Melissa is a 16-year-old girl who resides in Sanawari, Arusha region and currently lives with her grandparents. Her parents are based in another region due to work commitments, and they diligently strive to send money to cover Melissa’s living expenses as well as assist with other financial needs. At school, Melissa especially likes her art classes. Melissa suffers from a condition called bilateral varus, causing stress on her knees and lower limbs. She was diagnosed with bilateral genu varus, a condition that developed six years ago. The condition causes stress on her knees and lower limbs. Her legs are not severely bent, but she endures considerable pain when standing for prolonged periods and walking extended distances, leading to easy fatigue. As a result, Melissa experiences pain when walking long distances. Previous attempts at medical intervention involved a visit to the hospital, where she was prescribed medication, vitamin D, and calcium. Unfortunately, they had to discontinue the treatment after one month due to financial constraints. Melissa's family discovered our medical partner's care center, Kafika house occurred during a hospital visit for treatment, where a doctor directed them to the center. They travelled to the facility and were assessed. Surgical treatment is deemed necessary to improve her condition so she can have a full life ahead. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery and treatment for Melissa at their care center Kafika House. The procedure is scheduled to take place on January 16th. Treatment will hopefully restore Melissa's mobility, allow her to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease her risk of future complications. Melissa's grandmother says: “I hope after this treatment, my granddaughter will be free from pain when she walks.”

Daw Kyi is a 66-year-old woman who lives with her daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter in Ayarwaddy Division, Burma. Daw Kyi is retired, and her daughter is a homemaker. Her granddaughter is a student, and her son-in-law works as a taxi driver, but his income is insufficient to cover their family's basic needs or basic health care. Last year, she became aware of blurred vision in her right eye. However, she dismissed it as normal. By last December, her condition worsened, resulting in impaired vision and excessive tearing in her right eye. She confided in her daughter, who promptly took her to the nearest hospital. There, she underwent an eye examination and was diagnosed with a cataract in her right eye. Surprisingly, the doctor did not recommend surgery but instead prescribed eye drops and oral medication for one month. Unfortunately, her symptoms did not improve, and due to financial constraints, she could not return to the hospital for further treatment and did not seek medical care after that. On May 27th, 2023, she became increasingly aware that her condition was deteriorating. Her vision was becoming significantly more blurred, to the point where she could only perceive things faintly. Despite being aware of her worsening condition and the likelihood of requiring surgery, she faced the unfortunate reality that she could not afford the cost of the necessary medical treatment. As a result, she decided to avoid going to the hospital. Currently, Daw Kyi has tearing and blurred vision in her right eye. She will need someone to guide her while walking long distances and on the way to the bathroom. She feels sad and depressed since she can not see clearly and can not pay for surgery even though she wants to get treatment. Thankfully, our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is determined to help restore Daw Kyi's vision by performing a lens replacement surgery. To make this possible, they are reaching out for your support in funding the procedure, which amounts to $769. Your contribution would play a significant role in enabling Daw Kyi to regain her vision and improve her quality of life. Daw Kyi said, "In the future, after seeing again, I will go back and look after my granddaughter and stay with my daughter at home."

Ly Seang is a six-year-old first grader from Cambodia, where she lives in a rural village with her parents and her newborn baby brother. Her dream is to become a nurse when she grows up. Ly Seang was born with a mass on her right ear. The mass has begun to cause her embarrassment and makes her uncomfortable when meeting new people. Ly Seang traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On May 2nd, surgeons at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre will remove the mass. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is seeking your help to raise $273 to fund this procedure. After this procedure, Ly Seang should live more comfortably and happily. Ly Seang's father said: "I just want my daughter to feel happy and not worry anymore."

Kiiza is a small-scale farmer and an elderly widow, who lost her spouse about 50 years ago. She has six children who are all married and now self-employed. She currently survives through farming in her local village, although her age and health condition limits her physical capacity to do so. She appeals for your support to improve her health in her old age and alleviate the financial burden that comes with medical treatment. Since last August, Kiiza has had a supra-umbilical hernia. She has been experiencing anterior abdominal pain and swelling which has significantly impacted her daily life. She can no longer engage in physical activities such as digging her field and washing her clothes, and even sleeping has become a challenge due to the discomfort she experiences. This condition has thus not only affected her health but also her ability to work and support herself financially. Without medical treatment, she faces the risk of intestinal obstruction, which could severely impact her quality of life. Fortunately, on April 12th, she will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $230 to fund Kiiza's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably and confidently. Kiiza says, “I have lost the power to do my activities due to this condition. I hope after complete recovery with your support I'll be able to get back to my normal life.”

