Mugisha is a farmer from Uganda. He is a married father to four children. He and his wife earn a living through practicing small-scale farming. He grows native local food like ground nuts, maize, beans, and cassava. They farm basically for home consumption and he sells the surplus to provide other essential needs to his family like clothes and to pay for his children's school fees. Sine eight years ago, Mugisha has had an inguinal hernia. This hernia causes him pain when walking and when standing for a long time. Fortunately, on March 9th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $219 to fund Mugisha's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Mugisha says “I hope that I will be well after my operation and be healed from this condition.”

Rehema is a child from Uganda who started school last year. She is the last born of four children to her mother. But her father has a total of eight children. Her parents are small-scale farmers and are not able to afford the treatment cost thus they are asking for help. Rehema was diagnosed with genu varus. Her legs bow so that her knees do not touch. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, the walks to and from school were becoming difficult for her. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Rehema. The procedure is scheduled to take place on July 23rd. Treatment will hopefully restore Rehema's mobility, allow her to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease her risk of future complications. Rehema’s mother says, “I would like to see my daughter walking like her other siblings but the treatment cost is expensive and I can’t come up with the money, please help.”

Saroeun is a mother of three from Cambodia. She's married and has one daughter, two sons, and three grandchildren. She lives with her husband who a farmer, while Saroeun is a server at a restaurant. In her free time she enjoys watching Khmer shows and movies. Saroeun developed a pterygium in her left eye about five years ago, causing her itching, irritation, pain, and tearing. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Saroeun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for one hour by tuk tuk with her son seeking treatment. Saroeun needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. The total cost of her procedure is $216. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for November 19th. Saroeun said, "I hope my eye gets well soon so I can earn some money to support my family."

Hollylight is a friendly, talkative, and playful girl from Tanzania. She is the only child to her mother. Hollylight's mother sells samosa to earn a living and together they live in a rented house. Her father abandoned them when the mother was 8 months pregnant. Hollylight walks with difficulty and pain due to her legs curving outwards. She has struggled with the condition since she started walking at 14 months. Her mother desired to take her to the hospital but due to limited income, she was not able to. She hoped that the child's movement would improve with time. However, she continues to struggle with the condition. Hollylight's mother was referred to our facility by her friends and upon review, the child was diagnosed with bilateral genu valgus. She requires surgery to correct the condition and help the child walk with ease. The family appeals for financial assistance to help the child receive the surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $838 to fund corrective surgery for Hollylight. The procedure is scheduled to take place on December 4th. Treatment will hopefully restore Hollylight's mobility, allow her to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease her risk of future complications. Hollylight’s mother says, “Please help correct my daughter’s legs so that she can walk well without being discriminated.”

William is a six-month-old baby boy from Burma. He lives with his mother, who looks after him, and his maternal grandparents who are retired. His father works at a non-government organisation in Rakhine State and sends them money every month. Since March 2019, William has had an inguinal hernia. William has not started talking yet and is not able to complain. He might be in pain but his mother is not sure. Fortunately, on September 8th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at Mae Sot General Hospital, our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund William's hernia repair surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on September 08 and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. William's mother said, “When I first noticed his hernia, I was shocked and very sad. I talked with several older people who suffered from hernia and they all said it’s uncomfortable and painful sometimes. I want him to have surgery soon so that he can grow up well like other children. I want him to be a good person someday, a person who is considerate and is willing to help others that are in need.”

Oeun is an 83-year-old grandfather from Cambodia. Our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), tells us, “Oeun has hypermature cataracts in both of his eyes, making it hard for him to walk around alone, eat, and distinguish people’s faces.” Oeun feels guilty about his lack of independence because it forces him to constantly rely on his son to help him with everyday activities. CSC continues, “Oeun has six children and ten grandchildren. Before his vision got bad, he liked to read books.” With $225 in funding Oeun will receive surgery to remove the cloudy cataracts from his eyes, replacing his old lenses with artificial ones. Following surgery, his vision should be clear! Oeun tells CSC that after surgery, “He looks forward to going to the pagoda, visiting his kids in other provinces, and, most of all, eating without assistance.”

Meet Deneus, an eight-month-old baby boy from Haiti. His parents are small farmers in the Haitian countryside: his father works in the fields while his mother sells beans and corn in the streets. “Deneus was very little when he was born – malnourished and very skinny,” reports our medical partner, Project Medishare. “He spent three months in the hospital receiving care to gain weight.” It wasn’t until Deneus hit four months of age, however, that his head “started swelling and getting large,” causing him to vomit and experience pain. A CT scan revealed that Deneus has hydrocephalus – a condition where cerebrospinal fluid pathways in the brain become blocked, causing increased pressure. If left untreated, hydrocephalus could cause Deneus permanent mental dysfunction, loss of mobility and premature death. $1,260 will fund treatment for his hydrocephalus -- a shunt placement to drain the fluid, a five-day hospital stay, and the anesthesia and post-operation medication necessary for a successful surgery. The procedure will drain Deneus’ brain of excess fluid so that he will be able to grow up healthy and enjoy his childhood. Let’s help make this surgery happen for Deneus!

“I want to get better. I have a young child, and I love my husband. I want us to have a life together,” says Maria. Meet Maria, a 28-year-old mother from Guatemala who has a brain tumor. “Maria came to see us a few weeks ago with severe weakness on the left side of her body, severe headaches, and partial blindness,” reports our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq. Maria has had these symptoms for the past 6 months. “However, Maria can’t afford treatment and without Wuqu’ Kawoq’s help, this will be a fatal illness,” continues Wuqu’ Kawoq. “Maria and her husband heard through word-of-mouth about our clinic, and they decided to pay us a visit. They brought all of their test results, hoping that Wuqu’ Kawoq would be able to help them gain access to the needed treatment,” says Wuqu’ Kawoq. Maria’s symptoms prevent her and her husband from working, forcing her husband to take care of both her and their newborn baby. For $1475, we can provide chemotherapy to Maria. Wuqu Kawoq expects, “Maria will need aggressive treatment to control this illness. Based on what the tumor looks like on the scans, we have a good idea that it is curable. Treatment will relieve symptoms and, in the best case scenario, will completely cure her.”