Thae is a 35-year-old woman from Thailand, who shares a home in Tak Province with her friend's family. Originally from Bago Division in Burma, Thae moved to Thailand ten months ago due to the challenging political situation in her home country. She and her friend support each other by sharing meals and covering living expenses. Thae used to work as a day laborer in a shop, but she lost her job in August. While she searches for new opportunities, her friend has graciously provided her with food. During her free time, Thae helps care for her friend’s baby and pitches in with household chores. Unfortunately, Thae has been struggling with discomfort when lying on her back since mid-2022. Each morning, she wakes up with lower back pain and abdominal discomfort. At times, she feels aches throughout her entire body and deals with constipation. Recently, she learned that she has a pelvic mass and has been advised to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy, a procedure that would remove her uterus and cervix. Without this surgery, Thae's health issues will continue to worsen, putting her at risk for more serious complications down the line. Fortunately, Thae is scheduled to undergo her hysterectomy on October 16th, to relieve her of the painful symptoms so she can be able to work again. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Thae says, “I feel sad because I don’t have anyone to care for me right now. My friend has recently given birth and needs to focus on her baby. I’m worried about whether my condition can be treated, as it has been affecting me for two years already. I wish to thank the BCMF team and all the generous donors for supporting me and helping with my treatment.”

Srey Nich is a 10-year-old student from Cambodia. She lives with her parents and her three-year-old sister in Kandal province. Her mother sells snacks from a small cart outside of their home, while her father works as a security guard for a private company in Phnom Penh. Srey Nich is in the 4th grade and enjoys studying Khmer history and Math. She loves to spend her free time helping to take care of her younger sister. For the last six months, Srey Nich has been experiencing recurrent sore throats accompanied by fever. These symptoms have worsened over the last few months, leading to difficulty swallowing and making it hard for her to focus on her studies at school. Srey Nich was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, which, if not treated, will cause her symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is helping Srey Nich receive treatment. On August 21st, she is scheduled to have a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. The surgeons will remove her tonsils and adenoids with the aim of alleviating Srey Nich's symptoms and allowing her to live more comfortably. Her family is able to contribute $100 towards the cost of her treatment and need help raising $165 more to fund the procedure. Srey Nich's mother says, "I hope that after the surgery, Srey Nich will be free from recurrent pain, allowing her to concentrate on her studies without having to miss any school."

Miguel is a 12-year-old student, living with his mother in La Paz, Bolivia. His mother is a market vendor. Miguel is in 6th grade. During his free time, Miguel enjoys video games and cooking. Miguel has a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus where a hole exists between two major blood vessels near his heart, and blood leaks through this hole, leaving him weak, and making it difficult for him to gain weight. On May 8th, Miguel will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During the procedure, surgeons will close the hole so that blood can no longer leak through it. Miguel's family needs your help to fund the costs of cardiac care and surgery. The $1,500 requested by our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, will help cover cardiac exams and diagnostics, surgical costs, follow-up care, and medications. Miguel said: "I am hopeful that I will be allowed to play soccer once I have healed from my surgery!"

May is a 59-year-old mother of four, living with her family in a refugee camp along the Thai-Burma border. While May and one of her daughters manage their household, her husband serves as a minister. Her two sons teach at a bible school within the camp. May began experiencing stomach pain and noticed an increase in the size of her abdomen. She has difficulty moving, sitting for long periods, walking, and sleeping. The doctors diagnosed May with a suspected malignant ovarian tumor and our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is helping her access treatment. She is scheduled to undergo mass removal surgery on March 6th at Mae Sot General Hospital. She is seeking $1,500 to cover the cost of her procedure and care. May said, “My condition means my children have to help me with my household and personal duties when my pain becomes too much. I want to go back to working with my husband in the church after my surgery if I am okay.”

Vun is a 64 year-old loving grandmother. She lives in Prey Veng province with her husband. Both of them are retired rice farmers and their four children help support them by working in factories. Vun loves spending time with her eleven grandchildren and volunteering at the local temple. About five months ago, Vun developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, so it is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on her own. When Vun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On December 4th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. She shared, "I hope after surgery I can see better and be able to recognize my grandchildren."

Meareth is a 10-year-old fifth grader who lives in Kandal province with her parents and older brother. Her brother is a senior in high school, where both of Meareth's parents work as teachers of Cambodian studies. In her free time, Meareth likes reading and playing with her friends. Her dream is to attend university and become an English teacher. Three years ago, Meareth developed itchy painful ears after having her ears pierced at a house in her village. Since then, a worrying mass has formed on her right earlobe. The mass is uncomfortable and growing in size. She experiences pain and feels embarrassed at school. Meareth and her mother traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On September 21st, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), will remove the mass. Now, Meareth's family needs help to raise $273 to fund this procedure. Her mother said, "I hope she can have the cyst removed so she can feel better and I can stop worrying about my daughter."

Rose is a 25-year-old woman from Haiti. She lives with her older sister and her family in a small community in southwest Haiti. When Rose was a teenager, one of her heart valves was severely damaged due to an infection. This caused a condition known as rheumatic mitral valve regurgitation, where Rose's heart cannot adequately pump blood through her body, leaving her weak and short of breath. She had to pause her college education due to her condition but hopes to restart school when she is healthy. On July 24th, Rose will undergo cardiac surgery in the United States. During the procedure, surgeons will remove Rose's damaged valve and implant an artificial replacement. Another organization, Baylor Scott and White Heart Hospital, is contributing $20,000 to pay for Rose's surgery. Rose's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep and follow-up. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, checkup, and followup appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Rose's family overseas. Rose shared with us: "I am so happy to be able to have this surgery so that I can start living more normally and thinking about my future!"

