"I hope to become a doctor in the future," shares 15-year-old Everest, a student living in Tanzania. He is the ninth born in a family of ten, and enjoyed playing football and marathon before a recent accident. After he completed his primary education, Everest fell while playing football and incurred a fracture on his left femur, explains our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). He was taken to the hospital but, due to a lack of funds for treatment, the fracture was not treated. Everest's left knee became very swollen since the accident, and caused him a lot of pain. He went back to the hospital when he was completely unable to walk and "was diagnosed with osteomyelitis, which was successfully treated," explains AMHF. "But, now, Everest cannot walk without crutches because of acquired deformity of the left femur due to the old fracture." "Everest needs corrective surgery so that he can walk again," says AMHF. Unfortunately, his parents' income as farmers is not enough to support their large family and fund Everest's medical expenses. $940 will cover the cost of Everest's treatment - surgery to realign the bones in his leg, as well as casting and post-operative care. After his operation, Everest will be able to walk again and his risk of developing osteoarthritis will be reduced. "I will be happy to go back to school," shares Everest.

"Daudi has congenital deformity of both feet (clubfeet)," our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), tells us. Daudi is a 2-month-old baby boy from Tanzania. "Apart from the deformity of his feet, Daudi is healthy, happy, and feeds well." Clubfoot occurs when the tendons connecting the leg muscle to the foot bones are short and tight, causing the foot to twist inward. If left untreated, it will force Daudi to walk with the lateral aspect of his feet, which will affect his gait and cause him pain. Daudi will undergo a four-month process to gently stretch and manipulate the foot into the correct position, which will be held by casts in between sessions. The initial treatment of clubfoot is non-surgical. $1,160 will cover the full cost of Daudi's treatment. While his parents are concerned for his condition, they are unable to fully support the cost of the treatment as they work as farmers and vendors in their village. After treatment, "Daudi will not use the lateral aspect of his feet for walking," AMHF tells us. "I will be happy to see my son with straight feet, which will allow him to comfortably play with other children when he grows up," Daudi's mother shares.

Meet Carlito, a 37-year-old man from the Philippines. "In June of 2015, Carlito underwent an operation on his left eye that later became infected," our medical partner, International Care Ministries (ICM), reports. Since the operation, Carlito has developed a perforated corneal ulcer—one that typically occurs when an infection causes the cornea to thin. The infection has greatly impacted Carlito's vision, making it difficult for him to work. As a pig farmer and factory worker, Carlito is the sole source of income for his family. He is married with three daughters, and is concerned about what will happen to his family if he should fully lose his vision due to the infection. $1,500 will cover the cost of a corneal autograft transplant, a procedure in which doctors will replace Carlito's damaged cornea with healthy corneal tissue. As the hospital, Mount Elizabeth Orchard, is located overseas in Singapore, the cost of treatment will also include two round-trip plane tickets for Carlito to access his care. Four days of post-operative care in Singapore will also be provided. After the operation, Carlito's vision will be restored, and he will be able to continue working. In his free time, Carlito is an active participant at the local church, and has even begun studying to become a full-time preacher. With the autograft transplant, Carlito will be able to continue with his lessons and "his life of learning can take its course," shares ICM. "Seeing my wife and my children smile means so much to me, and without your help, that would not be possible," Carlito says. "I am excited to follow the doctor's orders so I will be able to see again."

Three-year-old Andrea was born in Tanzania with clubfoot, a congenital condition that causes his foot to twist inwards. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), informs us that Andrea has been walking on the sides of his foot. This has caused him to experience pain and difficulty walking. “If not treated, Andrea will be at risk of developing osteoarthritis at a young age," AMHF shares. Working as farmers, his parents do not make enough money to provide for their six children and pay for Andrea’s treatment. For $1,160, we can help Andrea to get treatment; including all surgical and medical fees, leg casts and four months at a rehabilitation center. During surgery, Andrea's feet will be repositioned so that he can walk normally. AMHF expects that Andrea will have "improved gait and reduced risk of developing osteoarthritis" after treatment. “I pray that my son will have normal feet, ability to walk properly and that God will grant him a long and successful life,” says Andrea’s mother.

