Merline is a girl from Haiti. She lives in the outskirts of Port-au-Prince with her parents, two brothers, and one sister. She is in the second grade and likes math and reading. Merline has a condition called pulmonary stenosis, in which one of the valves in her heart is too small, causing blood to back up and not circulate properly. To correct this condition, she will need to undergo a catheterization, in which a catheter with a balloon on its tip will be used to stretch the valve open to a more normal size. This procedure is scheduled for August 22. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is contributing $3,500, and they need our help raising an additional $1,500 to fund the procedure. Her mother says, "I am excited for our daughter to have this procedure so that she can run and play without me worrying about her."

Stanley is a baby from Kenya. He has one sibling. His mother is a laborer, and they live in a single-roomed rental home. Stanley 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, Stanley 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 $1,097 to cover the cost of Stanley's spina bifida closure surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on July 9. This procedure will hopefully spare Stanley from the risks associated with his condition, instead allowing him to grow and develop along a healthy trajectory. “I want my boy to be treated and lead a normal life," says Stanley’s mother.

Adyimidyika is a farmer from Malawi. She lives with her husband on their small farm, and she spends her days caring for her home and family. In their free time, they enjoy worshiping at their local church. Since last year, Adyimidyika has been experiencing pain and abnormal bleeding. She has been diagnosed with uterine fibroids. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, World Altering Medicine, is requesting $650 to fund Adyimidyika's surgery. On June 7, she will undergo gynecological surgery at Nkhoma Hospital, our medical partner's care center. The requested money pays for supplies, medications, and seven nights of hospital stay. Adyimidyika was thrilled to find out her surgery would be funded, and she is looking forward to again being able to care for her family. She says, "Thank you."

Iloveda is a young woman from Haiti. She lives on an island off the west coast of Haiti with her parents, who are both farmers. Iloveda is in the seventh grade in school, and would like to be a nurse or a teacher when she grows up. Iloveda has a cardiac condition called Tetralogy of Fallot, in which a hole exists between the two lower chambers of the heart and a muscular blockage prevents adequate blood flow through one of the valves. This condition leaves her sick and short of breath, and would eventually be fatal. Iloveda will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On May 8, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will close the hole with a patch, and remove the muscular blockage. Another organization, HeartGift Foundation, is contributing $20,000 to pay for surgery. Iloveda'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 Iloveda's family overseas. She says, "I am excited to have a healthy heart and to do everything I want to do without getting tired!"

Jean Marc is a teacher from Haiti. He lives in Port-au-Prince, where he is a high school math teacher. Jean Marc has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation. One of the four valves of Jean Marc's heart was severely damaged as a result of a rheumatic fever he suffered as a teenager, and it can no longer adequately pump blood through his body, leading to heart failure. Jean Marc will fly to Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On February 19, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which doctors will remove the damaged valve and insert a mechanical replacement. University of Virginia is contributing $8,000 to pay for surgery. Jean Marc'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 Marc's family overseas. He says, "I am so thankful to everyone for giving me this chance to recover my health!"

Cho is a 20-year-old young woman from Burma. She lives with her parents and younger brother. Her parents sell flowers in front of a Buddhist temple for a living, and her brother works in a tea shop. Cho likes to read stories and study English in her free time. Cho 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, Cho suffers from chest pain, difficulty breathing, and heart palpitations. She cannot walk long distances and tires easily. Additionally, due to her poor health, Cho is no longer able to continue her studies. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Cho. The treatment is scheduled to take place on March 12 and, once completed, will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably. "I want to get well soon and continue my studies. In the future, I want to become a teacher," says Cho.

Mohammed is a two-year-old baby from Ethiopia. He loves to play and laugh with people. His father is a traditional farmer, and his mother is a stay-at-home mom. They have eight children. Mohammed 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. Mohammed is scheduled to undergo surgery to correct his condition on February 9. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Mohammed's procedure and care. After his recovery, Mohammed will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. Mohammed’s mother says, “My husband is a poor farmer with low income and I’m a house wife and I take care of my kids in the house. Our income is very low even to support our kids. It is our hope to get the surgery and to see our child in a healthy and good position by your support.”

Chit is a one-year-old boy from Thailand. He lives with his parents in Mae Sot, a border town. He loves to play with his parents. Since he was one month old, Chit has had an inguinal hernia. Now, his hernia is getting bigger. He is in pain and cries a lot, and he is no longer able to play. Fortunately, on January 6, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at Mae Sot General Hospital, our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund Chit's hernia repair surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on January 6 and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. His mother says, "I want my son to be a teacher when he grows up."

"Since my condition began to worsen, I've had to stop working,” shares Khin, a 52-year-old woman from Burma. “This has been emotionally hard for me, as I want to help support my family.” Khin’s entire family lives and works on their rice farm. They are able to harvest about 100 tons of rice each year. They use their harvest to feed themselves, and sometimes are able to use the surplus to trade for other items they need. About 20 years ago, Khin noticed a small lump on her neck. At the time, she did not think anything of it. However, a couple months ago she began to experience serious pain in her neck and upper back. She also noticed that the lump on her neck was getting larger. Khin was eventually diagnosed with thyroiditis, and told she would need surgery to remove part of her thyroid. Without this procedure, she will continue to live in pain. However, her family is barely able to get by on their rice harvest from day to day, and does not have the money necessary to pay for this operation. That’s where you come in. By contributing to our $1,500 fundraising goal, you can help sponsor Khin’s thyroid removal on December 11, as well as the necessary lab tests and week-long hospital stay. “My family are all extremely stressed and worried about my health and future,” says Khin. Let’s put their worries to rest.

Kyu is a 43-year-old woman from Burma. She works as a farmer with her two sisters. In her free time, Kyu enjoys going to the temple and practicing meditation. Since 2015, Kyu has been experiencing severe pelvic pain and difficulty walking. She has been diagnosed with a myoma in her uterus and advised to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy, the surgical removal of her uterus and cervix. If left untreated, Kyu's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. Fortunately, Kyu is scheduled to undergo her hysterectomy on November 15. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Once recovered, Kyu hopes she can resume her work and contribute to her family’s income.