Thein is a 17-year-old student from Burma. She lives with her parents and two younger brothers. Thein 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. Because of this, Thein must rely on her mother to help her with everything. However, her declining health has not stopped her desire to continue her education. She is determined to pass her grade ten exams and start university this year. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Thein. The treatment is scheduled to take place on May 2 and, once completed, will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably. She says, "My favorite subjects are chemistry and economics. I want to become an engineer."

Potifala is a farmer from Malawi. Potifala lives with his wife, and they have ten grown children. Potifala spends his days raising and caring for his livestock. In his free time, he likes to read the Bible with his wife. Since 2015, Potifala 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 Potifala's surgery. On February 13, 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. Potifala was thrilled to find out his procedure would be funded, and he is looking forward to going home and living a pain-free life He says, "I am so happy to meet you and thank you for helping me."

Jean Fritz is a student from Haiti. He lives in Gonaives, a city on the west coast of Haiti, where he is studying law. He enjoys computer programming as a hobby. Jean Fritz has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation. One of the four valves of his heart does not function properly because it was severely damaged by a rheumatic fever he suffered as a teenager. As a result, his heart cannot adequately circulate blood through his body, and he is weak and in heart failure. Jean Fritz will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On March 26, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will repair his mitral valve so that it opens and closes more normally. Another organization, The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano, is contributing $60,000 to pay for surgery. Jean Fritz'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 Jean Fritz's family overseas. He says, "I have been hoping for the chance for surgery for many years, and am very happy that I will soon have a repaired heart!"

Maureen is ten years old and lives in Kenya. She is a student and loves playing with her friends. She lives with her younger sibling and her mother. Her mother is a single parent and works as a farmhand. Maureen fell at school while playing with her friends, which caused her to dislocate her right arm. She was taken to a nearby hospital, where a cast was applied. But since then her condition has deteriorated. Maureen has been going to physiotherapy to help her condition. Finally, she was referred to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation. Once she arrived to receive care, it was determined that she would need corrective surgery to help her arm heal properly. The surgery is scheduled for February 8 and will cost $1,165. However, her mother cannot afford the care and is seeking financial assistance. Maureen's mother says, “I am appealing for help since I can’t afford to pay for the surgery and my daughter is in pain. Kindly help us. God bless you.”

Enock is a child from Tanzania. He loves playing with his friends. Enock’s father keeps livestock, and his mother is a stay-at-home mother. Enock was diagnosed with bilateral genu valgus. His legs are bent inwards, causing his knees to touch. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, Enock cannot walk well. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $940 to fund corrective surgery for Enock. The procedure is scheduled to take place on December 22. Treatment will hopefully restore Enock's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Enock says, “Thank you for helping me get this treatment, God bless you all.”

Jessika is a student from Haiti. She lives in Port-au-Prince with her mother, father, and younger sister. She has been studying diplomacy in a local university but has had to take time off because of her illness. Jessika has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation. One of the four valves in her heart has been severely damaged from rheumatic fever, and can no longer adequately pump blood through her body. Jessika will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On December 7, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will either repair her mitral valve, or replace it with an artificial valve.. Another organization, The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano, is contributing $65,000 to pay for surgery. Jessika'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 Jessika's family overseas. She says, "I am very nervous but am looking forward to surgery so I can continue my studies."

Myo is a first grade student from Burma. She lives with her family in Myawaddy, Karen State, Burma. Not long ago, Myo's school teacher noticed that she was unable to see the board. At home, her grandparents noticed that she held books extremely close to her face. Myo has been diagnosed with cataracts. Her family fears that she will be hit by a motorbike or car. They also worry about her future and ability to pursue her education if she does not receive treatment. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund lens replacement surgery for Myo. On November 1, doctors will perform a lens replacement, during which they will remove Myo's natural lenses and replace them with an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $1,500 procedure. Myo says, “When I grow up I want to learn how to be a doctor."

