Neila is a beautiful, smiley, and charming three-year-old girl. She is the second born child in a family of two children. Her family shared that she is a very friendly and loving little girl. Neila was diagnosed with genu varus, where her legs bow outward. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, she cannot walk easily. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Neila. The procedure is scheduled to take place on January 11th. Treatment will hopefully restore Neila's mobility, allow her to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease her risk of future complications. Neila’s mother says, “I am struggling to make ends meet I won't be able to afford the treatment cost. Thank you for your help."

Kundi is a sweet 5-year-old girl. She is the second-born child in her mother’s family of three children. Kundi was diagnosed with left genu valgus, a condition in which her leg bows so that her 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, Kundi has difficulty walking and playing. On December 10th, Kundi will undergo corrective surgery at our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH). Treatment will restore Kundi’s mobility, allowing her to participate in various activities and significantly decrease her risk of future complications. AMH is requesting $880 to fund Kundi’s surgery. Kundi’s mother shared, “We are struggling a lot because we have been moving from one hospital to another seeking treatment for our last born child who has sickle cell. We cannot afford Kundi’s treatment. Please help her; she is struggling a lot in walking.”

Taw is a 30-year-old woman who lives with her family in a refugee camp in Thailand. Originally from Burma, Taw fled to the refugee camp with her father in 2008 due to a civil war in her village. She used to work as a midwife in the hospital in the refugee camp but became a homemaker after getting married in 2017. Her father is unemployed, while her niece, nephew, and son go to school. Her husband worked as a day laborer outside the refugee camp. However, since COVID-19 cases were detected in the camp and there was an increase in cases in Thailand, schools were closed, and her husband can no longer leave the camp for work. The family shared that they rely on support from a local organization called the Border Consortium, which is not enough for their daily needs, so they must stretch the income until the end of each month. In her free time, Taw loves to play with her son and cook her favorite foods. Taw is expecting her second child soon. Due to her first delivery via Cesarean section and complications during birth, Taw’s doctors recommended that she deliver by a Cesarean section to ensure her and the baby’s safety. On November 15th, Taw will undergo a Cesarean section at our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF). BMCF is requesting $1500 to fund this procedure. Taw shared, “I have one son now, so I would like to have a girl this time. After I have weaned my baby, I want to work as a midwife again at the hospital.”

Yee is a 48-year-old woman from Thailand. She lives with her husband, her daughter and a granddaughter in northern Tak Province. Yee's husband works in a rose farm and she is a homemaker as well as a caretaker of her granddaughter at home. Their family income is enough for their daily expenses and they are able to pay for basic healthcare but not for major treatment like Yee now needs. Currently, Yee feels that the right side of her head is achy and she experiences on-and-off pain around her right eye. When Yee feels the pain, she takes a pain medication, but she is worried because she cannot see anything with her right eye. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund lens replacement surgery for Yee. On October 12th, doctors will perform a lens replacement surgery, during which they will remove Yee's natural lenses and replace them with intraocular lens implants. After recovery, Yee will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $1,500 procedure. “When I recover from surgery, I want to raise chickens and pigs for my family to eat and sell some too. I will also be able to plant vegetables for my family to eat and sell some of those,” said Yee.

Evans works hard as a motorcycle taxi driver. He's the second-born in a family of five and had to drop out of school in grade 8 after his parents were unable to pay his secondary school fees. He opted to take a “Boda boda” (motorcycle taxi) job so that he could support his siblings and his children. Evans has two children that he works hard to provide for and he hopes to get married in the future. Now, he worries about not walking again. He is a hardworking and industrious man who makes ends meet for his young children. Two days ago, Evans sustained a traumatic right femur and tibia fracture after he was involved in a road traffic accident. He was rushed to the hospital for x-rays. Because he had an open wound on his femur, Evans was taken to the operating room for emergency washout surgery. A cast was placed and he was admitted to the surgical ward as doctors plan for his care. Evans is unable to walk or lift his right leg due to the fractures. He is worried that he'll continue lying in the hospital bed in a lot of pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMH) can help. On September 7th, Evans will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). Evans will heal and be able to work. He'll be able to fend for himself and help out his family and children. AMH is requesting $1247 to fund this procedure. Being single and without a proper job, Evans has very little to help him undergo this surgery. He has come out to ask well-wishers to help him raise money for his surgery so that he can walk again and continue supporting his family. Evans says, “If I could be walking now, I could be out there looking for a job and supporting my family. I have faith that I will walk again."

