Chheang is a teenager from Cambodia. He was born with scoliosis, which is progressing with age and making it difficult to sit in school for long periods, and causing a lot of discomfort. Surgery can help correct the position of his spine, and prevent further worsening of the condition. Spinal surgery is scheduled for June 6 and will cost $1,500. In his free time, he likes to read books, watch TV, listen to music, and go outside with his family. He hopes to one day become a doctor when he grows up.

Patrick is a child from Tanzania. He is the first born child in a family of two children. He is a playful boy and currently in kindergarten. Patrick was diagnosed with bilateral genu valgus. His legs are bowed inward so that his knees 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, he has difficulty walking and is in pain. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $940 to fund corrective surgery for Patrick. The procedure is scheduled to take place on May 16. Treatment will hopefully restore Patrick's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Patrick’s mother says, “My son’s legs have been worsening as days go by please help treat my son.”

Win is 54-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her father, sister, brother-in-law and two nephews. She usually cares for her father and looks after him. Three years ago, Win started to experience abdominal and back pain. She has been diagnosed with an ovarian cyst. Currently, she suffers from pain in her lower abdomen. She also feels dizzy, has back pain, and cannot sit for long periods of time. Doctors want Win to undergo a CT scan, a procedure in which x-ray images taken from several angles are combined to produce cross-sectional images of the body. This scan will hopefully help doctors diagnose her condition and formulate an appropriate treatment plan. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $414 to cover the cost of Win's CT scan and care, scheduled for March 18. "When I get better, I want to look after my father full-time and give him all of my attention," said Win.

Srey Nuon is a teenager from Cambodia. Her favorite subjects to study in school are chemistry and math, and one day she hopes to become a chemistry teacher. Srey Nuon was born with scoliosis, which is progressing with age, making it difficult to sit in school for long periods, and causing a lot of discomfort. Surgery can help correct the position of her spine, and prevent further worsening of the condition. Fortunately, spinal surgery has been scheduled for March 11. Our medical partner needs help raising $1,500 to fund this procedure. Srey Nuon says, "I hope that after my surgery I will no longer have any pain and I will be able to take care of myself and sleep better."

Samson is a young boy from Kenya. He is the fourth of five children. Samson 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. Samson is scheduled to undergo surgery to correct his condition on February 15. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,327 to cover the total cost of Samson's procedure and care. After his recovery, Samson will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. “People are friendly here and I have faith Samson will get help,” says Samson’s father.

Lucy is a student from Kenya. She is the youngest in her family. Her parents are farmers. In late December, Lucy was hit by a public transport vehicle and suffered left tibia fractures. She has had multiple surgeries and is scheduled for more. Right now, Lucy walks with difficulty and without treatment, she risks further infection in the wound. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Lucy receive treatment. On January 15, surgeons will perform a debridement and skin graft procedure to heal her chronic wound. Now, Lucy needs help to fund this $1,129 procedure. Lucy says, “I feel that my life has lagged behind. I wish to be treated and at least continue with my education and help my parents.”

Nehemiah is a young boy from Tanzania. He is the fourth in a family of nine kids. Nehemiah has clubfoot of his left foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Nehemiah traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on December 14. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $890 to fund Nehemiah's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk easily and be able to join school. Nehemiah’s father says, “We are thankful that our son is receiving treatment.”

Ester is a baby from Tanzania. She is the youngest in a family of two children. Her parents are small scale farmers. Last summer, Esther sustained burns across her body. Her arm has become rigid, and she can no longer straighten it. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Ester receive treatment. On November 5, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help her regain function of her arm. Now, she needs help to fund this $608 procedure. Ester’s mother says, “I wish may child could get the needed surgery so that she can be able to use her right hand.”

Veha is a boy from Cambodia. He has one sister and one brother. He likes to eat fried fish. He likes studying literature and wants to be a police officer when he grows up. In infancy, he received multiple poorly administered injections in his thigh and buttocks. In time, this has resulted in difficulty walking. He needs to undergo a tendon and nerve procedure to release his knee and allow him to walk normally. Surgery is scheduled for September 6 and will cost $497. His father says, "We are worried about him and he cannot walk well."

Aung is a 13-month-old boy from Burma. He lives with his parents, his 13-year-old sister, and 8-year-old brother in Myawaddy, Karen State. Since he was born, Aung has had an inguinal hernia. Aung’s hernia is gradually increasing in size. Fortunately, on June 12, 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 Aung's hernia repair surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on June 12 and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. “We would like our son to finish school and become an educated man,” says Aung’s father.

Kaltum is a baby from Somaliland. She was born with an anorectal malformation, a congenital abnormality that leads to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. She needs to undergo a series of procedures to eliminate bowel dysfunction. Kaltum is scheduled to undergo surgery to correct her condition on April 24. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Kaltum's procedure and care. After her recovery, Kaltum will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. Her mother says, “We are from a poor community. My husband is a daily laborer and I am a house wife. We raise six children at home and I came here in order to get my child the right treatment. I can’t afford the medical bill and we raised fund to transportation to come to Ethiopia and to this hospital. Once we travel all this way and get to this hospital it is my hope to get the surgery and to see my child in a healthy and good position.”

Dah is a 46-year-old woman who lives with her husband, one son, and two daughters in Karen State, Burma. Dah has been unable to work since 2015 due to her poor health. Her oldest son works as day laborer on someone else's farm and supports their family. Both of her daughters are currently studying at school. Four years ago, Dah started experiencing back pain and had difficulty walking or standing for long periods of time. She went to see the doctor in a Burmese hospital, where she was diagnosed with a kidney stone. At that time, she was unable to afford the cost of treatment. Eventually, she went to Mae Tao Clinic, our medical partner's care center, for further treatment and the doctor sent her to Mae Sot Hospital for further investigation. At the hospital she was again diagnosed with a kidney stone and was told she would require surgery to remove the stone. She was referred to Burma Children Medical Fund, our medical partner, for assistance in receiving treatment. Now, Dah is scheduled for a procedure called shockwave lithotripsy on March 8. She needs help raising $1,500 to pay for this treatment. Dah said, “I want to recover quickly so I can return to work. I want to be able to support my daughters so that they can continue with their studies.”