Rachel is a two-year-old girl from Guatemala who lives with her parents and younger sister. She is an active girl and adores playing with her younger sister and their dolls. Rachel also loves to eat her favorite foods, which are watermelon and chicken soup. Rachel has strabismus—a condition in which the eyes do not align in the same direction and appear crossed. Symptoms of strabismus include double vision, uncoordinated eye movements, headaches, and loss of vision or depth perception. If left untreated, Rachel’s vision could suffer irreparable damage. Throughout her short life, Rachel has already had to receive treatment for malnutrition, physical and speech therapy, leg-lengthening orthotic braces, and glasses. Because of the severity of her eye condition, our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, is requesting $1,500 to fund Rachel’s eye surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on July 4 and will involve consultations with a trusted eye specialist before and after surgery. Following treatment, Rachel will have healthy eyes for the first time in her life. Rachel’s mother says, “I dream for my daughter to have more opportunities in her life. I hope that she can study in a university."

Sovannarith is 50 years old and has four sons, two daughters, and one grandchild. He likes to play ping pong in his free time. About one year ago, Sovannarith developed a cataract in his right eye, whitening his lens and causing partial blindness. It is difficult for him to see things clearly, recognize faces, work, or go anywhere on his own. Sovannarith knew of our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), because his friend had surgery there before. He traveled one hour with his daughter to reach CSC for treatment. On July 18, Sovannarith will undergo small incision cataract surgery, in which doctors will replace his natural, cataract-clouded lens with a synthetic lens, allowing him to see clearly again. Watsi is asking for $211 to fund the operation. Your donation will help pay for eye surgeons, nurses, anesthesiologists, surgical supplies, and two nights of hospital stay.

Evelyne is a five-year-old girl from Kenya. She's the second born in a family of three children. Evelyne suffers from congenital angular deformity, a condition in which the joints or bones themselves bend abnormally. Her bones are also very weak and keep breaking. Because of her condition, Evelyne cannot walk or stand on her own, making it difficult for her to play with other kids or attend school. Evelyne has been treated with casting, but her condition has not improved. On June 22, Evelyne will undergo corrective surgery to treat her condition. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,165 to cover the cost of the surgery, five nights of hospital stay, medication, and medical supplies. “My joy is to see my daughter rising up and walk after surgery. I would also want to see her going to school. Due to the struggles I am experiencing, I would request for your help,” says Evelyne's father.

Deborah is a newborn who is only three days old. When she was born, her doctors noticed that she had a sac on her lower back. She was diagnosed with spina bifida, a spinal cord malformation. The hospital immediately referred Deborah's mother to our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre, for treatment. On January 22, Deborah will undergo a $1,200 spina bifida closure surgery at the medical center. Without this treatment, Deborah is at risk of complications, such as tethered cord syndrome or lower limb paralysis. Deborah's parents cannot afford to pay for the care their daughter needs. They need help to pay her medical bill. "I hope that this treatment will help my child to be healed and she will be happy," says Deborah's mother.

Channak is a four-month-old baby boy. He has two sisters, and he likes to stay at home with his mother. Channak was born with a left clubfoot. He was treated by an organization in Phnom Penh, but his symptoms did not improve. When his parents learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, they traveled for four hours to seek treatment. On November 23, CSC surgeons performed a clubfoot correction surgery. This procedure will help Channak walk normally. His family needs help to pay his $304 medical bill.

Tha Dah is a 13-year-old boy from Burma. In his free time, he likes to play with his friends and fix things. He lives with his parents and brother. His six older siblings are married and have homes of their own. Both of Tha Dah’s parents of are in poor health and cannot work. His older brother dropped out of school to support Tha Dah’s education and help his parents. He tends to the family’s rice paddy fields and livestock. They eat what they grow and sell chickens. Until earlier this year, Tha Dah was in fourth grade in a local school. He had to hold books close to his face to read them. Recently, however, his vision worsened, becoming blurry and forcing him to stop studying. Tha Dah and his mother traveled ninety minutes to reach our medical partner’s clinic. Tha Dah was diagnosed with severe cataracts. On October 5, he underwent cataract surgery on his right eye. Then, on November 16, he underwent the same surgery on his left eye. Now, his family needs help to raise $1,500 to fund this second surgery. Tha Dah plans to resume school after he recovers from his surgeries. Of the future, he says, “I want to be the owner of a workshop that fixes cars, bicycles, and motorbikes in my village.”