Kenie is a three-year-old boy from the Philippines. He is the only child in his family. His mother is a housewife. Kenie’s father used to work as a miner, but he found the job too dangerous. Now, he takes jobs as a laborer. Kenie is an active and playful child. He loves to run around and smile at people. He was born with cleft lip and palate, which causes him difficulty eating and speaking. He also experiences frequent coughs and colds. Kenie’s mother worries about her son’s condition. She learned from a pastor about our medical partner, International Case Ministries. On November 3, 2016, Kenie underwent cleft lip surgery. His parents need help to pay for this $1,246 procedure. In a few months, he will undergo cleft palate surgery. "I am really happy that my son will be qualified for this surgery,” says Isa, Kenie’s mother. “We even left home very early to travel to the hospital and along the way, I am praying and hoping that he is okay and fit for surgery. I am a bit scared that he will undergo surgery, but I know this is for his good. I am looking forward to seeing my son's sweet smile, and I know that he will be very handsome. I hope that he will finish school and fulfill whatever dreams he has."

38-year-old Dah lives in Burma with her husband, her 18-year-old niece, and her three children. Our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP), says that both Dah’s niece and 13-year-old daughter are in school. To support the family, Dah’s son earns a modest income working as a hunter. This past August, Dah felt a palpable mass in her abdomen caused by ovarian cysts. When her symptoms persisted, Dah initially sought medical care locally, but her condition was misdiagnosed and left untreated. Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled masses that develop within the uterus. BBP explains that without treatment, “Dah's abdomen is growing bigger everyday and she suffers from back pain. She did not want to seek treatment for her condition in Burma, because she knows that she would not be able to afford the medical costs.” For $1,500, Dah will receive a total abdominal hysterectomy--removing her uterus, cervix, and painful masses during a single operation. This treatment will alleviate Dah’s immediate symptoms and prevent her condition from recurring in the future. “Following surgery for ovarian cysts, Dah will no longer have bloating of her stomach and back pain,” BBP states. “After recovering, she will be able to commence looking for work in a local clinic.” Burma Children's Medical Fund, an organization that facilitates the transportation and treatment of Burmese people at Thai hospitals, is subsidizing this surgery by $1,421. "I want to get surgery for my condition so I don’t have to worry about that anymore," Dah shares. "When I have recovered from that, I would like to start working in a clinic and helping people. My first priority now is to get healthy and feel better. Then, I can continue with my dreams.”

“Erica is an 11-month-old little girl from a rural village in Guatemala,” introduces our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK). The oldest of two children, Erica lives with her parents and three-month-old baby sister. According to WK, “Erica is severely malnourished and is showing signs of developmental delay.” Among young patients, malnutrition often contributes to stunted mental and physical development. WK explains, “Erica still is not babbling, talking, or crawling. She cannot yet sit on her own, and she is far below the average weight and height for her age.” WK tells us, “Erica’s mother works weaving blouses to sell while her father spends all day as a farm hand in the fields.” However, Erica’s young family does not have the finances to cover her medical expenses alone. With $535, Erica will be enrolled in a three-month micronutrient support program. During this time, Erica will be closely monitored as nutrient-rich food supplements are gradually incorporated into her diet so her body can safely adjust to the differences. She will also receive deworming medication to protect her against harmful infections during treatment. Erica’s mother will also have nutrition training to build her confidence in the dietary decisions she makes for her family. “Erica will begin to recoup the height and weight she has lost, and over time her energy and ability to concentrate will improve," WK adds. "Her immune system will strengthen and we anticipate she will have the ability to go far." Erica’s mother says, “I will do whatever it takes to give my daughter a brighter future than what I was offered.”

"A surgery will bring her back to life and will open so many doors for this young child," says Dora's schoolteacher. 14-year-old Dora is a stellar young woman and student from Ghana. "Dora loves to play sports and is passionate about becoming a doctor or nurse," says our medical partner, Ortho FOCOS. "She is a brilliant student and is always amongst the top of her class." For several years, Dora has lived with scoliosis- a sideways curvature of the spine that leads to pain and difficulty with walking. Dora is often teased by her peers when she cannot participate in activities such as sports. The FOCOS Patient A Fund has contributed $16,500 for Dora's surgery, which will correct her spine and eliminate all symptoms. However, an additional $1500 is needed to cover the full cost. Dora's family is not in the position to pay the additional funds. "Her father sells secondhand clothes and her mother is a petty trader," says Ortho FOCOS. "The whole family lives in a single room in a suburb of Ghana." Dora's teacher introduced her to our medical partner, and now there is hope for her full recovery. Let's help make it possible!