Maung is a man fom Burma. Last week, Maung stepped on a hot charcoal and burned the toe on his left foot. He tried to treat himself with help from his neighbor, who cleaned the wound for him. However, his toe never healed. Maung visited a doctor, who told him that he would have to amputate his toe. The doctor referred him to our medical partner for help in accessing treatment. Currently, Maung is in a lot of pain. Fortunately, his surgery is scheduled for March 21. Our medical partner is requesting $1,500 to fund this procedure. He says, “When I recover, I will find work repairing umbrellas and shoes. That is something that I can do very well.”

Philipo is baby from Tanzania. He was diagnosed with bilateral genu valgus. his legs bow inward so that his knees touch. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, he has a difficult time walking. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $940 to fund corrective surgery for Philipo. The procedure is scheduled to take place on February 14. Treatment will hopefully restore Philipo's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications.

Rida is a girl from Cambodia. She has one brother and one sister. She likes to play with friends, watch TV, and go for walks with her family. She wants to be a banker when she grows up. Rida was born with scoliosis, which is progressing with age, making it difficult to sit in school for long periods, and causing a lot of discomfort. Surgery can help correct the position of her spine, and prevent further worsening of the condition. Spinal surgery is scheduled for January 21 and will cost $1,500. Her mother says, "I hope my daughter feels better after the operation and does not have any more difficulty sleeping."

Catherine is a trader from Kenya. She is a mother of six children. Catherine has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Without treatment, the cancer may spread to other organs. A mastectomy, a surgery to remove breast tissue, has been suggested to rid her body of breast cancer and to prevent the cancer from metastasizing. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $816 to cover the cost of a mastectomy for Catherine. The procedure is scheduled to take place on December 21. After treatment, Catherine will hopefully return to a cancer-free life. Catherine says, “My prayer is to be treated and discharged from the hospital. I want to fight off this cancer."

Cherly is a young adult from Haiti. She lives with her husband and 15-year-old daughter in Port-au-Prince. She is not currently working due to her heart condition. Cherly has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral and aortic regurgitation. Two of the valves of her heart are damaged as a result of an infection she suffered a number of years ago. As a result, her heart cannot adequately circulate blood through her body, and she is in heart failure. Cherly will fly to United States to receive treatment. On November 21, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will replace two of the damaged valves in her heart with artificial valves. Another organization, the Heart Hospital Baylor Plano, is contributing $75,000 to pay for surgery. Cherly'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 Cherly's family overseas. She says, "I am looking forward to this surgery so I can spend more time doing things with my daughter."

Woobens is a toddler from Haiti. He lives with his parents, who are farmers, and three older siblings in the mountains of Northern Haiti. Woobens has a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus. A hole exists between two major blood vessels near the heart. Woobens also has Down syndrome. On October 9, he will undergo cardiac surgery at St. Damien Hospital, our medical partner's care center. During surgery, Surgeons will use a patch to close the hole near his heart. Another organization, Gift of Life International, is contributing $5,000 to pay for surgery. Woobens's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 requested by our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, covers cardiac exams and medications. His mother says, "I am hopeful that after this surgery, my son will start growing and gaining weight."

Maung is a 46-year-old man who lives with his wife, two daughters, and two sons in Ka Yin Village, Kawkareik Township, Karen State, Burma. Three of his children are studying at a village school, while the youngest son stays at home since he is only two years old. Maung's wife is the sole earner for the entire family. In his free time, Maung likes to do meditation and is involved in community works in his village. In 2016, Maung started to experience back pain and lower abdominal pain. His condition worsened in August 2018. He later went to the hospital, where he had an x-ray, ultrasound, and blood tests done. When the results came back, the doctor told him that he has a stone in his bladder. Now, Maung is scheduled to undergo surgery to remove the bladder stone on August 28. He needs help raising $1,500 to fund this procedure. He plans to work again once he recovered. “We will work hard to save money. We will buy a house for our family,” says Maung’s wife.

Sophy is a bean farmer from Cambodia. She has five daughters and three sons. She likes to watch TV, cook, and tend to her vegetable farm and garden. In April, Sophy fell down while on a walk and fractured her right upper arm. It is difficult for her to work and move her arm. She is in chronic pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On August 6, Sophy will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $430. This procedure will help her work easily again. She says, "After surgery I hope my arm recovers and functions normally again."

Lebahati is a 16-year-old from Tanzania. He is the third child in a family of seven. He loves playing football. After Lebahati was born, he began to experience unpleasant symptoms. The family walked a long distance to visit the hospital, where he was diagnosed with a bowel malformation. The family learned that he would need to undergo several procedures to correct the condition. Lebahati's father borrowed money from friends to pay for the first procedure, but his parents were unable to raise enough money to pay for further treatment. Fortunately, the family learned about our medical partner's care center and came seeking help. Now, Lebahati is scheduled to undergo another corrective surgery on July 11. This treatment will cost $1,500, and his family needs help raising these funds. He says, "Help me because I also want to go to school too."

Jacqueline is a young student from Tanzania. She is the only child in her family. Her mother sells vegetables in the market, and her father works as a broker and construction worker. For four years, Jacqueline has been experiencing trouble breathing, regular fevers, and trouble eating. Frequent illness causes her to miss school, and this has affected her performance. Jacqueline was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils, which, if not treated, will cause her symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $633 to fund a tonsillectomy for Jacqueline, which is scheduled to take place on June 14. Surgeons will remove her tonsils, hopefully relieving Jacqueline of her symptoms and helping her live more comfortably. Jacquline says, “I cannot wait to be back to school and continue with my education without missing classes due to being sick. Thank you for helping me get treated.”

Nwet (BB) is a five-month-old baby boy from Burma. He lives with his family in a village in Karen State. He is a smiling boy. Nwet (BB) was recently diagnosed with hydrocehpalus, which has caused fluid to build up in his brain. Without immediate surgery to alleviate the intracranial pressure that the excess fluid is causing, he is at risk of developing severe, potentially fatal medical complications. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund the insertion of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt for Nwet (BB), which will drain the fluid that has accumulated in his brain. The procedure is scheduled to take place on May 22, and, once completed, will greatly improve Nwet (BB)'s quality of life. His mother says, "I love to see my son's smile and want him to recover and grow up happily."

Edoso is a baby from Ethiopia. He is a smiley toddler who loves to play and laugh with his mother. His father passed away a year ago, leaving his mother with six children. Edoso's mother rented out their small farm and is barely able to meet the needs of her family. Edoso was born with an anorectal malformation, a congenital abnormality that leads to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. He needs to undergo a series of procedures to eliminate bowel dysfunction. Edoso is scheduled to undergo surgery to correct his condition on April 10. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Edoso's procedure and care. After his recovery, Edoso will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. Edoso’s mother says, “I was a house wife. When I lost my husband, life got difficult because he was the one who supported the family. Now I am struggling with the financial needs of my family. I am trying to raise my children with the limited money I get from my rented land."