Favour is an infant from Kenya. She is the youngest in a family of four children. Favour was born with spina bifida, a type of neural tube defect in which the spine does not properly close around the spinal cord. Without treatment, Favour is at risk of lower-limb paralysis, infection of the exposed nervous tissue, development of tethered cord syndrome, and possible developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,097 to cover the cost of Favour's spina bifida closure surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on October 29. This procedure will hopefully spare Favour from the risks associated with her condition, instead allowing her to grow and develop along a healthy trajectory. “I look forward to seeing my daughter healthy just like her siblings,” shares Favour’s mother.

Nyi is a 13-year-old student from Thailand. He lives with his family in Mae Tao Village, Mae Sot Township, Tak Province. In his spare time, Nyi plays with the football that his sister bought for him. This month, Nyi fell on the ground and broke his forearm while playing football with friends at school. He was initially brought by his teacher to Mae Tao Clinic (MTC). The medic at MTC investigated him and informed the teacher that both bones in Nyi’s forearm were broken and that he would need surgery to fix the broken bones. Currently, Nyi is in pain and his left hand is swelling. He cannot move around and cannot even lift his hand up. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Nyi will undergo surgery to reset his fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for September 13 and will cost $1,500. After Nyi's surgery, he will be able to lift his hand up, move around, and return to his school. Nyi’s mother says, “I am worry because I cannot afford to pay for my son’s treatment. I hope to see him get well soon and return to school.”

Emmanuel is a baby from Kenya. He was born with spina bifida, a type of neural tube defect in which the spine does not properly close around the spinal cord. Without treatment, Emmanuel is at risk of lower-limb paralysis, infection of the exposed nervous tissue, development of tethered cord syndrome, and possible developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,097 to cover the cost of Emmanuel's spina bifida closure surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on August 24. This procedure will hopefully spare Emmanuel from the risks associated with his condition, instead allowing him to grow and develop along a healthy trajectory. “I am truly happy that we may get help for Emmanuel’s treatment,” says Emmanuel’s guardian.

Chamroeurn is a rice farmer from Cambodia. He has one sister and two brothers. He likes to watch TV in his free time. Five months ago, he was in a motor vehicle accident that caused paralysis of his left arm and hand. He has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his left side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. He cannot move his arm and he has no sensation in his left hand. Chamroeurn traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On July 23, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, he will be able to use his arm again. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $637 to fund this procedure. He says, "I hope I am better after the operation and I can move my arm and have regained sensation in my hand."

Than is a 25-year-old young man from Burma. He lives with his wife, five-year-old daughter, mother-in-law, father-in-law, and two brother-in-laws. In May 2018, Than participated in a soccer tournament. During one game, another player kicked his right leg. He immediately felt a lot of pain in his leg, the leg went limp, and he was unable to walk. A friend took him to a traditional healer in the village. The healer rubbed oil on his leg and bandaged his leg up. Currently, Than feels a lot of pain in his leg and uses crutches to get around. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Than will undergo surgery to reset his fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for June 28 and will cost $1,500. After surgery, Than hopes that he will be free from pain and he will be able to walk properly again. He says, “I want to get better soon so that I can help my family and get back to working.”

Kar is an eight-month-old boy. He lives with his family in Hpa-an, Karen State, Burma. When Kar was three months old, his parents noticed for the first time that his head size was increasing. Kar was recently diagnosed with hydrocephalus, which has caused fluid to build up in his brain. Without immediate surgery to alleviate the intracranial pressure that the excess fluid is causing, he is at risk of developing severe, potentially fatal medical complications. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund the insertion of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt for Kar, which will drain the fluid that has accumulated in his brain. The procedure is scheduled to take place on May 23, and, once completed, will greatly improve Kar's quality of life. His mother says, "I really want my son to look like other normal kids. So I believe that this surgery will make him look better."

