Meet Brian, a playful boy from Kenya. At four years old, he is his parents’ only child. When he was two years old, Brian was playing at home and badly burned his left hand in hot water. Although he was admitted to the hospital for two weeks, his hand did not heal properly. The wound site now bears contractures, or shortened, rigid muscles and skin. As a result, Brian is not able to fully extend or use his left hand. Without further treatment, Brian will likely live the rest of his life with an impaired hand. The wound could even get worse once he begins playing more with other children, as his risk of re-injuring the vulnerable tissue will be increased. Seeking treatment through our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, Brian is scheduled to undergo surgery on his hand to increase mobility on July 3. Although his family is able to contribute $208 towards his medical bills, Brian is still in need of $1,176 to cover the rest of his expenses. “I want my son to have a fully functional hand,” shares Brian’s father. “I will thank God when this happens.”

Ma Yee is a 39-year-old woman who lives in Thailand with her husband and three daughters. In February 2016, she began experiencing sickness and abdominal pain, as well as a burning sensation in her abdomen. A clinic doctor gave her one week of oral medication, which temporarily relieved her pain but did not last long. The doctor carried out an ultrasound in early 2017 and told her she has a noncancerous pelvic mass. She was referred to our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF). Ma Yee currently experiences dizziness, sickness, occasional headaches, and abdominal and back pain. Because she is in severe discomfort, she cannot sit for more than 20 minutes at a time. Her husband now takes care of her and their three younger children. For this reason, he is working much less than usual, which has financially strained the family. Fortunately, Ma Yee will undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy on April 11. Her family needs help to fund this $1,500 procedure, which should relieve her symptoms. Ma Yee's husband says, “We do not have money for the surgery, so we really wanted you to help us for the surgery. Thank you for accepting us...When she is better, I would like to return to thank BCMF and the donors.”

Musabye is a 48-year-old farmer from Uganda. He is married and has eight children. Two years ago, Musabye developed a small swelling in his right groin. As the swelling increased in size and grew painful, he was told he would need surgery. Musabye is unable to lift heavy objects because of the intense pain. At the suggestion of his sister-in-law, Musabye visited our medical partner’s care center, Holy Family Virika Hospital, where he was diagnosed with a right inguinal hernia. An inguinal hernia occurs when tissue protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles. Without treatment, Musabye may experience intestinal blockage or damage. Fortunately, on March 8, Musabye will undergo a hernia repair surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $249 to fund the procedure. After surgery, he hopes to continue farming in order to provide for his family. He says, “I have pain, and I am unable to pay for my surgery. I am requesting for help.”

Robert is a 55-year-old man from Uganda. He has been working as a tailor for 37 years, making dresses, suits, and school uniforms. Robert and his wife have been married for 34 years and have eight children and 11 grandchildren. When Robert is not working, he enjoys visiting with friends and sings tenor in his church choir. Seven years ago, Robert developed a hernia in his groin, and the pain keeps him from playing with his grandchildren and impedes his work as a tailor. Our medical partner, The Kellermann Foundation, is requesting $229 to cover the total cost of Robert's surgery. He is scheduled to undergo hernia repair surgery on June 3. "I would like to thank all the donors for this assistance," says Robert. "And hope they continue providing assistance to others.”

Eric, a native of Uganda, is still working hard at seventy years old! Each day he wakes up to the sound of roosters crowing in his yard, and looks forward to working in his garden to grow food for his family. He also harvests tea plants to sell. Besides household necessities, this income pays for school tuition for his grandchild and three children. For the past several months, however, a painful injury has kept Eric from doing the farm work he so loves. Eric has developed an inguinal hernia, meaning that abdominal tissue has forced its way through a weak spot in his groin muscle. The hernia causes him serious discomfort, and if it is left untreated, could develop deadly complications. Eric's doctors have scheduled him for hernia repair surgery, set to take place on April 11. Although Eric’s resources are already at their limit by supporting his family’s needs, we can sponsor his operation, as well as his lab tests and five-day hospital stay, for $229. After surgery, Eric hopes to be able to get back to work as soon as possible. “I thank the donors for their support,” he says. “May God bless them and double the earnings from their work.”

Dammar is a 30-year-old farmer from Nepal. He supports his wife and children through his agricultural efforts. As a seasonal migrant worker, he spends a large amount of time in India working and sending his earnings home to support his family. Nearly a month ago, Dammar began to develop an abscess on his left leg. An abscess is a collection of pus that has built up within the tissue of the body. Abscesses can become inflamed and painful. If left untreated, they can lead to infection of the surrounding tissue. Dammar has been unable to walk or even sleep as a result of his abscess. Dammar tried to heal the abscess with herbal medicine, but his condition did not improve. When he visited our medical partner, Possible, physicians examined his leg and recommended wound care. Dammar's treatment is set to begin on April 10. Possible is requesting $157. Dammar says, "My leg gives me trouble. I can't walk freely. I hope it will be all right."

