Meet Paola, a fifth grade student from Port-au-Prince in Haiti. She is an only child, and she lives with her mother, Natalie. Paola loves school. Her favorite subject is Creole, and she really likes to read. She also likes to play a lot of games, and she loves to eat. Her favorite meal is vegetable stew with rice and a glass of Haitian cherry juice. When Paola was 11 months old, she sustained burns to her face from an oven fire. Even though she went to the hospital, she did not receive any treatment. Paola cannot close her eyes properly, as this puts strain on her eyelids. Her eyes water a lot, and she occasionally experiences a bit of bleeding. On March 4, Paola will undergo a skin graft surgery to repair her burn injury. This surgery will help Paola's eyes become more functional and allow her to close them. Our medical partner, Innovating Health International (IHI), is requesting $1,095 to pay for Paola's surgery. Paola hopes the surgery will improve the way she looks. She shares with IHI that she wants to be a doctor when she grows up so that she can help and heal those who are sick.

Daniela is a four-year-old girl from Guatemala. She lives with her mother and four siblings. Born with cerebral palsy, Daniela has a close bond with her sister, who has looked after her since she was born. Daniela loves to curl up and nap next to her. Daniela was recently diagnosed with malnutrition, a condition in which she does not receive sufficient nutrients to grow healthily. Beginning on March 6, Daniela will receive treatment at our medical partner's care center, Clinic Miller. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, is asking for $492 to fund Daniela's nutritional supplements and physician's fees. Additionally, funds will go towards an educational program that will teach Daniela's mother about creating a nutrient-rich diet for her with limited resources. After treatment, Daniela will be able to grow up healthily!

Meet Daudi! Daudi is a three-year-old boy from Tanzania. "He is the fifth and last born in the family," our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), reports. Always curious, Daudi likes to observe and play with other children. He's very quick to pick up the activities that he see's the other children participating in, and tries to do the same. Daudi has lived with an enlarged adenoid since birth, making it hard for him to breathe, especially through his nose. The adenoid is a patch of tissue at the back of the nasal passage that catches bacteria and germs trying to enter the body. "He breathes with so much difficulty, especially at night," AMHF tells us. "it sounds as though Daudi is snoring, even when he is not asleep." Coming from a large family, there are not enough resources to pay for Daudi's operation. His mother stays at home with him and his siblings while his father cares for livestock. $488 will cover the cost of treatment for Daudi, his three day hospital stay, and the necessary antibiotics. In the operation, his enlarged adenoid will be removed through his mouth. After the operation, Daudi will be able to breathe through his nose and sleep throughout the night. "If my son could become a doctor, I will be so happy," Daudi's mother shares. "For now, I wish he could breathe without difficulty."

The only child of his family, two-year-old Charles lives with his mother in Kenya. As a single parent, Charles’ mother works hard to support him by washing clothes for families in their community. Due to a neurological condition called hydrocephalus, Charles faces the possibility of experiencing developmental delays, our medical partner African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF) reports. Hydrocephalus results when part of the brain becomes blocked and causes fluid to build up. When this occurs, the brain swells and the head increases in size. AMHF explains that Charles’ condition leads to frequent headaches and irritability. According to AMHF, Charles first showed signs of hydrocephalus at seven months old. Unsure what to do, Charles’ mother eventually sought medical help and was informed that surgical intervention was necessary to allow Charles to lead a healthy childhood. With $600, Charles will receive surgery to treat his hydrocephalus and provide him the opportunity to grow normally. Using a widely practiced shunt procedure, the excess fluid in Charles’ brain will be drained out. In addition to surgery, the total cost of this operation includes five days of intensive hospital care as well as all of the necessary laboratory tests to closely monitor Charles’ recovery. AMHF states, “Charles’ surgery will help eliminate the pressure impact on his brain, and allow him live quality life.” “I feel helpless when I hear my two-year-old son crying and screaming ‘Mama, Mama’ holding his head. His pain because of his headache resonates in my mind. Please help him get treated,” shares Charles’ mother.

Meet Orbele, a 15-year-old boy from Tanzania. Orbele lives with his aunt, uncle, and three cousins. According to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), Orbele is a “polite boy who enjoys studying mathematics and history.” Outside of school, Orbele used to enjoy playing soccer, but due to bilateral genu valgus ("knocked knees"), he is currently restricted to a more sedentary lifestyle. Bilateral genu valgus occurs when the knees angle outwards, ultimately causing the lower legs to be positioned away from each other. While this is a common condition in very young children and typically resolves itself naturally, Orbele’s case has only worsened with time. “Orbele’s legs started to bend inwards when he was nine years old,” explains AMHF. Now, “he is unable to walk without knocking his knees. The condition has affected his gait and ability to walk or run quickly—he also complains of pain, especially on his left knee after walking a long distance.” Unless he receives treatment, Orbele risks developing osteoarthritis. AMHF says that while his aunt and uncle “love Orbele very much and would like to see him able to walk like he used to,” they do not have the income to cover his treatment costs and support the rest of the family. With $940, Orbele will undergo surgery to straighten and realign his legs. Included in the total cost of treatment, Orbele will receive specialist care from Plaster House—a rehabilitation program. During his three months at Plaster House, Orbele will have two weeks of intensive physiotherapy, which will be critical to his successful recovery. Following surgery and rehabilitation, AMHF shares, “Orbele will be able to walk properly and will decrease his chances of developing osteoarthritis at a young age.” Orbele shares, “I dream of becoming a primary school teacher!”

76-year-old Choeun is a grandfather from Cambodia. "Choeun has had cataracts in both of his eyes for three years," says our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). "He is confined to his home and can't really see faces. If he wants to go outside he must have one of his grandchildren escort him." In order to treat his cataracts, Choeun needs surgery to replace his clouded lens with artificial lens, which will entirely restore his vision. $225 will fund surgery for both of his eyes, which will take place one week apart. "Choeun is married with ten children and six grandchildren. He enjoys listening to the radio, doing yardwork with the assistance of a grandchild, and playing with his grandchildren," CSC adds. "After his surgery, he looks forward to going to the pagoda alone, planting veggies around his house, and spending more time with his grandchildren." Let's help make it happen!