Dina is an 11 year-old fifth grader, living in a coastal province of Cambodia with his parents and two siblings. His father works as a rice farmer, and his mother recently got a job in a clothing factory. When he was a year old, Dina accidentally put his right hand into a pot of boiling rice. Since then, burn scar contractures have developed, tightening the skin on his hand and fingers. As a result, it is difficult for him to perform daily activities, such as writing, and playing games with his friends. Dina and his family traveled for six hours to seek treatment. On September 6th, surgeons from our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, will perform burn contracture release surgery at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, which will improve the function of Dina's hand. Now he needs your help to fund this $495 procedure. Dina said he hopes that his fingers can bend more easily, and that he will be able to do better in school.

Abnet, a precious 9-month-old baby girl from Ethiopia, has captured our hearts with her beauty and spirit. She is the only child of her young 20-year-old parents. Her father works alongside his own father as a coffee farmer, while her mother lovingly tends to their home. Despite not having had the opportunity for formal education, they pour their efforts into providing for their family through the limited farming they do, though it yields barely enough to sustain them. From the very beginning, Abnet's parents demonstrated their determination to seek medical care for their daughter, even in the face of financial challenges. Abnet was born with a congenital anorectal malformation, a condition that disrupts bowel function due to a partial or complete blockage of the intestines. In order to alleviate her suffering and restore her health, she must undergo a series of intricate procedures. Their family initially went to a government hospital, where they were referred to another medical facility. Sadly, their hopes were dashed as they were asked to return two years later. Recognizing the worsening state of Abnet's health, they reached out to a local social worker, sharing their child's condition. Fortunately, the social worker was able to introduce them to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH). Abnet underwent a thorough evaluation leading to a recommendation for the necessary surgery. Abnet is now scheduled for surgery on August 15th. AMH is requesting $1500 to help fund her procedure. Following her successful recovery, Abnet will be a healthy little girl, able to resume normal activities. Abnet's mother shared, "When we first learned of our daughter's condition, a sense of worry and helplessness engulfed us. The path forward seemed uncertain and daunting. Despite the challenges we faced, we relentlessly pursued treatment for our beloved child. Though previous avenues turned us away, the administrative office introduced us to this lifeline of support. We embraced it with hope, and it has brought us to this moment, filled with gratitude and anticipation."

Lekere is a joyful 7-year-old from Kenya who is in the second grade. She is the firstborn in a family of five children. Lekere's favorite activities are playing with other kids and writing. Her father is a herder, and her mother is a homemaker. Lekere was born with clubfoot of her left foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape, which causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Currently, Lekere tiptoes as she walks and often falls while walking, making it difficult for her to engage with her peers fully. Lekere has been undergoing serial casting for five weeks as part of her healing process. The purpose of serial casting is to soften the tissue to achieve better results after surgery. Lekere is scheduled for clubfoot repair surgery on November 28th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $1,286 to fund Lekere's clubfoot repair surgery. After treatment, she will be able to walk well, play with her peers at home and in school, and continue growing into a strong, healthy young girl. Lekere's mother said, "My joy is seeing my girl walking normally like other children."

Corinelio is a tall, humble, patient and determined man. He is married and a father to one son and six daughters. All of his children are in school. Corinelio loved school, but his parents did not have enough money to pay his school fees, so he only managed to complete primary class seven. Corinelio supports his family from small-scale farming with his wife. However, they have limited land, and mostly grow what is needed to feed the family, selling any surplus to generate an income for the family. For three years, Corinelio has suffered with a left inguinal hernia, a condition where abdominal tissue bulges through a weak spot in the groin area. The swelling is more visible when Corinelio stands for a prolonged time, does a strenuous activity like cultivating, or when he coughs or laughs. Fortunately, on September 5th, Corinelio will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $230 to fund the surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow Corinelio to live more comfortably and confidently. Corinelio says, “I hope to get healed once I am given your support and expect a full recovery from this pain I’ve had for a long time.”

Lyton is a bodaboda (motorcycle taxi) driver. He left school in 7th grade to pursue his kiln-making business; today, he and his wife, a farmer, combine efforts to raise their family. Lyton and his wife have a three children - a thirteen-year-old, a seven-year-old, and a three-year old, all of whom are in school. They own a three-room mud house for shelter. Fifteen years ago, Lyton began to experience troubling symptoms, including a neck swelling that has grown over the years, becoming a big mass. It makes his neck stiff and he cannot turn his head when operating his bodaboda. He is also not able to lift and carry heavy items. Lyton has been diagnosed with a right parathyroid mass with enlarged thyroid and needs surgery to prevent his symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Lyton receive treatment. He is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on November 10th at our medical partner's care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of his thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $333, and he and his family need help raising the money. Lyton says, “I believe the surgery will be successful. After my recovery, I hope to drive my bodaboda comfortably and be able to support my family.”

