Siatah is a three-year-old girl from Uganda who enjoys playing with other children, making things out of mud, playing with balls, and jumping ropes made out of vines. She tries to help her mother by clearing the dirty dishes after dinner. For the past month, Siatah has not been playing and running like she usually does, and is lethargic and sick. Her hair is discolored, and she has developed oedema, a condition characterized by the build-up of fluid in the tissues that results in swelling. She has been diagnosed with malnutrition and will need to be treated in the hospital with therapeutic foods and vitamins. On May 6, Siatah will undergo malnutrition treatment at Bwindi Community Hospital. Although her family was able to contribute $1 to the cost of her treatment, she is still in need of $316 to cover the rest of the expenses. "Please tell all the donors thank you from me," says Siatah's mother. "I have been very worried about Siatah. Now I know she will be better. When she is older I want to send her to school."

Meet Estelea, a 54-year-old from Guatemala's rural highlands. She lives with her husband and their children and grandchildren. Estelea prepares and sells food at her local market to supplement her family's income. Estela has struggled with her vision for years but has never been able to visit an eye doctor to get her vision checked. However, a month ago, Estela got the opportunity to attend a free eye clinic to get her eyesight tested. Estela was subsequently diagnosed with myopia, or nearsightedness, a condition where she is unable to see faraway objects. Our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq, has arranged for Estela to receive glasses fitted with prescription lenses. Estela will also undergo an eye ultrasound on May 25. With $552, we can help Estela to see clearly again! "This is such a great benefit for my family and me," says Estela.

Sopheak is a 13-year-old monk living in Cambodia with his three sisters and two brothers. He likes to spend time at the pagoda, read books on monkhood, and clean around the pagoda. On March 5, 2017, Sopheak sustained a fracture on his left wrist after falling from a tree about one-and-a-half meters tall. His mother brought him to a Khmer traditional healer for treatment, but his symptoms did not improve. It is difficult for Sopheak to use his wrist, and he has pain with movement. Sopheak learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), because his relative had surgery there. He and his mother traveled to CSC for further evaluation and possible treatment. Surgeons at CSC recommended Sopheak have an open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) procedure. An ORIF procedure involves the insertion of steel rods, screws, or plates to keep a fracture stable during healing. The total cost of the procedure is $411, which includes medications, supplies, imaging, and two weeks of inpatient care. His surgery is scheduled for April 26. Following recovery, Sopheak will have restored movement and strength in his left wrist, and he will no longer have pain. He will be able to resume his normal life at the pagoda.

Savath is a 63-year-old farmer from Cambodia. She is married and has a son, two daughters, and six grandchildren. In her free time, she likes to read religious books and go to church. About two years ago, Savath developed a cataract in each eye. This occurs when the normally-clear part of the lens begins to cloud up. She has experienced blurred vision, tearing, and photophobia (extreme sensitivity to light). It has become difficult for Savath to see things clearly, especially when she must read any letters. She has since traveled for over four hours with her granddaughter to reach our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), for treatment. Savath is scheduled to undergo surgery on April 6 to replace her damaged lenses. CSC is requesting $292 to cover the costs of the operation, which will include the price of surgical equipment, medicine, and her hospital stay. After undergoing this procedure, Savath is expected to recover fully and regain her vision.

Yusra is a two-year-old girl from Tanzania. Her arm and hand were badly burned when she fell on a pot of hot tea. She was quickly rushed to the hospital, where she received treatment for two weeks. After being discharged, Yusra's mother noticed that the condition of the wound was not good. She took her daughter back to the hospital. However, she was denied further treatment because she could not afford to pay for it. Yusra is eligible for corrective treatment with our medical partner, Comprehensive Community Based Rehabilitation in Tanzania (CCBRT). Yusra is scheduled to undergo surgery to treat her burns on March 3. CCBRT is requesting $1,036 to fund the procedure. Her parents hope to see Yusra be able to feed herself, write, and someday go to school.

Edwad is a 13-year-old boy from central Kenya. He is the youngest of five children. He is currently a student and aspires to become a surgeon. In December, Edwad was diagnosed with an abnormal condition in a sensitive area during a routine procedure. Surgery will save Edwad from future complications from this condition, such as cancer or hernia. On January 17, Edwad will undergo the corrective surgery at our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital. His parents, who work as farmers, have subsidized $52 of treatment. They need help to raise an additional $535. Edwad looks forward to life after surgery, saying, “I would like to be a surgeon when I grow up."

Brightness is a joyful nine-year-old girl from Tanzania. She is one of five children in her family. Brightness enjoys learning in school. Recently, however, she has been unable to attend. Her condition, genu varus, makes it difficult for her to walk to school. Genu varus is a medical condition that causes an inward angulation of the bones in the leg. Brightness has undergone one corrective surgery already. Her doctors have suggested a second corrective surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $940 to fund her x-rays, corrective surgery, medication, casting, physiotherapy, and hospital stay. Her surgery is scheduled for January 12. Brightness's mother says, "Currently, my child cannot go to school, so I hope that after surgery she will be able to return to school."

Suon is a 65-year-old farmer with two sons, six daughters, and nine grandchildren. She enjoys visiting the pagoda to listen to monks pray and watching Khmer dramas, the news, and health programs on TV. One year ago, Suon developed a cataract in each eye, causing her blurred vision and tearing. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, working, and going anywhere on her own. When Suon learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On November 23, doctors performed a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, Suon will be able to see clearly again. Now, she needs help to fund this $292 procedure. "I hope to be able to see everything more clearly," she says, "so that I can help at home by cooking and looking after my grandchildren. I also want to be able to watch TV easily and go anywhere by myself."

Un is a 48-year-old woman from Cambodia. She likes to cook for her family and watch movies on TV. Un has experienced pain in both hips for over a year, and she has been diagnosed with hip osteoarthritis. She has difficulty walking and lying down, so she uses a crutch to move around. Un learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), from a relative. She traveled for four hours with her sister to reach CSC for treatment. On October 24, CSC surgeons performed a total hip replacement on her left hip. After recovery, she should be able to walk easily. Now, she needs help to fund this $781 procedure. Un says, "I hope that I can walk normal again and without pain."

Dhakir is a six-year-old boy from Tanzania, and is the last born in his family. Dhakir goes to kindergarten and he says he loves being with other kids. Dhakir has enlarged tonsils and adenoids. After noticing his difficulty breathing, Dhakir's parents travelled 300 km to bring him to the hospital. Upon review, doctors recommended he gets a tonsillectomy. If left untreated, Dhakir will continue to have difficulty when breathing, which negatively affects his health and education. For $545, Dhakir will undergo tosillectomy surgery. After the procedure is performed, Dhakir will regain his ability to eat and breathe normally. Dhakir's father says ''I want my son to be well after surgery so he continues with school.''

Lawrence is one year old, and resides in a village about 60 kilometers from Bwindi Community Hospital in Uganda. Lawrence is the youngest of three children to his mother, Evas, who does farm labor in Uganda near the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Lawrence currently lives with malnutrition and protein deficiency. His symptoms include oedema, diarrhea and lethargy. For two months he has been refusing to eat solid food, only drinking porridge. When he is well, Lawrence enjoys playing with his mother and his siblings. His mother wishes for him to grow well and go to school in the future. For $375, Lawrence will receive the medication, nutritional therapy, diagnostic tests, and hospital stay he needs to reduce his symptoms and continue to grow stronger and healthier. “I would like to thank everyone who is supporting treatment for my child," shares Lawrence's mother.