Leang is a happy three year old kindergartener, living with her parents in Phnom Penh in Cambodia. Her father works at a local company, and her mother is a journalist. Two weeks ago, Leang developed a chalazion in her right eye. A chalazion is an inflamed cyst in a patient's tear gland. In addition to the pain that the chalazion causes, Leang also suffers from impaired vision, due to swelling in her eye. This makes it difficult for her to concentrate and enjoy preschool. Leang's parents brought her to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, to seek treatment. On January 16th, doctors at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre will remove the cyst from Leang's eye, through a chalazion excision procedure. After recovery, Leang's symptoms should improve. Leang's family needs your help to raise the $210 to fund this procedure. Leang's mother shared: "I hope the operation will be easy for my daughter so she can go to school with no pain or swelling."

Meet Glory, a three year old girl living with her parents and one sibling in Tanzania. Her parents work hard at jobs that limit the time that they can spend with their children, but which enable them to provide for the family's basic needs. In 2021, Glory was enjoying tea with her sister, when the hot liquid spilled onto her arm, burning her. Glory's parents brought her to the nearest hospital, where she was treated and sent home. The burns healed, but contractures formed, making it impossible for Glory to straighten her arm. After a second evaluation, Glory's parents were told that she would need surgery. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is here to help. On October 13th, surgeons at Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre will perform burn contracture release surgery, which will enable Glory to straighten her arm. Now, the family needs help to fund this $639 procedure. Glory’s mother says: “I am hopeful now that my daughter is going to get better.”

Andy lives in a neighborhood of La Paz with his parents and younger sister; he is in the fifth grade and likes playing video games and spending time with his friends and family. Andy was born with a heart condition called ventricular septal defect: a hole exists between the two lower chambers of his heart, and blood leaks through this hole without passing through his lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him weak and short of breath. During surgery, doctors will sew a patch over this hole to close it. His surgery costs $1,500, and Andy's family needs help to pay for it. Andy's mother said, "Our family is very hopeful that after this surgery Andy will have more energy and will grow bigger and stronger!"

Miracle is a seven-month-old baby and the first child born to her young parents. Miracle's mother and the father both work in a hotel, with her mom working as a receptionist and her dad as a hotel attendant. They own a two-room mud house for shelter and are in the early stages of developing their family. One week after Miracle was born, she developed swelling at the back of her head. The mass started out small but has slowly been increasing in size. When Miracle was six months old, her parents took her to the hospital and doctors recommend surgery to heal her condition. However, her parents were unable to raise enough money at the time for the procedure. Miracle has become uncomfortable sleeping due to the growing mass, and doctors say the swelling is likely to increase in size or become septic (infected) if it's not removed. Miracle's family traveled to visit our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, for treatment. On June 3rd, surgeons are scheduled to remove the mass. Now, Miracle's family needs help to raise $145 to fund this procedure that will greatly improve her quality of life. Miracle's mother says, “My daughter’s condition is worrying. I pray that she may look normal again through surgery so that she may live a better life in the future.”

Esther is a beautiful seven-month old baby girl from Haiti. She has two older sisters, and loves to smile and play with her mom. Esther 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, Esther has been experiencing an increase in head circumference. Without treatment, Esther will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, Project Medishare, is requesting $897 to cover the cost Esther's surgery, which she will have on February 24th at our medical partner's care center, Hospital Bernard Mevs. This is the only site in Haiti that currently provides this critical type of treatment, which will drain the excess fluid from Esther's brain to reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Esther will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. Her parents shared with us that they hope she'll have the opportunity to grow up and be able to play with the other children.

Benzaqueen is a 4-month-old baby and the second born in a family of two children. Her parents work hard to make ends meet for their family. Before she was caring for Benzaqueen, her mother used to do jobs like plowing and house chores for people to earn a living. Her father mostly works in construction sites when he can find jobs to provide for their family. Benzaqueen 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, Benzaqueen has been experiencing an increasing head circumference. Without treatment, Benzaqueen will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $720 to cover the cost of surgery for Benzaqueen that will treat her hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on February 24th and will drain the excess fluid from Benzaqueen's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Benzaqueen will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl! Benzaqueen’s mother says, “We just cannot wait for our child to be fully out of the hospital and treated. We hope for the best.”

Makara is a 14-year-old seventh grade student. He is the youngest in his family, and has two brothers and four sisters. His parents are rice farmers, and they also raise chickens and cows. In his free time, Makara enjoys playing football with his friends. His favorite meal is kari soup and Coca-Cola. In the future, he wants to be a lawyer. When he was three years old, Makara was burned by a fire on his right hand. Burn scar contractures have developed on his index, middle, and ring fingers, tightening the skin near the burns. He has limited use of the fingers on his right hand. When Makara's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for six and a half hours seeking treatment. On February 11th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help him use his right hand easily again. Now, he needs help to fund this $477 procedure. Makara shared, "I really hope my hand heals and I can use it normally."