Rose is a middle-aged woman, a wife and a mother to three children. She is a farmer on her small farm in Kenya where together with her husband, they work to meet the family's daily needs. Rose lives in a three roomed house in her ancestral land. Her children are educated by their grandmother as Rose is not able to meet the fees expenses. Rose started complaining of poor urinary control in October 2015. After visiting the hospital, she was diagnosed with cervical cancer and a total abdominal hysterectomy was recommended to remove her uterus. Rose is not able to engage in hard labor for long due to back pain and quick fatigue. Her productivity at work is thus lower than before. She has been visiting the hospital for clinics but has not been able to access the surgery due to financial constraints. For $800, Rose will undergo total abdominal hysterectomy surgery at AIC Kijabe Hospital. Her friends and family are subsidizing $21 of the treatment cost. “I want to be well and be able to continue with my work," shares Rose. "I fear having cancer in my body."

23-month-old Kervens was born with two holes in his heart: one between the two upper chambers, the other between the two lower chambers. Blood leaks through these holes without first passing through the lungs to get oxygen, leaving him sickly and weak. Because of the nature of his condition, the only way to know whether surgery is possible for Kervens is to first do a diagnostic cardiac catheterization, in which a catheter probe is inserted into his heart in order to take detailed measurements. The results of this test will determine whether he is operable, and if he is, his doctors will then go on to arrange surgery. This procedure is not available in Haiti, so he must travel to the Dominican Republic to undergo the test. Kervens is a very calm and happy child who likes to be carried and to meet new people. Kervens lives in northern Haiti with his mother, aunt, and an older sister. His mother is currently unemployed and looking for work, and so the cost of the diagnostic test that her son urgently needs is beyond her financial means. "My family is all praying that the test will go well and Kervens will be able to have his surgery," Kervens’ mother shares.

"Fredrick is a playful, four-year-old boy from Nairobi. He lives with his parents. His mother is a tailor while his father works as a shop attendant," reports our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). "The family lives in a single rental house on a larger urban estate. Due to their low income base, Fredrick's father supplements their income by selling fruits within their estate." "Fredrick is a playful boy but due to poor sound perception, he is not able to communicate as efficiently as any other 4 year old child," continues AMHF. "He had fluid-like discharge from his ears in December 2015, prompting his parents to bring him to our facility. The doctor advised Fredrick’s mother to get hearing aids." Fredrick's ear drainage is caused by a perforated left ear drum, a condition known as otorrhea. "If not assisted with the hearing aids, Fredrick may have poor performance academically and even socially as he grows up," explains AMHF. With $208, Fredrick can receive proper hearing aids to prevent further damage and allow progression of his development. Fredrick’s mother shares, “I want my child to have the hearing aids and be able to lead a normal life."

Meet Samuel, a 35-year-old father of four who lives with his wife, mother, and children in Kenya. In 2014, Samuel began experiencing migraines, blurred vision, and loss of balance. After visiting our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), Samuel was diagnosed with a benign pituitary tumor. "If not treated," AMHF reports, "Samuel may continue experiencing the painful head migraines and risk having complete blindness. There is also a chance of the tumor increasing and causing further complications on Samuel’s health." The recommended treatment for this condition is an interhemispheric parietal craniotomy, where the tumor will be removed after the parietal lobe is exposed. AMHF is confident that this procedure will improve Samuel's life and shares, "Samuel’s vision shall be restored and the painful migraines will end. Chances of further tumor complications will be reduced." As a result of his condition, Samuel is no longer able to attend his work as a cart operator. And, although his wife washes clothes to help support the family, her income is not enough to cover Samuel's operation. However, with a donation of $1,205, we can help Samuel get back on his feet. Samuel tells us, “I want to get well and be able to provide for my family and support my mother.”

