Rithea is a 39-year-old craftswoman from Cambodia. She enjoys spending time with her three children and doing the housework in her free time. One year ago, Rithea had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in her right ear to perforate. For this reason, Rithea experiences ear discharge, pain, itchiness, and headaches. She is unable to hear clearly and suffers from chronic ear infections. Rithea traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On October 09, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in her right ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $423 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Rithea said, "I hope that after surgery, my ear will be able to heal and I will be able to hear clearly again."

Yared is a child from Ethiopia. Heis a cute baby who loves to play with other kids. He has one sister and one brother who love to play with him. His mom is a single parent. She takes care of her kids alone but has not been working after she gave birth to Yared. She had a small restaurant that she operated to meet the family’s needs. Now she is supporting her family on the little savings she had from that business while their father helps by educating the kids For some time now, Yared has had an inguinal hernia. If not treated, the hernia may result in intestinal tissue damage or death. Fortunately, on September 25th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $562 to fund Yared's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Yared’s mom said, “I am so afraid of the operation but I trust this in God’s hand. What God plans for us is going to happen. I brought him here when people kept telling me to take him to monasteries for a holy water baptism.”

Jackson is a baby from Tanzania. He has a twin sister called Janet. Jackson’s parents were very happy to be blessed with twin babies. Jackson comes from a family of five children and both his parents depend on small scale farming. They have a small shop which helps them supplement their income to be able to support their family. Jackson has clubfoot of both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Jackson traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on August 23. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $890 to fund Jackson's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk easily when he grows up. Jackson’s mother says, “We don’t want our son to feel any different from his siblings that’s why we want to treat his condition. We are unable to afford the treatment cost please help us.”

David is a farmer from Kenya. Two weeks ago, David was involved in a road accident and sustained severe injuries on his left leg and left hand. He is not able to use his hand and is in chronic pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On August 2, David will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help him work easily again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $968 to fund this procedure. David says, “Help me stabilize my family economically."

Yoeun is a teenager from Cambodia. Three years ago, Yoeun was in a motorcycle accident that fractured his left femur. He was treated for an open fracture at the Children's Hospital in Phnom Penh, but now his leg is stiff and deformed. Surgery will help to release the tight muscles and realign the bones in Yoeun's leg so he will be able to move and walk without difficulty. Surgery is scheduled for May 10 and will cost $390. Yoeun is the youngest of six siblings, and he hopes to one day become a police officer.

Kerhi is a student from Haiti. He lives with his parents and two brothers in Gonaives, a city on the west coast of Haiti. His father is a bus driver, and his mother works in the market. He is in the fifth grade and enjoys math and science. Kerhi has a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus. A blood vessel between the pulmonary artery and the aorta that normally closes soon after birth instead remains open. Blood flows through it, bypassing the lungs and depriving the body of the oxygen it needs. Kerhi underwent a surgery two years ago to tie off the duct, but unfortunately the defect has re-opened; he will now undergo a different type of procedure called cardiac catheterization to close it in a way that makes it very unlikely to ever reopen again. Kerhi will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On May 2, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will use a device attached to the tip of a catheter to block the leaking duct. Another organization, Gift of Life New York, is contributing $6,000 to pay for surgery. Kerhi's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Kerhi's family overseas. He says, "I am excited to fly on a plane for the first time and visit a new country!"

Rom is a 68-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He has two children and three grandchildren, and in his free time he likes to watch television and listen to the monks pray on the radio. Two years ago, Rom developed a cataract in each eye, causing him blurry vision and vertigo. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Rom learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On April 1, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $398 procedure. He says, "I hope that after my surgery, I will be able to help my daughter take care of her children and attend events at the pagoda."

Maureen is a baby from Kenya. She is the youngest in a family of three children. The family resides in the central region of Kenya. Maureen’s mother is employed casually as an hotelier, while he father is a subsistence farmer. Maureen has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of her condition, Maureen has been experiencing an increasing head circumference. Without treatment, Maureen will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $685 to cover the cost of surgery for Maureen that will treat her hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on March 7 and will drain the excess fluid from Maureen's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Maureen will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. “I am sad to find out that my daughter has hydrocephalus. It is a good thing though that it has been discovered early enough,” says Maureen’s mother.

Fridah is a young woman from Kenya. She is the eldest of three children. Fridah has clubfoot of her right foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Fridah traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on January 28. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,224 to fund Fridah's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will be ale to walk easily. Fridah says, “I am praying to God that I can undergo surgery and resume my normal life and studies without pain.”

An is a rice farmer from Cambodia. She has two sons and four grandchildren. She likes to read and listen to radio programs. A year ago, An developed a cataract in each eye, causing her clouded lenses and blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When An learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four hours seeking treatment. On January 3, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $398 procedure. She says, "I hope my vision improves so I can return to work."

Savuth is a hair dresser from Cambodia. He has one daughter and two sons. He likes to go for walks, do housework, and watch TV. Two years ago, he developed hip pain on his left side. He cannot walk, work, or support his family. Fortunately, Savuth learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. At CSC, surgeons can perform a total hip replacement to relieve Savuth of his pain and allow him to walk easily. Treatment is scheduled for October 17, and Savuth needs help raising $1,025 to pay for this procedure. He says, "I hope I can walk normally again after the operation."

U Maung is a 69-year-old man who now lives in Kawkareik Township, Karen State, Burma. He has been living on his own for nearly two years. He has a small vegetable garden and raises chickens. His children are all married, and they live in different places. U Maung has been diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia, a noncancerous increase in size of the prostate. He has been taking regular medication. On his last visit to the hospital, the doctor told him that he requires surgery to prevent possible complications in the future. His prostate surgery is scheduled for October 31. Now, U Maung needs help raising $1,373 to fund surgery.