Nyakek is a beautiful three-month-old baby from Sudan. She was born at home, and her mother immediately noticed a large, open swelling on the lower part of her back. The midwives recommended that Nyakek be brought to a nearby hospital, where she was diagnosed with spina bifida. This is a neural tube defect, where the spine and spinal cord don't fully form, leading to infection, lower limb paralysis, and developmental delays. A missionary doctor at the hospital immediately linked them to our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH), which was able to refer them to our partner hospital in Kenya. Plans were put together for how she would travel to Kenya for treatment. Where their family comes from in Sudan, the area has very poor roads and it would not have been possible for them to travel to Juba to be airlifted to Kenya. Instead, the doctor organized for them to board a helicopter that visits the area once a week to deliver supplies. They were taken to Juba where they boarded another flight to Kenya. Upon arrival at our partner's care center, Nyakek was examined and they have started planning for the urgent surgery she needs. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,151 to cover the cost of Nyakek's spina bifida closure surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on November 9th at BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital. This procedure will hopefully spare Nyakek from the risks associated with her condition, allowing her to grow and develop along a healthy trajectory. Nyakek’s mother said: “When I saw the swelling, I was very stressed as I had not seen such a thing before. I immediately got worried about my daughter.”

Horn is a 72-year-old man with one son, seven daughters, and many grandchildren. Horn shared that his favorite activities include playing with his grandchildren, exercising, going to the pagoda, and meeting friends to drink tea. Horn has a squamous cell carcinoma, which is a type of skin cancer, on his left heel. The wound on his heel has become infected and he is worried about it worsening and spreading. When Horn learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On April 21st, surgeons at CSC will perform an excision and reverse sural flap procedure to heal his wound. Now, Horn needs help to fund this $673 procedure. Horn says, "After surgery, I hope my infection and pain are gone and I can return home soon."

Choeun is a 71-year-old monk from Cambodia. He has five children, twenty grandchildren, and enjoys meditating and reading scripture. One year ago, Choeun developed a cataract in each eye, causing him blurry and cloudy vision. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Choeun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On June 13, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $398 procedure. He says, "I hope that after my surgery, I will be able to see clearly and will be able to recognize letters and read scripture without difficulty."

Wi is a young monk from Burma. He lives in a temple with his uncle. Wi 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. Wi often gets sick. When he coughs, he feels very tired and sometimes he faints. He cannot walk long distances, and he has a small appetite. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Wi. The treatment is scheduled to take place on May 28 and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. Wi says, “When I grow up, I want to become a traditional drummer and I would like to become a monk. If I become a monk, I will try to study the Buddhist scriptures and graduate from university.”

Oeun is a 68-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He has three grandchildren and enjoys listening to the radio and reading scripts from the pagoda. Five months ago, Oeun developed a cataract in each eye, causing him blurry vision and irritation. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Oeun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for four hours seeking treatment. On March 6, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $398 procedure. He says, "I hope that after my surgery, I am able to go back to work on the rice farm and go outside independently."

Florence is a recent graduate from Malawi. She lives with her brother and enjoys chatting with friends in her free time. Since September of last year, Florence has been experiencing pain, which made it challenging to finish her education. She has been diagnosed with ovarian cysts, which are fluid-filled sacs on the ovaries. She needs to undergo an ovarian cystectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will excise the cysts. Our medical partner, World Altering Medicine, is requesting $541 to fund Florence's surgery. On May 7, she will undergo gynecological surgery at Nkhoma Hospital, our medical partner's care center. The requested money pays for supplies, medications, and seven nights of hospital stay. She is so happy to be assisted through this surgery. She says, "Soon I will be able to do what I could not do before due to health problems. May God bless this program for helping me!"

Sok Ang is a tenth grade student from Cambodia. Her favorite subject in school is math, and she hopes to become an accountant when she grows up. Three months ago, Sok Ang developed a chalazion in her right eye, causing her irritation. A chalazion is an inflamed cyst in a patient's tear gland. She often experiences lowered confidence and eye irritation. Sok Ang traveled for one a half hours to seek treatment from our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. On May 8, surgeons will remove the cyst through a chalazion excision procedure. After recovery, Sok Ang's symptoms should improve. She needs help raising $175 to fund this procedure. She says, "I hope that after surgery, my eye will no longer bother me or make me worry."

Ning is a 72-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She has six children and thirteen grandchildren, and she enjoys listening to the monks pray on the radio in her spare time. Two years ago, Ning developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her blurry vision and tearing. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Ning learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On April 23, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $211 procedure. She says, "I hope that after my surgery, I will be able to help take care of my grandchildren and go anywhere I want to independently."