Meet Layoni, a two-year-old boy from Tanzania. Our medical partner, African Mission Health Foundation (AMHF), tells us that Layoni was born to a large, loving family. His parents are both small scale farmers and tend a few livestock to support their five children. "Layoni was born with multiple deformities; Spina bifida, hydrocephalus and bilateral clubfoot," AMHF tells us. His neural tube defects were addressed with surgery when he was young, and he is doing much better because he received the medical treatment he needed at the time. "He likes to crawl and sit together with other children drawing on the ground," shares AMHF. He is getting eager to stand and walk, but with clubfeet, a musculoskeletal malformation where the feet are twisted out of shape, his feet and ankles are unable to support weight. With $1160, Layoni will receive surgery, stretching, and casting to reshape and strengthen his muscles. AMHF will provide a surgeon and hospital respite for his recovery, so that Layoni will be able to run around and play with other children. "I hope my grandson will one day be able to walk," Layoni's grandmother shared in their pre-operative interview with AMHF. With our help, Layoni will be able to walk normally.

Sophon is a 48-year-old man living in Cambodia. He lives with his wife, daughter, and two sons, and he works as a policeman. Before his hearing began to deteriorate, he enjoyed listening to programs on the radio. Sophon has hearing loss in his right ear due to a cholesteatoma he developed many years ago. Sophon’s condition started with recurring discharge from his ear, and since then it has been odorous and painful. "I get pain every day and my hearing is lost in that ear, which makes me unhappy,” Sophon shares. “I can't work anymore." A cholesteatoma refers to an expanding growth in the middle ear, which can eventually lead to damage in the bones of the ear. These growths are often infected, and can cause chronic drainage. Sophon needs mastoidectomy surgery to remove the cholesteatoma and remove either the posterior ear canal wall or the ossicles, depending upon the findings in surgery. For $809, Sophon can receive this life-changing surgery he needs. Funding also covers one day of post-operative care and three follow-up visits. After the surgery, he is expected to regain some hearing and no longer have drainage. “I hope after the operation the pain goes away,” Sophon adds.

“Cristobal is the light of his parents’ life,” writes our Medical Partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK). He “was a highly anticipated baby for his parents,” as Cristobal is their first child. Now two months old, he lives with his parents in their bamboo house in Guatemala, and loves playing with his rattle. However, Cristobal is currently at risk of dehydration and starvation. When he was born, “his mother was unable to produce enough milk to help him grow normally,” says WK. This has left him undernourished during a critical period of his development, and “without intervention he will not consume sufficient calories to survive his first months of life.” Cristobal’s parents cannot afford to buy the formula that would save his life. His father is a farmer, but does not have his own land to cultivate; rather, he earns the entirety of the family’s income by picking rubber on a relative’s farm. Fortunately, WK shares, “Although the effects of lactation failure are dangerous, treatment of it is simple.” $1,016 will provide Cristobal with a year’s worth of formula, and will also offer his mother one-on-one health education lessons with a nutritionist. With this supplemental food—and a mother who is deeply informed on how to monitor his health—WK says that “Cristobal’s immune system will strengthen and he will grow up to be a healthy energetic baby.” Cristobal’s mother tells us, “My dream as a mother is that he grows and one day can go to school. I want my son to be a man that is smart and hard-working. I love him so much, I hope God gives him many years of life.”

Mi Mi, a 48-year-old woman from Burma, was recently diagnosed with uterine fibroids--noncancerous growths that develop on the uterus and cause abdominal pain. While she and her husband run a small shop from their home, Mi Mi's condition limits her everyday activities. Our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP) explains, “Mi Mi feels lethargic and finds it difficult to breathe. Also she finds it difficult to move around. When she feels pain she leaves her work and her husband has to prepare and look after the shop.” “When Mi Mi walks a lot she has to stop because it is difficult to breathe well," BBP continues. "She can eat and sleep well but she has discomfort. Mi Mi is so worried because this is the first time she has had a major medical problem and is scared of the surgery, but she knows that she needs it.” For $1,500, Mi Mi will receive a total abdominal hysterectomy. This operation will remove her uterus and cervix--preventing the uterine fibroids from redeveloping in the future. In addition to alleviating her pain, this procedure will prevent Mi Mi from developing anemia by stopping any excessive bleeding caused by her condition. Mi Mi--who enjoys praying in her spare time--plans to return to helping her husband run their small shop after her recovery.

