Damaris is a toddler from Kenya. She is an active three-year-old girl. She lives with her parents and three elder siblings. Damaris was born with an anorectal malformation, a congenital abnormality that leads to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. She needs to undergo a series of procedures to eliminate bowel dysfunction. Damaris is scheduled to undergo surgery to correct her condition on March 7. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,327 to cover the total cost of Damaris's procedure and care. After her recovery, Damaris will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. “I am glad I could get help from you,” says Damaris’s mother.

Nekikolo is a student from Tanzania. He is is the youngest in a family of eight children. When he was three months old, Nekikolo developed a swelling on his left eyebrow. As he kept growing, the swelling kept increasing in size. Nekikolo traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On March 4, surgeons will remove the mass. Now, Nekikolo needs help to raise $689 to fund this procedure. Nekikolo’s mother says, “Thank you very much for giving my son a chance to have treatment of his mass.”

Sovannara is a 30-year-old teacher from Cambodia. He has five brothers and enjoys reading books. When he was ten years old, Sovannara had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in his left ear to perforate. For this reason, Sovannara experiences ear drainage, hearing loss, and pain. This condition makes it difficult for him to hear and teach his students effectively. Sovannara traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On February 14, he will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in his left ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $423 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. He says, "I hope that this surgery will improve my hearing, stop the ear discharge, and end the pain."

Jackson is a student from Tanzania. He is the first child in a family of two children. For seven years, Jackson has been experiencing difficulty breathing and swallowing. Frequent illness causes him to miss school. Jackson was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils, which, if not treated, will cause his symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $633 to fund a tonsillectomy for Jackson, which is scheduled to take place on February 15. Surgeons will remove his tonsils, hopefully relieving Jackson of his symptoms and helping him live more comfortably. Jackson’s mother says, “This problem has been affecting my son for years now, he needs a surgery but am unable to afford the cost please help us.”

Thi is a 36-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her husband's parents in Kar Si Bu Village, Phyu Township, Bago Division. They all work as farmers. Thi 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 she becomes easily tired when she completes small tasks. She has heart palpitations, shortness of breath, and chest pain. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Thi. The treatment is scheduled to take place on January 23 and, once completed, will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably. “I want to receive the surgery. When I’ll feel better after surgery, I want to open a small grocery shop to increase my family’s income and pay back my family’s debt,” says Thi.

Ant Htoo is a seven-year-old boy from Thailand. He is a first grade student. When he was six, his mother noticed a mass on his thigh. It is not currently painful, but his mother worries that the mass will get bigger as he grows. Ant Htoo's family sought treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund. He is now scheduled to undergo mass removal surgery on March 8. His family is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Ant Htoo says, “I want to be a policeman."

Kobilo is a farmer from Kenya. She has five children. As a farmer, she plants millet and sorghum for her family’s consumption. This month, Kobilo was involved in a road traffic accident while she was crossing the road. She lost consciousness for hours, and she was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. Kobilo sustained a severe tibia fibula fracture. She is now unable to walk or stand using her right leg. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On January 23, Kobilo 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 $968 to fund this procedure. Kobilo says, “I want to be able to walk, sit, and even feed by myself like any other person.”

Kansiime is a farmer from Uganda. She is married and a mother of five children. In 2016, Kansiime developed a swelling on her left shoulder. The swelling has been gradually increasing in size. Kansiime traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On March 13, surgeons will remove the mass. Now, Kansiime needs help to raise $196 to fund this procedure. She says, "After surgery I will resume with my work."

Karen is a student from Tanzania. She is the youngest in a family of three children. For five years, Karen has been experiencing frequent fevers and illness. This has caused her to often miss school and is affecting her academic performance. Karen 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 Karen, which is scheduled to take place on February 8. Surgeons will remove her tonsils, hopefully relieving Karen of her symptoms and helping her live more comfortably. Karen’s mother says, “Supporting my three children by myself has not been easy. Please help my daughter get the needed surgery I have no means of raising up the money needed to cover the cost.”

Nandar is a 25-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her mother and 30-year-old brother in a village in Chaungzon Township of Mon State. Nandar 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. Nandar experiences tiredness and difficulty breathing. She is unable to work because of her symptoms. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Nandar. The treatment is scheduled to take place on February 25 and, once completed, will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably. Nandar said, “I would like to get better so that I can go to work and help my mother. My brother is not able to work, so if I was stronger, I would take any job to help my family.”

Srey Nuon is a teenager from Cambodia. Her favorite subjects to study in school are chemistry and math, and one day she hopes to become a chemistry teacher. Srey Nuon 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. Fortunately, spinal surgery has been scheduled for March 11. Our medical partner needs help raising $1,500 to fund this procedure. Srey Nuon says, "I hope that after my surgery I will no longer have any pain and I will be able to take care of myself and sleep better."

Khom is a rice and cashew nut farmer from Cambodia. He has ten grandchildren and likes to listen to the monks pray on the radio. One year ago, Khom developed a cataract in each eye, causing him partially blind vision, teary eyes, photophobia, and blurred vision. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Khom learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On February 11, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $398 procedure. He says, "I hope my eye surgery is successful so I can see everything clearly and recognize everyone's faces. I also hope that I will be able to do my work at home."