Komugisha is a 48-year-old woman from Uganda. She is married and has five children. Three of her children are still in school, and two of them are married. Her husband is a businessman. For the last 14 years, Komugisha has had swelling on the front of her neck. This is affecting Komugisha's breathing patterns and has made swallowing painful. Komugisha was diagnosed with a multi-nodular goiter and a thyroidectomy was recommended. If not treated, Komugisha may develop hyperthyroidism. On September 14, Komugisha will undergo a thyroidectomy. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, has requested $240 to fund Komugisha's treatment. This will cover the full cost of treatment, including a four-night hospital stay, physician time, labs, medication, and supplies. After surgery, Komugisha's breathing patterns should improve and she should be able to eat without pain. She hopes to continue farming after her surgery as well.

Carlos is a one-month-old baby boy from Guatemala. He lives with his mother and four siblings. Carlos's mother is unable to produce breastmilk and has resorted to feeding him warm sugar water to fill him up. This limited diet is insufficient and has dangerous implications for Carlos's health. Lactation failure can lead to starvation, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalances that cause seizures. Brain development during this period is particularly sensitive and continued malnourishment could put Carlos at risk for long-term damage. Our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq, is asking for $1,162 to fund Carlos's treatment. By supplying Carlos with formula and his mother with health education, Carlos will receive the nutrients he needs to grow and thrive. One-on-one education with Carlos’s mother will teach her how to provide a nutritious, inexpensive diet for her son. His mother will also learn to check for signs of malnutrition and other illness. “Thank you for this support that will be given to my nephew. We wish to see our nephew grow so that he can go to school in order to have a better future and become a good person,” his aunt says.

Jores is a young man from Haiti. He lives with his parents in Port-au-Prince. He is not currently working because of his heart condition, but has a college degree in business management. Jores has a cardiac condition called left ventricular hypertrophy. The pumping muscles on the left side of his heart have become too thick because of an infection he suffered, and as a result cannot adequately pump blood to the rest of his body. Jores will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On December 8, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will remove some of the muscle thickness from his heart, so that it can pump more normally. Another organization, The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano, is contributing $65,000 to pay for surgery. Jores'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 Jores's family overseas. He says, "I am very glad to know that the doctors can make my heart normal again!"

Pawt Sue is a bright and active four-year-old boy from Burma. He lives in a village with his mother and seven-year-old brother and two-year-old sister. His father works in a restaurant in Thailand and sends money to the family every two or three months. Since he was a week old, Pawt Sue has had an inguinal hernia. Whenever he cries, his scrotum became swollen. As the time went by, his condition seemed to worsen. The more active he became, the more pain he experienced. Fortunately, on December 18, 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 Pawt Sue's hernia repair surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on December 18 and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. His mother says, "My son says he wants to be a surgeon when he grows up. He wants to help other children who are in pain."

Vakisoni is a 65-year-old farmer from Malawi. He is married and loves spending time with his many children and grandchildren. Their entire family works together to grow crops and raise chickens. In January, Vakisoni began to experience pain and difficulty urinating, symptomatic of an enlarged prostate. Prostate resection, in which part of Vakisoni's enlarged prostate gland will be removed, is needed in order to relieve him of his pain. Our medical partner, World Altering Medicine, is requesting $733 to fund prostate surgery for Vakisoni. The procedure is scheduled to take place on June 28 and, once completed, will hopefully allow Vakisoni to return to his family and his work free from pain and discomfort. "Thank you!" exclaims Vakisoni.

Stephen is a five-year-old boy from Kenya. He lives with his parents, both of whom are subsistence farmers. Ever since he was born, Stephen has had an undescended left testicle. Doctors assured his parents that it would descend by the time he turned five, but this has proven to not be the case. His parents are eager to find treatment so that Stephen can avoid the potential complications of his condition, which include testicular cancer, hernias, and infertility. His parents also fear that Stephen will be teased by his peers at school. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $535 to cover the cost of Stephen's operation. His treatment is scheduled to take place on June 29 and, once completed, will hopefully allow Stephen to live a life free from the medical risks associated with his current condition. “I want to be a driver when I grow up," shares Stephen.