This little guy is Biskut, an eight-month-old boy from Ethiopia. "Biskut was born with an open anus and he suffered from bowel obstruction as a newborn," explains our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). "He survived after the colostomy he received when he was a week old, and since that time he has recovered from both the obstruction and the surgery itself." Due to his anorectal malformation, Biskut has been passing stool through his colostomy bag ever since the first procedure. Because colostomy bags only work as temporary solutions, this has caused some health complications for Biskut and has made life difficult for his parents, both of whom are young subsistence farmers. For $1,500, AMHF will surgically create a new anus for Biskut, allowing him to pass stool normally. This procedure will make life easier on Biskut and his parents. "Biskut is happy little one, apart from his colostomy problem," AMHF shares. "Right now his parents have no specific future dream except that their child gets well."

Sary is a 51-year-old woman living in Cambodia. She is married with two children and enjoys listening to music. Sary is a teacher at the local school and loves the impact of a profession in education. "Last November Sary got in an accident and was hit by cows," shares our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). "For the past 11 months she has experienced pain and can not use her right arm. She can not carry anything because her right arm is fractured. Her son must help her get around." Sary traveled five hours to reach CSC after her neighbor told her about the clinic. She has tried traditional Khmer medicine to fix her arm, but has seen no improvement. Her arm is in constant pain, especially when mobilizing. Sary's injury has kept her from teaching and fully caring for her family. For $405, Sary will undergo an open reduction and internal fixation procedure for her arm, which will return mobility and eventually eliminate pain. After this procedure, Sary will be able to return to teaching at the local school. "After treatment she hopes to return to work to support her family," CSC adds.

Soloman, a 4-year-old boy living in Kenya with his parents and two older siblings, has bilateral undescended testis. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), explains,“Soloman’s testes cannot be felt in the frontal sac. If Soloman is not treated, he is likely to develop testicular cancer and/or hernia. He will also be at risk of infertility in the future.” Soloman's condition was discovered three years ago. “Soloman’s mother noticed that both Soloman and his elder brother had undescended testes,” AMHF tells us. “She got concerned and took them for a medical checkup and they were later referred for specialized treatment. Attempts to have both Soloman and his elder brother treated did not bear any fruit as the parents could not raise the funds required for the surgery. Soloman’s mother hopes to bring her elder son for treatment once Soloman is well.” $570 covers the costs of Soloman’s double orchidopexy, a procedure which will place the undescended testes inside his scrotum. This will decrease the risk of him developing testicular cancer, a hernia or infertility in the future. “Mom told us that my brother and I are unwell,” shares Soloman. “I will be very happy if my brother and I got treated.”

Meet Carlos, a one-year-old baby from Guatemala and the youngest of four children. “He loves to play with his toy cars and make sound effects when he drives them along the floor of this house,” shares our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK). “Carlos is suffering from malnutrition. His weight and height are far below the average for his age, and he is at for the risk for long-term negative effects of malnutrition,” WK explains. “If left untreated, Carlos will not develop to his full potential physically and mentally, and will hit developmental milestones later than his peers.” WK adds that, without intervention, “Carlos’ energy will decrease, and he will be unable to develop to his full mental potential, thus limiting his ability to concentrate and go far in school. His immune system will weaken, putting him at risk for infections, such as pneumonia, and later in life he will be at higher risk for chronic illness such as diabetes and hypertension.” For $535, we can fund a comprehensive acute malnutrition treatment that will get Carlos back on track. “He will receive micronutrient and food supplementation and his parents will undergo intensive nutrition education so they feel confident continuing his care even after treatment with WK is completed. Carlos’ immune system will strengthen and he will have more energy to play with others and learn from his surroundings,” reports WK. In the words of Carlos’ mother, “I am grateful to God and to the institution for the help that you are bringing to my baby Carlos, so that he can recover. I don’t feel capable of being able to give him all the nutrients necessary for his recovery.” Let’s help Carlos regain his energy and return to a stable course of growth!

