Edeau, who is 13 years old, lives in a farming community in southwest Haiti, with his godmother and his godmother's family. He is in the seventh grade. Earlier in his childhood, Edeau suffered from rheumatic fever, which severely damaged one of the four valves of his heart, making it difficult for his heart to pump blood through his body. Edeau requires surgery to correct his condition. On February 6th, surgeons at Welcare Hospital will replace Edeau's damaged valve with an artificial one, a $6,000 procedure, which is being subsidized by Gift of Life International. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is seeking $1,500 to cover the costs associated with the pre-operative and post-operative care that Edeau will need, and the travel expenses for Edeau and his family. From Edeau: "I would like to say thank you to everyone who is helping me to get this surgery."

Raphorn is a 27-year-old casino worker who lives in Prey Veang province with his parents and brother. His parents are rice farmers, and his brother repairs air conditioners. Several weeks ago, Raphorn accidentally cut his hand with a knife. He took care of his wound by visiting a pharmacy for dressings and medication, because he could not afford to visit a clinic. Several days after his accident, he noticed that the wound was red and swollen. He visited a nearby hospital, and the doctors informed him that he was suffering from cellulitis, a common but potentially serious bacterial skin infection, which would require an incision and drainage of the infected wound. The area surrounding the wound is now swollen, tender to the touch, and painful, and he is unable to work. When Raphorn learned about our medical partner Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On July 25th, surgeons at CSC will perform debridement of the infected skin and skin flap surgery to heal the wound infection so that he can work with his hand again. Raphorn is able to contribute $100 to the cost of the surgery and needs help with $673 to fund his procedure and care. He shared, "After surgery, I hope that my hand looks good and the infection is gone so I can go to work again."

Saw Lay resides in a school dormitory in a refugee camp along the Thai-Burma border. He used to study at the school but stopped in July 2023 when his condition worsened. During his free time, Saw Lay enjoys hunting, foraging for vegetables in the forest, and listening to music and stories on his phone. In May 2021, while in Burma for his studies, Saw Lay was driving to the market on his motorcycle when he was hit by a car, resulting in a broken left femur. Saw Lay underwent internal fixation surgery to address this issue. However, since September 2022, he has been experiencing pain in his left leg, accompanied by difficulty sleeping and depression. He cannot bear weight on that leg and has to use crutches to get around. If he sits for an extended period, he will experience back pain. Upon medical evaluation, a doctor diagnosed him with a non-union left femur shaft fracture. He will undergo surgery on November 7th to not only alleviate his pain and discomfort but also improve his overall quality of life. Saw Lay said, "I am happy that I can finally receive the surgery I need with the help of the donors and the Burma Children's Medical Fund. Thank you for having mercy on me. Without your help, I wouldn't be able to afford it. Thank you so much for your kind support, and I will never forget it."

Saw Eh is a three-year-old boy who lives with his parents and younger brother in a refugee camp in Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand. His father works in the refugee camp as a water supply staff and he occasionally works as a day labourer. Saw Eh’s mother is a homemaker. Saw Eh used to go to preschool but stopped in March 2023 due to his condition. Saw Eh’s parents noticed a concerning swelling last March so his mother took him to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with an inguinal hernia. Over the next couple of months, Saw Eh returned for two follow-up appointments. In September, Saw Eh’s condition became more swollen and painful. The size and pain increased especially while he plays. When his father brought him back to the hospital in the refugee camp, the doctor referred him to Mae Sariang Hospital for further treatment. There, doctors confirmed his diagnosis and scheduled Saw Eh's surgery for October 5th. His parents are concerned that he had to stop going to school due to his condition and he cannot play or run around with his friends. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund is requesting $1,486 to fund hernia repair surgery. This will hopefully allow Saw Eh to play and live more comfortably. Saw Eh's father shared: "I am worried about my son's condition, and I am concerned about his pain and discomfort."

Ra is a 50-year-old mother of two. Ra lives in a refugee camp near the Thai-Burma border with her family, where they are provided with accommodation and a monthly food allowance. During her free time, Ra shared that she enjoys praying. Since July 2023, Ra has been experiencing discomfort in her lower abdomen, accompanied by pain and heavy menstruation. During a routine medical check-up in the camp, a mass was detected by the doctor. She has been diagnosed with severe endometriosis, an often-painful disorder in which tissue similar to the tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus grows outside the uterus. She has been advised to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy, the surgical removal of her uterus and cervix. If left untreated, it is expected that Ra's symptoms would continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. Fortunately, Ra is scheduled to undergo a hysterectomy on September 7. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Once recovered, it is hoped that Ra will no longer experience pain, discomfort, and the other symptoms that have impacted her life. Ra said, "I feel uncomfortable and worried. It feels like something is moving in my belly. I hope this will go away after the surgery. Thank you BCMF and donors. May God bless you."

