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.

Meet Jessie, a baby boy barely two months old. At birth, Jessie was diagnosed with both spina bifida (an open spinal defect) and hydrocephalus. Jessie’s mother visited a local hospital, but the hospital could not offer further specialized treatment. They were then referred to our medical partner's care center, where a surgery has been recommended to treat the spina bifida. If not treated, Jessie is at risk for future complications. The income of a subsistence farmer is not enough to fund for the surgical care Jessie requires. The family needs help raising $1,097 to fund his procedure, scheduled for August 23.

Htun is a 34-year-old man living with his family in Burma. Htun has experienced several episodes of jaundice since he was young. Then, a few months ago, he noticed a change in the color of his eyes and skin. He visited a nearby clinic, where the doctor diagnosed him with a gastric problem. However, the medication he received had no effect on his symptoms. He then visited another hospital, where he received ultrasound imaging, which revealed stones in his gallbladder. He then visited our medical partner's hospital, Mae Sot General Hospital. On August 16, Htun witll receive a cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal), which will cost $1,500. He looks forward to recovery, saying, “I've had to stop working because of my symptoms and I worry about not supporting my family. When I get better I will go back to work in order to support them.”

Leap is a 66-year-old woman from Cambodia who is married and has three sons and seven grandchildren. In her free time, Leap likes to listen to monks pray at the pagoda, watch Khmer and Thai dramas, and listen to the news on TV. About three years ago, Leap developed a cataract in each eye which has caused her to experience blurred vision, tearing, pain, and cloudy lenses. As a result, it is difficult for her to see things clearly and do any work. Leap worries about going blind one day. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $398 to fund a phaco procedure and an intraocular lens implant for each of Leap's eyes. The surgery is scheduled to take place on July 5 and, once completed, will hopefully restore Leap's vision to its former state and allow her to live more comfortably.

Hy is 23 years old and has a wife and two children. When he was five years old, he developed a cholesteatoma in his right ear. A cholesteatoma is a tumor within the middle part of the ear. It is often the result of frequent ear infections. Because of this tumor, Hy experiences hearing loss and ear discharge. He has trouble communicating with others. On February 17, surgeons at our medical partner will perform an operation called a mastoidectomy. They will remove the mastoid bone behind Hy’s right ear and the cholesteatoma. Removing the cholesteatoma will improve Hy’s hearing and eliminate his other symptoms. He needs help to fund this $842 procedure.

Lemjini is a curious young boy from a pastoralist community in Tanzania. At only six years of age, he is the eldest of his two siblings. Lemjini is currently unable to attend school or assist his family with raising livestock due to an orthopedic condition. Lemjini has a condition known as genu valgus, or knock knees. This condition causes Lemjini's knees to angle inward while his lower legs angle outward. He was diagnosed at our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre (ALMC). Walking has become difficult and painful for Lemjini. If left untreated, his condition will continue to worsen. Doctors at ALMC have recommended corrective surgery to repair his legs and allow for normal growth and development. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $940 for his procedure on February 22. Lemjini says, “I pray for my legs to be straight, and to be able to walk like the rest my family.”

Lidianny is a two-year-old girl from the Dominican Republic. She was born with a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus. This means that a hole in her heart that normally closes shortly after birth remained open. Blood leaks through this hole without passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving her sick and weak. Nevertheless, this smiley young girl loves playing with her Barbie dolls. Although Lidianny is not Haitian, our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is collaborating with their partners in the Dominican Republic to offer treatment to Dominican children. She will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center. First, Lidianny will undergo a full cardiac assessment on February 18. This assessment will include physical exams, labs, and an overnight stay at the hospital. Haiti Cardiac Alliance is requesting $1,500 to fund these procedures. Funding for Lidianny also covers the cost of medications and social support for her and her family. Gift of Life International is contributing $7,000 to cover additional costs associated with Lidianny's surgical care. Her mother remains optimistic, saying, "We are very hopeful that this surgery will return our daughter to health so she can start preschool next year with the other children."