Meet Ernst, a 13-year old boy from Haiti. Ernst lives in the mountains of Haiti with his mother, father, and three sisters. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA), shares: “His parents are both small farmers, and he likes to help on the farm and take care of the animals.” Ernst was diagnosed with congenital heart disease at birth. He loves school, but sometimes he must miss classes because his illness makes the one-hour walk to school extremely difficult. “Ernst was born with a cardiac condition called tetralogy of fallot (TOF).” Those with TOF have four structural cardiac abnormalities, which collectively alter the heart’s normal flow of blood, preventing blood and oxygen from adequately circulating through the body. This abnormal blood flow can lead to serious health complications, including death. $1,500 will help Ernst travel to receive cardiac surgery overseas. After his surgery, Ernst will receive two months of post-operative care. $10,000 of the total treatment cost has already been subsidized by Health City Cayman Islands. “Following surgical repair of his heart defect, Ernst should be able to lead a normal life with no further symptoms from this condition,” HCA tells us. Ernst shares, “I am excited to have my heart fixed so that I can walk to school and play soccer with my friends!”

“I treasure him so much,” Miracle’s mother says of her second born son. A baby boy from Malawi, Miracle is living with hydrocephalus—a condition in which there is blockage in the pathways of cerebrospinal fluid (water in the brain). This blockage causes water to accumulate within the skull, putting increased pressure on the brain. Miracle's condition causes his "head to be very big, making it difficult for him to support his neck," says our medical partner, World Altering Medicine (WAM). The condition has also led to “delayed milestones, in that he is cannot see and has problems eating." If left untreated, the damage to Miracle’s brain will increase and neurodevelopment will cease. Miracle's mother, however, does not have the funds to pay for Miracle's surgery. With $992 in funding, Miracle will receive an endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV). In this procedure an endoscope is used to make a small whole in the brain to bypass the blockage. Funding also supports Miracle’s post-operative medication and a ten day hospital stay. WAM explains that after the procedure, “the pressure in Miracle’s brain will normalize and his head will return to normal size. He will be able to see properly and it will ease his eating difficulties. He will also be able to sit down on his own.” Miracle's mother tells us she “would be very happy if he could get treated." Let's help make it possible!

"Since 2010, Jane has been suffering from this condition. She went to a hospital and a scan was done which showed she has uterine fibroids and required surgery to treat," says our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). "However, Jane did not have money for treatment." 44-year-old Jane is a single mother of three children from Kenya. She works as a tailor, but her small income is not enough to cover any additional expenses beyond basic needs. Jane needs a total abdominal hysterectomy to treat her uterine fibroids, and we can help make it possible. The surgery will cost $790. Included in the cost is Jane's hospital stay, meals, laboratory testing, imaging, and anesthesia. "I have been in pain for a long time and it is having a negative effect on my small business," Jane shares. "I look forward to the day when I will get well and be able to work and support my family.”

"Fernando is a shy but very intelligent boy," shares our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA). "He knows how to read and is starting to do math by himself." Five-year-old Fernando has a congenital heart disease called ventricular septal defect. "Fernando was born with a hole between the two ventricles (lower chambers) of his heart," says HCA. "Because of this hole, blood can flow back to his body without first obtaining oxygen from the lungs, leading to fatigue and heart failure." "He has not yet started kindergarten because of his illness," HCA continues. "But his family is eager to send him to school after his surgery. He would also like to learn how to speak English!" Health City Cayman Islands has contributed $7500 toward surgery that will close the hole in his heart, and $1500 will cover the remaining costs, which includes overseas transportation from Haiti. "We tried many, many hospitals who all told us it wasn't possible for him to have surgery," Fernando's mother shares. "But we kept praying and our prayers were answered!"