Tumushabe is a businesswoman from Uganda. She is married with two children, both in primary school. Her husband is a secondary teacher. Tumushabe has had a painful neck swelling for seven years. She traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On January 8, surgeons will remove the mass. Now, Tumushabe needs help to raise $187 to fund this procedure. Tumushabe says, “I hope to get better quality of life after surgery.”

Rithy is a construction worker and painter from Cambodia. He has one son and two daughters. He likes to spend time with his family when not working. A year ago, Rithy developed nasal polyps, noncancerous growths in the lining of the nasal passage. For this reason, he experiences nasal congestion, a runny nose, and difficulty breathing. It is difficult for him to breathe and sleep. When Rithy learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for half an hour seeking treatment. On December 12, doctors will perform a nasal polypectomy to remove the polyps. After recovery, he will be able to breathe more easily. Now, he needs help to fund this $267 procedure. He says, "I hope I can breathe normally and don't have nasal congestion after the surgery."

Nahabwe is a small-scale farmer from Uganda. She is married with six children. For three years, Nahabwe has been experiencing lower abdominal pain and heavy bleeding. She has been diagnosed with adenomyosis. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $208 to fund Nahabwe's surgery. On January 8, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center. Once recovered, Nahabwe will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Nahabwe says, “I hope to continue farming to survive and care for my family after surgery.”

Yon is a farmer from Cambodia. She has one daughter, three sons, and four grandchildren. She likes to listen to news on the radio. A year ago, Yon developed a cataract in each eye, causing her blurry vision, irritation, itchiness, pain, clouded lenses, and photophobia. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Yon learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On January 9, 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 eye surgery is successful so I can return to work."

Tang is a rice farmer from Cambodia. She has one brother and two sisters. She likes to watch TV and listen to music in her free time. Five years ago, Tang had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in her right ear to perforate. For this reason, Tang experiences discharge, tinnitus and hearing loss. She has ear pain and difficulty hearing. Tang traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On January 2, 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. She says, "I hope that my ear heals soon and I can return to work."

Srey Nith is a three-year-old girl from Cambodia. She has one brother and one sister. She likes to play with her siblings, watch TV, and go for walks. Two years ago, she was burned by an electric pot on her three left fingers. Burn scar contractures have developed, tightening the skin around her burn. It is difficult for her to bend her fingers. When Srey Nith's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, they traveled for one hour seeking treatment. On January 8, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to to help her use her fingers easily again. Now, her family needs help to fund this $448 procedure. Her father says, "I hope my daughter can use her fingers again easily."

Ma Hla is a 51-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her 55-year-old husband in Min Ywar Village, Thanatpin Township, Bago Division. Ma Hla was diagnosed with a heart condition that involves a malformation of the mitral valve, the valve between the left atrium and left ventricle. This valve controls the flow of blood, but certain conditions may cause blood to flow backward or the valve to narrow. Currently, Ma Hla feels very tired when she walks. Sometimes, she also feels very tired at night, and she is not able to sleep properly. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Ma Hla. The treatment is scheduled to take place on December 23 and, once completed, will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably. “After I recover from my heart surgery, I want to sell vegetables from my farm,so that I can support my family’s needs,” says Ma Hla.

Michael is a young student from Kenya. He has three siblings. In 2009, Michael and his sister were preparing food when he accidentally was burned by cooking oil on his hand and neck. His burns healed but turned into contractures, which limit his movement. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Michael receive treatment. On November 26, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help him move his head more freely. Now, he needs help to fund this $1,176 procedure. Michael says, “When I grow up, I want to be a driver."

Saika is a student from Haiti. She lives on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince with her parents, grandparents, and three siblings. She is in the seventh grade and likes writing and history. Saika has a cardiac condition called atrial septal defect. A hole exists between the two upper chambers of her heart. On October 10, she will undergo cardiac surgery at St. Damien Hospital, our medical partner's care center. During surgery, surgeons will use a patch to close the hole so that blood can no longer leak through it. Another organization, Gift of Life International, is contributing $1,500 to pay for surgery. Saika's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 requested by our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, covers cardiac exams and medications. She says, "I am looking forward to being healthy and strong after my surgery."

Emmanuel is a farmer from Malawi. He is a husband, father to six, and grandfather to 22 grandchildren. He enjoys chatting with his friends in his free time. Eight months ago, Emmanuel began experiencing pain and urinary difficulty. These symptoms are caused by an enlarged prostate, a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia. He needs to undergo a prostate resection surgery, a procedure in which surgeons will remove part of the enlarged gland. Our medical partner, World Altering Medicine, is requesting $733 to fund Emmanuel's surgery. On September 20, he will undergo prostate surgery at Nkhoma Hospital, our medical partner's care center. The requested money pays for supplies, medications, and two weeks of hospital stay. He says, "I am very thankful for this program and that you assist the needy when they cannot manage alone."

Nong is a sixth grade student from Cambodia. She has a brother and two sisters. She likes studying science and wants to be a tailor when she grows up. She likes to listen to music and do her housework. Two years ago, Nong had an ear infection. This infection caused a cholesteatoma, or an abnormal skin growth, to develop in the middle ear behind the ear drum. For this reason, Nong experiences ear, swelling, ear discharge, and hearing loss. It is difficult for her to hear at school. Nong traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On September 11, she will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure in her left ear. During this procedure, ENT surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $842 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Her mother says, "I worry about my daughter's hearing and hope she can return to school very soon."

Win is 45-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her 85-year-old mother and 55-year-old husband. She makes and sells Burmese noodles at home while her husband works as a day laborer. Win loves to sew her own clothes in her free time, and she enjoys spending time with her mother and looking after her. For the past two months, Win has been experiencing severe lower back pain as well as a sharp pain and tightness in her stomach. She has been diagnosed with an ovarian tumor. She has been advised to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy, the surgical removal of her uterus and cervix. If left untreated, Win's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. Fortunately, Win is scheduled to undergo her hysterectomy on August 14. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Once recovered, she will no longer experience pain. "I hope to recover so that I can return home and look after my mother," says Win.