Mercy is a baby from Kenya with a family from a humble background. Her mother earns wages from laundry business in the neighborhood while her father is a casual laborer in construction sites. In October 2018, Mercy, while playing with friends, fell in a pot of boiling maize. She sustained scalp and back burns and was admitted for four months in a nearby hospital. Several graftings were done failed and her mother retorted to dressing the young child from home. If not treated, she is at risk of infection. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Mercy receive treatment. On December 11th, surgeons will perform a debridement and skin graft procedure so she will not be at risk of infection and will heal well. Now, Mercy needs help to fund this $1,129 procedure. Mercy’s mother says, “My prayer is to see Mercy heal and lead a normal life that will be fulfilling.”

Ngwe is a 46-year-old from Burma. She lives with her husband and 16-year-old son in Winkabar Village, Kyain Seikgyi Township, Karen State. Her son studies in grade 6 while her husband works as a day labour tapping rubber trees. Ngwe stopped working three years ago because of her health problems. Ngwe was diagnosed with a heart condition that involves a malformation of the mitral valve, the valve between the left atrium and left ventricle. This valve controls the flow of blood, but certain conditions may cause blood to flow backward or the valve to narrow. Currently, Ngwe feels tired and sometimes she has heart palpitation when she is active. She cannot walk long distances. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Ngwe. The treatment is scheduled to take place on October 31st and, once completed, will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably. “When I recover fully, I want to meditate [at the temple]. I also want to help out with household chores and make merit through various activities,” said Ngwe.

Nuriya is a cute child from Ethiopia. Nuriya's mother was in Saudi Arabia for four years doing domestic work and her employers did not pay her during this time. She asked for her salary several times but they refused to pay her. Finally she decided to go home and they send her home without her payment. Nuriya’s father was also immigrant in Saudi Arabia for eight years. He went to Saudi Arabia illegally by sea and was caught and deported back to Ethiopia several times but he kept using his savings to go back. Once Nuriya’s parents were back in Ethiopia, they decided to stay and start a family. Their families have decided to help them and accommodate them until they find work. Nuriya’s father has not found work and now he plans to buy oxen and start farming. Nuriya 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. Nuriya is scheduled to undergo surgery to correct his condition on October 07. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Nuriya's procedure and care. After his recovery, Nuriya will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. Nuriya’s mother said “We can’t afford the medical bill. We are here through the support of another organization. We are living under the support of our relatives. Nuriya’s colostomy operation was done by the government. I believe the child will get better soon."

Nesy is a baby from Tanzania. Nesy is a first born child to her newly wed parents who were very excited for her arrival. She was born in a local dispensary near their village. Nesy’s parents are subsistence farmers who earn very little and had to sell some of their cows and goats to be able to get trnsport to the hospital. Nesy was born with spina bifida, a type of neural tube defect in which the spine does not properly close around the spinal cord. Without treatment, Nesy is at risk of lower-limb paralysis, infection of the exposed nervous tissue, development of tethered cord syndrome, and possible developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $966 to cover the cost of Nesy's spina bifida closure surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on September 09. This procedure will hopefully spare Nesy from the risks associated with her condition, instead allowing her to grow and develop along a healthy trajectory. Nesy’s mother says, “Please help my daughter get this surgery, I am so worried about her, she is very little and she has such a big problem. Please help us.”

Ivona is a baby from Tanzania. Early last month, Ivona’s mother noticed a small swelling on her neck. Her neck mass was increasing in size and causing her pain. Ivona traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On July 29, surgeons will remove the mass. Now, Ivona's family needs help to raise $689 to fund this procedure. Ivona’s father says, “Please help us fund her treatment cost we have no means of coming up with this kind of money.”

Anastasia is a farmer from Kenya. In early July, she was riding a motorbike and sustained fractures of her femur and tibia. She is in chronic pain and is not able to walk or move about freely. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On July 11, Anastasia will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help her walk easily again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $998 to fund this procedure. “As I thank God for saving my life, I kindly request for help to treat my leg so that I may be able to walk again. I was planning to have my own family soon,” says Anastasia.

Bopha is a teenager from Cambodia. At just 21 days old, Bopha suffered from a severe soft tissue infection that left her back deformed and with thick scarring. Since 2017, she has undergone several skin grafts to expand the skin around the affected area. In March of 2019, she was fitted with a halo gravity traction for three months, which reduced the curvature in her spine. Spinal surgery will help correct the position of her spine, and prevent further worsening of the condition. Surgery is scheduled for June 7 and will cost $1,500. Bopha enjoys reading books, listening to music, and watching television in her free time. She looks forward to returning to school and her friends as soon as possible.

Israel is a young boy from Kenya. He was born with hypospadias, a congenital abnormality that causes urinary dysfunction. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and will be at risk of infertility. Fortunately, Israel is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on May 3. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $700 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. “I feel relieved that there is a possibility of getting help. I really am grateful to God,” says Israel’s mother.

Sayuni is a girl from Tanzania. She is four years old and the youngest in a family of eight children. Sayuni was diagnosed with bilateral genu varus. Her legs are bowed outwards. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $940 to fund corrective surgery for Sayuni. The procedure is scheduled to take place on April 4. Treatment will hopefully restore Sayuni's mobility, allow her to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease her risk of future complications.

Heng is a young man from Cambodia. He has one brother and one sister and enjoys watching television and listening to music. Heng was born with severe scoliosis, which has progressed with age and has made it difficult for him to sit for long periods, causing a lot of discomfort. Surgery can help correct the position of his spine, and prevent further worsening of the condition. Heng has not been able to work because of his condition. Fortunately, surgery is scheduled for March 12. Our medical partner is requesting $1,500 to fund this procedure. He says, "I hope that after surgery, I will not have any pain and can walk normally and be able to take care of myself."

Flora is a baby from Haiti. She lives with her parents and older sister in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. She is a very curious and active child. Flora has a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect. Several holes exist between the two lower chambers of her heart. Blood leaks between the chambers without passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving her sick and short of breath. On February 11, she will undergo cardiac surgery at St. Damien Hospital, our medical partner's care center. While she is too small to repair all of the holes in her heart, surgeons will place a band around her pulmonary artery that will allow her to grow without immediate danger from this heart condition, so that in one or two years she can safely have the rest of the holes closed. Another organization, Gift of Life International, is contributing $5,000 to pay for surgery. Flora'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. Her mother says, "Our family is all praying that everything will go well with our daughter's surgery!"

Bros is a construction worker from Cambodia. He has three brothers and four sisters. He likes to go for walks, watch TV, and hang out with friends in his free time. Five months ago, he was in a motor vehicle accident that caused paralysis of his right 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 arm and he cannot work. Bros traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On January 10, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, he will be able to use his arm again. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $637 to fund this procedure. He says, "After surgery I hope I don't have any more pain and I can use my arm again."