Oeng is a 73-year-old grandfather and retired fisherman from Pursat province, Cambodia. He is married and has one son, four daughters, and two grandchildren. He and his wife live with his oldest son, a fish seller at a local market. At home, he likes to listen to the news on his phone and play with his grandchildren. About four years ago, Oeng developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. He finds it difficult to take walks outside so often stays alone in the house. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so he is not able to go places on his own. When Oeng learned about our medical partner Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for 6.5 hours seeking treatment. On August 8th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Oeng is able to contribute $100 towards the cost of the surgery and is asking for help to raise the remaining $253 to fully fund the procedure. Oeng shared, "I hope after surgery my eye can see better. I want to grow some vegetables around my house for our meals and take walks outside again with my wife."

Lai is a 68-year-old farmer from Cambodia. He and his wife have one son, two daughters, and several grandchildren. His children all live in the same village near him and his wife. Lai's wife stays home to watch their grandchildren while their children work with him on the farm. During his free time, he enjoys listening to the news, visiting the local pagoda, and drinking tea with his friends. While walking home on a local road this past April, Lai was hit by a motor vehicle. This accident left him with a fractured tibia in his right leg. He sought medical attention at a government hospital where they placed an external fixation to stabilize the bone and gave him a cast. Over time, his wound became infected, so he visited our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). Surgeons at their care center performed a debridement of his wound to rid his leg of the infection prior to any further surgery. He is currently unable to walk, feels poorly, and is in chronic pain. Now, he needs surgery to properly repair the fractured tibia. Fortunately, CSC can help. On August 11th, Lai will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $483. This procedure will help him walk easily again and return to work on his farm. Lai says, "After surgery, I hope my right leg will be fixed, I will have no pain or infection, and I will be able to walk as well."

Meet Maripet, a 9 year-old-girl, living with her parents and two siblings. Her father is a farmer, while her mother stays home to look after the children. In August of last year, Maripet began experiencing persistent, severe headaches. Her parents brought her to a local hospital, where she was prescribed medication, and sent home. When her headaches didn't improve, her parents brought her to a second hospital, where she was given additional medication and sent home, once again. Her family tried traditional medicine, but nothing worked. When Maripet's headaches continued, her parents brought her back to the first hospital they had visited, and this time, brain scans were performed. Maripet's family was immediately referred to our BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital, but without funds for her care they had to delay for visit for one month. During that time, Maripet lost her ability to walk and to move her head, and she also lost her eyesight for a few days. She is now in a wheelchair. When she arrived to BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital, Maripet was examined and booked for immediate surgery to remove a brain tumor. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is here to help make sure she can finally access the treatment she needs. They are seeking $1,500 to fund Maripet's surgery and medical care. Maripet’s mother says: “I’m very much worried about my daughter's condition. I just pray and hope that she will be fine.”

Sean is an elderly mother of four with one son, three daughters, and now four grandchildren. Sean lives with her oldest daughter who works in a garment factory. She used to work as a rice farmer, but now stays home with her family and enjoys listening to the news on TV. Ten years ago, Sean developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her pain, photophobia, and partial blindness. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Sean learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled there with her daughter seeking treatment. On May 31st, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and place 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. Sean shared, "I hope I can see well again so I can see the faces of my family and take care of my grandchildren at home. I would also like to travel to ceremonies at far away pagodas."

Hong is a 74-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She has two daughters, two grandchildren, and enjoys listening to the radio and looking after her family. Five months ago, Hong developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her blurry vision, tearing, and photophobia. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Hong learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for one and a half hours seeking treatment. On January 3rd doctors will perform a phacoemulsification 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. "I hope that after my surgery, I will be able to see again and can help take care of my grandchildren," Hong shared.

Dickson is a 74-year-old cook from central Malawi. He has a large family and loves spending time with them. Since last year, Dickson has experienced pain and difficulty urinating due to an enlarged prostate. Our medical partner, World Altering Medicine, is requesting $733 to pay for prostate surgery to alleviate his pain, which will take place on July 20. "I am very happy, and I really appreciate that I will have the operation," shares Dickson. His daughter, who escorted him to the hospital, is especially happy, too.

Youseline lives with her parents, two brothers, and extended family in Cap-Haitien, a city in northern Haiti. She is currently in the fourth grade and wishes to become either a teacher or a doctor. Youseline was born with an atrial septal defect, meaning that she has a hole between the two upper chambers of her heart. The hole results in increased blood flow through the lungs. Over time, this may cause damage to the blood vessels in the lungs. Youseline's condition leaves her short of breath and weak. Youseline needs to undergo open-heart surgery, during which surgeons will sew a patch onto her heart to close the hole. First, she will undergo a full cardiac assessment on January 16. This assessment will include physical exams, labs, and an overnight stay at the hospital. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,500 to fund these procedures. Funding for Youseline also covers the cost of medications and social support for her and her family. Gift of Life International is contributing $3,500 to cover additional costs associated with Youseline's surgical care. Youseline is excited to return to school and play with her friends!

