Charles is a baby from Kenya. He lives with his siblings at their aunt’s place in central Kenya. His father works as a taxi driver. Unfortunately, his mother passed away last month. Charles was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, Charles has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Charles will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on June 22. AMHF is requesting $542 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. “Life has never been as difficult as it is now. I will appreciate any kind of help accorded to us," says Charles’s father.

Judson is a 21-year-old man from Haiti. He lives in Port-au-Prince with his father. He is a university student and is studying informatics. Judson suffers from a condition called severe pulmonary stenosis, in which one of the four valves of his heart is too small. As a result, blood backs up into his heart, leading to heart failure. This will eventually be fatal. Fortunately, Judson will undergo interventional heart catheterization on May 24. During the procedure, doctors will use a catheter tipped with a balloon to stretch Judson's valve open to a more normal size. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is asking for $1,500 to cover the costs of Judson's travel expenses, catheterization procedure, and lab work. He says, "I am very grateful to have this chance to live a normal life!"

Joseph is a motorcycle taxi operator from Kenya. He is a father of two children. In November 2017, Joseph was ferrying a client on his motorcycle when he was involved in a road accident. He fractured his right tibia and had a cast put on the fracture. Since then, he has not managed to get further treatment. He is unable to walk without assistance and is in pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On May 15, Joseph will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help him walk easily again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,451 to fund this procedure. Joseph says, “My wish is to be able to go back to work and provide for my young family."

Jean Gardy is a student from Haiti. Jean Gardy lives with his mother and younger brother in Port-au-Prince. He is in the eighth grade, and hopes to become an engineer when he grows up. Jean Gardy has a cardiac condition called rheumatic aortic regurgitation. One of the four valves of his heart was damaged by a rheumatic fever when he was younger, and it can no longer adequately pump blood through his body. Jean Gardy will fly to Cayman Islands to receive treatment. On April 9, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will attempt to repair the damaged valve. If they are unable, they will implant an artificial replacement valve. Another organization, Have a Heart Cayman, is contributing $27,000 to pay for surgery. Jean Gardy'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 Jean Gardy's family overseas. He says, "I am glad to have this surgery so I don't have to worry about my health!"

Lwin is a 61-year-old housewife from Burma. She used to rent a patch of land for farming, but a recent medical condition has forced her to stop working. Lwin's husband passed away and she has six adult children. Now Lwin lives with one of her daughters and son-in-law. Lwin experiences back pain if she sits for long periods, and she feels a tightness and discomfort in her upper abdomen. Eventually she went to Mae Tao Clinic, our medical partner's care center, to have her symptoms checked. The doctor diagnosed her with a large kidney stone and told her that she requires surgery to remove the stone. Lwin will undergo a shockwave lithotripsy on March 8. Now, she needs help raising $1,500 to fund this procedure. She says, "Now I have a small garden where I plant vegetables. When I was away for my treatment, I didn’t get to water my garden and when I returned home, I saw that the plants were all dry. It’s costly to visit the hospital very often and I have no time to look after my garden. I just want to have the treatment and fully recover from my symptoms so that I can work in my garden again."

Eng is a grandfather from Cambodia. He has seven children and twelve grandchildren. He works part time in the pagoda near his house. In May 2017, he fell and sustained multiple fractures, including his femur. He has difficulty walking and has pain at night. Fortunately, Eng learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. At CSC, surgeons can perform a total hip replacement to relieve Eng of his pain and allow him to walk easily. Treatment is scheduled for January 17, and Eng needs help raising $1,025 to pay for this procedure. He says, "I hope I can complete my work and walk better."

Susan is a five-year-old girl living in Kenya with her parents and four siblings. When Susan was three years old, she started limping and was unable to walk well. She was diagnosed with rickets, which lead to her developing genu valgus, also known as being "knock-kneed." Seeking treatment through our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, Susan is scheduled to undergo surgery to correct her "knock-knees" on July 10. Her family is requesting $1,165 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Following her recovery, Susan will be able to walk comfortably, and she will be able to go to school and play with the other children. “I am kindly appealing to you to help my daughter have surgery," Susan's mother shares. "Currently we cannot afford the amount stated. I would like to see her going to school and playing with other kids at home. God bless you for your help."

Seetotaw is an 18-month-old living in Ethiopia with his mother and father. His father supports the family as a traditional basket weaver, while his mother stays home to care for him. Seetotaw is a happy infant who loves music and dance. Seetotaw was born with a congenital condition called bladder exstrophy, which means that his bladder pokes through the outside of his abdomen. The exposure of his bladder puts him at heightened risk of injury and infection and requires constant care. Doctors have recommended that he undergo surgery to repair the bladder abnormality. His parents are worried that without the surgery their son will continue to require constant medical care and be stigmatized in the community. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to fund Seetotaw's surgery. His parents are hopeful that this surgery will allow him to to have a happy and healthy childhood.

“I need your help to support my child's medical needs,” says Mekliet's mother, a woman from Ethiopia. She lost her husband in a car accident when she was six months pregnant with Mekliet. The two now live with Mekliet’s grandmother, and have no income source of their own. Mekliet, who is now five months old, was born with anorectal malformation. As a result, she experiences bowel dysfunction. For $1,500, we can sponsor a procedure on September 21 to repair her condition. This will cover the costs of her lab tests, medications, and one-day hospital stay.

Witzer is an eighth-grade student from Haiti. He lives with his parents and older sister in Jacmel, a city on Haiti's south coast. He is an excellent student and hopes to become an engineer. Witzer has a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect. A hole exists between the two lower chambers of his heart. Blood leaks through this hole without first passing through his lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him short of breath. On October 2, he will undergo cardiac surgery at St. Damien Hospital, our medical partner's care center. During surgery, Surgeons will close the hole by sewing a patch across it. Another organization, Gift of Life International, is contributing $5000 to pay for surgery. Witzer'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. He says, "I am excited that I will be able to stop worrying about my heart any longer!"

Htun is a 34-year-old man living with his family in Burma. Htun has experienced several episodes of jaundice since he was young. Then, a few months ago, he noticed a change in the color of his eyes and skin. He visited a nearby clinic, where the doctor diagnosed him with a gastric problem. However, the medication he received had no effect on his symptoms. He then visited another hospital, where he received ultrasound imaging, which revealed stones in his gallbladder. He then visited our medical partner's hospital, Mae Sot General Hospital. On August 16, Htun witll receive a cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal), which will cost $1,500. He looks forward to recovery, saying, “I've had to stop working because of my symptoms and I worry about not supporting my family. When I get better I will go back to work in order to support them.”

Ten-year-old Victor was born with a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect. A hole exists between the two lower chambers of his heart. Blood leaks through this hole without first passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him fatigued. Victor lives in a small town in central Dominican Republic with his parents, five sisters, and two brothers. He is in the fourth grade, and his favorite subjects are mathematics and social studies. Although Victor is not Haitian, our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is collaborating with their partners in the Dominican Republic to offer treatment to Dominican children. He will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center. First, Victor will undergo a full cardiac assessment on February 15. This assessment will include physical exams, labs, and an overnight stay at the hospital. Haiti Cardiac Alliance is requesting $1,500 to fund these procedures. Funding for Victor also covers the cost of medications and social support for him and him family. Gift of Life International is contributing $7,000 to cover additional costs associated with Victor's surgical care. "I am excited to learn how to play soccer after my surgery," says Victor. "I have always been too weak to play."