Rosemary is a housewife from Kenya. She is married with nine children. Her husband does not currently work, while she is a housewife and only sells vegetables to the neighbors. Their children could not get the needed education and so some are casual employees while others are struggling at home with the parents. Twenty years ago, Rosemary began to experience troubling symptoms, including persistent headaches and pain. She was diagnosed with a goiter, an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Rosemary receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on February 10th at our medical partner's care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $625, and she and her family need help raising money. “I was having pain but didn’t know what to do because of lack of money. I thank my neighbor who guided me here and hope you can help me to get surgery, so that I can continue to care for my family,” said Rosemary.

Theavy is a 31-year-old factory worker from Cambodia. She has two brothers, two sisters, and enjoys listening to music, cooking, and watching television in her free time. When she was seven years old, Theavy fell from her bike and hit her head on the pavement. Since the age of twelve, she started developing a tumor-like growth on her left cheek where she fell, which has been diagnosed as fibrous dysplasia. This condition can weaken the affected bone, sometimes leading to fractures and other pain and discomfort. Theavy learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, and surgeons at CSC will perform a tumor excision procedure to help her feel more comfortable and confident. Now, she needs help to fund this $606 procedure. Theavy shared, "I hope that I will feel better after my surgery and that my face will look symmetrical again."

Kamukama is a security guard from Uganda. He is married and a father of five children. Kamukama has been living with a swelling on his right buttock for ten years. This causes him discomfort. Kamukama traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On February 13, surgeons will remove the mass. Now, Kamukama needs help to raise $196 to fund this procedure. He says, "I like watching movies during my free time."

Abraham is a hopeful and hard-working auditor from Malawi. He lives with his nephew and has been experiencing both financial and health difficulties for some time. Since July 2018, Abraham has been experiencing pain and failure to urinate. 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 Abraham's surgery. On January 31, 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. He went to several government hospitals, which were unable to help him due to lack of equipment and supplies. He is relieved that he will finally be helped and should be able to go back to work soon. He says, "I have been struggling with these issues since 2016, and I am so grateful that God has blessed me with this assistance so that I can finally return to good health!"

Rann is a 50-year-old man with four children from Cambodia. He likes to clean the house and watch boxing in his free time. Five years ago, Rann had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in his left ear to perforate. For this reason, Rann experiences ear discharge, tinnitus, itchiness, hearing loss, and headaches. He has constant drainage, which prevents him from hearing others properly. Rann traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On February 5, he will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in his left ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $423 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. He says, "I hope that after my surgery I will have improved hearing and no more ear discharge, tinnitus, or itchiness."

Sareth is a housewife from Cambodia. She has two daughters, two sons, and ten grandchildren. She likes to watch Thai dramas on TV. Two years ago, Sareth developed a cataract in each eye, causing her blurry vision, itchiness, tearing, and clouded lenses. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Sareth learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for ten hours seeking treatment. On January 9, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $398 procedure. She says, "I hope my vision is clear so I can cook and take care of my grandchildren."

Saw Shine is a 23-year-old student from Burma. He lives with his parents in Htee Thae Lay Village, Hpa-pun Township, Karen State. His parents work as farmers, planting beans, tobacco and vegetables on their small farm. In his free time, he loves to play football or help his parents on the farm. On April 27, 2018, a branch fell on Saw Shine’s right leg and broke it. At present, Saw Shine cannot walk without crutches. He feels a lot of pain when he tries to walk. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Saw Shine will undergo surgery to reset his fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for February 20 and will cost $1,500. He will be able to walk properly and also able to study again. Saw Shine says, “I want to serve my community. I am especially interested in management of education systems.”

Florence is a woman from Kenya. Her husband is a farmer. They have two children. For some time, Florence has been experiencing abdominal pain. She has been diagnosed with a large cystic mass suspected of malignancy. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $630 to fund Florence's surgery. On February 22, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center. Once recovered, Florence will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain.

Nephtalie is a student from Haiti. She lives with her mother and younger sister in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. She enjoys going to school and attending church. Nephtalie has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral stenosis. One of the four valves of her heart is too tight and narrow as a result of a fever suffered earlier in her childhood. Blood backs up behind the valve, leading to heart failure. Nephtalie will fly to India to receive treatment. On February 25, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which Surgeons will first attempt to open the valve by inserting a catheter and expanding a balloon. If this is not successful, they will immediately proceed to open-heart surgery to open the valve. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is contributing $5,000 to pay for surgery. Nephtalie'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 Nephtalie's family overseas. She says, "I am very happy to have this surgery so I can be healthy and stop worrying about my health."

Heang is a 60-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She has ten grandchildren and enjoys watching Khmer TV shows in her free time. Three months ago, Heang developed a cataract in each eye, causing her blurry vision and irritation. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Heang learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On February 18, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $398 procedure. She says, "I hope that after my surgery I can see clearly again and continue working on the rice farm."