Alice is a 72-year-old mother of four from rural Uganda. She sells banana fibers for a living, and her children work as farm laborers. She enjoys going to church and telling stories to her grandchildren. Recently, the Bwindi area of Uganda has been experiencing heavy rain. Many people have lost property and livestock. One morning, Alice was opening the door of her house when one of the walls crumbled and collapsed. She sustained fractures on her tibia and fibula bones. On November 15, Alice underwent surgery to treat her fracture. Now, she needs help to fund this $358 procedure. “I wish to thank everyone that is supporting me to have this painful fracture get healed and treated," says Alice. "May God bless you and double your portions.”

Kyaw Zwar is a 38-year-old man who lives in Burma and works as a mechanic. He's been struggling with a brain tumor for over ten years and has not been able to get adequate treatment. In 2006, Kyaw Zwar began to experience blurry vision and sharp pain in his head. However, he never sought treatment for his headaches, relying instead on painkillers until his marriage in 2011. When his wife brought him to visit a local doctor and a neurosurgeon, both prescribed him with medication that provided temporary relief of his symptoms. In July 2016, Kyaw Zwar fell unconscious. A CT scan performed at Yangon General Hospital diagnosed him with a brain tumor, and he learned that he needed surgery. Though Kyaw Zwar and his wife visited many hospitals, they were unable to find affordable treatment. They sold land to pay hospital fees and eventually found themselves in debt. Fortunately, Kyaw Zwar's cousin referred him to our medical partner. After assessment by a doctor at a partner hospital, Kyaw Zwar received an MRI test on October 18, 2016. This test should give his doctors a clearer picture of his brain, enabling them to develop a treatment plan. Now, Kyaw Zwar needs help to pay for this $814 procedure. "If he does not get the medical treatment he needs, we will lose everything, including our land," says Kyaw Zwar's wife, "but we don’t care about any of that because we just want him to get well. We feel like there is some hope now."

Meet Dixon, a 24-year-old construction site manager from Uganda. Dixon lives with his mother and father and siblings a few kilometers from the hospital. He is engaged, and planning to get married in a few years when he is more financially able. Dixon enjoys his job as a site manager because he like to organize and work with people and help them learn to do their jobs. In his spare time, he enjoys watching TV, especially soccer matches and love stories. His job usually keeps him very active, but recently he has not been able to work because of the pain from his hernia. He has had the hernia about four years and managed it with pain killers until recently. Now he needs surgery. For $229, Dixon will undergo the hernia repair surgery he needs. “After my surgery, I am looking forward to getting back to work," says Dixon. "I am fortunate because my employer will take me back.” “I want to thank everyone one has donated because they are supporting me," shared Dixon.

Six-month-old June is a cute little girl who lives with her parents in a single-room rental house in Kenya. June’s father is a teacher, and her mother is a housewife. When June was five months old, her parents noted that her head was increasing in size at a fast rate. Having never raised another child, they thought this was normal. During a normal pediatric clinic, the doctor noted that June's head size was abnormal. A scan revealed that June has excess fluid in her head—a condition known as hydrocephalus—and her parents were advised to seek treatment from a specialist. In babies with hydrocephalus, fluid accumulates in the brain as a result of infection, trauma, genetic defect, or abnormal development of the brain or spinal cord. The effects of hydrocephalus are serious. Too much fluid increases pressure on the brain and inside the skull, leading to an enlarged head and developmental issues such as vision loss or mental disability. June's parents have had difficulty coming to terms with their daughter's medical condition. They want the best for their daughter, so they continue to seek help for her care. “The news that my daughter has hydrocephalus was hard to believe," shares June's mother. "I did not even know anything of that sort." A close family friend who had once received treatment at BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital advised them to go there for help. It is possible for little June to get the treatment she needs there, but her parents cannot afford the surgical care that she requires and they have no external sources of income. For $685, June will undergo a surgical procedure to drain the excess fluid from her head. Doctors will place a shunt in her brain to divert the fluid to her abdomen, where it can be resorbed by her body. Funding also pays for five days of hospital care, including imaging, lab tests, and medicine. June's parents are contributing $21 to cover additional costs associated with her care. "I am just praying and hoping that June will get treated before her head can grow any bigger," her mother says.

Dee Mu is a 39-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her husband, parents, sister, and two sons, aged six-years-old and 7-months-old. Dee Mu works as a farmer with her husband and sister, harvesting beans and rice all year round. However, in her current condition, Dee Mu is not able to contribute to the farm work. She is currently living with uterine prolapse - a condition that causes her a great deal of pain and discomfort. She feels better when she is lying down, but she cannot participate in daily activities. Dee Mu’s quality of life has diminished greatly in recent months due to her prolapsed uterus. Dee Mu really wants to return to work because she is not able to contribute to the household income in her current condition. She stays at home cleaning and keeping house and taking care of the animals. For $1,500, Dee Mu can receive the treatment she needs to get healthy and return to work. In her free time, Dee Mu enjoys relaxing and napping in her home and growing vegetables on the side of her house. She wishes to be happy. "I want to feel better and after surgery I want to go back to work with my husband and sister on the farm," she said. "I want to send my children to school to be educated."