Florence is a Form Three student from Kenya. Florence is the oldest child in a family of five girls. She lives with her mother and siblings in a two-roomed house, relying only on their mother for daily upkeep after her father neglected them. Three years ago, Florence was involved in a road accident. While going to school, she was hit from behind by a passenger van, fracturing her right femur. Since then, she has had multiple surgeries to correct the fractures. She suffers severe pain and persistent infection. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Florence receive treatment. On May 15th, surgeons will perform a debridement and skin graft procedure so she will no longer be in pain and her risk of infection will be reduced. Now, Florence needs help to fund this $1,242 procedure. Florence says, “My greatest wish is to go back to finish school and at least help my mother.”

Win is a 49-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her husband and four sons. Two of her sons are distant learners at university while her husband and two other sons work as masons. However, her husband had to stop working to look after the housework when she was no longer able to do so. Win was diagnosed with a heart condition that involves a malformation of her 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, Win feels tired, has no appetite, cannot sleep well nor walk longer distances. She also has a headache, chest pains, and tingling and numbness in her extremities. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Win. The treatment is scheduled to take place on March 11th and, once completed, will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably. Win said, “When I recover from my illness, I will go back to doing the housework so that my husband can also go back to work.’’

Jonah is a jovial and high-spirited student from Kenya. He is the 7th born in a family of 8 children. He is in class 2 at Mwiteria vision academy under a sponsorship of a well-wisher. The family hails from Iteria village in Meru County. His single mother used to be a farmer, but she currently stays at home. She recently underwent an amputation on her leg after suffering from diabetes. Jonah has clubfoot of his left foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Jonah traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on March 16th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,224 to fund Jonah's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk easily. “We request your support, being the only breadwinner in the family and I am also impaired. I have two boys who need surgery. I am not able to raise the bill. Please help,” said Jonah’s mother.

Karen is a two-year-old child from Tanzania, who is the last born child in a family of four children. Karen’s father works at a mine while her mother works as a storekeeper at a local school. Through their income, they are able to support their family's basic needs. Karen was diagnosed with bilateral genu varus, meaning her legs curve 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 struggles to walk. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $838 to fund corrective surgery for Karen. The procedure is scheduled to take place on February 13th. Treatment will hopefully restore Karen's mobility, allow her to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease her risk of future complications. Karen’s father says, “Please help my daughter get this treatment so that she will be able to walk well without pain.”

Ngwe is a 46-year-old from Burma. She lives with her husband and 16-year-old son in Winkabar Village, Kyain Seikgyi Township, Karen State. Her son studies in grade 6 while her husband works as a day labour tapping rubber trees. Ngwe stopped working three years ago because of her health problems. Ngwe 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, Ngwe feels tired and sometimes she has heart palpitation when she is active. She cannot walk long distances. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Ngwe. The treatment is scheduled to take place on October 31st and, once completed, will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably. “When I recover fully, I want to meditate [at the temple]. I also want to help out with household chores and make merit through various activities,” said Ngwe.

Kyi is a 58-year-old woman from Burma. She lives alone and used to sell clothing in her village. However, she stopped working since her symptoms worsened, over a year ago. She now has no income but is able to pay her daily expenses with money she has saved. Kyi 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, Kyi feels tired when she walks and has a rapid heartbeat. She has also started to experience chest pain and shortness of breath. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Kyi. The treatment is scheduled to take place on November 4th and, once completed, will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably. Kyi said, “I felt very sad when I was told that the surgery will cost a lot because I do not have enough money to pay for my own heart surgery. I used up a lot of my money to go to a hospital which did not diagnose me. I felt less burdened when I met Pinlon Hospital’s staff and she told me that an organization [BCMF] will support my surgery’s cost.”

Khun is a 17-year-old from Cambodia. He enjoys listening to music, exercising, and he hopes to become a businessman when he gets older. Since 2015, Khun has experienced debilitating pain in both of his hips caused by osteoarthritis. He has to walk with crutches and dropped out of school because he was unable to sit in class for long periods of time. Fortunately, Khun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. At CSC, surgeons can perform a total hip replacement to relieve Khun of his pain and allow him to walk easily. Treatment is scheduled for November 5th, and Khun needs help raising $1,025 to pay for this procedure. Khun's mother said, "I hope that after surgery, my son will be able to sit and walk without any difficulties, and I won't have to worry about his condition anymore."

Da is a mother of four from Thailand. She is a homemaker, looking after household chores and her two children who are still in school. During her free time, she likes to spend time with her children and reads religious texts to them. Da 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. Da currently suffers from chest pain, pain in the middle of her back and extreme tiredness. When the doctor diagnosed her, she became upset and is worried as her children are still very young. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Da. The treatment is scheduled to take place on October 13 and, once completed, will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably. Da said, “Although I tried to forget about my condition, it's always on my mind and I feel very irritated. I want to be healthy again and help my husband with his work. I also want to see my children grow up and send them all to a Thai school.”

Enelo lives in a small town in southwestern Haiti with his mother and father; he is their first child. Shortly after birth, he was diagnosed with two holes in his heart: atrial septal defect, between the two upper chambers; and ventricular septal defect, between the two lower chambers. During surgery, doctors will use patches to close both of these holes so that his heart can pump blood normally.

Alex is a farmer from Kenya. He is married and a father of two. For three years, Alex has had a right hydrocele and abscess. This is causing him pain and discomfort. Fortunately, on August 6, he will undergo repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $384 to fund Alex's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably.

Keziah is a farmer from Kenya. For one year, Keziah has been experiencing irregular bleeding, back pain and continuous fatigue. She has been diagnosed with cervical cancer. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $756 to fund Keziah's surgery. On July 9, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center. Once recovered, Keziah will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Keziah says, “My hope and prayer is to have treatment and reduce chances of cancer spread. I wish to age gracefully."

Srean is a 75-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She has one son and two grandchildren, and likes to listen to the monks pray on the radio in her free time. One year ago, Srean developed a cataract in each eye, causing her blurry vision, tearing, and irritation. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Srean learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On June 14, 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. She says, "I hope that after my surgery I will be able to help my daughter-in-law take care of her children and can visit the pagoda and go anywhere I want to."