen will then be able to pass stool in a normal way," AMHF says. "When we were informed there is hope for our baby to get treatment through donors, we were happy and full of hope,” shared Uzeyfen's parents in their pre-operative interview at AMHF.

When Sina was 7 years old, she began experiencing hearing loss and discharge in both ears. Although she received surgery on her left ear in 2007, and a subsequent mastoidectomy on her right ear in 2015, she still experiences difficulty with her left ear. Sina now needs a mastoidectomy surgery on her left ear to improve her hearing and stop the discharge. Sina is 21 years old and lives in Cambodia. She works in a factory to support herself. She learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), on the radio and traveled for two hours with her mother to reach CSC. “I am unhappy that I have pain in my left ear," Sina told the CSC staff. "It is difficult to communicate with other people. Sometimes, I cannot go to work because of the pain.” With $809, Sina will recieve mastoidectomy surgery on her left ear. These funds will provide for the costs of surgery, medication, and post-operative care at the hospita. “After a mastoidectomy surgery on her left side, Sina’s left ear will stop producing discharge and her hearing will improve," CSC says.

“Nemrani is a quiet and polite boy,” shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). He is a 16-year-old from Tanzania, where he lives in a large family. “His father married six wives, and Nemrani’s mother is the fifth wife and has six children,” AMHF adds. Nemrani went to school up until grade four, “when his right leg slowly started to bow inwards and walking the long distance to school became a problem," AMHF says. “He used to enjoy playing soccer, and he now herds his father’s cattle, but he cannot go far." Nemrani has what is commonly called “knock knees,” and AMHF reports that "he feels pain after running and he can’t walk or run long distances, and if not treated, Nemrani will be at risk of developing osteoarthritis at a young age.” $940 will allow Nemrani to have the surgery he needs to correct his gait, and with it, AMHF says, “Nemrani will be able to walk without knocking knees.” Nemrani’s mother makes and sells beaded jewelry at the market, and his father is a livestock keeper. “With such a big family to look after, it has been difficult to come up with enough cash to cover the cost of operation which Nemrani needs," AMHF adds. “I will be happy to walk without knocking knees and have the ability to walk and run long distances,” shares Nemrani.

“Maung Win is a 45-year-old man who lives in Burma with his wife and 18-year-old son,” shares our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP). “He has lived in the township his entire life and works as a shop vendor with his wife. Their son is currently studying at college.” “Maung Win has rheumatic heart disease,” reports to BBP. “He is often tired and feels tenderness in his chest. It is difficult to breathe when it is hot at home. Due to his conditions, he has to take medicines every day and has to buy more medicine once a month. It is difficult to afford to costs of medicine and is sometimes difficult to work as a shop vendor due to fatigue.” $1,500 will cover life-saving cardiac surgery for Muang Win. This procedure will increase his ability to breathe and decrease his tiredness. Post-surgery, he should be able to return to work full-time. “After surgery, I want to work hard for my family, especially for my son who is studying at college,” Maung Win says. “I worry for my son and his schooling. I worry that I cannot earn as much money as I can to support my family.”

Five-month-old Stella lives in Tanzania with her parents and three siblings. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), tells us that "when Stella turned two months, she had severe fever and fits." Despite a few weeks in the hospital, "her mother noticed the size of her baby’s head was getting bigger. Stella’s activity slowly started to diminish and crying became normal for her." Stella’s symptoms are caused by hydrocephalus, a condition where cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) builds up in the brain, causing the head to swell. According to AMHF, “Stella is at risk of losing her vision if not treated. She may also not be able to sit, stand or walk due to the size of her head.” Stella’s condition can be treated with hydrocephalus shunt surgery. During surgery, excess CSF will be drained, relieving her of the swelling and pressure in her head. This will eliminate the risk of vision-loss, and give Stella the chance to reach her developmental milestones. To support their family, Stella's mother does bead work and her father works as a livestock keeper, but they are unable to afford treatment for their daughter. Treatment costs $775, which includes surgical fees, wound dressings for two weeks, pain management, a five day stay in the hospital, and two weeks at a rehabilitation center. “I pray that my baby will get better. I will be very happy to see her grow up like other children,” says Stella’s mom.

