This is 35-year-old Min, a husband and father from Burma. Min's wife is a farmer, and Min had to stop working two years ago due to his heart condition. "Min has an abdominal aortic aneurysm, which is a weakened area in the wall of the aorta resulting in an abnormal widening of the largest artery in the body," explains our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP). As a result, Min experiences back and stomach aches, as well as constant fatigue. "He is now reliant on his wife’s income as a farmer, which is meager and only covers the family’s food costs," says BBP. For $1,500, Min will receive heart surgery required to repair the defect. This will provide him relief from his symptoms, and allow him to return to work. "He said he wants to make it his personal mission to help other patients get treatment," says BBP. "He will start by telling other people in his village about the organization.

“I never had a chance to go to school, but I would like my son to go to school when he grows up. If he can walk properly later on, that will allow him to walk to school as well as perform other activities with ease,” says Robert’s mother. Meet Robert, a one-month-old baby boy who has a congenital deformity on his right foot, also known as a clubfoot. “If not treated, Robert will use the lateral aspect of his right foot for walking when he starts to walk and that will affect his gait and increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis of the small bones,” reports our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). “Robert is the first born to his parents and they love him very much. Robert’s mother never went to school, but his father was lucky to complete his primary education. His parents are small-scale farmers – mostly they rely on growing and selling sugarcane, maize and beans. Their seasonal income is not enough to cover the cost of treatment which Robert needs,” continues AMHF. For $1160, we can heal Robert’s clubfoot and correct his posture to prevent osteoarthritis. AMHF concludes, “As he continues to grow, Robert will have the ability to step on his right foot normally, allowing him to walk properly and reduce the risk of developing early osteoarthritis.”

“I just want to be able to walk properly without feeling pain so that I can keep up with other pupils when playing at school,” shares Kijana, a 10-year-old student from Tanzania. The fifth of seven children, Kijana is friendly and very talkative. He enjoys singing and learning how to read and write at school. Kijana’s parents are small scale farmers who work additional odd jobs to earn enough money to support their large family. Even so, they are unable to afford surgery to treat Kijana’s genu valgum, or knocked knees, caused by fluorosis. “Kijana walks with difficulties due to the condition of his legs,” explains our medical partner African Mission Healthcare Foundation. “He sometimes complains of pain on his knees and ankles. If not treated, Kijana’s ability to perform various tasks effectively will be poor and he will also be at high risk of developing early osteoarthritis.” For $940, we can fund a series of casting and surgical procedures that will help to realign Kijana’s legs. Following surgery, Kijana’s gait will improve, his risk for early osteoarthritis will decrease, and he will be able to walk properly to school without feeling pain. Let’s help Kijana return to school well enough to join in the games with his fellow pupils!

“This is not how I planned to start my life after getting employment,” 24-year-old Philip from Kenya shares. “I planned to be financially secure, marry and start a family before this tragedy happened. I really hope I can get help from the donors so that I am treated and be well again to fulfill my dreams.” “Philip is a young single man,” according to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation. “He is the last born in a family of eight children. Philip completed high school and was employed in the motorcycle taxi business.” On December 6, 2014, Philip was “hit by a motor vehicle while riding his motorbike and sustained multiple injuries and fractures,” AMHF continues. The accident left him with multiple fractures of the tibia and humerus. Philip needs two surgeries to get healthy. The treatment and procedure costs $1,125. Doctors predict that after the surgery, Philip’s bones will heal and he can start working once again.