Meshack is a quiet eight-year-old boy from Kenya. He is in the second grade. Two days ago, Meshack was chasing after goats when he slid and knocked his hand. He fractured his upper arm. He is in pain and unable to use his arm completely. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On December 11, Meshack will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help him regain full function of his arm. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $968 to fund this procedure. Meshack says, "I hope that God will take care of everything."

Meet Matisoni, a 74-year-old farmer from rural Malawi. Several months ago, Matisoni began experiencing pain and discomfort due to an enlarged prostate. Seeking treatment through our medical partner, World Altering Medicine, Matisoni is scheduled to undergo prostate surgery to alleviate his pain on July 25. He is requesting $733 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care, and is grateful for any support so that he can return to a healthy life and continue to help his family. "I thank you very much," says Matisoni.

Aye is a nine-year-old primary school student from Thailand. She lives with her parents and five siblings. Last year, a teacher noticed that Aye was unable to read at long distances. Aye's mother and her teacher took her to our medical partner's care center, Mae Tao Clinic (MTC), and she was referred to Mae Sot Hospital (MSH) for further investigation. At MSH, Aye was told that she has cataracts and she needs surgery as soon as possible. Currently, Aye's eye is blurry and itchy. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund lens replacement surgery for Aye. On October 25, doctors will perform a lens replacement, during which they will remove Aye'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.

Vitalina is a 47-year-old widow who lives with one of her granddaughters in rural Guatemala. Years ago, Vitalina sustained an accident in which she fell into a steep ravine. She severely injured her leg, and it had to be amputated. Since then, Vitalina's life has changed drastically—she can no longer work, and completing everyday tasks is a challenge. Since she is unable to work, she is dependent upon her eldest son. Without a steady source of income, Vitalina cannot cover the cost of a prosthetic leg. Receiving a prosthetic leg will change Vitalina's life. She hopes that receiving a prosthetic will allow her to find a job so that she can support herself and her granddaughter. On August 9, Vitalina will be fitted for a prosthetic leg. Now she is requesting financial support to cover her $1,166 treatment costs. "I am grateful to enter this program and receive a prosthetic leg. I will work very hard doing my physical therapies so that I can do more things," shares Vitalina.

Moe is a 25-year-old farmer who lives with his wife in Burma. Moe experienced a severe leg fracture a few years ago. After a month, his ankle joint began to swell. The swelling has continued to increase, and his ankle is heavy and hurts when he walks. He visited a local hospital where the doctors informed him that he needs to have a below-the-knee amputation to prevent the infection from spreading and to reduce his pain. Moe is scheduled to receive his amputation on June 13 through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund. He is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of his procedure. "I know I will not be able to do farming and I will work as a carpenter after I recover," says Moe.

Vincent is a 62-year-old from Ngaara in rural Uganda. He and his wife are small farmers who grow food crops and tea. Whenever he can, Vincent likes to spend time with his grandchildren. Ten years ago, Vincent noticed a lipoma, or lump of fatty tissue, on the left side of his back. He first took medicinal herbs as a remedy, however the mass continued to grow and Vincent now finds it difficult to work due to the pain. While his doctor advised him to have the lump removed via surgery, Vincent's inability to farm for the past two years has left him without the financial resources needed for treatment. Our medical partner, The Kellermann Foundation, is requesting $196 to fund Vincent’s surgery, which is scheduled to take place on June 10. This covers the procedure, a three night hospital stay, and all medicines and supplies. Vincent says, “I thank God for the provision. The mass grew this big and I faced this much pain because I could not afford to pay for my surgery. God bless you abundantly."

Sina is a 38-year-old farmer who is married with two daughters. He works as a construction worker to earn extra money to support his family, and enjoys fishing and picking beans in his free time. Sina developed a lipoma, a benign tumor of fatty tissue, on the back of his neck years ago. Due to his tumor, Sina experiences chronic pain and discomfort. The $224 will fund the removal of the lipoma, scheduled for May 23, and help Sina feel comfortable again.

Reaksa is six years old. She has two sisters and two brothers. In her spare time, she likes to stay at home and play cooking games. About a year ago, Reaksa developed fibrosis in the quadriceps muscle of her right leg. The scarring and thickening of the connective tissue surrounding her quadriceps muscle makes it difficult for Reaksa to walk, and she is in pain. With her mother, Reaksa traveled for four hours to reach our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), for treatment. On February 22, surgeons at CSC will perform a quadriceplasty procedure to release the fibrous adhesions and improve mobility. The $425 surgery will help Reaksa walk easily again.

Santosh is a ten-year-old boy from Nepal. Recently, he was playing with his friends when he stumbled on a stone and fell down, fracturing his left hand. Since then, he has been in a lot of pain and has had to take medications to control the pain. There is some swelling, and he has difficulty moving the injured arm. Due to his injury, he needs help with everyday tasks, such as eating, bathing, and getting dressed. In order to seek medical treatment, Santosh and his father took a two-hour jeep ride to reach our medical partner's care center, Bayalpata Hospital. The hospital recommended surgery, which is scheduled for February 15. Santosh's father is a carpenter, and his mother tends to the farm and grazes cattle. However, they are unable to raise the funds for the treatment. For this reason, our medical partner, Possible, is requesting $195 to fund the surgery.

Alpha is a three-year-old boy living in Uganda with his parents and siblings. He goes to a local school, where he enjoys playing games with the other children. His parents work as farmers to support the family. One year ago, Alpha developed a painful hernia. A hernia occurs when an internal organ pokes through the abdominal wall, causing severe pain. At our medical partner's care center, Bwindi Community Hospital, Alpha’s parents learned that he would require surgery. The family needs financial assistance to afford the surgery, scheduled for February 4. Alpha’s family has contributed $8. Our medical partner, The Kellermann Foundation, is requesting an additional $229 to cover supplies, medications, the procedure, and five nights of hospital stay. “I thank the people that are donating toward the care for my son to be relieved of this painful hernia. May God bless you to even help many more people in need," says Alpha's mother.

Benson is an outgoing 60-year-old farmer from a village in southwest Uganda. He and his wife, Provia, have three children who all have families of their own. At home, he and his wife look after three of their grandsons, one of whom is in school. In his free time, Benson enjoys listening to news programs on the radio, going to church, and participating in his village savings groups. He always has a smile for others. For the past two years, Benson has had a hernia. The pain has prevented him from working and taking care of his tea plants. On January 10, he will undergo a repair surgery at our medical partner's care center, Bwindi Community Hospital. Benson’s tea plants provide him a small income, and he and Provia grow other crops to feed their family. He co-payed $4, but our medical partner is requesting an additional $229 to fund the treatment. "I give many, many thanks to the donors for helping me," says Benson. "We did not have the money for surgery. I am so grateful!”

Bunheng is nine years old and in the second grade. He has one older sister and two older brothers. He likes to play games and read books in his free time. One year ago, Bunheng developed adenoid hypertroph, an unusual growth in his tonsil that causes obstruction of his nasal airways. He was treated in a private clinic, but his symptoms did not improve. It became difficult for Bunheng to breathe. He could not sleep well at night, which caused him difficulty in school. He was also losing weight. When Bunheng's parents learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), the family traveled for seven hours to seek treatment. On December 12, surgeons at CSC performed an adenoidectomy to remove the growth and allow Bunheng to breathe easily again. CSC is requesting $221 to fund this procedure. "After I heal," says Bunheng, "I hope that I can breathe easily and sleep well at night."