Brian is a baby from Kenya. The family lives in Makulani village in the Eastern region of Kenya. Brian has been diagnosed with encephalocoele, a type of neural tube defect in which brain tissues and overlying membranes protrude through openings in the skull. Encephalocoele usually results from a failure of the neural tube to completely close during fetal development. Without treatment, Brian is at risk of developmental delays, brain damage, or premature death. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $929 to fund encephalocoele repair surgery for Brian. The procedure is scheduled to take place on February 7. Hopefully, the repair of this condition will allow Brian to grow up healthy. “I hope he gets treated,” says Brian’s mother.

Srey Nith is a three-year-old girl from Cambodia. She has one brother and one sister. She likes to play with her siblings, watch TV, and go for walks. Two years ago, she was burned by an electric pot on her three left fingers. Burn scar contractures have developed, tightening the skin around her burn. It is difficult for her to bend her fingers. When Srey Nith's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, they traveled for one hour seeking treatment. On January 8, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to to help her use her fingers easily again. Now, her family needs help to fund this $448 procedure. Her father says, "I hope my daughter can use her fingers again easily."

Mbwana is a child from Tanzania. He has been diagnosed with acquired bilateral genu varus. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, Mbwana has difficulty walking. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $940 to fund corrective surgery for Mbwana. The procedure is scheduled to take place on December 6. Treatment will hopefully restore Mbwana's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Mbwana’s mother says, “Please help us.”

Savuth is a hair dresser from Cambodia. He has one daughter and two sons. He likes to go for walks, do housework, and watch TV. Two years ago, he developed hip pain on his left side. He cannot walk, work, or support his family. Fortunately, Savuth learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. At CSC, surgeons can perform a total hip replacement to relieve Savuth of his pain and allow him to walk easily. Treatment is scheduled for October 17, and Savuth needs help raising $1,025 to pay for this procedure. He says, "I hope I can walk normally again after the operation."

Tanica is a student from Haiti. She lives in Port-au-Prince with her parents and three siblings. She is in the third grade and likes reading and art. Tanica has a cardiac condition called atrial septal defect. A hole exists between the two upper chambers of her heart. On October 10, she will undergo cardiac surgery at St. Damien Hospital, our medical partner's care center. During surgery, 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 surgery. Tanica'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, "We would like to say thank you to everyone who is making this surgery possible for our daughter!"

Paul is a baby from Tanzania. He is the first child to his young parents. Paul's parents practice small-scale farming in order to meet their basic needs. Paul has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of his condition, Paul has been experiencing an increasing head circumference. Without treatment, Paul will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,238 to cover the cost of surgery for Paul that will treat his hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on September 7 and will drain the excess fluid from Paul's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, Paul will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. Paul’s mother says, “Please help us.”

Faith is a woman from Kenya. She is a housewife, while her husband is a security guard. They have three children and live in rural eastern Kenya. Three years ago, Faith suffered a toothache that left her with a small swelling on her left mandible. She visited different local hospitals, where she was given medication with no proper diagnosis. In February 2018, Faith and her husband came to our medical partner's care center, and she underwent a minor surgery to remove the swelling. However, the surgeon noted that the benign cyst was not fully removed. If not treated fully, Faith risks developing further complications. Fortunately, Faith will undergo a mandibulectomy on August 21. Now, she needs help raising $1,500 to fund surgery. Faith says, “My hope is to have the swell subdued and the risk of further complications reduced."

Stanley is a baby from Kenya. He has one sibling. His mother is a laborer, and they live in a single-roomed rental home. Stanley was born with spina bifida, a type of neural tube defect in which the spine does not properly close around the spinal cord. Without treatment, Stanley is at risk of lower-limb paralysis, infection of the exposed nervous tissue, development of tethered cord syndrome, and possible developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,097 to cover the cost of Stanley's spina bifida closure surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on July 9. This procedure will hopefully spare Stanley from the risks associated with his condition, instead allowing him to grow and develop along a healthy trajectory. “I want my boy to be treated and lead a normal life," says Stanley’s mother.

Ray is a five-year-old boy from Burma. He lives with his parents and eleven-year-old brother. Ray will start school this year. He loves to play with toy crane with his older brother. Since he was a month old, Ray has had right inguinal hernia. He experiences pain. Fortunately, on June 4, 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 Ray's hernia repair surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on June 4 and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. Ray’s mother says, “I hope that my son will get better soon and be able to play with his favorite toy crane again.”

Iloveda is a young woman from Haiti. She lives on an island off the west coast of Haiti with her parents, who are both farmers. Iloveda is in the seventh grade in school, and would like to be a nurse or a teacher when she grows up. Iloveda has a cardiac condition called Tetralogy of Fallot, in which a hole exists between the two lower chambers of the heart and a muscular blockage prevents adequate blood flow through one of the valves. This condition leaves her sick and short of breath, and would eventually be fatal. Iloveda will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On May 8, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will close the hole with a patch, and remove the muscular blockage. Another organization, HeartGift Foundation, is contributing $20,000 to pay for surgery. Iloveda'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 Iloveda's family overseas. She says, "I am excited to have a healthy heart and to do everything I want to do without getting tired!"

Lackson is a farmer from Malawi. He lives with his wife on their small farm, and they have four grown children and many grandchildren. Lackson raises livestock to supplement the family income, and in his free time he enjoys attending church with his family. Since June 2017, Lackson has been experiencing pain and urinary difficulty. These symptoms are caused by an enlarged prostate, a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia. He needs to undergo a prostate resection surgery, a procedure in which surgeons will remove part of the enlarged gland. Our medical partner, World Altering Medicine, is requesting $733 to fund Lackson's surgery. On April 3, he will undergo prostate surgery at Nkhoma Hospital, our medical partner's care center. The requested money pays for supplies, medications, and two weeks of hospital stay. Lackson was thrilled to learn his surgery would be funded and he is looking forward to going home pain-free. He says, "Thank you for this, Watsi."

Dah is a 46-year-old woman who lives with her husband, one son, and two daughters in Karen State, Burma. Dah has been unable to work since 2015 due to her poor health. Her oldest son works as day laborer on someone else's farm and supports their family. Both of her daughters are currently studying at school. Four years ago, Dah started experiencing back pain and had difficulty walking or standing for long periods of time. She went to see the doctor in a Burmese hospital, where she was diagnosed with a kidney stone. At that time, she was unable to afford the cost of treatment. Eventually, she went to Mae Tao Clinic, our medical partner's care center, for further treatment and the doctor sent her to Mae Sot Hospital for further investigation. At the hospital she was again diagnosed with a kidney stone and was told she would require surgery to remove the stone. She was referred to Burma Children Medical Fund, our medical partner, for assistance in receiving treatment. Now, Dah is scheduled for a procedure called shockwave lithotripsy on March 8. She needs help raising $1,500 to pay for this treatment. Dah said, “I want to recover quickly so I can return to work. I want to be able to support my daughters so that they can continue with their studies.”