Ohin Zain is a six-year-old boy who lives with his parents and his brother in a refugee camp. Ohin Zain and his brother usually study in the refugee camp but all schools have been closed since July 1st due to the outbreak of Covid-19 in the refugee camp. Ohin Zain's mother is a homemaker and his father works as a construction day labourer in the camp. Every month, Ohin Zain’s household receives 1,300 baht (approx. 43.33 USD) on a cash card from an organisation The Border Consortium. Their total monthly income is not enough for their daily expenses and sometimes, they have to borrow money with interest from their neighbour. In his free time, Ohin Zain shared that he enjoys playing with friends and drawing pictures. On the afternoon of October 24th, Ohin Zain and his friends went swimming in a stream outside of the refugee camp. While playing in the water, Ohin Zain slipped on a stone and hit his right arm against the stone. He went home and immediately his mother brought him to the clinic in the refugee camp, run by International Rescue Committee (IRC). At the clinic, a doctor examined his right arm and referred him to a nearby hospital. When they arrived at the hospital, Ohin Zain received an X-ray. The doctor explained that his lower arm is broken and that he will need to receive surgery. Currently, Ohin Zain’s right lower arm is very painful and swollen. He cannot grab nor lift anything. He cannot play nor sleep well because of the pain. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Ohin Zain will undergo surgery to reset his fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for October 27th and will cost $1,500. This procedure will help Ohin Zain be free from pain and will enable him to extend his arm and move it around. Ohin Zain said, “When I recover, I will try to study hard because I want to become a teacher. I would like to teach children.”

Adamba is three-year-old boy and the youngest of two children in his family. He's excited that he recently began attending school. Adamba's parents separated not long after he was born. His mother works as a tailor and shared that her job is difficult because she does not have regular customers as she did before the pandemic. She has not yet found a different job, and she sometimes is able to do casual jobs in their neighborhood to provide for her family. Adamba was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, Adamba will have an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Adamba receive treatment. On September 21st, he will undergo corrective surgery and, now, AMH is requesting $646 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Adamba’s mother shared, "I have been wondering how and when my son would get treated because I felt like I failed to do my part as a parent. Sometimes, Adamba could not eat or sleep because of the pain and I could not help him since I have no money."

Naw Lah is a 24-year-old woman who lives in a refugee camp in Northern Thailand. She is 40 weeks pregnant with her first child. She recently went into labor and was brought to our medical partner's care center by Malteser International (MI) Thailand staff. The doctor there initially expected her to deliver the baby vaginally, but when labor stopped progressing, the obstetrician suspected that her baby was in distress. Fortunately, our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF) is helping Naw Law to deliver her baby safely. On August 25th, she will undergo an emergency C-Section at BCMF's care center. Now, she needs help raising $1,500 to fund her procedure and care.

Lucy is a 31-year-old preschool teacher and a mother of two children. Her husband is a boda boda taxi driver who earns about two dollars a day, and the family lives together in their ancestral home. In June 2021, Lucy sustained a vertebral fracture and was admitted to the hospital for observation and spinal decompression. She underwent spine surgery and was discharged back home. At a follow-up appointment, doctors noticed that she was having difficulties breathing and walking, and that her surgical wound was infected. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Lucy receive treatment for the infection. On July 28th, surgeons will perform a debridement and skin graft procedure to help her heal and prevent sepsis. Now, Lucy needs help to fund this $1,185 procedure. Lucy shared, “I am unable to walk and even stopped working due to my condition. I need the surgery to be able to recover and get back to normal.”

Stanley is a fifth-grade student. He's the third child in his family of three other siblings and his single mother. His mom sells tomatoes in the market to support their family. Stanley was brought to the hospital by his concerned and worried mother, where the 12-year-old was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, Stanley has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Stanley, wearing his woolen hat, remains positive about his condition. Fortunately, Stanley will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH). He is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on June 28th. AMH is requesting $483 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. “I have been taking him to another hospital but we were facing delay in treatment. I am seeking help because my son is feeling pain, is not able to go to school and I just want to see him having his normal life,” said Stanley’s mother.

Panha is a 14-year-old student who needs spinal surgery. His parents are both farmers, and he has one younger sister. He loves to read stories at school, and wants to be a policeman when he gets older. Panha was born with scoliosis. This condition has made it difficult for him to walk or sit up for a long time, and he often feels discomfort before going to sleep. It is difficult for him to join his friends in sports such as volleyball or soccer. He also occasionally has difficulty breathing due to pain. Panha and his parents have come to Children's Surgical Centre, where doctors will be able to perform a spinal surgery to put in place implants that will correct the curve of his spine. He will undergo this procedure on May 25th. Once he has recovered, Panha will no longer experience pain or discomfort, and will be able to walk easily. Panha shared, "I want to play sports with my friends and I will practice running and getting stronger after I am healthy from my surgery."