Meet Katweensly, a 16 year old student, living with her mother and siblings in a small town in Haiti, near the border with the Dominican Republic. Katweensly, who is a junior in high school, particularly enjoys her math and science classes. As a young child, Katweensly suffered a bout of rheumatic fever, which damaged one of the four valves in her heart. As a result, her heart cannot pump blood efficiently through her body, leaving her feeling weak and short of breath. Thanks to the help of our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, Katweensly is scheduled to travel to the Dominican Republic for surgery, which is scheduled for November 10th, at Hospital CEDIMAT. There, doctors will first try to repair the damaged valve. If they are unable to do this, they will implant an artificial valve. Another organization, Mitral Foundation, is helping supporting the cost of the surgery, but Katweensly's family needs an additional $1,500 to pay for lab tests, medicines, and follow up appointments that are a part of her overall treatment. In addition, support will help cover the travel costs and ensure a social worker from Haiti Cardiac Alliance can support the family during treatment in the Dominican Republic. Katweensly said: "I am feeling very happy to finally have the chance to have my heart repaired after waiting for so long."

Saw Eh is a two-year-old boy who lives with his mother and older sister in a refugee camp in Thailand. Both he and his older sister go to nursery school. His mother weaves and sells traditional Karen clothing to earn extra money in addition to the small amount they receive every month on a cash card. When Saw Eh was two months old, he began crying a lot and his mother noticed swelling in a sensitive area. He received medication at the hospital in the refugee camp, which helped alleviate his discomfort and crying. However, Saw Eh began experiencing pain in the same sensitive area this past June. This pain often causes him to miss school, as well as to cry frequently again. His mother shares that when he cries, she must hold him, meaning she no longer has time to weave clothes. During the short moments when the pain lessens after taking painkillers, Saw Eh loves playing with his friends and his sister. When his family brought him to the hospital, a medic told them that they would have to wait for a doctor to visit the refugee camp. When Saw Eh was finally seen by a doctor in late July, he and his family were referred to our medical partner's care center, Mae Sariang Hospital, for treatment. He was diagnosed with hydrocele in his left scrotum and a left inguinal hernia. Due to his severe condition, the doctor admitted him and scheduled his surgery to take place that same night, August 4th. However, Saw Eh's mother shares that she cannot pay for her son's needed treatment due to financial constraints. Fortunately, she was referred to our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), for financial assistance accessing treatment. On August 4th, surgeons will perform hernia repair surgery to treat Saw Eh's hernia and help alleviate his symptoms. BCMF is requesting $1,486 to fund his surgery and care. Saw Eh’s mother shares, “I feel so sad when I see my son in pain. I love to see him playing with his sister, but if he is in pain, he will cry a lot.”

Jayden is a baby from Tanzania. He is being raised by a single mother working hard to provide for her family. Jayden's father is not in their life, and his mother has no remaining family members. She has no stable job and she always seeks different jobs, like washing clothes. Jayden was born with his fingers on both of his hands being attached together. His mother tried to seek treatment, however she could not afford to pay for surgery to correct his fingers. Due to his condition, Jayden cannot use his fingers separately. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Jayden receive treatment. On October 13, surgeons at the care center will perform a surgery to help separate his fingers for easier use. Now, their family needs help to fund this $639 procedure. Jayden’s mother says, “I have struggled for a while with my son, I am glad that I have found people who are willing to help him.”

Nathalia is a crafty and creative seven-year-old from Bolivia who just completed first grade. She lives with her parents and one younger sister. Some of Nathalia's favorite activities include creating artwork and making crafts! Nathalia was born with an atrial septal defect, a cardiac condition in which a hole exists between the two upper chambers of the heart. Blood leaks through this hole instead of flowing properly through her body, leaving her feeling weak and short of breath. Fortunately, Nathalia is scheduled to undergo heart surgery on July 27th with the support of our long-standing medical partner Haiti Cardiac Alliance, which is now growing and expanding into Bolivia. Surgeons will close the hole with a patch, allowing blood to properly flow through her body and improving her quality of life. Another organization, Gift of Life International, is contributing $2,500 to pay for a portion of Nathalia's procedure costs. Our medical partner is requesting $1,500 to cover the remaining costs, which cover surgical expenses, cardiac exams, medications, and travel fees so Nathalia and her family can travel to receive her life-changing cardiac procedure in La Paz. Nathalia's mother shares, "Ever since we learned our daughter was sick, we have been praying every day for this surgery, and we are so glad our prayers are about to be answered!"

Joan is a small-scale farmer. She previously has lost children during pregnancy and child birth, but is hopeful that she will welcome a healthy baby. Joan has a certificate in nursery school teaching and is looking for a job. In the meantime, she is farming with her husband. Joan and her husband make a modest income and own a two-room mud house for shelter. During her free time, Joan enjoys working on the farm with her family. Joan's doctors recommend that she deliver her child via a caesarean section, or c-section, because of her previous birth complications. This procedure will allow doctors to ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is raising $214 to fund Joan's c-section on May 20th. Joan shared, “I hope and believe that I will finally be a mother through surgery. I hope for a positive outcome. I will continue with farming after complete recovery.”