“Medhar is my first baby and I love her very much. I am excited to see her able to walk and be healthy,” says Medhar’s mother, filled with hope. Four months after Medhar was born, her forehead began to swell. Her mother took her to see a pediatrician who discovered Medhar has hydrocephalus, an increase in the amount of fluid around the brain. “I expected my baby to be normal and healthy but she is sick. I believe she will be okay. I am waiting for the good results of the treatment,” says Medhar’s mother. If left untreated, hydrocephalus can lead to brain damage, a loss in mental and physical abilities, and even death. $1,260 will fund a shunt placement surgery to drain the excess fluid from around Medhar’s brain. “The treatment will increase the chances for her to live a healthy life and allow her to go to school in the future,” reports our medical partner, Project Medishare. Let's pull together for Medhar!

This is Tuok, a 12-year-old boy who loves to watch all types of sports on television! Tuok is currently in sixth grade at a primary school and lives with his brother and parents in Cambodia. “Tuok has bilateral discharge from his right ear and hearing loss as well,” says our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). Tuok has been diagnosed with tinnitus, meaning he hears unusual sounds when there is nothing audible around him. Because of this, Tuok has difficulty communicating with people around him. CSC tells us, "His parents have no money to pay for surgery because they paid for him to go to a private clinic, but the expensive medicine they prescribed him didn't work." With just $225, we can fund Tuok’s surgery to restore his ability to hear!

Meet Mesa, a 14-year-old boy from Cambodia. Our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC) tells us, “Mesa has five siblings and is in the fourth grade at school. He likes to play volleyball and soccer with the kids in his school." Mesa has a condition where a defect in his skull causes brain tissue to be pushed from the cranium, causing a bulge in his face. CSC says Mesa’s condition “makes him very shy out in public.” If left untreated, it could also lead to health complications later in life. For $390, Mesa will receive surgery to repair the part of his skull responsible for his condition, leading to major improvements in both quality of life and avoidance of future health complications. Mesa says, “I am excited to go back to school with a better looking face after the operation.” Let’s help Mesa live a healthier and happier life!

This is Obong'o, a diligent 24-year-old woman from Kenya who is going to give birth soon! Obong'o is a generous youth peer health provider who helps out at our partner hospital, Lwala Community Alliance, to reduce teen pregnancies, HIV infections, and sexually transmitted diseases in her community. "She stays with her parents," staff at Lwala Community Alliance tell us. "Her mother is a great cook at Lwala and her father is a shopkeeper who also does farming to sustain his family." Obong'o is currently in college and is pursuing her first module in early childhood development. “I am looking forward to a safe delivery that will enable me to fulfill my future dreams," she says. Obong'o has not felt any discomfort during her pregnancy. "She does a lot of exercise while doing her work as a youth peer provider," Lwala Community Alliance explains. But she does hope to deliver safely at the hospital, which will cost $290. "I hope to be provided with a safe delivery," Obong'o tells us, "to enable my baby to grow healthy and be a successful person in the future." Fortunately, we can make that happen! Let's fund her safe delivery and help her and her baby get a healthy start.

Meet Abigael! She is a six-day-old baby girl living in Kenya. Abigael was born with spina bifida and has an open mass on her back. If left untreated, Abigael’s spine will not develop properly. The open mass may also become infected. This condition is life-threatening. Abigael lives with her mother and father and two older siblings. Her mother stays home with the children while her father works as a casual laborer. They live in a single-room home. Without land to produce food or profit, finances are tight. Her mom says, “I pray and hope that my daughter will find treatment soon. I have no resources to pay for her treatment, but I hope we’ll get support for the surgical care.” $980 will pay for the surgery to close the open mass on Abigael’s back. Abigael will continue to grow and develop without the dangers of infection or painful spine deformities.

Myint Myint is a 25-year-old teacher living in Burma with her mother, two brothers, sister, and niece where she has been working as a teacher since graduating from high school. Myint Myint’s mother wanted her to receive a high-quality education, so Myint Myint travelled to the largest refugee camp along the Thai-Burma border where she would have the best chance at receiving a better education. Myint Myint learned to speak English and decided to return to her village in Burma to share the benefits of her education with her community. Myint Myint loves teaching, however recently she experienced a stroke and is no longer able to work. Due to her condition, she is dependent on her family for care. She has difficulty sleeping and breathing, and is easily fatigued. Furthermore, the stroke affected her memory. She has trouble recalling details, and she struggles with reading and speaking. Myint Myint’s family works on their own farm, but since Myint Myint had to quit her job, together they cannot afford the cost of her medical treatment. Myint Myint needs surgery to open the blockage that is responsible for her condition. Once she receives treatment, she is expected to have more energy and will no longer have trouble breathing. She hopes to be able to return to teaching. $1500 will cover the cost of treatment for Myint Myint’s condition. Let’s help her receive the care she needs to get back to school and help others grown and learn!