Serey is an engineering student from Cambodia. He has three other siblings, and likes to do research and play sports in his free time. When he was nine years old, Serey had an ear infection. This infection caused a cholesteatoma, or an abnormal skin growth, to develop in the middle ear behind the ear drum. For this reason, Serey experiences ear discharge, hearing loss, headaches, and pain. It is difficult for him to hear others and often finds it a challenge to understand and communicate. Serey traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On May 9, he will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure in his right ear. During this procedure, ENT surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $842 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. He says, "I hope surgery will allow me to hear again and for the infection to go away."

Kaung is a two-year-old boy from Thailand. He lives with his parents in Ban San Kwan, Mae Sot District, Tak Province. They moved there from Bago Division, Burma, in search of better job opportunities. Kaung’s parents work as agricultural day laborers. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund lens replacement surgery for Kaung. On April 19, doctors will perform a lens replacement, during which they will remove Kaung's natural lenses and replace them with an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $1,500 procedure. Kaung’s mother says, “We are very stressed, and I have had to stop working to look after him. As my husband is the only one working, his income is not enough to cover our daily expenses.”

Parani is a child from Tanzania. He is the first born child in a family of three children. Last year, Parani fell into a fire and got burned around his chest and neck. The burn contractures limit his ability to move because of the tightening of the skin. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Parani receive treatment. On March 5, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help him move his head easily again. Now, he needs help to fund this $832 procedure. Parani’s mother says, “Thank you very much for coming in and helping our son we had no means of affording his daily dressing he now needs a surgery which we can’t afford to please help.”

Der Lwel is an 18-year-old boy who lives with his parents and two younger brothers in Ta Kue Khee Village, Kyain Seikgyi Township, Karen State, Burma. He and his parents work as subsistence farmers, while his two younger brothers are students. Two years ago, Der Lwel broke his lower back bone. The next day, he received internal fixation surgery. After the surgery, he learned that he would need to come back in two years to have the metal screws removed. Now, he is scheduled to undergo surgery to remove the metal screws on February 13. This procedure will cost $1,500. Der Lwel said, “I feel very uncomfortable and I have pain when I bend over while planting or harvest rice. I want to receive treatment and work comfortably like I did before I got injured.”

Kateba is a gatekeeper from Uganda. He is married and a father of three children. For three years, Kateba has had an inguinal hernia. This hernia causes him pain and discomfort. Fortunately, on January 16, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $249 to fund Kateba's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. He says, "I like being with others during my free time."

Allan is a child from Kenya. He has one sister. His father earns a living selling flowers. In early December, Allan fell off of his bicycle. He sustained a closed fracture of the radius and ulna of his left hand. He is currently in pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On December 11, Allan will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $998 to fund this procedure. “Kindly assist him to get treatment,” Allan’s father says.

Loemheang is a mechanic from Cambodia. He has three daughters. He likes to read the news and watch sports in his free time. One year ago, he developed avascular necrosis of both hips and experienced a lot of hip pain. He cannot walk and cannot work. Fortunately, Loemheang learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. At CSC, surgeons can perform a total hip replacement to relieve Loemheang of his pain and allow him to walk easily. Treatment is scheduled for October 18, and Loemheang needs help raising $1,025 to pay for this procedure. He says, "I hope I can walk again after the operation."

Aye is a 48-year-old woman from Thailand. She lives with her husband's family in Mae Sot, Tak Province. Since 2013, Aye has been experiencing sharp abdominal and back pain. She has been diagnosed with a myoma. She has been advised to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy, the surgical removal of her uterus and cervix. If left untreated, Aye's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. Fortunately, Aye is scheduled to undergo her hysterectomy on October 9. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Once recovered, She will no longer experience abdominal or back pain.

Y is a rice farmer from Cambodia. She is married and has three sons, two daughters, and eight grandchildren. She enjoys listening to monks pray on the radio. Two months ago, Y developed a cataract in each eye, causing her blurry vision, photophobia, and headache. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Y learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. On September 3, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $398 procedure. She says, "I hope my vision is better so that I can go outside and take care of my grandchildren."

Win is 45-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her 85-year-old mother and 55-year-old husband. She makes and sells Burmese noodles at home while her husband works as a day laborer. Win loves to sew her own clothes in her free time, and she enjoys spending time with her mother and looking after her. For the past two months, Win has been experiencing severe lower back pain as well as a sharp pain and tightness in her stomach. She has been diagnosed with an ovarian tumor. She has been advised to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy, the surgical removal of her uterus and cervix. If left untreated, Win's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. Fortunately, Win is scheduled to undergo her hysterectomy on August 14. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Once recovered, she will no longer experience pain. "I hope to recover so that I can return home and look after my mother," says Win.

Noktheu is a fish vendor from Cambodia. He is married. He likes to help his wife with house work. Three years ago, he developed arthritis of his left hip. He cannot walk easily and is in pain. Fortunately, Noktheu learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. At CSC, surgeons can perform a total hip replacement to relieve Noktheu of his pain and allow him to walk easily. Treatment is scheduled for July 18, and Noktheu needs help raising $1,025 to pay for this procedure. He says, "I want to be able to walk freely after surgery and help support my family."

Mary is a mother of three children from Kenya. She works as a domestic helper. Since last year, Mary has been experiencing heavy abdominal bleeding, causing anemia. She has been diagnosed with multiple intramural fibroids. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $718 to fund Mary's surgery. On June 20, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center. Once recovered, Mary will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. “I am looking forward to successful surgery so that my blood levels can go back to normal and I can continue caring for my children,” says Mary.