Erlinda is a young student from Bolivia. She lives in central Bolivia with her parents, who both work in agriculture, and her five brothers. Erlinda stopped attending school last year because she felt too weak. Erlinda has a cardiac condition called aortic stenosis. One of the valves of the heart is too narrow; this causes blood to back up, leading to weakness and heart failure. On November 19th, she will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, surgeons will reconstruct the valve so that it opens to a more normal size. Erlinda's family needs help to fund the costs of cardiac care and surgery. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, requests $1,500 to cover the cost of cardiac exams and diagnostics, surgical costs, follow-up care, and medications. Erlinda's father shared, "I hope this surgery goes well so that my daughter can have a healthy heart and can go back to school!"

Luciana is a baby girl from Bolivia. She lives with her mom, a kitchen assistant, her dad, a food delivery truck driver, and her older brother. When Luciana was 9 months old, her mom noticed that she was not growing properly and not gaining weight. She took Luciana to the children's hospital, where they discovered she had a heart problem. Luciana has a cardiac condition called a ventricular septal defect. A hole exists between the two lower chambers of her heart: blood leaks through this hole instead of circulating normally, leaving her weak and short of breath. On October 14th, Luciana will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, surgeons will sew a patch over the hole in her heart so that blood can no longer leak through it. Luciana's family needs help to fund the costs of cardiac care and surgery. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, requests $1,500 to cover the cost of cardiac exams and diagnostics, surgical costs, follow-up care, and medications. Luciana's mother shared, "I am thankful my little daughter can have her surgery now. I trust everything will be fine with the surgery and she will have a healthy heart!"

Pheareak is an 18-year-old construction worker from Cambodia. He lives in Kampong Chhnang province with his single mother and older brother. His older brother works as a construction worker alongside him, while their mother takes care of the household, including cooking and cleaning. In his free time, Pheareak likes to play soccer with his brother and friends in the village. On March 30th, Pheareak got into a motor accident when a dog suddenly ran into the street. He dropped his motorbike to avoid the dog, fell, and fractured his right wrist. Because he could not afford care at the local clinic, he initially sought treatment from a Khmer traditional healer, where he received an oil massage, a bamboo splint, and some traditional pain relief. However, his wrist and fingers still hurt and are swollen, numb, and stiff, making it hard for him to move them. Because of this, he cannot work at the moment. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On April 4th, Pheareak will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $458. This procedure will fix the broken bone, reduce the pain and swelling, and allow him to move his hand and fingers again. Pheareak said: "I want to be able to work in construction again and hope this operation will fix my wrist."

Asuora is an eight-year-old student from Cambodia. She lives with her parents and three siblings in Kampong Speu province. Her parents sell beef at the local market. Drawing class is her favorite subject and she wants to become a nurse when she grows up. When she is not in school, Asuora enjoys riding her bicycle with her friends and eating fried eggs. Five years ago, Asuora burned her fingers on her left hand with hot water. Burn scar contractures have now developed, tightening the skin around her burned fingers. It is difficult to grasp objects and write. Thankfully, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), can help. On April 25th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery so she can use her hand easily again. Asuora's family can contribute $100 but they need your help to raise $395 more to fund this procedure. Asuor'a father said, "I hope Asuora will have strong fingers after the operation and can use her hand in the future."

Sophearith is a 9-year-old student from Phnom Penh, Cambodia. His mother works as a tailor, and his father drives a TukTuk. Sophearith is the youngest in his family, with three older siblings. He is in the 4th grade and enjoys math and P.E. classes. In his free time, he likes to play soccer with his friends, and his dream is to become a professional soccer player one day! About seven months ago, Sophearith began experiencing difficulty breathing at night, snoring, sore throats, difficulty eating, and weight loss. The frequent illness is causing him to miss school. He was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, which, if not treated, will cause his symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Fortunately, our medical partner is helping Sophearith undergo tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy surgery on April 8th. During the procedure, the surgeons will remove his tonsils and adenoids, hopefully relieving Sophearith of his symptoms and helping him live much more comfortably. Sophearith and his family contributed $100, but need an additional $265 to fund this procedure. Sophearith shared: "I hope I can feel better and breathe easier after my operation."

SreyOun is a 29-year-old hairstylist from Cambodia. Her husband works in construction, and they have a 6-year-old daughter in first grade. At home, SreyOun enjoys watching Youtube videos to experiment with different hairstyles and helping her daughter with schoolwork. In October 2021, SreyOun was on her motorbike and swerved to avoid hitting a dog in the street. She fell and fractured her lower left leg (tibia). SreyOun underwent surgery and received hardware in her leg at a private clinic; however, her leg has not healed correctly. Her wound is infected, and SreyOun is in constant pain and unable to stand up for her work. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), can help. On April 21st, SreyOun will undergo a hardware removal procedure to remove the hardware and clean the wound so her leg can heal properly. CSC is requesting $304 to fund this procedure. SreyOun contributed $100 to her care. SreyOun shared: "After surgery, I hope the wound will be healed, and I can stand on my feet to style hair without pain."