Meet Juan, an adorable newborn baby and only child to two loving parents. Juan lives with his mother and father in his grandparents’ house, and Juan's father works in a hotel. According to our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK), “Juan is suffering from acute malnutrition due to lactation failure.” Acute malnutrition is indicated by height and weight measurements that are far below average for a patient’s age — putting Juan, in this case, at risk for long-term negative effects. “If intervention does not occur soon Juan will be in danger of permanent mental and physical damage or death,” WK says. “He will suffer from developmental delays, a devastated immune system, and stunted physical growth, all of which will affect him for the rest of his life.” Juan’s father does not earn enough money to afford a monthly supply of formula for his son. “A week ago, his family pulled together some money to buy a can of milk formula," says WK. "However, since formula is expensive, Juan’s mother has been diluting it to make it last longer.” Fortunately, treating lactation failure and malnutrition is relatively easy and effective. WK explains, “The combination of milk formula supplementation, growth monitoring and intensive nutrition education will give Juan and his family the tools he needs not only to survive, but thrive.” For $1,220, we can provide Juan with the full formula and care toolkit to have a healthy and normal childhood. WK explains, “Juan will have the chance to grow to his full mental and physical potential” and the provision of high levels of nutrition early on in his life will “secure his ability to concentrate and do well in school.” “My dream for my baby is for him to study, go to school and become a doctor," shares Juan's mother.

Meet Anderson, an adorable one-year-old boy from Haiti and younger sibling to his six-year-old brother. According to our medical partner, Project Medishare (PM), “Anderson was normally born but after three months his head started getting abnormally large.” This was followed by symptoms of fever and the flu, prompting Anderson’s family to take him to the nearby hospital for a CT scan. “The results revealed excess fluid in his brain,” shares PM. Anderson was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition where cerebrospinal fluid pathways in the brain become blocked, causing increased pressure. If left untreated, Anderson could experience seizures and premature death. This diagnosis was particularly difficult for Anderson’s 26-year-old mother, who “stopped going to school when she became pregnant for the first time” and currently has no source of income, PM shares. Anderson's father is handicapped and cannot provide support for the treatment. Anderson's mother has lost her appetite and become frail since learning of her son's diagnosis, having no means of supporting his treatment. With $1,260, we can help Anderson and his family and fund surgical care to drain the excess fluid from Anderson’s brain. He will be able to grow up healthy, attend school and continue bringing joy to his family. Anderson’s mother is also excited to return to school once her son recovers.

“I really hope to be able to get a job to provide some support for my family,” shares Tha, a 29-year-old husband and father of four children from Burma. Tha suffers from bladder stones that restrict his everyday activities. Bladder stones are painful, crystallized masses in the bladder that currently put Tha at risk of chronic urinary infection. In 2012, Tha had one of his legs amputated after a serious accident involving a landmine. According to our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP), “These injuries combined with the pain and chronic infections caused by his bladder stones make it impossible for Tha to work, so he stays home to take care of the children.” While initially from Burma, Tha and his family currently live in Thailand. His wife works hard to support the family, but is unable to take care of her children and cover the medical costs that Tha needs for full treatment. Before his illness, Tha used to love cooking for his family. His wife fondly recalls these memories, sharing that he cooks better than she does. BBP explains that "without surgery, Tha will continue to develop more bladder stones and his infections will only get worse.” For $1500, Tha will receive surgery to completely remove his bladder stones. Surgery will have a positive impact on Tha’s life, freeing him from pain that currently limits his ability to work, and spend time with his family.

Meet Joshua! Joshua is a fourteen-year-old boy who lives in Tanzania. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, describes him as “very shy... but he always has a smile on his face.” Joshua’s father died years ago, and as the second oldest in a family of six children, it’s up to him to look after his mother’s cattle. The cattle are his family’s primary source of income, and he feels that he is contributing the most to his family by herding cattle rather than attending school. Joshua has been diagnosed with bilateral genu valgum, a physical condition in which the knees curve inwards. Right now, Joshua is unable to walk without knocking his knees, affecting his gait and ability to walk or run. If left untreated, Joshua risks developing early osteoarthritis. For $940, we can help cover the three surgeries that Joshua needs, along with two weeks of hospital stay and medication. “I feel pain on my knees especially after walking a long distance. I don’t want to fail helping my mom herd cattle; so I hope that my legs can be straightened so that I can walk properly,” Joshua shares.