Meet Maria, a 25-year-old woman who lives in Guatemala. Two years ago, Maria was studying at a university and working in a factory to support herself. "One day when she was cleaning a machine, the machine grabbed the rag she was holding and quickly pulled in her arm. Her right arm was so badly injured, they had to amputate it just below her shoulder," explains our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq (WK). She now lives with her mother and is working hard to re-learn how to perform tasks like writing and feeding herself with her left hand. “Since her accident, work has been limited,” shares WK. “Her confidence and spirits are low and she feels as though all of her long term plans evaporated overnight.” With all of the changes in her life from the accident, Maria stopped attending her university. For $1,255, Maria will receive a prosthetic arm. With a prosthetic arm, Maria will be able to focus on her plans for the future again. It will make her every day tasks easier, allow her more independence, and help her return to school again. “I want to keep studying,” Maria tells us. “I want to be able to overcome this, but everything is more difficult now. Only with the help of God have I been able to keep moving forward.”

Meet Dennis, a young 15-year-old boy who lives with his three siblings at their family friend's home in Kenya. His mother works as a house help in the Middle East, and according to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), “Dennis' biggest dream is to have his mother back in Kenya and for him to provide for her every need." “Dennis has a swelling on the right inguinal region,” explains AMHF. “He is experiencing pressure and intense pain around the area.” An inguinal hernia is when the soft tissue from the abdomen (such as fat or part of the intestine) protrudes through a weak part of the abdominal wall in the groin region. “If Dennis is not treated, there is risk of associated life threatening complications such as obstruction, strangulation of the intestines and cutting off blood supply to body tissues,” continues AMHF. "Dennis' mother managed to send [him] some money for his treatment," says AMHF, "but she could not raise the funds required for Dennis' surgical care." Dennis continues to explain, "My mother has struggled to get the money she sent for me to get treated and this is the most she could raise." $430 in funding will pay for Dennis' operation to fix the defect in his abdominal wall that was caused by the protrusion. While Dennis is under general anaesthesia, doctors will make an incision in the area where his hernia is located in order to bring the edges of the defect together and lay a patch of mesh on the repaired section to further strengthen the closure. After this procedure, Dennis will no longer be in pain and will be able to concentrate in school and work towards his dreams. "I am disturbed knowing that my mother works as a house help in the Middle East," says Dennis. "My biggest dream and hope is to help her someday when I am through with school."

Meet Reaksmey, a 30-year old father from Cambodia with a wife and son. He works as a cook at a restaurant. "When he is at the restaurant cooking, he likes to watch pop music videos on TV," says Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), our medical partner. Reaksmey has a chelazion, a cyst on his lower eyelid, that causes him pain and irritation. “He can't open his eye all the way, making it difficult for him to do his job," says our medical partner. For just $150, we can fund surgery to remove the cyst. The cost is all-inclusive of drug and surgical costs. After Reaksmey's surgery, he is “eager to get back to work so his wife doesn't have to spend too much time doing extra work to support their son,” says CSC. Let's help Reaksmey get back to normal and fund this surgery!

Meet, Alinafe, a one-year old baby girl living in Malawi. To support the family, “Alinafe’s mother runs a small scale business to earn their living,” shares our medical partner, World Altering Medicine (WAM). At a crucial point in her early childhood development, Alinafe has experienced growth issues as a result of a condition called hydrocephalus. Alinafe was brought to WAM’s clinic when her mother observed a growth on her head. A medical examination confirmed the diagnosis of hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus is a rare neurological medical condition caused by a fluid buildup in a localized area of the brain. Without intervention, the pressure and fluid buildup can lead to long term health complications, especially throughout important stages of childhood development. At this point, Alinafe is beginning to have problems with her vision and is experiencing issues with walking. With, $992, Alinafe will undergo surgery to drain the excess fluid from her brain. This procedure will be done by means of an endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV), which will naturally drain out the blocked fluid. In addition to her operation, Alinafe will receive seven days of hospitalized care as well as all of the necessary preoperative and postoperative examinations required for a safe surgery. This procedure is expected to have a great impact on Alinafe’s childhood growth and overall health, allowing her to “regain her sight and start walking again,” comments WAM. “I am hopeful to have the surgery done,” Alinfe’s mother shares.