Levi lives in a mining city in the mountains of central Bolivia, and he loves exploring and trying new things. His parents are both industrial mining engineers. Levi was born with a serious heart condition that leaves him weak and short of breath. Through surgery, doctors can close the hole in his heart so he can continue to be his happy and playful self. Levi's mom shared: "Our family is so relieved to know that it is possible to fix the problem with our son's heart. Thank you."

Naw Khu is a 18-month-old baby girl from Burma who lives with her parents and grandparents. Her mother wants her to become a medic when she grows older so that she could help people in her village. About a month ago, Naw Khu started to have difficulty passing urine. Her parents took her to a hospital where she had the catheter inserted. Since then she has been living with the catheter on because whenever the catheter was removed she had difficulty. The family arrived at our partner hospital last week and Naw Khu received an ultrasound. The result revealed mass-like object which is pressing onto her bladder. Doctors now want Naw Khu to undergo a CT scan, a procedure in which x-ray images taken from several angles are combined to produce cross-sectional images of the body. This scan will hopefully help doctors diagnose her condition and formulate an appropriate treatment plan. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $414 to cover the cost of Naw Khu's CT scan and care, scheduled for December 9th. Naw Khu’s father said, “We do not have money and could not speak Burmese well, so it was very difficult for us to go Yangon. We were very sad because we don't have any money. I just cried. I want her to be healthy and I also want her to grow up healthy like other children.”

Vutha is a 21-month-old boy from Cambodia. He enjoys playing with his two older brothers, watching cartoons on television, and going to the market with his mother. When Vutha was eleven months old, he accidentally came into contact with fire and burned his right hand. He is unable to open his hands and flex them properly, and cannot hold onto anything. When Vutha's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, they traveled for four hours seeking treatment. On December 23rd, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to to help him use hand again. Now, he needs help to fund this $448 procedure. "I hope my son recovers well after his surgery and is able to move his hand and fingers again." -Vutha's Mother

Wim is a 48-year-old monk from Burma. He lives in a monastery in Taungoo, Bago Division. He became a monk three years ago, after he got divorced. Wim 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, Wim feels tired and cannot walk long distance. Sometimes, he has back pain and he feels like he cannot breathe well. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Wim. The treatment is scheduled to take place on October 06 and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. Wim said, “I would to remain a monk and study Buddhism. I would really like to thank the donors, BCMF and the doctors for helping me receive surgery [in the future]. I am very happy right now.”

Da is a 38-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She has three daughters and she enjoys watching television in her free time. Two weeks ago, Da developed nasal polyps, noncancerous growths in the lining of the nasal passage. For this reason she experiences difficulty breathing, headaches, and nasal obstruction. She has difficulty breathing and suffers from congestion in her nasal passages.. When Da learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for seven hours seeking treatment. On September 10, doctors will perform a nasal polypectomy to remove the polyps. After recovery, she will be able to breathe more easily. Now, she needs help to fund this $267 procedure. "I hope that after my surgery I will be able to breathe more clearly and will not have any congestion."

Nesly is a young man from Haiti. He lives in a small village in northwestern Haiti with his parents and siblings. He would like to go to college once he is in better health. Nesly has a cardiac condition called severe rheumatic mitral and aortic regurgitation. Two of the four valves in his heart have been severely damaged due to a rheumatic fever he suffered several years ago. Nesly will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On September 10, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will remove his damaged valves and implant artificial replacements.. Another organization, The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano, is contributing $35000.0 to pay for surgery. Nesly's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Nesly's family overseas. "I am so happy that this surgery will finally be possible for me!"

Lowasa is a 12-year-old boy who is the fifth of his mother's ten children. Lowasa is currently in second grade. Lowasa's parents are peasant farmers and have a few animals. His father works hard to allow his children to go to school. Lowasa's legs started to bend when he was little, and he feels pain in his knees when he walks long distances. He eventually went to have a consultation regarding his legs, and was diagnosed with genu valgus or "knocked knees." $940 will cover the surgery to stabilize his knees and straighten his legs, as well as the post-operative rehabilitation. Lowawa said, "I will be so happy to go home and for people to see that I once had bent legs and now they are straight."