Carlos is a 14-year old student who lives in an orphanage on the southern coast of Haiti. Carlos is currently in the eighth grade and would like to become a doctor or an engineer when he grows up. Carlos suffers from mitral and aortic regurgitation, both of which resulted from the rheumatic fever that he contracted several years ago. Due to his conditions, blood backs up into his heart and does not properly circulate throughout his body, leaving Carlos weak, short of breath, and at risk of heart failure. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,343 to cover the cost of Carlos's air transportation to the Cayman Islands, where he is scheduled to undergo heart surgery on July 5. Once there, he will receive the care that he needs and will hopefully be able to live more comfortably. Carlos says, "I am very happy that I can have this chance to heal my heart, and would like to say thank you to everyone."

Lyse is an eight-year-old girl from Haiti. She lives with her mother, father and two younger sisters in Port-au-Prince. Her mother works as a pediatric nurse, and her father works as an office administrator to support their family. Lyse is in the fourth grade and is an extremely intelligent and focused student. Lyse was born with patent ductus arteriosus, a cardiac condition in which a hole in the heart that normally closes shortly after birth remains open. As a result, blood leaks through this hole without first passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving Lyse feeling weak and short of breath. Lyse will travel to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On August 24, she will undergo cardiac surgery. This $5,000 surgery is subsidized by International Children's Heart Foundation. Lyse'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 Lyse's family. "I would like to say thank you to everyone who is helping me to have a normal heart!" says Lyse.

Hon is a rice farmer from Cambodia. She has four grandchildren and loves watching soap operas. Ten years ago, Hon developed a cataract in each eye, causing her blurry vision and sensitivity to light. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Hon learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On September 25, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract 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 want to see and take care of my family."

Bwema is a 76-year-old farmer from Uganda. In order to support his many children, Bwema works as a farmer, cultivating food for home consumption and then selling the surplus. About three years ago, Bwema developed a swelling in his left inguinal region. While it initially did not cause him any pain, the swelling later developed to cause Bwema great discomfort after work and when walking long distances. Upon visiting the hospital, Bwema was diagnosed with a left inguinal hernia and was advised undergo surgery. Without treatment, Bwema may suffer potentially fatal tissue damage due to the hernia cutting off intestinal blood supply. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $249 to fund hernia repair surgery for Bwema. The procedure is scheduled to take place on July 19 and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. "After surgery I will go for a thanks giving service in church," shares Bwema.

Annah is a 35-year-old woman from Kenya, and a mother to six young children. She works as a casual laborer, often working in other people’s farms for a living. The family lives in a rental house where rent is paid by her husband, who works as a tailor. Earlier this year, Annah went to the hospital because she found lumps in her breasts, but she was only given some medications. The lumps reoccurred in April with additional symptoms. She was referred to AIC Kijabe Hospital, a Watsi care center, where biopsy and x-ray results showed that she had breast cancer. Annah needs a mastectomy as part of her treatment. If not treated, the cancer may spread to other organs and this may lead to premature death. $740 will cover the costs of the surgery and care Annah needs. Let's help raise the funds! Annah says, “I want to be treated and be free from this condition to be there for my young children and husband”.

Nsungwa is a 36-year-old woman and mother of four from Uganda. Her husband lost his job nine months ago and has not found another job yet. She is a primary school teacher and the sole income earner in the family. She is paying for her education at University, as well as the education of the three of her children who are in school. Nsungwa delivered her first and second children normally in 2001 and 2008, respectively. She had her third child in 2011 by C-section because of mal-presentation (abnormal positioning of the baby). Nsungwa again had another C-section in 2014 for the same reason. For both surgeries, her husband was able to pay for her medical bills because he had a job. She is expected to deliver in the last week of October this year. However, she says she feels pain on the previous scars. Nsungwa needs a C-section to safely deliver her fifth child. $280 will cover the costs of the surgery and care she needs. After surgery she hopes to continue working as a teacher and taking care of her family. Let's help raise the funds! Nsungwa says, “I have to deliver by C-section but my income is not enough for all my family needs. I am requesting for your support towards my surgery.”

Flavio lives in a humble home in a remote village in the mountains of Guatemala. He used to work as a farmer, but now he is unable to see and cannot do it anymore, even though he is still very physically active. Flavio is an incredibly selfless father and grandfather. He has five children, and 21 grandchildren who all live with him and his wife in their small home. One of his daughters has special needs, so he spends most of his days taking care of her since he is unable to work on their plot of land anymore. Flavio has cataracts in both his eyes, which have been bothering him for as long as he can remember. In the past couple years, he has not been able to even go to the corner store without help, because he is not able to tell apart the different bills and coins. This makes him frustrated. He lacks the independence to do even simple things on his own, but he wants to be more helpful to his family. Surgical treatment will give Flavio the independence that he has been craving--he will no longer be held back by his poor vision. He will be able to go to the store on his own, and maybe even help out on the farm once his vision is repaired--giving him another chance to do all of his favorite things that he hasn't been able to do for years. Flavio shares, "I am happy because my vision is going to get better. When I can see better I will be able to continue working and walking around my village without having problems."