Leang Hor is a 18-year-old construction worker from Cambodia. He has one brother and one sister and is the eldest child in his family. Leang Hor's mother is a factory worker and his father is a tuk tuk driver. In his free time, Leang Hor enjoys playing football, listening to music, and meeting with his friends in the evening. In 2019, Leang Hor was in a motor vehicle accident that caused a closed fracture of his left leg. He went to government hospital where plate screws were put into his fractured left tibia. Since the bone is now healed and there is no infection, the hardware can now be removed. On November 16th, Leang Hor will undergo a hardware removal procedure, which will cost $230. Surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, will remove the screws from his leg to prevent future complications. Once recovered, he will be able to walk normally. Leang Hor shared, "I hope I will heal quickly from the surgery so I can return to work."

Fiyas is a 54-year-old fisherman from Cambodia. She has four daughters and seven grandchildren, and enjoys going to the temple in her free time. Two months ago, Fiyas developed a cataract in each eye, causing her blurry vision, irritation, and tearing. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Fiyas learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for one and a half hours seeking treatment. On April 4, 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 that after my surgery, I am able to go outside by myself and help take care of my grandchildren."

Sophal is a 20-year-old man from Cambodia who makes jewelry for a living. He has two brothers and one sister. He likes to watch TV, listen to music, and tend to his jewelry shop. In December 2016, Sophal was in a motor vehicle accident, which caused a fracture of his left femur. He went to a hospital in Phnom Penh, and surgeons there performed an ORIF procedure, fixating hardware to heal his fracture. However, Sophal is still having difficulty walking and he is in pain. X-rays show that the plate fixated in his femur is not stabilizing his bones, and his fracture is not healed. Sophal heard about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), from his neighbor. Sophal traveled for two hours with his mother to reach CSC for treatment. On July 13, surgeons at CSC will remove the hardware currently in Sophal's femur and perform an ORIF procedure to fixate a nail as well as a bone graft to stabilize and fix Sophal's bones and heal his fracture. The $430 requested to fund Sophal's treatment will cover the full cost of the procedure, including a hospital stay, labs, physician and surgeon time, radiology, and supplies.

Tumuhairwe is a 45-year-old farmer and father of two from Uganda. He and his wife works as small scale farmers to support their children. Six years ago, Tumuhairwe developed a small mass on his forehead. It has grown over time, causing him much discomfort. Tumuhairwe decided to visit our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), for treatment. On August 8, Tumuhairwe will receive surgery to remove the mass. AMFH is requesting $187 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Tumuhairwe is excited about his prospects following surgery, saying, “After treatment, I hope to expand my farm when I get enough money.”

Shalo is a nine-month-old infant from Ethiopia living with an imperforate anus. An imperforate anus is a type of anorectal malformation, where the malformed rectum threatens to complication normal bowel movements. An anorectal malformation is discovered upon birth, and is often accompanied with spinal or heart complications as well. Depending on the severity of the malformation, those with an imperforate anus can have chronic constipation, or in more serious cases, may need an emergency colostomy. Shalo was one who needed to have an emergency colostomy due to obstruction of his bowels. Since then he has been unable to independently pass stool, and is exposed to further colostomy complications such as leakages, infection, or obstruction. Shalo is the third child born to his family. His father works as a laborer, and makes approximately $2.40 per day. Since birth, Shalo has needed full time care, and his mother has stayed at home to take care of him and his siblings. With the reduced income, saving for the needed procedure has been difficult. “All I need is my boy to get the treatment and be healed,” says Shalo’s mother. “Then I can get back to my work and help support my family too.” Shalo needs a posterior sagittal anorectoplasty to surgically reposition the rectum and anus and better allow for regular bowel movements. After the surgery, a colostomy opening will be created to allow recovery from the anorectoplasty. Then, two to three months later, a colostomy closure will be done to complete the process. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, tells us that for $1,500, Shalo can have the posterior sagittal anorectoplasty and colostomy closure he needs. The total cost includes the antibiotics, imaging, and inpatient stay. After his recovery, he is expected to be able to independently pass stool and allow his mother to return to work.

Three years ago, Asiimwe, a 44-year-old husband and father from Uganda, began to feel pain in his left groin. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), explains that Asiimwe went to a hospital in July of 2015 and was diagnosed with an inguinal scrotal hernia. A hernia occurs when an organ or fatty tissue bulges out through a weak spot in the muscle or tissue surrounding it. Although surgery was advised, Asiimwe was unable to afford it, having used his money to pay for his children’s schooling. “The pain from his hernia is on and off,” says AMHF. “Sometimes it becomes so severe that Asiimwe can’t bend over. He can’t do work or lift heavy items.” Asiimwe is a married father of nine children. His work includes motorcycle transport and small-scale farming--planting and selling tomatoes and maize. However, with his condition it is difficult for him to work in the fields. His wife does not have a paying job, but digs to produce food for the family. Surgery is not financially feasible for Asiimwe, but without it the hernia may become strangulated, a life-threatening state in which the hernia cuts off blood flow to the intestine. $220 will fund the necessary surgery to treat Asiimwe’s inguinal hernia, during which the hernia sac is either pushed back out of the way or cut off. This operation will also eliminate the risk of strangulation and the money will cover not only the surgery itself, but also the hospital stay Asiimwe will need to recover. Once he has healed, Asiimwe hopes to expand his fields so that he can produce enough food and earn enough income to support his family. “Thank you for your kindness to the poor,” shares Asiimwe.