Mom is a 67-year-old loving grandmother who lives in Kampot province with her husband and her two youngest sons. Her other four children are married with children and live nearby. Her husband is a rice farmer, and some of their children can help support their living costs. Mom enjoys spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren, and going to the pagoda to hear the monks chant. Around three months ago, she noticed a mass on her lower lip. Since then, it has grown in size, and the clinic in her province suggested she travel to Phnom Penh for consultation, where she has been diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma (skin cancer). She experiences pain, swelling, and itchiness. Basal cell carcinoma can grow deep and destroy surrounding skin, tissue, and bone without treatment. Mom traveled to the Children's Surgical Center (CSC) for three hours to seek treatment. Surgeons at CSC will perform surgery to remove the mass, eliminate pain, and reduce the risk of further complications. She needs help to fund this $673 procedure. She shared, "I hope I can go home to my family and not worry about this anymore and be more comfortable."

Samnang lives in Phnom Penh province and is the primary caregiver for his elderly father. His mother died when he was only one year old. He has six other siblings who are married and support the household. Additionally, he has a younger brother who lives with him and still attends school. When not caring for his father, he grows vegetables in a small garden to supplement their diet and occasionally enjoys playing soccer with his friends. For over 20 years, he has had chronic ear infections. This infection caused both ears' tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, to perforate. For this reason, Samnang experiences poor hearing, which is getting worse. He often has ear pain, fever, pruritus, dizziness, and ear ringing. He is embarrassed that he cannot communicate well with others and remains inside with his father for much of the day. Samnang traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On December 6th, he will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in both ears. During this procedure, surgeons closed the perforations. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, requests $914 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Samnang shared: "I hope after this operation I can hear better and return to work to support my father and younger brother."

Alex is the 3rd born in a family of four children and hails from Longonot, Naivasha, in Nakuru county. His mother told us he likes playing with other kids at home. Alex came to Cure Hospital accompanied by his mother, Grace, a housewife, and his father, farmer. Alex was born with multiple disabilities - spina bifida, hydrocephalus, and bilateral foot deformity. He underwent treatment for spina bifida when he was five days old, and hydrocephalus treatment was done at the age of eight months. Currently, he tiptoes as he walks and often falls. He is scheduled to undergo bilateral serial casting and then foot reconstruction surgery. The treatment will be impactful to the young boy because he will be able to walk, run, and play like other children and continue with his education uninterrupted. Alex's mother said, "I believe the joy of a mother is to see her children growing well and not with challenges, and therefore, I would love to see Alex walking normally like other children if given assistance."

Jonah is a 7-year-old active and inquisitive primary school student from Kenya. He and his twin sister are the third born in a family of 5 children. His mother is a laborer tending farms and washing clothes for a living, while his father works as a security guard. In June 2019, Jonah slipped into boiling tea. He was rushed to a nearby hospital for first aid after sustaining serious burns on his back, thigh and hand. He was treated in the hospital for several months, but now burn scar contractures have developed, tightening the skin around the burn. He is unable to hold anything with the affected hand. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Jonah receive treatment. On October 2nd, surgeons will perform a burn contracture release surgery so that Jonah will be able to use his hand with ease again. AMH is asking for $1,500 to fully fund the procedure and medical care. Jonah's mother says, “Jonah cannot use his left hand at all because of the burns. He is only dependent on the right hand. He needs this procedure to be able to use his hand.”

Michael is a three-month-old infant from Haiti. He was born to a very young mom. He and his mom live with her parents while she attends high school. Michael has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of his condition, Michael has been experiencing an increasing head circumference. Without treatment, Michael will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Fortunately, our medical partner Project Medishare can help. Michael is scheduled to undergo surgery on August 8th when doctors will drain the excess fluid from his brain to reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. Project Medishare is requesting $897 to cover the cost of surgery for Michael. With proper treatment, Michael will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. Michael's family said they are grateful for this procedure to give him a chance at a normal, healthy life.

Anastasia is a 12-month-old baby girl from Haiti. She lives with her parents and three older siblings in a small village in eastern Haiti where her parents are both farmers. Anastasia has a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect, meaning that a hole exists between the two lower chambers of her heart. Blood leaks through this hole without passing through her lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving her weak and short of breath. Anastasia also has Down syndrome. Our medical partner Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA) is helping Anastasia which is especially challenging as the treatment she needs is not available within Haiti. On August 2nd, she will fly to the Dominican Republic to undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will close the hole with a patch so that blood can no longer leak through it. HCA is subsidizing $8,000 of the cost of transportation and treatment, and Anastasia's family is asking for $1,500 to help to fund the costs of surgery prep, labs, medicines, and check-up and follow-up appointments. It will support passport obtainment and the social workers from HCA who will accompany Anastasia's family overseas. Anastasia's mother shared, "Our family would like to say thank you to everyone who is helping to fix our daughter's heart."

Mameulove is a 10th-grade student from Haiti. She lives with her parents and three siblings in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. In addition to studying, Mameulove helps her parents with their ironwork business. Mameulove has a cardiac condition called pulmonary valve stenosis. When she was six, she underwent surgery for a condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. While the surgery was successful, one of the valves of her heart could not be completely repaired at that time. Now, Mameulove needs to undergo cardiac surgery to repair or replace her pulmonary valve so that it functions normally. She will fly to the United States to receive treatment on July 10th. Another organization, the Baylor Scott and White Heart Hospital, is contributing $20,000 to pay for surgery. Mameulove's family also needs help to fund the costs of her surgery prep, which is $1,500 and covers all labs, medicines, check-ups, and follow-up appointments. Additionally, it covers the cost of the passports they need to travel and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Mameulove's family overseas. Mameulove said, "I am so grateful to everyone who is helping me to have a strong and healthy heart!"

Paul is a 44-year-old herdsman and small-scale farmer living in Kenya. His wife sells vegetables at a local market, and together, she and Paul have four children. In February 2023, Paul was walking home one evening when he was hit by a speeding motorbike. He was rushed to a nearby health center where first aid was administered and an X-ray was performed. The X-ray revealed that his left leg had been fractured. As a result, he is finding it challenging to walk and sit upright. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, can help. On February 8th, Paul will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation, at AIC Kijabe Hospital. The procedure will help him regain his mobility, and allow him to return to work, which is critical to his ability to support his family. African Mission Healthcare Foundation is requesting $1,500 to fund this procedure. Paul says: “I cannot walk because of the fracture. I need treatment to be able to use my legs.”

Ann is a 16-year-old student from Kenya. Ann was orphaned when her father took his and her mother's life. Fortunately, Ann, who aspires to become an architect, now lives with relatives who adopted her. In October 2022, Ann was also in a horrible incident and one of her fingers was cut in half. She was rushed to the hospital for treatment, where she underwent surgery. While the right middle finger has healed, it developed a contracture during the healing process. The contracture is causing Ann to experience difficulties when she uses her hand - keeping her from writing and drawing. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Ann receive treatment. On May 3rd, surgeons at AIC Kijabe Hospital will perform contracture release surgery, which should improve Ann's grip and her ability to hold things, aiding in her aspirations to become an architect. Now she needs your help to fund this $1,500 procedure. Ann says, “Architects draw building designs; this is what I want to do. I have been through a lot, but I am determined.”