Alphatina is a mother of two children from Kenya. She suffered burns when the kerosene stove she was using blew up in July 2016. She healed with contractures on her neck, and she is not able to move her head freely Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Alphatina receive treatment. On July 22, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery. Now, she needs help to fund this $1,176 procedure. Alphatina says, “I would want to be well and continue bringing up my children together with my husband."

Srey Nin is a twelfth-grade-student from Cambodia. She likes reading books, watching TV, and listening to music in her free time, and hopes to become a police officer in her free time. In January 2019, Srey Nin was in a moto accident that caused a fracture and deformation in her left leg. She often experiences pain in her knee and cannot walk without support. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On June 13, Srey Nin will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $430. This treatment will help to realign the bones in Srey Nin's leg, and allow her to walk again without difficulty. She says, "I hope that after operation, I will be able to walk easily again and won't have any more pain."

Guertha is a mother of one from Haiti. She lives with her parents and young son on a small farm in the mountains of northern Haiti. Guertha has a cardiac condition called severe rheumatic mitral regurgitation. One of the four valves of her heart cannot open and close properly due to an infection she suffered several years ago. As a result, her heart cannot adequately circulate blood through her body and she is weak and short of breath. Guertha will fly to Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On May 1, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will remove her damaged valve and implant an artificial replacement. Another organization, Fundacion Heart Care Dominicana, is contributing $10,000 to pay for surgery. Guertha's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Guertha's family overseas. She says, "I am hopeful that after this surgery I will have my health and energy back!"

Kyaw Myat is a five-year-old boy from Burma. He lives with his family in Ma Gyi Pin Village, Tigyaing Township, Sagaing Division. Kyaw Myat 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 Kyaw Myat, which will drain the fluid that has accumulated in his brain. The procedure is scheduled to take place on April 19, and, once completed, will greatly improve Kyaw Myat's quality of life. His father says, "After my son underwent MRI, the result shows that he is suffering from hydrocephalus and need surgery. I hope he will feel better after this surgery."

Damaris is a toddler from Kenya. She is an active three-year-old girl. She lives with her parents and three elder siblings. Damaris 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. Damaris is scheduled to undergo surgery to correct her condition on March 7. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,327 to cover the total cost of Damaris's procedure and care. After her recovery, Damaris will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. “I am glad I could get help from you,” says Damaris’s mother.

Clara is a preschooler from Haiti. She lives with her parents and younger sister in a rural area not far from the capital. She likes attending preschool and playing with her friends and neighbors. Clara has a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus. A hole exists between two major blood vessels near the heart; blood leaks through this hole, leaving her weak and short of breath. On February 10, she will undergo cardiac surgery at St. Damien Hospital, our medical partner's care center. During surgery, surgeons will stitch the hole closed so that blood no longer leaks through it. Another organization, Gift of Life International, is contributing $5,000 to pay for surgery. Clara's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 requested by our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, covers cardiac exams and medications. Her mother says, "Our family has been praying for this surgery since we learned our daughter was sick, and we are very happy the day has arrived!"

Chorn is a rice farmer from Cambodia. She has one son, four daughters, and ten grandchildren. She likes to watch Thai TV dramas in her free time. Two weeks ago, Chorn developed a cataract in each eye, causing her blurry vision, irritation, tearing, clouded lenses, and photophobia. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Chorn learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On January 10, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $398 procedure. Her daughter says, "I hope my mom's surgery is successful so she can see better and she can live an independent life."

Latt is a 25-year-old man from Thailand. He moved to Thailand with his parents and younger brother from Bago, Burma 23 years ago. Currently, Latt’s parents and his younger brother live in Chonburi, Bangkok. Nine months ago, Latt married his wife Ni Ni and moved with her to another area of Bangkok. Together with his wife, he works in a factory that prepares noodles, fried rice, and other meals for lunch boxes. Latt was diagnosed with a heart condition that involves a malformation of the mitral valve, the valve between the left atrium and left ventricle. This valve controls the flow of blood, but certain conditions may cause blood to flow backward or the valve to narrow. Currently, Latt experiences fatigue and chest pain. He unable to sleep well at night because of the chest pains. He is worried about his symptoms as he is no longer able to work and is unable to earn money for his family. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Latt. The treatment is scheduled to take place on December 2 and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. Latt says, “I really want to have surgery to recover so that I can work again. Now, I can’t sleep well because I think too much about my family and my symptoms.”

Thon is a rice farmer from Cambodia. She has one daughter. She likes to spend time at home and watch TV when not working. A year and a half ago, she developed hip pain on her left side. She was diagonsed with avascular necrosis, which is the death of bone tissue due to lack of blood supply. Fortunately, Thon learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. At CSC, surgeons can perform a total hip replacement to relieve Thon of her pain and allow her to walk easily. Treatment is scheduled for November 7, and Thon needs help raising $1,025 to pay for this procedure. She says, "I hope I have no more hip pain and I can walk on my own after the surgery."

Naomi is a child from Tanzania. She is the youngest in a family of three children. Naomi’s parents are both farmers. Naomi has clubfoot of both her feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Naomi traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on October 2. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $890 to fund Naomi's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will be able to walk easily without pain and discomfort. Naomi’s mother says, “I am really grateful that you have offered to help my daughter. God bless you. Thank you.”

Chakriya is a housewife from Cambodia. She has one son and one daughter. She likes crocheting and doing housework. When she was four, Chakriya had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in her left ear to perforate. For this reason, Chakriya experiences ear discharge, pain, and tinnitus. She cannot hear well and has ear pain Chakriya traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On September 5, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in her left ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $423 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. She says, "I hope my hearing improves after the operation."

Nan Htet is a 16-year-old student from Thailand. He lives together with his mother and older sister. About 18 months ago, Nan Htet suddenly became sick and started to vomit. He went back home to rest, but at night he continued to vomit. The next morning, his mother took Nan Htet to a nearby Burmese clinic, where he was examined and given several intravenous injections and oral medications. However, his condition declined further and he started to feel strong dizziness. That night, he had a seizure and became unconscious. His mother was terrified and called an ambulance, which brought Nan Htet to Mae Sot Hospital (MSH), our medical partner's care center. Still unconscious, he was admitted into the intensive care unit (ICU) and treated with antibiotics. Overall, he was in a coma for 46 days. Doctors want Nan Htet 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 his condition and formulate an appropriate treatment plan. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $469 to cover the cost of Nan Htet's CT scan and care, scheduled for August 14. Nan Htet's mother says, “Nothing matters for me unless my son becomes healthy again.”