Grace is a beautiful, charming, and smiley 15-month-old baby. Grace's parents are small scale farmers and have one other child. They grow and sell maize and vegetables. Grace's mother sells fresh vegetables to her surrounding neighbors to make a living while, her father works at a carwash to support their family. Grace has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of her condition, Grace has been experiencing vomiting and high fevers. Without treatment, Grace will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $1,300 to cover the cost of surgery for Grace that will treat her hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on August 9th and will drain the excess fluid from Grace's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Grace should grow and develop into a strong, healthy young girl. Grace’s mother says, "Our baby is usually very active and playful but as days go by, her condition worsens, causing her weakness, vomiting and high fevers. Please help us."

Kefas is friendly and cheerful boy from Tanzania. He loves being around his mother and playing with his six-month-old sibling. Kefas' parents say their son has been complaining of pain for a while, but they did not take him to the hospital because they elected to try traditional herbal medication (which has not helped alleviate the pain). Recently, as Kefas was running towards his mother to welcome her home, he accidentally tripped and fell, sustaining an injury that forced his parents to take him to the hospital. Kefas was attended to and diagnosed with an inguinal hernia which needs to be corrected surgically. An inguinal hernia is a condition in which soft tissue bulges through a weak point in the abdominal muscles. Fortunately, on July 12th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $566 to fund Kefas' surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Kefas’ mother shares, "We have used traditional medication but it has not helped treat the condition. When he had the accident and went took him to hospital we were informed his inguinal hernia is bad and it has to be corrected. Please help, we cannot afford the money needed."

Marilyn is a 10-month-old baby girl from a small town in Colombia. She lives with her mother, grandmother, three aunts and one uncle, who is a farmer. Marilyn has clubfoot, a condition in which her foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Marilyn's family traveled to visit our medical partner, Clínica Noel, where surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on July 26th. Now, Clínica Noel is requesting $1,422 to fund Marilyn's life-changing procedure. After treatment, she will be able to start walking and running after her dreams as she grows. Her mother shared, "my biggest dream is for her to get well soon, to see her walking and running as a normal child, with no pain or anything."

Sorann is a 28-year-old sugar seller who lives in a rural province with his family. Sorann has one older brother and four older sisters. Last year Sorann got married, and his wife is five months pregnant. He travels around his village by motorcycle to sell sugar. In his free time Sorann enjoys playing football, listening to the radio, and watching Khmer boxing on TV. In January, Sorann was in a motor vehicle accident that caused paralysis of his left arm. He has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his left side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. He is unable to lift his hand and he cannot work. Sorann traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On May 12th, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, he will be able to use his left arm again. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $696 to fund this procedure. Sorann said, "I hope surgery goes well so I can get back to using my hand as soon as possible."

Sumeya is a baby girl from Ethiopia who loves music. She also loves sweets and playing with her mom. She is her parents' first child, and her mom is a housewife while her dad is a teacher in a mosque. They all live together in his parents’ house, who help support them with their basic needs. Sumeya 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. Sumeya is scheduled to undergo surgery to correct her condition on April 20th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Sumeya's procedure and care. After her recovery, Sumeya will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing serious health complications in the future. Her mom said “ It is my hope that my baby will heal and get in to school.”

Fidelica is a third grade student from Haiti. She is an only child and enjoys learning to play piano and guitar. Fidelica has a cardiac condition called atrial septal defect, which means a large hole exists between the two upper chambers of her heart. This condition may have serious risk factors for heart failure or stroke. In order to receive treatment, Fidelica must fly from Haiti to the Dominican Republic. On March 15th, she will undergo cardiac surgery, as surgeons will use a patch to close the hole in her heart. Another organization, Gift of Life International, is contributing $5,000 to pay for her surgery. However, Fidelica's family needs help raising an additional $1,500 to fund related costs such as labs, medicines, and follow-up appointments. This funding will also help the family cover travel costs for the procedure, such as obtaining a passport and having social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, accompany Fidelica's family overseas. Fidelica's mother says, "I am excited for this surgery so that I can let my daughter run and play with other children!"

Sanchez is a 3-year-old boy from Haiti. He is an only child who lives with his mother and father in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. He likes drawing pictures and playing with toy cars. Sanchez has a heart condition called ventricular septal defect, which means that there is a hole between the two lower chambers of his heart. He will fly to the United States to receive life-saving treatment. On February 17th, Sanchez will undergo cardiac surgery, during which doctors will close the hole in his heart by sewing a patch over it. Another organization, HeartGift Foundation, is contributing $17,000 to pay for the surgery. Sanchez's family also needs help funding the costs of surgery prep and travel. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, check-up and follow-up appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social worker from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Sanchez's family overseas. Sanchez's mother shared, "our family has been praying for years that our child would be able to have this surgery. We are nervous but very glad it is happening!"