Alex is a three-year-old boy and the youngest of two children in his family. Alex's mother works at home taking care of their family. His father used to work as a mechanic, but unfortunately had a stroke and is currently bedridden at home. When Alex was two years old, his mother noticed that his gait was becoming abnormal. He began tiptoeing while walking and experienced difficulty with his balance. He was taken to a hospital in Nairobi where his family was told that his condition would improve as he grows. Instead, his condition has deteriorated. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Alex to receive life-changing treatment. On May 9th, Alex is scheduled to undergo bilateral achilles tendon lengthening surgery at AMH's care center. Now, AMH is requesting $1,224 to fund Alex's surgery. Alex's mother shared, “I am appealing to the people of goodwill to assist me so that my son can undergo surgery and walk normally like other children.”

Saw Moo is a seven-year-old boy who lives with his parents and older sister in a refugee camp on the Thai-Burma border. Saw Moo is a student in kindergarten and his sister goes to primary school. In his free time, Saw Moo enjoys playing hide and seek outside. Around mid-May 2020, Saw Moo began to experience blurry vision in his right eye, making it increasingly difficult to for him to see clearly. Saw Moo was diagnosed with retinal detachment, a condition in which the retina pulls away from the supportive tissue in the eye, resulting in vision loss. If left untreated, he could lose vision completely. Saw Moo is scheduled to undergo surgery to reattach his retina and our medical partner Burma Children Medical Fund is raising $1,500 for his treatment. After his surgery, there is hope for Saw Moo's vision to be restored so that he is able to resume his daily activities comfortably. Saw Moo's aunt shared, “My nephew is a hard-working student. You do not need to tell him to read [or study] because he loves to do it. He is amongst the top 10 students in his class. I want him to regain vision in his right eye and to continue his studies so that he can become a medic. His mother is ill and cannot accompany him [during his treatment]. If my nephew becomes a medic or health worker, he can look after his mother and his community.”

Lai is a 59-year-old with six children and four grandchildren. She is widowed and lives with a daughter and helps her with the children. One month ago, Lai slipped and fell in the bathroom. She is not able to walk and experiences constant and severe pain in her left hip due to a femoral neck fracture. Fortunately, Lai learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). At CSC, surgeons will perform a total hip replacement to relieve Lai of her pain and allow her to walk easily. Treatment is scheduled for February 17th, and Lai needs help raising $1,087 to pay for the procedure. Lai shared that she really wants to walk again and be free of the terrible pain she's feeling.

Jonah is a 9-year-old student from Kenya. He is a jovial and high-spirited boy. Jonah is the seventh born in a family of eight children. Under the sponsorship of a well-wisher, he is a second grade student at Mwiteria Vision Academy. Jonah's family hails from Iteria Village in Meru County. His mother is a single parent who used to be a farmer, but now stays at home to take care of her children. She recently underwent an amputation on her leg after suffering from diabetes. Jonah has clubfoot, a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even with wearing shoes. His mother, sister, and elder brother brought him to AIC Hospital's mobile clinic in Meru to seek treatment. Watsi donors supported surgery for his left foot and now his family has returned to help heal is right foot as well. Jonah will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation. Fortunately, he is scheduled to under go a clubfoot repair surgery on January 25th. African Mission Healthcare Foundation is requesting $1,286 to fund Jonah's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk and play easily again. Rosaria, Jonah's mother shared, “We are grateful for helping my two sons undergo surgery. We have seen a lot of impact on their feet. Previously, they used to complain of pain while walking and they like playing a lot. We plead for more support to ensure that their feet can be able to step on the ground and walk like other children. God bless you."

John is a motorcycle taxi operator from Kenya. He's a 31-year-old man from an area called Zimmerman in Nairobi County and the second born in a family of four. John went to school up through high school, but since his family could not afford to send him to college, he learnt how to ride a motorbike and started hustling in Zimmerman to sustain himself. John told us that he was just planning for his future and to get married when the worst happened. On Saturday Dec. 12th, when a client sent him to carry some luggage, on the way he was hit by a vehicle. He sustained an open fracture of his right femur. Luckily he was brought to Nazareth Hospital and was admitted for care. He is not able to move his leg and the surgeon recommends an open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) surgery to heal his fracture. Since John had to borrow funds for his admission fee, he does not have a way to pay for the surgery he needs. He has requested support and is concerned if he is not treated soon he could develop a bone infection which will delay healing and cause him more complications. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On December 15th, John will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. The surgery will help him walk easily again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,049 to fund this procedure. “My family members are not able to support me for this surgery and am afraid to see my bones. I kindly ask for help so that I can be able to walk again, go back to my job, and start planning for my future family,” said John.

Victor is a five-year-old boy from Kenya. He is the firstborn child in a family of three aged between 5 months and 1 year. He is a kindergartener and a happy boy. On November 24th, Victor was playing with his friends when he accidentally fell down and sustained an injury on his right hand. His father found him on the road crying, and brought him to the hospital. Doctors conducted an x-ray, which revealed a fracture on his right supracondylar. Because he was in pain, and could not move nor lift his hand, Victor was admitted to the pediatrics ward awaiting surgery. Unfortunately, the procedure Victor needs is costly for his family, who lacks a stable income. His father is a casual labourer who looks after people’s cattle, and his mother is a housewife. Victor's family has been able to raise some money, but needs additional support to raise the amount needed for his treatment. On November 27th, Victor will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. Now, Victor's family needs $801 to fund the cost of his care. Victor’s father shared, “I want to see him happy, not in pain, be healthy and have a good life."