Zin is an 11-month-old baby boy from Burma. His father works as a day laborer and his mother stays at home to take care of him. Zin has hydrocephalus, a condition where fluid in the brain cannot drain properly and causes increased pressure. According to our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP), Zin’s mother noticed that her only child's head was growing bigger one and a half months after birth. The family has sought treatment before but hasn't had success in treating Zin's condition. $1,485 will cover the cost of a procedure where a neurosurgeon will place a shunt in Zin’s brain and drain the excess fluids. This will help prevent any further damage to Zin's brain. “I hope that my baby can be healthy,” says Zin’s mother.

Meet Esther, “a shy three-year-old girl” from Kenya. According to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), “Esther is the second born in a family of two children and lives with her aged grandparents since her father abandoned them.” Esther has an anorectal malformation—a birth defect in which the anus and rectum do not develop properly. In other words, Esther lacks an anal opening, and thus cannot pass stool normally. She uses an artificial abdominal opening to pass stool—one that “is prone to infection and other complications.” AMHF continues, “If surgery is not done, Esther will never be able to pass stool normally and might develop severe infection.” For $1,260, we can fund a two-stage anorectal malformation surgery—involving both an anorectoplasty and colostomy. After the final procedure, in which a new anal opening will be created, Esther will be able to “relieve herself normally,” shares AMHF. “She will no longer be prone to infections and will be able to interact freely with other children.” Esther's grandmother expresses, “It has been sad to see Esther not interacting with her peers as much as she would like to because of her condition.” Let's help fund this treatment so that Esther can regain her health and live a normal childhood!

“Joseph is an active young boy who would like to play and attend preschool with his friends,” shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Say hello to Joseph, a three-year-old boy from Tanzania. Joseph was born with a bilateral clubfoot, a congenital deformity, causing his feet to appear internally rotated at the ankle. This prevents his from participating in everyday activities, like walking and playing with his friends and family. “Joseph comes from a poor background,” continues AMHF. “His parents are peasant farmers.” Joseph's family cannot afford the $1160 treatment cost. This includes an extensive hospital stay with casting, surgery, realignment, and physiotherapy to correct Joseph's gait. "Treatment will enable him to grow into a full functioning child,” adds AMHF. Let's help make it happen!

“Growing up Zar Zar was often sick and experienced flu like symptoms,” explain our partners at Burma Border Projects. “She feels weak and is tired after doing small tasks or walking short distances. Small tasks also impact her ability to breathe properly. She said her symptoms are manageable but she worries what will happen to her health in the future it left untreated.” Zar Zar is a 27-year-old woman from Burma, where she lives with her parents. Together, they plant peanuts and beans to support themselves. Their farming income covers food and their basic bills, but does not allow them to save nor address Zar Zar’s ongoing health issues. Our partners at Burma Border Projects diagnosed Zar Zar with mitral valve stenosis, a heart condition that arises when a major valve in the heart is narrower than usual. As a result, blood flow can be uneven within the heart, which can result in heart palpitations, exhaustion or even heart failure. For $1,500, we can fund complex cardiac surgery to correct Zar Zar’s heart valve, so she can regain strength and endurance. With her increased strength, Zar Zar will be able to contribute more around the house and to her family’s farm, increasing their earnings. She will also be able to have children one day, fulfilling her dream of providing for her own children and helping them go to school!