Sarin is a 53-year-old single woman who lives in Phnom Penh province and is the primary caregiver for her elderly parents. She has five living siblings (sadly, two of her siblings died young) who help to support her and her parents. Most of her day is taken up with caring for her parents, cooking, and cleaning. In the evenings, Sarin likes to practice dhamma - a form of Buddhist meditation - as well as listen to the village monks pray on the local radio station. For many years, Sarin had an ear infection. This infection caused a cholesteatoma, or an abnormal skin growth, to develop in the middle ear behind the ear drum. If untreated, a cholesteatoma can cause erosion of the three small bones located in the middle ear, resulting in nerve deterioration, imbalance, vertigo, and deafness. It can also affect and erode, through the enzymes it produces, the thin bone structure that isolates the top of the ear from the brain, risking further infection with serious complications. Sarin's cholesteatoma has caused her many problems. She suffers ear discharge, headaches, and a gradual loss of hearing. It is difficult for her to communicate with her family and other villagers, and she is embarrassed that she cannot hear well. She visited several hospitals seeking care but could not afford to pay for surgery. One of the hospitals suggested she visit our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). Sarin traveled to CSC and, after examination, learned that she will be able to receive treatment. On October 17, the ENT surgeons at CSC will remove the cholesteatoma by performing a mastoidectomy procedure in her left ear. CSC is requesting $926 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Sarin said: "I hopeful that this operation will improve my hearing and prevent a brain infection."

Justine, who is 37 years old, is a married man with three children in primary school. He is a laborer, who works with his wife on peoples’ farms to earn a living and to provide for their children. For over 20 years, Justine has been living with a large tumor located on his left cheek. While it started out small, it has continued to increase in size over the years. While he remains relatively symptom free, Justine is uncomfortable when he is out in public. Justine finally visited a facility for treatment, where a fine needle aspiration was performed, to determine whether or not the growth was malignant. The results indicated that the mass was benign, and doctors scheduled a procedure to excise it. However, as Justine didn't have sufficient funds to cover the costs of his treatment, he turned to herbal medicine for help. This has only worsened the tumor. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is seeking $1,196 to pay for Justine's mass excision, which is scheduled to take place on October 12th, at AIC Kapsowar Hospital. Once the tumor has been removed, Justine's self esteem will be restored, and he will be able to lead a more comfortable life. Justine says: “I have been uncomfortable and without confidence for over twenty years. Please help me so that I may have a normal face and be able to carry out tasks that will help me provide for my family.”

Samwel is a 15-year-old student. He is the second-to-last child in a family of seven children. He resides in the Mpanda region and had to discontinue his education during his primary school years due to the remote location of his school, which made it impossible for him to travel long distances because of his birth condition. His parents, who are farmers, work daily to provide food for the family and generate additional income by selling their surplus harvest. To supplement the family’s income, his mother also engages in a side business of selling charcoal. Despite his parents’ efforts to seek treatment for his condition, limited financial resources prevented them from affording treatment at hospitals capable of providing the specialised care he needed. Consequently, Samwel had to adapt to his situation. He assists his family with farm work, although he tends to tire quickly. Remarkably, he has even discovered a way to derive enjoyment from playing football and other sports with his friends. In July 2022, our medical partner's care centre had the opportunity to meet Samwel and his parents during one of the outreach visits. They were deeply moved by how he had found ways to enjoy his life despite living with a condition that could have limited him in numerous ways. Samwel has clubfoot of both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Samwel's family now traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, The Plaster House NGO. There, the team will begin clubfoot treatment on September 15. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $935 to fund Samwel's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk comfortably and play sports even better. Samwel says, “I feel like this is a blessing. I once thought I was meant to live with this condition for life. I hope this treatment will enable me to work harder and enjoy sports better.”

Saing is a 47-year-old man who resides in a refugee camp along the Thai-Burma border. He serves as a volunteer teacher, dedicating his time to educating the children in the camp. He owns a small garden where he cultivates vegetables for his own consumption and generously shares the surplus with others. During his free time, Saing spends time reading books. Saing has suffered from a right inguinal hernia for the past 5 years. Initially, he could push the swelling back into his abdomen, but since August 2023, this has become increasingly difficult. He has also experienced severe pain in his groin since then. Saing has been diagnosed with a right irreducible inguinal hernia. Saing's doctor has scheduled him to undergo a right herniotomy with mesh repair on September 4th to repair the hernia. Our medical partner Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF) will be helping Saing access treatment and he needs help raising $1,486 to fund the procedure. Saing said, “I would like to receive surgery to recover from my condition because I feel uncomfortable and I cannot do what I want to do. After the operation, I hope my condition improves and I can continue teaching.”

