Patience is a baby and the last born in a family of two children. Her mother is not employed and relies on her sisters to help provide for them. Currently Patience and her mother are living at her Aunt’s place in Kibera, Kenya as she undergoes treatment before moving back to upcountry. Patience has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. Patience was diagnosed with spina bifida at birth. She was then referred to another facility where she was admitted in the nursery and stayed there for a while without the treatment she needed. Her mother decided to take her to another facility in Nairobi, where she was able to have surgery for spina bifida. She recovered fully and was discharged home. While at home, Patience started experiencing fevers more often which raised concern for her mother. Her mother shared it with a friend who referred her to our medical partner's care center BethanyKids Hospital for treatment. Upon arrival, Patience was diagnosed with hydrocephalus. She is now scheduled for a surgery. Without treatment, Patience will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $720 to cover the cost of surgery for Patience that will treat her hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on February 2nd and will drain the excess fluid from Patience's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Patience will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. Patience’s mother says, “I never knew that her condition would be this big that it needs urgent intervention. We put our trust in God and hope that she will be well.”

Dul is a 70-year-old woman who retired from her work rice farming and now stays home to look after her grandchildren. Dul shared that she has two daughters and five grandchildren, and she lives with her youngest daughter. Two years ago, Dul developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her blurry vision, photophobia, and tearing. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking. As a result, she is unable to go places on her own. When Dul learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On February 3rd, doctors will perform cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. CSC is requesting $229 to fund Dul's procedure. Dul shared, "After surgery, I hope my eye can see well. I would like to join in ceremonies at the pagoda."

Channa is a 24-year-old clothes seller. She lives at home with her parents who are farmers. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, she is not selling clothes at the market right now, and instead stays home to help her mother with housework. Channa enjoys listening to music in her free time. One month ago, Channa developed a chalazion, or an inflamed cyst of the tear gland, in her right eye. The chalazion is causing swelling, itchiness, irritation, and redness. It is also difficult for her to see clearly. Channa traveled for an hour and a half to seek treatment from our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. On August 26th, surgeons will remove the cyst through a chalazion excision procedure. After recovery, Channa's symptoms should improve. Now, she needs help raising $187 to fund this procedure. Channa shared, "I hope my eye gets well soon and the swelling stops. Then I can help my mother more at home."

Mpumwire is a farmer from Uganda. She was born into a family of eleven siblings, and they are all married and small-scale farmers. Mpumwire dropped out of school after she got pregnant and she had to remain home to take care of her child. When her child was grown to a certain age, Mpumwire took him to his father’s home. She later married another man and they had two children. When her husband decided to leave, she determined it was best for her to go to her parental home together with her children because she could no longer afford the rent. At home, Mpumwire earns a living through practicing small scale farming; she grows small gardens of onions, garlic, and other foods for their family to eat and to sell. Her mother at times supports her by paying the children’s school fees. Since two months ago, Mpumwire has been experiencing persistent severe lower abdominal pain, abnormal discharge, and prolonged mensuration. She has been diagnosed with multiple uterine myomas. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $230 to fund Mpumwire's surgery. On May 19th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center. Once recovered, Mpumwire will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Mpumwire says: “I hope to get better after surgery and to continue with farming because my children are still young and need my care.”

Widline is a student from Haiti. She lives with her parents and three sisters on a small farm in central Haiti. She enjoys going to school and church. Widline has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation. One of the four valves of her heart was severely damaged by a rheumatic fever she suffered in childhood, and can no longer adequately pump blood through her body. Widline will fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On October 29th, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will attempt to repair her valve; if they are unable to do so, they will implant an artificial replacement. Another organization, The Mitral Foundation, is contributing $7500.0 to pay for surgery. Widline's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Widline's family overseas. Widline's mother said, "Our family is praying for everyone who is helping our daughter get better!"

Kakada is sixteen years old and enjoys reading books, playing soccer, and listening to music. Since the age of five, Kakada started showing signs of a curve in his spine. Over time, the curve has worsened, and now the spine deformity causes difficulty breathing, sleeping, walking, and an overall uncomfortable life. Surgery will help to straighten out and realign his spine, allowing him to breath without difficulty and create a less straining posture while he walks, eliminating discomfort. Kakada's favorite subject in school is Khmer literature, and he hopes to become a doctor when he grows up. "I hope that after surgery, I will not have to worry about my son's spine getting any worse and I will be happy that he can return to his normal activities again." -Kakada's Mother

Jean is a mother of two from Haiti. She lives in a small city in southern Haiti with her husband and two young boys. Jean has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation. One of the four valves in her heart has been severely damaged due to a rheumatic fever she suffered several years ago. Jean will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On September 11th, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will remove her damaged valve and implant an artificial replacement. Another organization, The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano, is contributing $35,000 to pay for surgery. Jean's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Jean's family overseas. "I am looking forward to this surgery so that I can play with my children and take care of them."

Denis is a baby from Tanzania. He has clubfoot of both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Denis traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on August 13. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $890 to fund Denis's clubfoot repair. His mother says, "“I wouldn’t want my son to feel different due to his condition please help my son I want him to grow up just like his older brother.”

Wycliff is a student from Kenya. He has clubfoot of his right foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Wycliff traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on June 28. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,224 to fund Wycliff's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk easily.

Mu is a 45-year-old woman from Burma. Mu and her husband are farmers who own land and harvest rice and beans. They use most of their crops to sustain their family, and sell any additional harvest for profit. March 2019, Mu has been experiencing pain and discomfort in her lower abdominal area. She has been diagnosed with an ovarian cyst. She has been advised to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy, the surgical removal of her uterus and cervix. If left untreated, Mu's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. Fortunately, Mu is scheduled to undergo her hysterectomy on June 10. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. “I really hope the mass is not cancerous. I am so grateful that I am able to have this surgery, but I am scared that I’ll need further treatment,” Mu says.

Dina is a 21-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. In his free time, he likes to play soccer, help the family around the house, and listen to music. In January 2019, Dina was involved in a motorcycle accident that caused paralysis in his arm. He has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his right side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. He is unable to use his right arm or hand, and is unable to work on the rice farm. Dina traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On May 9, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. Surgery will help to restore movement and sensation to damaged nerves, allowing Dina to use his arm again. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $637 to fund this procedure. He says, "I hope that after surgery, I will be able to move my arm normally again and can go back to work."

Mavelt is a preschooler from Haiti. He lives with his parents and younger brother in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. He likes watching cartoons and drawing. Mavelt has a cardiac condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. This condition involves several related defects including a hole between two chambers of the heart, and a muscular blockage of one of the valves. Mavelt will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On April 19, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will close the hole in his heart with a patch, and remove the muscular blockage. Another organization, HeartGift Foundation, is contributing $18,000 to pay for surgery. Mavelt's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Mavelt's family overseas. His mother says, "My son's heart has been making him very sick, and so I was very happy to learn he can have surgery!"