Two-year-old Tabitha lives with her mother and grandparents in Haiti. She enjoys playing with the other children in her neighborhood and helping her family cook their meals. Tabitha was born with a cardiac condition called complete atrioventricular canal defect. With this condition, a large hole exists between all four chambers of her heart, allowing blood to mix freely between them. This prevents Tabitha's body from receiving enough oxygen and leaves her sick and weak. Complete atrioventricular canal defects are especially common in children like Tabitha who have Down syndrome. Watsi's medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, requests $1,343 to pay for Tabitha to travel to the Cayman Islands for treatment. Tabitha's trip is currently scheduled for August 9. "My family is very excited for Tabitha to be able to play and be active without getting tired!" shares her mother. Let's help make that happen!

Meet Mu, a 41-year-old woman who lives with her family in a remote village in Burma. She grows rice as a subsistence farmer with her husband, and also works as a day laborer if they need cash. In 2016, Mu began experiencing troubling gynecological symptoms. Mu learned about Watsi's medical partner, Mae Tao Clinic (MTC), from her brother-in-law, who lives nearby. After spending three months saving money, Mu and her husband made the two-day trip to MTC, where she was diagnosed with an ovarian cyst. This small fluid filled sac usually does not have any symptoms, but if left untreated can lead to pain and other complications. Since Mu has to pay for her 13-year-old son’s school fees, her family often struggles to make ends meet and cannot afford the surgery she needs to treat her condition. For $1,500, Mu will receive a total abdominal hysterectomy, during which doctors will surgically remove her uterus in order take out the cyst and ensure that it does not grow back again. The procedure is scheduled for August 15. After recovery, Mu will be able to return home to her family and friends. "I hope that after I recover from surgery, I will be able to return to farming and take up waving again," Mu shares.

Andy is the second child in his family. They live near Lake Atitlan in rural Guatemala. Andy's mother is a housewife, and his father works as a public transportation assistant. Andy has been diagnosed with severe stunting as a result of malnutrition. He is underweight and small for his age. Andy’s mother says that her son rarely finishes his food and is often sick. Fortunately, malnutrition is easily treatable. Our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq (WK), will start Andy's treatment program on March 13. Andy will receive food and micronutrient supplements. Community health workers will monitor Andy's growth and progress regularly, and they will also teach his mother how to prepare nutrient-rich meals for her son. Andy's parents are very worried about their son, but they do not have the resources to pay for his treatment. WK is asking for donations to fund his $492 malnutrition treatment. Andy's mother shares, "I hope for him to grow up and be a good student in the future." Let's help Andy develop into a strong and healthy young boy!

Kabonesa is an 84-year-old woman from Uganda. She is a mother of six and works as a small scale farmer to support her family. About 20 years ago, Kabonesa developed an abnormal swelling near her middle abdomen. She has been experiencing pain after eating and sometimes feels as if the food is trapped above her stomach. Due to the pain, she is also unable to bend, work, or lift heavy items. She reported her symptoms to a local hospital at the beginning of this year and was diagnosed with a hernia. Advised to have surgery but unable to afford the treatment, she sought out our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, in search of assistance. If not treated, Kabonesa may suffer internal tissue damage due to an obstruction of oxygen flow. Kabonesa is now scheduled to undergo surgery on May 17 to repair the hernia. She is requesting $249 to cover the expenses of the procedure. Kabonesa says, "I have pain from a hernia. I am requesting assistance." After surgery, she hopes to resume farming in order to grow more food to continue taking care of her family.

Khin Hla is a 45-year-old woman originally from Burma. A number of years ago, she moved to Bangkok to work as a domestic worker. Her teenage daughter lives and works with her in Bangkok, while her two sons, who are still in school, live with her sister in Mae Sot. Six months ago, Khin Hla injured her arm after falling three separate times. After the first fall, she did not feel any pain. After the second and third time, she was in a lot of pain, so she decided to seek care. She visited hospitals in Bangkok a total of four times. During the four visits, she received blood tests and x-rays and was given pain medication. The results of the x-rays showed that she had fractured her humerus and developed an abnormal mass. The doctor told Khin Hla that she needed to have surgery, but financial limitations prevented her from getting the surgery. In January 2017, Khin Hla returned to Mae Sot to stay with her children and to visit Mae Tao Clinic (our medical partner's care center), where she later received surgery on her arm. Khin Hla's surgery went well, and her condition appears to be improving. However, doctors want to do a CT scan to check her bone. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $469 to fund her scan, which is scheduled for April 21. Khin Hla says, "I feel so much better after surgery. Now, I am excited to have a CT scan, and I hope that the result will make me happy."