Heng is a 65-year-old farmer from Cambodia. She is married and has four daughters and three sons. In her free time, Heng enjoys cooking and looking after her granddaughter. In April 2014, Heng fell, causing pain in her left hip. Over time, her symptoms left her unable to walk and consequently unable to work. After hearing about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), Heng decided to seek treatment. On March 21, surgeons will perform a hemiarthroplasty procedure on Heng, replacing one half of her hip joint with a prosthetic, while leaving the other half intact. CSC is asking for $450 to cover the cost of Hong's treatment. After surgery, Heng will be able to walk easily again!

Lucy is a bright five-year-old girl from Tanzania. She enjoys playing with her friends at her orphanage. She was born with clubfoot, which means her foot is twisted. Though she underwent previous treatment, her condition has relapsed. As a result, Lucy is not able to wear shoes. Lucy's treatment includes surgery and physiotherapy and is scheduled to begin on January 17. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,160 to fund X-rays, medications, surgery fees, Lucy's cast, and her hospital stay. "We look forward to when Lucy has finished her treatment and is able to continue with her studies like her friends," says Lucy's caregiver.

Rorn is a 60-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He is married and has two sons, three daughters, and four grandchildren. He likes to listen to monks pray and join ceremonies at the pagoda. Two years ago, Rorn developed a cataract in each eye, causing him blurred vision and tearing. Over time, his sight has deteriorated, and it has become difficult for him to see things clearly, do any type of work, and go anywhere on his own. Rorn knew about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), because his aunt had surgery there. He traveled for three hours with his daughter to reach CSC for treatment. Rorn is scheduled for cataract eye surgery on January 12. Surgeons will remove the cataracts and implant an artificial lens in each eye. After the surgery, Rorn will be able to see clearly again. CSC is requesting $292 to fund this treatment. "I hope I can see everything more clearly than now," says Rorn, "so that I can continue my work as a farmer easily. I want to plant lotus flowers, too."

Sophors is a 16-year-old farmer from Cambodia. He has two sisters and three brothers. He likes to watch TV and feed the chickens behind his home. On December 15, Sophors fell from a tree and sustained a fracture in his left wrist. It became difficult for him to use his left hand, and he was in pain. When Sophors learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for four hours with his mother to seek treatment. On December 23, surgeons at CSC performed a closed reduction internal fixation procedure with pinning to heal the fracture and allow Sophors to use his hand easily again. CSC is requesting $411 to fund this procedure.

Meet Sreng, a 72-year-old man from Cambodia. Sreng is married with four sons, four daughters, and ten grandchildren. He enjoys walking to the pagoda and listening to the monks pray. Two years ago, Sreng developed a mature cataract in each eye. A cataract forms when a thin, cloudy layer covers the eye’s lens. Sreng's cataracts cause him blurred vision, discharge, tearing, and a fear of bright lights. It is difficult for him to see clearly, do work, or go anywhere outside. Sreng knew about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, because his wife received surgery there previously. Sreng and his wife traveled three hours to visit the clinic again. On October 18, 2016, Sreng underwent a small incision cataract surgery, during which his old lenses were removed and replaced with sheer artificial implants (intraocular lens implants). $292 will cover the costs of this procedure, including doctor fees, surgical costs, and medications. "I hope that I can see everything more clearly...so that I can go to the pagoda and drive my motorbike easily," says Sreng. "I also want to help my daughter on the farm. I want to be able to go anywhere outside by myself without needing to disturb another person to take care of me." Sreng's wife adds, "I hope my husband can see everything more clearly...so that I don't have to worry about his vision loss anymore."

Juana is 70 years old and lives with her family in a humble home made of adobe and tin. Her family owns a small store that sells tortillas and snacks, which is their primary income. Unfortunately, with several small grandchildren and a growing family, this is not enough to pay for even basic food and water sometimes, let alone high-quality medical care or the travel required to get from her rural village to the hospital. Juana has been suffering from type-two diabetes and high blood pressure for many years without being able to take medication. This has caused her to develop cataracts in her eyes, making her nearly blind. This has made it hard for her to do what she loves most, playing with her grandchildren and weaving traditional Maya textiles. If she does not receive treatment, she could become totally blind and require assistance in all her daily activities, severely limiting her independence. $1,500 will cover the costs of the surgery to remove Juana's cataracts, as well as all post-operative care. This treatment will allow Juana to see clearly for the first time in nearly a decade. She will be able to play with her grandchildren, weave, and do daily activities without assistance.