Maung is a 62-year-old grandfather who lives with his family in a village in the conflict areas of Karen State, Burma. His wife is retired and his daughter is a mother to his three grandchildren who are in nursery school. Maung is a day laborer on a farm, and his son-in-law is a carpenter. However, their combined income is not enough to cover their daily expenses, and they have to borrow money to buy food. In his free time, Maung loves to play with his grandchildren. Two years ago, Maung started to notice pain around his lower abdomen on the right side of his body. He took medicine he received from a local healer. The medicine worked for a while and managed to feel better. However, a few weeks ago, while Maung was working on the farm, the pain came back. He went to the healer but this time his condition did not improve. Two days after the pain arrived, his lower abdomen started to swell. The area has increased in swelling and when he walks he experiences a burning pain. If he coughs or sneezes, the swollen area increases and causes more pain. Maung had decided against going to a clinic or hospital due to his family's financial situation. Fortunately, Maung arrived at the care center of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), where he will be able to receive treatment. The doctor quickly diagnosed him with an inguinal hernia and told him that he needs surgery as soon as possible and scheduled his procedure for June 7th. BCMF is requesting $828 to help fund this procedure to heal his condition. Maung said, "Thank you very much to all the donors and BCMF for helping me to receive treatment. I will not be able to have treatment without your support. My income is not even enough for my family and I always have to borrow money to meet the end of the month. If I have to get treatment by myself, the only way I will have to choose is to suffer as I cannot afford it."

Grandpa, a 6-year-old boy, is the fifth born in a family of seven. Currently enrolled in the first grade, he already shws a strong enthusiasm for reading. Our medical partner first met with Grandpa at an outreach mobile clinic, where his father accompanied him. The family originates from Achapost, a village in the interior of Samburu County. Grandpa's father actively serves as a community health volunteer, while his mother diligently takes care of their home and family. Grandpa was born with bilateral clubfoot, a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. He has been living with the condition since birth and tiptoes as he walks. He cannot walk long distances or play with friends because of his condition. He is scheduled to undergo bilateral PMR, which will correct his feet and allow him to continue living a more active life. The family cannot afford the hospital bill and request support from well-wishers. "My joy would be seeing my boy walking and playing like other children and progressing with his education," Grandpa's father told us.

Ian is a 5-year-old boy from the valley of Elgeyo Marakwet county in Kenya. He is the second of three children. He loves playing football and helping his mother gather firewood and clean the house. His mother takes care of the house and family while his father tills land for planting. Ian's father is currently working in a village far away from their home in order to earn money to provide for the family. Ian recently came to the hospital in a lot of pain because he had fallen and hurt his right arm. X-rays revealed that his arm was broken near the elbow joint. He needs surgery in order to stabilize the broken bone. Since the arm was so swollen, Ian was admitted to the hospital; a splint was applied and the arm is elevated to reduce the swelling. Because Ian is very young, he needs surgery so that his arm will continue to grow properly. He is right-handed and currently does not have use of the arm or hand. Fortunately, on March 21st, surgeons at our partner African Mission Healthcare will perform surgery to help heal Ian's broken arm. He and his family need help raising $853 to fund Ian's surgery. Ian's mother shared, “My son is in so much pain, and I feel like transferring it to myself. I am worried because he is a right-handed person, and he has injured his right hand. I sincerely have no option and no funds to help my son. Please help him so that he may be able to go back to school.”

Brian is a cheerful 10-year-old student. He is the third and youngest child of the family. His mother is a homemaker and his father is a farmer. Brian lives with his parents and siblings in a village, and attends the local primary school, where he is in fifth grade. Despite his birth condition, Brian is a passionate footballer. Brian was born with a clubfoot condition in which his feet are twisted out of shape, and has been treated with serial casting starting from when he was just a day old. His left foot has corrected while his right foot has not - he currently tiptoes when he walks and feels pain whenever he runs, including pain on the field while playing football. Fortunately, Brian traveled to visit our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on March 13th. African Mission Healthcare Foundation is requesting $1,286 to fund Brian's procedure. After treatment, Brian will be able to walk well, play football, and continue with his studies uninterrupted. Brian's mother said, “I am pleading for help from the donors for my son to undergo surgery and I will appreciate your support.”

Abel is a two-month-old baby from Tanzania. He lives with his parents and six siblings in the Maasai community of Namalulu. Abel was born with clubfoot on both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape, which will make it difficult for Abel to wear shoes or walk. Fortunately, Abel was brought to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation. Now he is scheduled to undergo clubfoot repair surgery on March 17th at Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. African Mission Healthcare Foundation is requesting $935 to fund Abel's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk easily and live a life free from discomfort. Abel’s father says: “It is our hope that Abel gets treatment and has a good life ahead.”