Biruk is an adorable toddler from Ethiopia who loves to play and walk. He has recently started walking, and it seems like he only wants to explore the world on his feet. He also enjoys playing with other children, always eager to share their toys or try to claim some for himself. Being the only child in the family, he receives a lot of love and attention from his parents. Biruk's dad holds a university degree in agriculture, and his mom graduated from college with a diploma in ICT. Despite her educational background, she couldn't find a job in that field and now assists her husband with their farming endeavors. They were fortunate to receive a small farming land from their parents, and they work diligently to make a living from it. In addition to farming for their needs, they also purchase crops to sell, aiming to generate additional income and improve their economic situation. Although their income is modest, they work hard to support their family's daily necessities and strive to save up to purchase more land. Biruk was born with Hypospadias, a congenital abnormality which affects the male urinary opening. When he was just five months old, his parents took Biruk to a hospital for medical attention. The doctor mentioned that they would need a referral when the child reaches six months of age. Unfortunately, when they returned to the hospital later, they were informed that the doctor was unavailable, leaving them uncertain and frustrated. Without treatment, Biruk will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and will be at risk of infertility. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), can help. Biruk is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery at AMH's care center on August 8th. AMH is requesting $1,293 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Biruk's mum said, “I will work hard to bring my child to a successful future once he receives the treatment and is healed. I hope he will be successful and lead a good life in the future.”

Lucy, a 3-year-old girl, is shy with a heart full of joy. As the third and youngest child in her family, Lucy brings delight to her loved ones. Her mother shared that Lucy enjoys singing, spending time with her friends, engaging in playful activities, and assisting with household chores. Lucy's father is a farmer, while her mother oversees the household. During our medical partner's encounter with Lucy at the Nyahururu clinic, she was accompanied by her mother, who expressed concerns about a leg deformity. Her mother mentioned that Lucy has recently been limping and frequently complains of pain when walking and playing with her friends. Lucy was diagnosed with clubfoot on the right foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape, which causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Lucy's family visited our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on July 12th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, requests $1,286 to fund Lucy's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she can walk without pain, continue her education and play with friends. "It would bring me joy to have Lucy walking and playing like other children," Lucy's mother told us.

Saw Ywa, who is an eight year old fourth grader, lives with his parents, his two sisters, and a brother, in Mae Ra Ma Luang Refugee Camp in Thailand. His mother helps at home, while his father works for an organization in the refugee camp. Saw Ywa loves to go to school, and to play football. When Saw Ywa was two months old, his mother noticed a concerning swelling. His parents brought him to the clinic in the refugee camp, where they were told to bring Saw Ywa back when he was five years old, and at an appropriate age for surgery they were told. Over time, Saw Ywa’s parents noticed that the swelling was increasing in size. He would also experience pain sometimes. is parents brought him back to the clinic, and after another examination, Saw Ywa was diagnosed with an irreducible inguinal hernia, which would require surgery. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is seeking $1,486 to fund the hernia repair surgery that Saw Ywa needs. The procedure is currently scheduled for May 18th, at Mae Sariang Hospital. After he has recovered, Saw Ywa should no longer suffer from the pain that he lives with now. He should also be able to walk comfortably, and to be free of the embarrassment he feels by the visible bulge in a sensitive area. Saw Ywa’s father said: “He loves to play football with his friends. But sometimes, he feels ashamed to play because his friends will make fun of him. I hope after surgery he will be free from discomfort and shame.”

Rose is a 62-year-old widow with two fully grown children. She lost her husband four years ago. Rose owns a small business where she sells sand and also performs garden maintenance for a small fee. Rose gets support from both children, who are married with children themselves now. She lives with her second-born child in a three-bedroom house without water and electricity. Rose likes doing house chores and enjoys eating nsima, a culinary tradition of Malawi, made from maize flour with vegetables. In 2014, Rose started experiencing pain when she swallowed. She visited the hospital near her home, where she was treated. The treatment worked for awhile until December of last year when her daughter noticed that Rose's neck was swollen on the right side. In March, Rose noticed that the swelling was getting larger and also causing consistent pain. Rose decided it was time to visit Kamuzu Central Hospital in Malawi where a scan revealed her mass had grown substantially and was stemming from the right thyroid lobe. Her doctor diagnosed her with a goiter and determined that surgery would be needed. Due to her financial challenges, Rose could not afford the surgery. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), can help. Rose met with a surgeon who confirmed her diagnosis and the need for surgical intervention called a thyroidectomy, which removes part or all of the thyroid gland. Rose believes the surgery will help her to get better and prevent her symptoms from impacting her day to day life, and allow her to focus on how good her life is. She was able to contribute $10 toward her care and is grateful to all to help her raise the $1,015 needed. Rose said, “Thank you donors for supporting me, I want to live my normal life.”