Vanna is a 22-year-old driver. He has a brother and sister, and his mother works as a rice farmer. In his free time, Vanna enjoys listening to music, watching TV, playing games on his phone, and helping his mother with the housework. In October, Vanna was in a car accident that fractured his right femur and wounded his right foot. After the accident, he went to a government hospital, where he underwent surgery to address the fracture. However, Vanna is still experiencing a skin defect and swelling on his right heel. He was referred to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), for treatment, as he is experiencing pain and difficulty walking. When Vanna learned about CSC, he traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On February 8th, surgeons will perform a skin graft procedure to heal his wound and allow him to walk again. CSC is requesting $474 to fund his procedure. Vanna shared, "This treatment will help me return to work and help my family. My life will change because I will be able to use my right foot without pain again."

Guy is an 8-year-old student from Haiti. Her lives with his parents and younger brother and sister in the outskirts of Port-au-Prince. He likes going to school and dressing up for church. Guy has a cardiac condition called atrial septal defect. A hole exists between the two upper chambers of his heart; blood leaks through this hole without properly circulating through his body, leaving him sickly and weak. Guy will fly to nearby Dominican Republic to receive treatment as the care he needs is not currently available in Haiti. On February 28th, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will sew a patch over the hole in his heart so that blood can no longer leak through it. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is contributing $8000 to help pay for his surgery. Guy's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and his check-up and follow-up appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner who will accompany Guy's family overseas. His mom is relieved that his surgery is finally happening and shared: "I am looking forward to seeing my son gaining weight and strength after his surgery!"

Kem is a 54-year-old construction worker with one daughter and four sons. He lives with his wife who is a housewife and proudly shared that all of his children are students. He likes to listen to the news on the radio when he is home. Three years ago, Kem developed a pterygium in his right eye, causing him tearing, itchiness, and constant burning in the eye. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. When Kem learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. Kem needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. The total cost of his procedure is $216. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for December 2nd. Kem told us, "I hope after surgery my eye feels good again so I can go back to work and not worry about my eye anymore."

Hezron is a talkative 26-year-old and hard working man. He gets work where ever he can and rents a small house in someone else's compound. When he doesn't have work to do, he helps care for the cattle on the farm or runs errands for his landlord. In August of last year, Hezron was attacked while transporting farm equipment. His leg was cut badly and his lower fibula was broken in the attack. He is at risk of infection and cannot walk like he used to. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), can help. On January 31st, Hezron will undergo a fracture repair procedure called an open reduction and internal fixation. After treatment, Hezron will hopefully be able to return to his normal life. Now, AMH is requesting $1,500 to fund his procedure and care. Hezron shared, "I’m really looking forward to this surgery as it might be the last one in my treatment."

Mark is eighteen days old and has been diagnosed with a serious birth condition called anorectal malformation. His mother first had a concern when he was 6 days old, but hoped that it was normal. A few days later she noticed that Mark was experiencing trouble going to the bathroom and took him to hospital. After finding out that he would need surgery, a friend of their family referred them to BethanyKids Hospital for treatment. Upon arrival, he was examined and scheduled for emergency surgery that will help heal his condition and ensure he can grow up healthy. Mark is the only child in their small family. His mother works as a lab technician in a small hospital, but her earnings are limited right now. Mark's father does farming and is able to sell the farm produce. Their family does not have national insurance and can not raise the required amount of money for Marks’ surgery. They have come a long way from Kericho County and are in need of support for his care.

Desiree is a three-year-old girl from Venezuela. Seven months ago, her family left Venezuela for Colombia seeking better opportunities. After tragically experiencing the loss of Desiree's siblings, Desiree fills her parents' life with joy and happiness. She loves playing with dolls and dancing. One day, her parents hope she will become a ballerina. Desiree was born with amniotic band syndrome. Her condition has affected one of her right toes, which frequently bleeds. Fortunately, our medical partner, Clínica Noel, is helping Desiree receive treatment. On December 7th, she will undergo surgery to stop the bleeding and help her live a healthy and active life ahead. After surgery, she will be able to walk, run, and dance without pain. Now, her family needs help raising $1,500 to fund Desiree's procedure and care. Desiree's mother shared, "first of all I would like to thank you all for making this all possible. Thanks to you and the donors my daughter will stop her pain. I would love to invite people to continue making their donations in order to help families that unfortunately can't pay for their kids' treatment."

