Vannak is a 56-year-old mother of two sons from Cambodia. She lives in Phnom Penh province, about an hour outside the city. She is a widow and makes a modest income selling soft drinks and spices in her small village. Her oldest son is married and has his own family, and she lives with her youngest son, who helps support her. At home, Vannak likes to watch Khmer love stories on TV and cook for her son. Seven years ago, an insect flew into Vannak's ear. She inserted salt water to get rid of the insect but was not able to remove it. She developed an ear infection that caused her right ear's tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, to perforate. For this reason, Vannak experiences intermittent ear pain and ringing in her ears. Her hearing has declined, and she has frequent ear infections, which makes it difficult for her to run her business, work outside, and communicate with customers. Undergoing surgery can help prevent bacteria and other foreign particles from entering her middle ear, reducing the likelihood of recurrent ear infections. Surgery can also lead to fewer episodes of pain, discomfort, and other complications. Fortunately, Vannak traveled to our medical partner's care center for treatment. On October 23rd, 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 (CSC), is requesting $487 to fund this procedure, which covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Vannak contributed $100 to her care. Vannak's son said: "I hope my mother's ear will improve and be healthy, she will stop getting ear infections, and her hearing will be normal."

Eh is a 58-year-old father of two from Burma. Eh became unemployed following a motorbike accident that left his leg weakened. He now relies on his wife, who sells betel nuts and noodles for support. During his free time, Eh enjoys weaving bamboo baskets. Eh has been diagnosed with multiple large gallstones. He has enduring intense right-sided abdominal pain, accompanied by back pain and a diminished appetite. Due to the pain, he also faces trouble sleeping at night. Eh has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, Eh's symptoms will continue to worsen and put him at risk for further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), Eh is scheduled to undergo his cholecystectomy on September 4th. BCMF is requesting $1,500 to cover the cost of Eh's procedure and care. Eh said, "I stopped working for a year, and I have no income, so I am stressed about my treatment. However, when I learned that BCMF would help me access treatment, I felt very happy. I want to express my gratitude and say thank you to the donors and BCMF for supporting my treatment."

Cheng is a 78-year-old retired rice farmer from Cambodia. Her husband passed away during the Khmer Rouge regime, and she lives with her elderly sister. Previously, they farmed rice to eat and sell at the local market until they could no longer manage the farm. They are now supported by relatives. Cheng works hard to maintain her home and enjoys going to the local pagoda in her free time to listen to the monks pray and cook meals for them. About three years ago, Cheng developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her to experience itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. She can no longer walk by herself to the village pagoda during the day, as she cannot see well in bright light and needs help navigating the muddy streets during the monsoon season. She also has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so she cannot go out alone. When Cheng learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. On August 1st, doctors will perform cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Cheng shared, "I hope, after surgery, I can see better. I want to plant some vegetables around the house to help our diet and give them to the neighbors. I do not want to be a burden to my neighbors or my sister."

Timoth is a 22-year-old man from Nairobi County, Kenya. He has five siblings and lived with his father in Murang'a for a while after his mother passed away. Timoth decided to move to Nairobi due to a difficult home situation, and for the past year, he has been driving a motorcycle as a casual laborer. On June 17th, 2023, Timoth was driving his motorcycle and was hit by another vehicle. He was rushed first to a nearby health center for first aid and then to our medical partner's care center. X-rays of Timoth's leg showed that he had a closed fracture in his left femur. Timoth said that since the accident, he's been experiencing a lot of pain, but he hopes to receive treatment so he can get back to his normal life. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), can help. On June 22nd, Timoth will undergo a fracture repair procedure called open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will relieve Timoth of his pain and enable him to return to work. Now, AMH is requesting $1049 to help fund Timoth's procedure. Timoth is subsidizing $148.00 of this amount. Timoth said, "I had many plans for my life. I had hopes that once I completed paying for the Motorbike and it became mine, I would greatly improve my status. Unfortunately, this happened, and now I can only pray for support so that once recovery takes place, I can get back to my normal life"

Maso, who is 57 years old, is a married man with ten children. Seven of his children are married, while Maso and his wife live with their three youngest in Malawi. Maso is a farmer, growing rice, maize, groundnuts, and cassava, which he sells to provide for his family. Last October, Maso began to notice intermittent swelling on the right side of his inguinal region. At first, he wasn't terribly concerned, as the swelling wasn't painful. Over time, however, the episodes of swelling increased, and Maso began to experience some discomfort, which interfered with his ability to work. Maso visited Nkhotakota Hospital in Malawi where he was diagnosed with a right inguinal hernia. Maso was informed he would need surgery to correct his condition. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is seeking $575 to fund Maso's hernia repair surgery, which is scheduled for May 3rd, at Partners in Hope Medical Center. Maso is hopeful that the surgery will help him to get back to normal, free of his current symptoms. Maso said: “I am looking forward to surgery to get better.”