Meet Wily, a 17-month-old boy from Guatemala. “Wily lives with his parents and five siblings,” says our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK). “He is a happy child that loves to dance and play with toy cars. He likes to play with his oldest sister while his mother weaves and embroiders textiles to sell at the market.” Due to a lack of resources and food education, Wily is malnourished. He is far below the average height and the average weight for his age. “His father works as a farmer but between him and Wily’s mother they do not make enough money to afford enough food for their children,” says WK. “As a result Wily is eating very little solid food and relying heavily on breast milk. Without intervention he will continue to loose weight and not grow, and we worry that he is at risk of the long-term effects of malnutrition, as well as at risk of acquiring acute illnesses such as pneumonia.” For $535, Wily will receive supplemental nutrition to remedy his condition. His parents will also receive nutritional education to help them care for Wily in the future. “Intervention now will prevent the future effects of malnutrition, and give Wily the chance to live a healthy and productive life,” says WK. “He cries so often now, and his energy is low. I worry about my baby but am surprised and grateful that you want to help us,” shares Wily’s mother.

Meet Tha Khue, a three-month old boy from Burma. Tha Khue means “happy," according to our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP). His parents are subsistence farmers and occasional day laborers. Tha Khue has bilary atresia, a rare, life-threatening condition that causes a build of bile that seriously damages the liver. Tha Khue's symptoms include jaundice, a swollen abdomen, and frequent vomiting. $1,500 will fund a Kasai procedure for Tha Khue -- a surgical bypass to prevent liver damage. "Once Tha Khue has received treatment for his biliary atresia, his abdomen will become less extended, he will no longer suffer from jaundice or yellow urine, he will stop vomiting frequently, and cry less," BBP shares. “I am very worried for my son, I hope that he will be able to get treatment for his condition," Tha Khue's father shares. "In the future, I dream that he will grow up to be healthy and maybe even to become a doctor."

Meet Leang, a 64-year-old woman from Cambodia. "Leang is married with one son, three daughters, and three grandchildren. In her spare time she does housework,” shares our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. Leang earns her income working as a fisherwoman for her village. Leang has a mature cataract in her left eye. This condition occurs when a semi-opaque layer develops over the eye lens. As this typically occurs later in life, cataracts are the most common cause of blindness among older patients. Due to her condition, Leang is “unable to go to the pagoda, watch TV, and cook and care for her family. She can't see everything clearly,” CSC says. They add that Leang worries that she will become permanently blind and unable to leave her house without assistance. With $150, Leang will receive a simple, 45-minute procedure to remove the cataract. The old, affected lens on Leang’s left eye will be removed and replaced with a clear implant. After surgery, her vision will be fully restored. Leang tells CSC her hope is to see everything clearly again, do her work as fisherwoman very well, more easily visit the pagoda, and go outside by herself.

Meet Francis, a 13-year-old boy from Kenya. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), says, “Francis is the fourth born in a family of seven and all of his siblings are in school, where Francis is in class five.” Francis’s parents used to farm in a forest, until they were given notice to stop because some people were illegally cutting trees in the area. AMHF says, “Now Francis’s father works as a casual laborer on nearby farms, and he is barely able to put food on the table at the end of the day; his family has had to go many days without food.” Two weeks ago, Francis broke both of his legs. AMHF tells us, “Francis was in the forest playing with friends and looking for firewood for the household to use when he fell from a tree.” Both of his legs have bilateral midshaft femur fractures, and because of this he cannot walk and is on pain management medication. AMHF goes on to say, “If the surgery is not done soon, Francis could develop infection or suffer malunion and he would not be able to attend school in September - but if treated, he will be able to use crutches and move around a bit.” Francis needs orthopedic surgery to open the area around the broken bones and realign them with metal hardware. This procedure costs $1,410 and AMHF reports, “After the surgery and recovery, Francis will be able to resume school and walk normally again.” “I was begging the hospital to treat my son and hold me here to work off the bill when the doctor called," his father shares. "This support is a miracle from God.”