Edoso is a baby from Ethiopia. He is a smiley toddler who loves to play and laugh with his mother. His father passed away a year ago, leaving his mother with six children. Edoso's mother rented out their small farm and is barely able to meet the needs of her family. Edoso was born with an anorectal malformation, a congenital abnormality that leads to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. He needs to undergo a series of procedures to eliminate bowel dysfunction. Edoso is scheduled to undergo surgery to correct his condition on April 10. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Edoso's procedure and care. After his recovery, Edoso will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. Edoso’s mother says, “I was a house wife. When I lost my husband, life got difficult because he was the one who supported the family. Now I am struggling with the financial needs of my family. I am trying to raise my children with the limited money I get from my rented land."

Bin is a grandfather from Cambodia. He is a potato farmer. He has two daughters, two sons, and thirteen grandchildren. He enjoys spending time with his family and listening to monks pray on the radio. Four years ago, Bin developed a cataract in each eye, causing him blurred vision, tearing, and irritation. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Bin learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for four hours seeking treatment. On March 12, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification 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 I can see everything clearly so I can to continue my work as a farmer again and I can go outside on my own."

Vy is a grandmother from Cambodia. She has four children and one grandchild. She enjoys cooking and has a small food stall in the local market. Six months ago, she started experiencing debilitating pain in her left leg. She cannot walk or work, and she is in chronic pain. Fortunately, Vy learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. At CSC, surgeons can perform a total knee replacement to relieve Vy of her pain and allow her to walk easily. Treatment is scheduled for January 16, and Vy needs help raising $1,025 to pay for this procedure. She says, "I hope I can walk again without pain."

Nwet (BB) is a 23-day-old boy from Burma. He lives with his family in a village in Karen State. When he was born, the nurses noticed a protrusion on the back of his skull, a neurological condition called encephalocele. The protrusion is very sensitive. Nwet (BB) was born with encephalocele, a type of neural type defect characterized by sac-like protrusions of nervous tissue through openings in the skull. Both incomplete bone fusion in the skull and incomplete closure of the neural tube contribute to this condition. If left untreated, the lump will continue to grow, heightening the risks of developmental delays and permanent neurological impairment. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to help cover the cost of corrective cranial surgery for Nwet (BB), which is scheduled to take place on January 15. Surgeons will remove the protrusion and correct the skull defect, hopefully eliminating the risk of future neurological complications and allowing Nwet (BB) to develop along a healthy trajectory. Nwet Yee, his mother says, "I am worry for my son but I cannot do anything for him. I hope that the surgery will make him well and become a normal person like other children."

Sophon is a 44-year-old farmer from Cambodia. He is married and has two sons and one daughter. Sophon plants potatoes on his farm, and he also grows vegetables behind his house. He also likes to watch TV in his free time. Sophon traveled with his older brother to reach our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), for free treatment. Sophon has experienced pain in his left hip for the past 20 years. He went to a hospital in his province, where doctors diagnosed him with tuberculosis of the joint, a bacterial infection that destroys the joint. Although he was provided with treatment, his symptoms did not improve. Sophon has difficulty walking, and has been unable to work to support his family. On August 4, surgeons at CSC will perform a total hip replacement on Sophon's left side to help him walk and work easily again. Watsi is requesting $1,025 to help fund Sophon's procedure and prosthesis.

Zulfa is a 53-year-old woman who is a stay-at-home mother. She is talkative and enjoys taking care of her family. Her husband works as a subsistence farmer. In 1997, when Zulfa was pregnant, she started experiencing pain in both legs. She thought that over time, the pain would resolve itself. However, in 2016, she started to experience excessive pain, and swelling occurred in her knees. She went to the hospital for a check-up and treatment. The doctor gave her medicines to treat her pain, but there was no improvement. She was referred to our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre (ALMC). At ALMC, the doctor diagnosed Zulfa with osteoarthritis. If not treated, she will live with pain and decreased mobility. Fortunately, on July 21, surgeons at ALMC will perform a total knee replacement on Zulfa. The $822 requested by our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, will cover the full cost of the procedure, including a hospital stay, physical therapy, labs, medication, and radiology. Zulfa's family has also contributed $25 to Zulfa's care. Zulfa is "very thankful and happy" to get treatment so she can "live happily."