Erick lives in a neighborhood on the outskirts of La Paz with his mother and his grandparents, who help take care of him while his mother works in the market. He was born with three different holes in and near his heart; as a result, blood leaks through these holes, and his heart cannot deliver enough oxygen to his body. Thankfully, our medical care partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, has been of great help and has helped Erick and his family receive the right medical attention. During his surgery, doctors will close all three holes to ensure oxygen-rich blood circulates throughout his body and he is able to grow into a strong young boy. On February 17th, Erick will undergo cardiac surgery at Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría in Bolivia. His family needs financial assistance to cover the $1,500 cost of this life-saving procedure. His mother shared, "I almost gave up hope that my son could live, and I am so thankful to everyone who is giving him this chance!"

Michael is a beautiful baby who likes playing with blocks and waving his arms in time to music. Michael has a cardiac condition called tricuspid atresia: he was born without one of the four valves that is normally present in the heart. As a result, blood cannot flow through his lungs and body normally, leaving him sick and short of breath. On March 1st, Michael will undergo cardiac surgery, during which doctors will perform a technique called a Glenn procedure to create a conduit to allow blood to bypass the missing valve and more easily circulate through Michael's body. Another organization, Gift of Life International, is contributing $5,000 to pay for surgery, but Michael's family is still in need of $1,500 and have turned to the Watsi community for support. Michael's mother says: "It has been very frightening to see my son have such difficulty breathing, and I am so glad we can finally find a way to help him."

Thany is a four-year-old boy with one older sister. Thany's parents are rubber merchants. At home Thany enjoys playing football with his neighbors. In 2019, Thany had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane (the ear drum) in his right ear ear to perforate. Due to this, Thany experiences hearing loss, ear discharge and pain. He cannot hear his parents well and has difficulty communication with others. Thany's family traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On April 25th, he will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in his right ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $487 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. His parents hope that Thany's ear will improve and the pain he has will finally go away.

Joshua is a very jovial 3-year-old boy. He's the firstborn in a family of two children. His father, who is the breadwinner of the family works to sell property. Since the onset of the covid-19 pandemic, there has been low income and he gets just enough for their family's basic needs. His mother had a printing shop that she had to shut down last year. Joshua was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, he has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Joshua will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on October 12th. AMHF is requesting $646 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Joshua’s father says, “I would like Joshua to enroll to school without any health issues hindering his studies.”

Yee is a 48-year-old woman from Thailand. She lives with her husband, her daughter and a granddaughter in northern Tak Province. Yee's husband works in a rose farm and she is a homemaker as well as a caretaker of her granddaughter at home. Their family income is enough for their daily expenses and they are able to pay for basic healthcare but not for major treatment like Yee now needs. Currently, Yee feels that the right side of her head is achy and she experiences on-and-off pain around her right eye. When Yee feels the pain, she takes a pain medication, but she is worried because she cannot see anything with her right eye. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund lens replacement surgery for Yee. On October 12th, doctors will perform a lens replacement surgery, during which they will remove Yee's natural lenses and replace them with intraocular lens implants. After recovery, Yee will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $1,500 procedure. “When I recover from surgery, I want to raise chickens and pigs for my family to eat and sell some too. I will also be able to plant vegetables for my family to eat and sell some of those,” said Yee.

U Ghwe is a 70-year-old man who lives with his wife and granddaughter in Burma. His wife is ill and not able to look after household chores most of the time. His granddaughter is a student in grade 12, but since her school is closed right now, she looks after the household chores. U Ghwe is a weaver and primarily makes bamboo baskets used to carry materials for construction. The family also fishes and raises chickens. Four years ago, U Ghwe had a stroke which left the muscles in his right foot very stiff. Although he can walk, he cannot wear sandals comfortably and instead goes barefoot. About a month ago, while cutting bamboo for weaving, he felt something bite the sole of his right foot. When he got home that evening, his foot was painful, itchy, red and swollen. Unfortunately, he did not have money to seek treatment at a clinic and eventually, the wound developed into an abscess filled with pus. A family member finally recommended that he visit our medical partner's care center for further examination and treatment. After examination, a doctor diagnosed him with an ulcer and told him that he has diabetes. The doctor shared with him that any injury U Ghwe sustains will not heal easily. His doctor has recommended surgery to clean the ulcer and help it to heal. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), is helping U Ghwe receive the recommended treatment. On October 7th, he will undergo a wound debridement procedure at BCMF's care center to help his wound heal. Now, he needs help raising $694 to fund his procedure and care. U Ghwe shared, "I do not know how long my daughter will not be able to [give] me money. Today, my daughter called me and said that my son-in-law will need to have surgery so she cannot send me money. I am the only one who can earn an income, so if I do not feel better, I will not be able to work. I am interested in working with wood. If was younger, I would learn and become a carpenter but now I feel I am too old."

Eunice is a mother of two sons and the sole breadwinner of her family. After completing primary school, she did not proceed with secondary school as her parents lacked school fees. Since then, Eunice has been doing casual labour where she can find work to make ends meet. She grows pineapples, selling them along the highway to provide for her sons. For 6 months, Eunice has been experiencing backpains and lower abdominal pains. She had a scan done and she was diagnosed with multiple uterine fibroids. Eunice desires to be treated so that she can resume her farming and selling pineapples to sustain her family. 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 Eunice's surgery. On October 6th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center. Once recovered, Eunice will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Eunice says “My entire family looks up to me and with poor health, I cannot do much. I hope that with your support, all will be fine and I will be able to continue with my activities.”

Kong is a 69-year-old mother of six daughters. Sadly, Kong's husband passed away five years ago. When she was younger, Kong worked as a farmer. Nowadays, she lives with her daughters who work in the rice field. In her free time, Kong enjoys listening to the monks pray on the radio. Five months ago, Kong developed a cataract in her right eye causing her pain, blurry vision, and tearing. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Kong learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On October 12th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $229 procedure. Kong shared, "I hope after surgery my eye feels better and I can see well. I want to visit the pagoda by myself and help my daughter take care of her children."

Blessing is a two-month-old baby from Kenya. She is the the youngest in a family of three children. Her parents are farmers. Blessing 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, Blessing has been experiencing an increasing head circumference. Without treatment, Blessing will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $685 to cover the cost of surgery for Blessing that will treat her hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on September 26 and will drain the excess fluid from Blessing's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Blessing will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. Blessing’s mother says, “I feel bad that I cannot raise any amount to help my daughter. I hope the people who helped us can stand with us once again.”

Faima is a baby from Kenya. Faima’s mother is a stay-at-home mom. Faima 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, Faima has been experiencing an increasing head circumference. Without treatment, Faima will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $685 to cover the cost of surgery for Faima that will treat her hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on October 4 and will drain the excess fluid from Faima's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Faima will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. “I am praying and hoping Faima will get treated and thrive,” shares Faima’s mother.