Touch is a 61-year-old grandfather. He shared that he proudly serves in the military and has one daughter and one grandchild. He lives with his wife and their daughter, who is a grocery seller. Sometimes, Touch helps his daughter deliver groceries, and he enjoys listening to the news on the radio in his free time. Two years ago, Touch developed a cataract in his right eye causing him blurry vision and sensitivity to light. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Touch learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled there seeking treatment. On September 7th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $229 procedure. Touch shared, "I want to see my grandchild's face clearly after surgery and be able to read and write well so I can return to work."

Ubah is a girl from Ethiopia. She was born with an anorectal malformation, a congenital abnormality that leads to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. She needs to undergo a series of procedures to eliminate bowel dysfunction. Ubah is scheduled to undergo surgery to correct her condition on May 7. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Ubah's procedure and care. After her recovery, Ubah will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. Her aunt says, “I am her aunt and I am hosting her and her mom after they displaced and moved from Somalia. I am separated from my husband and I am running a small tea café in my neighborhood. That’s how we are trying to support our self. I am also a refugee. For this reasons I can’t afford her medical bill."

Simai is a teenager from Cambodia. He hopes to pursue a career in international technology after he completes his schooling. Three months ago, Simai was in a severe traffic accident and fractured his spine. This condition has made it difficult to sit in school for long periods and causes a lot of discomfort. Surgery can help correct the position of his spine, and prevent further worsening of the condition. Spinal surgery is scheduled for March 13 and will cost $930. He says, "I hope that after surgery I am able to walk normally and go back to school."

George is a young man from Kenya. He works as a mason. A few days ago, George was hit by a speeding vehicle. He sustained fractures on his legs. He is not able to walk and experiences chronic pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On February 15, George will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. He will be able to walk and work again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,451 to fund this procedure. “I have nobody to seek help from. Please help us if you can,” says George.

Linn Thu is a 18-year-old boy from Burma. He lives with his grandparents, parents, and two younger brothers. In his free time, Linn Thu likes to visit his friends and listen to music. Linn Thu 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. Currently, Linn Thu feels tired and experiences chest pain. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Linn Thu. The treatment is scheduled to take place on February 22 and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. “I would like to get a good job to earn a living after I recover,” says Linn Thu.

Sokny is a rice farmer from Cambodia. She has three sons and four daughters. She likes to listen to music on the radio. Twenty years ago, Sokny had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in her right ear to perforate. For this reason, Sokny experiences pain, tinnitus, and hearing loss. She cannot communicate clearly with others Sokny traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On December 3, 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 hope my hearing improves and I have no more pain after the operation."

Asante is a child from Tanzania. Her parents are small-scale farmers. Asante has clubfoot of both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Asante traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on December 5. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $890 to fund Asante's clubfoot repair. Asante’s mother says, “Please help our daughter get treatment.”

Srey Mech is a mother of two from Cambodia. She sells clothes at a shop. She has two sons. She likes to go for walks and watch TV. Fifteen years ago, she fell down and broke her hip. She had a hip replacement surgery, but now it needs to be replaced because she has been in chronic hip pain for the past two years. She cannot walk. Fortunately, Srey Mech learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. At CSC, surgeons can perform a total hip replacement to relieve Srey Mech of her pain and allow her to walk easily. Treatment is scheduled for November 7, and Srey Mech needs help raising $1,025 to pay for this procedure. She says, "I really hope I won't be in pain and will be able to work after the operation."

Zar is a 25-year-old married woman from Burma. She used to work as a nurse aid but now has stopped working. In September 2017, Zar fell sick and developed a high fever. She was admitted to Thaton Hospital, where she was diagnosed with a ureteral stone. She was only given oral medication and was discharged after a week. A few months later, she developed another fever. After some discussion with her husband, Zar decided to go to Mae Tao Clinic, from where she was referred to Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), our medical partner. Currently, Zar experiences headache, back pain, dizziness, insomnia, and loss of appetite. She has been diagnosed with a kidney stone. Fortunately, she is scheduled to undergo a removal surgery on September 12. BCMF is requesting $1,500 to fund this procedure. She says, “When I am fully recovered, I will apply for a new job. I will help my family and will also repay my debt.”

Chan is a rice farmer from Cambodia. She is married and has one daughter. She likes to watch TV and play games. A few months, Chan 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, Chan experiences ear discharge, pain, tinnitus, and hearing loss. It is difficult for her to hear and communicate. Chan traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On September 7, she will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure in her 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. She says, "I hope I have no more ear pain after the surgery."

Esther is a single mother of two from Kenya. She is under the care of her mother because she has epilepsy. Esther has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Without treatment, the cancer may spread to other organs. A mastectomy, a surgery to remove breast tissue, has been suggested to rid her body of breast cancer and to prevent the cancer from metastasizing. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $816 to cover the cost of a mastectomy for Esther. The procedure is scheduled to take place on August 8. After treatment, Esther will hopefully return to a cancer-free life. Esther says, “My hope is to be treated and help my mother raise my children."

Ka Buh is a 13-year-old boy from Burma. He lives with his parents and older brother. His family members are farmers. On May 28, Ka Buh slipped, and stones fell onto his left leg and chest. The stone on his leg was very heavy, and he sustained a fracture. Currently, he is in a lot of pain and he is unable to walk or sit properly. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Ka Buh will undergo surgery to reset his fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for June 29 and will cost $1,500. After surgery, Ka Buh will be able to walk again.