Mark Andrei is a five-year-old boy from the Philippines. Mark Andrei loves to draw and dreams of becoming a policeman someday. His father is a farmer—earning lower than the minimum wage that is approved by the Department of Labor in the Philippines; while his mother is a stay-at-home mom. Mark Andrei was born with an anorectal malformation, a congenital abnormality that leads to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. He needs to undergo a series of procedures to eliminate bowel dysfunction. Mark Andrei is scheduled to undergo surgery to correct his condition on November 10th. Our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines, is requesting $1,279 to cover the total cost of Mark Andrei's procedure and care. After his recovery, Mark Andrei will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. “We are thankful that there are organizations like WSFP and WATSI who are providing surgeries like this. This surgery will help increase Mark Andrei's confidence to interact with his classmates without being afraid of getting bullied,” shared Donnalyn, Mark Andrei's mother.

Davis is a bright young student from a village in Kenya. He's a six-year-old playful boy and the fourth-born in a family of six. His family lives in a two-roomed iron-built house on their inherited small farm. His father is a farmer who plants maize and his mother is a housewife. Davis' parents do not have any other source of income and only depend on farming. Due to this, they are having a difficult time financially, especially amid the pandemic. Unfortunately, on September 27th, Davis sustained a severe injury to his right lower limb after falling from a Sheller machine (a machine for shelling maize cobs) after trying to climb it. After hearing his cries, his father brought him to our medical partner's care center. The doctors reviewed him and an X-Ray revealed a fracture to his right femur. Davis was admitted to the hospital for skin traction to stabilize his fracture and realign the normal position of the bone. Due to the severity of the injury, Davis is in a lot of pain and couldn't walk nor sit properly. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, can help. On October 1st, Davis will undergo a fracture repair procedure called an open reduction and internal fixation. AMH is requesting $1,145 to help fund this procedure. After successful treatment, Davis will be able to walk and resume his normal life and playful activities. Davis' father says, “He has so much pain, I feel sorry for him. I hope he gets treated and feels better and will be well again.”

Tukahirwa is a farmer and a mother to two sons and three daughters. Her sons are both builders, one daughter is a teacher, and her other daughters are married and are small scale farmers. Tukahirwa earns a living from small scale farming and so does her husband, they normally grow food crops like beans, maize, and potatoes for home consumption but often sell off the surplus to generate an income for their family. For six years, Tukahirwa has been experiencing abdominal pain and other troubling symptoms. She has been diagnosed with a cervical polyp. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $219 to fund Tukahirwa's surgery. On May 25th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center. Once recovered, Tukahirwa will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Tukahirwa says, “I will really be grateful to see my health restored after surgery."

Hy is a 38-year-old fisherman from Cambodia. He has been married for 9 years and has 2 young sons. His wife worked in a factory but now stays at home to look after Hy. One year ago, Hy was in a motor vehicle accident that left him with fractures that caused paralysis of his left arm. He was brought to a government hospital for treatment, but his arm still did not recover sensation or feeling after weeks of treatment. Hy has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his left side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. He is unable to lift his arm, is in chronic pain, and can't work Fortunately, Hy traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On July 30th, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery so that he will be able to use his arm again. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), is requesting $696 to fund this procedure. He hopes that he can use his arm as soon as possible and can return to work to support his family.

Samai is a 62-year-old motor taxi driver. He has six daughters, six sons, and many grandchildren. Samai lives with his wife. Nowadays, Samai stays home and helps to take care of his grandchildren. He likes to listen to the news and to the monks praying on the radio. Five years ago, Samai developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him blurry vision, photophobia, and tearing. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Samai learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled there with his daughter seeking treatment. On May 13th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification 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. Samai said, "I hope after surgery my eye can see better so I can drive my motor taxi again to support my family."