Emmanuel is a student from Tanzania. He was diagnosed with genu valgus. His legs bow 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. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $940 to fund corrective surgery for Emmanuel. The procedure is scheduled to take place on July 4. Treatment will hopefully restore Emmanuel's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Emmanuel says, “My legs hurt a lot when I walk please help me have my legs treated.”

Khouk is a five-year-old girl from Thailand. She goes to kindergarten at a local school. In early June, Khouk was playing on the slide at school with her friends. She fell off the slide and onto her right arm, breaking her right forearm. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Khouk will undergo surgery to reset her fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for June 19 and will cost $1,500. This procedure will help her to have a pain-free forearm again. After Khouk has fully recovered, she will go back to school and continue her kindergarten class. Khouk's mother says, “If her broken arm heals, I will be very happy for her. Now I feel very sad when I look at her.”

Chhorn is a woman from Cambodia. In October 2018, Chhorn slipped and fell, fracturing her left hip. She visited Kampong Thom provincial hospital where she received an x-ray and steroid cream for her injuries, but she still experiences pain and cannot walk without support. Surgery will help to reconstruct and align the hip bones so that Chhorn will be able to regain full movement in her hips. Surgery is scheduled fo May 7 and will cost $497. In her free time, Chhorn enjoys growing vegetables, feeding the farm animals, cooking for her family, and watching television.

Narin is a man from Cambodia. In 2016, Narin suffered injuries to his leg and foot during an accident with farming equipment. He went to a Calmette Hospital in Phnom Penh to initially receive care, costing $7,000. However, he still suffers from restrictions and contractions in the toes of his right foot. Contracture release surgery will allow Narin to regain full function of his feet and toes, and return to his work on the rice farm without any pain or difficulty. Surgery is scheduled for April 26 and will cost $417. Narin looks forward to returning home to take care of his children, as well as join in soccer with his friends. He says, "I hope that after my surgery, I will be able to walk normally and return to my daily activities."

John is a motorbike driver from Kenya. Recently, he was involved in a road accident, suffering a closed acetabulum fracture. He is in pain and if not treated, he might heal with a malunion or suffer complications such as an infected bone or arthritis. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On March 14, John will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. After treatment, he will be able to return to work. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,042 to fund this procedure. John says, “My hope is to be treated and resume my duties. I am in pain and would not wish to be confined in bed unable to move”.

Phano is a man from Cambodia. For over a year, Phano has suffered from pain in his right hip, making it difficult for him to walk and participate in normal activities. He was first seen at another hospital in Phnom Penh, but could not afford treatment services. Phano will undergo surgery to reconstruct and replace the hip bone so that he will be able to walk without discomfort. The surgery is scheduled for February 14 and will cost $497. He has one daughter and is looking forward to seeing her grow up and being able to take care of her. He says, "I hope that after surgery I will no longer have any pain and can walk and do heavy work like normal."

Edward is a student from Kenya. He is the youngest in a family of four. Edward is a primary school student who aspires to become a doctor. His parents are farmers. This month, Edward was in a motorcycle accident, and he suffered a femur fracture. He needs intramedullary nailing to correct the fracture. He complains of mild pain. If not treated, Edward risks further complications, such as malunion. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On January 24, Edward will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This treatment will help him walk on his easily own again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,451 to fund this procedure. Edward says, “I wish to be treated. I want to become a doctor."

Hay is a twelve-month-old boy from Thailand. He lives with his family in Nu Poe Refugee Camp, Umphang District, Tak Province. Hay Soe’s father works with the Karen Department of Heath Welfare in the border area outside of the camp as a health worker. Since he was three weeks old, Hay has had a hernia. His parents worry that his condition will get worse if he does not receive surgery. Fortunately, on January 8, 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 Hay's hernia repair surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on January 8 and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. His mother says, “I want my son to get well and I want to help him go to school when he grows up. I want him to become a doctor and take care of sick people.”

Eh Kaw is a two-year-old boy from Burma. He lives with his parents, who are subsistence farmers. Since he was one month old, Eh Kaw has had an inguinal hernia. He cannot play with other children because of the pain that it causes. Fortunately, on November 1, 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 Eh Kaw's hernia repair surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on November 1 and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. Eh Kaw's father says, “My son loves to play a lot with his friends when he is not in pain. But when he is in pain, I have to carry him night and day, and he is not able to play.”

Kyi is a 26-year-old young woman from Burma. She lives with her sister, brother, an aunt, and two cousins in Kyike Bon Village, Hlaingbwe Township, Karen State. She looks after her two little cousins and also takes care of the household chores. In August, 2018, Kyi has been experiencing lower abdominal pain. She has been diagnosed with a uterine mass. She has been advised to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy, the surgical removal of her uterus and cervix. If left untreated, Kyi's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. Fortunately, Kyi is scheduled to undergo her hysterectomy on October 29. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Kyi says, "The only thing I need now is to recover from my illness."

Nan Myint is a 17-year-old girl who lives in Ei Hel Village, Hpa-an Township, Karen State, Burma. She lives with her parents, four siblings, brother in-law, and one niece. Nan Myint and her youngest sister are students, and Nan Myint just finished ninth grade this year in March. In February 2018, Nan Myint got sick and started coughing. In March, her parents took her to a clinic, and Nan Myint received an echocardiogram. After checking the results, the doctor informed her parents that Nan Myint has a heart problem and requires surgery. Currently, Nan Myint experiences tiredness, heart palpitations, and difficulty breathing. She is not able to walk long distances. This year, she stopped going to school because of her symptoms. Fortunately, she is scheduled to undergo heart surgery on September 3. Her family needs help raising $1,500 to help fund this procedure. Nan Myint said, “I want to continue my studies to grade 10 after my treatment. I want to be a teacher in my village after my school.”

Naw December is a mother of eight children from Burma. She lives with her husband and eight children. Naw December and her husband are farmers. In November 2017, Naw December noticed that she could not sit due to pain in her stomach and back. She went to the nearest clinic, where the doctor examined her and prescribed medication. The medication did not help, and the pain continued to worsen. The doctor then suggested that she visit Mae Tao Clinic (MTC), our medical partner's care center. Once there, she was referred to Mae Sot Hospital (MSH) for an x-ray. She was diagnosed with gallstones. Naw December has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, Naw December's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), Naw December is scheduled to undergo her cholecystectomy on August 28. BCMF is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Naw December's procedure and care. Naw December says, "Now, I experience the abdominal pain and a dry throat, and am stressed because I do not have money to continue visiting hospitals. I hope to get better soon and help out on the farm."