Nat is a mechanic from Cambodia. He is married and has one son. He likes to watch TV in his free time. Three years ago, Nat had an ear infection. This infection caused a cholesteatoma, or an abnormal skin growth, to develop in the middle ear behind the ear drum. For this reason, Nat experiences ear discharge, tinnitus, hearing loss, and itchiness. It is difficult for him to hear well. Nat traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On January 8, he will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure in his left ear. During this procedure, ENT surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $842 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. His wife says, "I hope that my husband's surgery goes well. I worry about his hearing loss."

Ranny is a woman from Cambodia. She has been married for eight years. She likes to cook, watch TV, and spend time at home. For the past three years, Ranny has had back pain. One of the nerves on her spine is being compressed due to herniation of one of the discs. This causes immense pain. She is unable to walk and move, and thus is unable to work and support her family. Ranny needs to undergo a laminectomy and discectomy procedure to relieve the pressure and pain in her back. Surgery is scheduled for December 4 and will cost $930.

Aye is a 25-year-old young woman from Thailand. She lives with her husband in Mae Sot, Tak Province. She works as a laundry worker. In her spare time, Aye likes to cook and clean the house. For two years, Aye has been experiencing abdominal pain. She has been diagnosed with an ovarian mass or cyst. She has been advised to undergo an oophorectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her ovaries. Fortunately, Aye is scheduled to undergo her oophorectomy on October 19. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $913 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Aye said, “When I feel better I will find a good paying job and save money so I can open a small shop in Burma.”

Esther is a baby from Haiti. She lives with her mother and father in Port-au-Prince. She is their first child. Esther has a cardiac condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. This condition involves several related defects, including a hole between the two lower chambers of the heart and a muscular blockage of one of the valves. Esther will fly to Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On October 6, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will close the hole with a patch and remove the muscular blockage. Another organization, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is contributing $5,000 to pay for surgery. Esther'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 Esther's family overseas. Her mother says, "We are very glad for this surgery so that our daughter can gain weight and have more energy."

Kyi is a 20-year-old young woman from Thailand. She lives with her husband in Naung Khyo, Mae Sot Township, Tak Province. She and her husband are from Bago Division, Burma but moved to Thailand for better job opportunities two years after they were married. Four months ago, Kyi has been experiencing troubling gynecological symptoms. She has been diagnosed with ovarian cysts. She has been advised to undergo an oophorectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her ovaries. Fortunately, Kyi is scheduled to undergo her oophorectomy on September 4. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $913 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Kyi says, “After I have surgery, I will rest for awhile and then return to work with my husband.”

Merline is a girl from Haiti. She lives in the outskirts of Port-au-Prince with her parents, two brothers, and one sister. She is in the second grade and likes math and reading. Merline has a condition called pulmonary stenosis, in which one of the valves in her heart is too small, causing blood to back up and not circulate properly. To correct this condition, she will need to undergo a catheterization, in which a catheter with a balloon on its tip will be used to stretch the valve open to a more normal size. This procedure is scheduled for August 22. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is contributing $3,500, and they need our help raising an additional $1,500 to fund the procedure. Her mother says, "I am excited for our daughter to have this procedure so that she can run and play without me worrying about her."

Chanthorn is a rice farmer from Cambodia. She has one daughter and one son. She likes to listen to the radio and spend time with her family. Ten years ago, Chanthorn had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in her left ear to perforate. For this reason, Chanthorn experiences pain and tinnitus. She cannot hear well and is in chronic pain. Chanthorn traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On July 6, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in her 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. Her sister says, "I hope my sister's ear problems are gone after surgery. We look forward to bringing her home with improved hearing."

Anaya is an infant from Kenya. She has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. Without treatment, Anaya will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $685 to cover the cost of surgery for Anaya that will treat her hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on May 28 and will drain the excess fluid from Anaya's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Anaya will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. “Your help is a miracle," shares Anaya’s mother.

Branton is a toddler from Kenya. He has one sibling. His mother is a stay-at-home mother, and his father is a taxi driver. Branton was born healthy, but when he was one year old, his mother noticed an abnormal growth on his head. A few weeks ago, Branton was diagnosed with a brain tumor. The family was referred to our medical partner's care center, where an MRI was performed and surgery was recommended. If not treated, Branton is at a risk of losing vision and suffering brain damage. Fortunately, he is now scheduled to undergo surgery on May 9. His family needs help raising $1,500 to fund the procedure. “These are the worst news one could ever receive. We are optimistic though and hope for the best,” shares Branton’s mother.

Soknang is a rice farmer from Cambodia. She has two daughters and two sons. She enjoys taking care of her children and cleaning up around the house. When she was thirteen, Soknang had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in her right ear to perforate. For this reason, Soknang experiences infection, hearing loss, and ear discharge. She experiences discomfort from recurrent infections and discharge. She has difficulty hearing others. Soknang traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On February 12, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in her right 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. She says, "I am looking forward to going home and spending time with my children."

Dah is a 46-year-old woman who lives with her husband, one son, and two daughters in Karen State, Burma. Dah has been unable to work since 2015 due to her poor health. Her oldest son works as day laborer on someone else's farm and supports their family. Both of her daughters are currently studying at school. Four years ago, Dah started experiencing back pain and had difficulty walking or standing for long periods of time. She went to see the doctor in a Burmese hospital, where she was diagnosed with a kidney stone. At that time, she was unable to afford the cost of treatment. Eventually, she went to Mae Tao Clinic, our medical partner's care center, for further treatment and the doctor sent her to Mae Sot Hospital for further investigation. At the hospital she was again diagnosed with a kidney stone and was told she would require surgery to remove the stone. She was referred to Burma Children Medical Fund, our medical partner, for assistance in receiving treatment. Now, Dah is scheduled for a procedure called shockwave lithotripsy on March 8. She needs help raising $1,500 to pay for this treatment. Dah said, “I want to recover quickly so I can return to work. I want to be able to support my daughters so that they can continue with their studies.”

Mohammed is a two-year-old baby from Ethiopia. He loves to play and laugh with people. His father is a traditional farmer, and his mother is a stay-at-home mom. They have eight children. Mohammed was born with an anorectal malformation, a congenital abnormality that leads to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. He needs to undergo a series of procedures to eliminate bowel dysfunction. Mohammed is scheduled to undergo surgery to correct his condition on February 9. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Mohammed's procedure and care. After his recovery, Mohammed will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. Mohammed’s mother says, “My husband is a poor farmer with low income and I’m a house wife and I take care of my kids in the house. Our income is very low even to support our kids. It is our hope to get the surgery and to see our child in a healthy and good position by your support.”