Jesca is a 16-year-old girl who was born with clubfoot of the right foot. At two years old, Jesca’s mother recognized the severity of her condition and took her to Nkuaranga for treatment. However, sadly her mother fell seriously ill and passed away. Left without her mother’s care and support, Jesca’s father couldn’t continue with her treatment plan. The weight of her condition and the financial burden caused Jesca to abandon her education in secondary school. Her father, a casual laborer, provides for the family by working in the fields. Fortunately, Jesca's family traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, The Plaster House NGO. There, the team will begin clubfoot treatment on September 15. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $935 to fund Jesca's clubfoot repair. After treatment, her bent right foot will straighten, and she will be able to walk comfortably. Jesca says, “It has been my wish to get treatment for my condition, I wish to be able to walk confidently without worrying how people are looking at me.”

Sophea is a 27-year-old father of two from Cambodia. He lives in a small village with his wife and two sons. Sophea and his wife plant and harvest vegetables to sell from their street cart and provide food for their family's consumption. Twelve years ago, Sophea developed an ear infection that caused a cholesteatoma, or abnormal skin growth, to develop in the middle ear behind his ear drum. As a result, Sophea experiences hearing loss, tinnitus, and ear discharge. It is difficult for him to hear at home and with his customers. Sophea traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On March 6th, 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 (CSC), is requesting $926 to fund this procedure, which covers all medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Sophea also contributed $100 towards his care. Sophea shared that he hopes this surgery will relieve him of symptoms and allow him to finally be able to hear again.

Moe is 42-year-old man from Thailand. He lives with his mother, sister, brother and nephew on the Thai-Burma border. They are all unemployed due to the difficulties of the local situation. In his free time, he enjoys playing badminton and designing t-shirts. On July 3rd, Moe was playing badminton with his friends when he slipped and fell. After he fell he could not move and experienced pain in his right leg. He received an x-ray at Mae Sot Hospital and was diagnosed with fractures in his right tibia and fibula (both bones in the lower leg). He experiences extreme pain in his right leg. He cannot move or lift it, nor can he comfortably sit up. Due to the pain, he cannot sleep well, and he has little appetite. He needs to rely on his brother for all personal care. With the help of our medical partner Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), Moe will undergo surgery to reset his fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for July 20th and BCMF is requesting $1,500 to fund his treatment. This procedure will help Moe walk again and be free of pain. He will no longer have to rely on his brother to help him with personal care. Moe shared, “I feel so upset because I never thought that I would be like this [bed-bound]. I want to have my surgery soon because I feel a lot of pain in my right leg. I am really thankful for the donors who are paying for my treatment."

Daw Toe is a 70-year-old woman who lives with her husband in Burma. They are both retired farmers. Daw Toe likes to cook and sew clothing during her free time. Daw Toe has started to experience severe lower abdominal and back pain. When she walks long distances, the pain increases in her back and abdomen. She also has symptoms when using the restroom. Daw Toe has been diagnosed with kidney stones and swelling in her left kidney. Our medical partner Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF) is requesting $1,500 to cover the cost of a nephrectomy for Daw Toe, an operation to remove her left kidney, scheduled for June 12th. Daw Toe said, “I feel so sad since I have no money to pay for my surgery cost... Now, I feel a little bit better and I hope I will recover quickly after surgery. I thank everyone for helping me.”

Mohamed is a happy, outgoing, and playful 5-year-old from Kenya. He has one younger sibling. Mohamed's father works as a vegetable vendor, and his mother stays home to care for the family. When Mohamed was about three years old, his parents noticed a bend on his left foot which continued to increase over time. He has been undergoing physiotherapy but experiences pain and difficulty walking long distances. Mohamed was diagnosed with clubfoot of his left foot, a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. His family traveled to our medical partner's care center, where surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on May 15th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $1,286 to fund this procedure. Upon recovery, this surgery will allow Mohamed to be able to wear shoes and walk pain-free as he begins school soon. Mohamed's father said: "My Joy is to see my son undergo surgery and walk like other children. I will appreciate any kind of support."

Malaika lives on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince in Haiti with her parents and four siblings; she is in the third grade and likes her science and reading classes. She was both with a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect, in which a hole exists between the two lower chambers of her heart. Blood leaks through this hole without passing through her lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving her weak and short of breath. The surgery she needs is not available in Haiti, but fortunately for Malaika, doctors at the Clinica Corominas in the Dominican Republic will be able to perform an interventional heart catherization procedure to fix her condition. During the procedure, doctors will insert a catheter into her heart to plug the hole with a device. Now, her family needs $1,500 to help pay the costs of the procedure and travel. Another organization Gift of Life International is also contributing to her life-saving care. Malaika's mother says: "Our family is very hopeful that our daughter will be healthier and happier after her heart is fixed."