Lolutori is a 7-year-old boy from Tanzania. He and his two siblings live with their parents, who are nomads. For the past two years, the family has been going through a difficult time due to a severe drought, which has made water and food scarce. The family has had to move frequently in search of better pastures for their animals. Lolutori has been diagnosed with genu valgus, or bow legs. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, due to the consumption of contaminated drinking water. Because of this condition, Lolutori experiences difficulty walking. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Lolutori. The procedure is scheduled to take place on April 17th at Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. Treatment should restore Lolutori's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Lolutori’s father says: “With our living condition, him not being able to walk properly makes it hard for the family. We hope he will be able to walk properly like his siblings.”

Abel is a two-month-old baby from Tanzania. He lives with his parents and six siblings in the Maasai community of Namalulu. Abel was born with clubfoot on both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape, which will make it difficult for Abel to wear shoes or walk. Fortunately, Abel was brought to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation. Now he is scheduled to undergo clubfoot repair surgery on March 17th at Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. African Mission Healthcare Foundation is requesting $935 to fund Abel's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk easily and live a life free from discomfort. Abel’s father says: “It is our hope that Abel gets treatment and has a good life ahead.”

Hok is a 27-year-old mother of two from Cambodia who lives in a rural province with her husband and sons. Her husband is a fisherman, and Hok stays home to care for their young children. She loves music, especially traditional Cambodian songs, and enjoys sewing clothing for herself and her children. Hok has had a recurring ear infection since she was five years old. The infection has caused a cholesteatoma- an abnormal skin growth- to develop in the middle ear behind her eardrum, leading to ear discharge, hearing loss, and tinnitus. Hok has difficulty hearing and is sometimes embarrassed to go out because of the pus from her ear. Hok traveled to our medical partners at the Children's Surgical Centre to receive treatment. On March 6th, she will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure in her left ear during which ENT surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. CSC is requesting $926 to cover the procedure, medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Hok said, "I'm tired of having this my whole life. I want surgery to help my hearing and I want to be able to sleep without the ringing noise."

Elias is a 10-month-old baby boy from Kenya, and the first child born in his family. Elias and his parents live in their ancestral home and rely on his grandparents for support, as his mother is a homemaker and his father is still in college. Elias has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of his condition, Elias has been living with an increasing head circumference since the age of four months. Without treatment, he may experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $720 to cover the cost of surgery to treat Elias' hydrocephalus. The procedure, which will drain excess fluid from Elias' brain and reduce the intracranial pressure, is scheduled to take place on February 22nd at BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital. With proper treatment, Elias should be able to develop into a strong and healthy young boy. Elias’ mother says: “I am really feeling bad because I have no way of helping him.”

Sam Neang is a 50-year-old Tuk Tuk driver, who lives with his wife and three children in Cambodia. His wife is a homemaker, caring for their children, who are still in school. After he finishes work for the day, Sam Neang likes playing cards with his friends and spending time with his family. In 2008, a large stone fell on Sam Neang's back. Despite the medications he takes, Sam Neang lives in constant pain and would like to find a way to permanently ease his suffering Sam Neang learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, and sought their help. On February 1st, surgeons at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre will perform an L5-S1 fusion procedure, which will secure Sam Neang's spine, improve his mobility, and decrease his level of pain. Now, Sam Neang needs your help to fund this $1,035 procedure. Sam Neang says: "I don't want to be in pain anymore."

Vibol, who is 12 years old, is a student living in Phnom Penh, Cambodia with his parents and three younger siblings. His father works in construction, while his mother stays at home to care for the children. Vibol particularly enjoys studying mathematics and would like to be an engineer when he grows up. Four years ago, Vibol had an ear infection. This infection caused a cholesteatoma, or abnormal skin growth, to develop in the middle ear behind his ear drum. As a result, Vibol experiences ear fullness/pain, foul-smelling ear discharge, and increasingly poor hearing. He has not had any treatment because his family cannot afford the cost of medication. It is difficult for Vibol to communicate with others due to his poor hearing and he is often absent from class. Vibol and his family sought the help of our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. On May 4th, he will undergo a mastoidectomy on his left ear at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre. During this procedure, ENT surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma so that Vibol will no longer experience his current symptoms. Children's Surgical Centre is requesting $926 to fund this procedure. This money will cover medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Vibol said: "I hope that my ear will stop the discharge and pain. When my hearing is better, I will feel better and do well in school."

Meet Zephania, a jovial, 34 year old farmer, living in the highlands of Kenya with his wife and three children. Zephania has a small piece of land, on which he plants maize and potatoes, mainly for his family's consumption. He dropped out of high school early because his family could not afford to cover the necessary fees. He has been a casual laborer working on people's farms, clearing bushes and carrying loads, in order to earn a living. His wife is not working currently, as she is expecting a child. Zephania was involved in an accident while riding his motorbike. When he arrived at the hospital, he was unable to stand or to walk, and he complained of a lot of pain in his left leg. Upon examination, it was revealed that his leg had been shortened, and there was also some swelling of the limb. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, can help. On January 10th, Zephania will undergo a fracture repair procedure at AIC Kapsowar Hospital. As a result of this surgery, called an open reduction and internal fixation, Zephania will no longer be in pain; his leg will heal, and he will be able to return to work and to provide for his family. Now, African Mission Healthcare Foundation is requesting $1,145 to fund this procedure. Zephania says: "My family depends on me for their daily needs, so it is really difficult for them. I don’t want to see them struggle when I am living.”