Ny is a 63-year-old grandmother. She's married and has two daughters, three sons, and ten grandchildren. Her husband is a retired policeman. She is a full-time homemaker and likes to cook her family delicious Khmer meals and play with her grandchildren. Her favorite pastime is reading the news on her phone. Four years ago, Ny developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her difficulty focusing, tearing, and photophobia. She is afraid to walk outside, because she has an unsteady gait, and does not want to fall. When Ny learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for one and a half hours seeking treatment. On December 14th, doctors will perform phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $229 procedure. "I hope after surgery my eye will be better. I will be able to read on my phone, recognize my family's faces, cook, and do housework again to help my family."

Kwesiga is a carpenter from Uganda. He is a married father to three children all still in schools studying. He earns a living from a carpentry workshop which he operates with his other two brothers in Ndorerero trading centre. His wife is a small-scale farmer who mostly grows food crops like maize beans, cassava ,and millet for their family to eat. He has pending school fee loans he acquired from the bank while paying for his children's school fees. Since two years ago, Kwesiga has had inguinal hernia. If not treated, the hernia may result in intestinal tissue damage. Fortunately, on June 2nd, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $241 to fund Kwesiga's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Kwesiga says: “I hope to get healed for my condition after surgery, get a healthy new life, and continue with work because I still need to struggle and provide for my family.”

Lewis is a playful and social student from Kenya. Lewis is the brother to Jonah, who also needs clubfoot repair, and is the 6th born in a family of 8 children. He aspires to be in the Special Forces as a Military Officer in future. The family hails from Iteria village in Meru County. His single mother used to be farmer but she currently stays at home. She recently underwent an amputation on her leg after suffering from diabetes. Lewis has clubfoot of both of his feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Lewis traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on March 16th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,224 to fund Lewis's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk well and no longer be in pain. “We request your support. I cannot be able to raise the estimated bill. Please help,” Lewis’s mother pleaded with us.

Nwe is a 36-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her family in Thingangkuun Township in Yangon Division. Nwe works as a seamstress at home while her husband works in a factory. In her free time, Nwe likes to play with her nephew who lives close by and also loves to watch movies at home. Nwe 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, Nwe experiences tiredness especially when she walks for longer periods of time. If she feels tired, she also experiences heart palpitations. Sometimes, she also suffers from dizziness. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Nwe. The treatment is scheduled to take place on March 24th and, once completed, will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably. Nwe shared, “I feel stressed about my condition. I am afraid to have surgery but there is no other option. I hope that after I have fully recovered from my surgery, I will be able to work as seamstress again.” Nwe’s husband is also worried for her and he has had to take time off from work to accompany her to all her appointments. He said, “I get paid daily for my work and if I do not work regularly then I have less income. Before, we were able to save some money from our work but since my wife was diagnosed with a heart problem and started to see the doctor for tests and medications, we can no longer save any money.”

Lemayan is an active little boy from Tanzania. He is the fourth born to his mother, who is the eldest wife to her husband and has five children. Lemayan's father has two wives and a total of six children. Both wives live together in the same homestead, but each one has their own mud house. They live in harmony, mainly keeping livestock - cows, goats and sheep. Three of the children are currently going to school. Lemayan was diagnosed with genu varus, meaning his legs are curved outward. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, he has a difficult time walking. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $838 to fund corrective surgery for Lemayan. The procedure is scheduled to take place on March 10th. Treatment will hopefully restore Lemayan's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Lemayan’s father says, “I wish my son to get treatment and later on join school."

Rith is a 60-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He has seven children and nine grandchildren, and he enjoys listening to the news on the radio in his free time. One year ago, Rith developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him pain, headaches, and blurry vision. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Rith learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On April 23, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $211 procedure. He says, "I hope that after my surgery, I will be able to see clearly again and be able to go anywhere I want to independently."

Eliette is a young woman from Haiti. She lives with her husband in Port-au-Prince, and works as a customer representative for an insurance company. Eliette has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral stenosis. One of the four valves in her heart is too narrow to allow sufficient blood to pass through, as the result of an infection she suffered several years ago. Eliette will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On May 1, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will use a balloon at the tip of a catheter to stretch her valve open to a more normal size. Another organization, The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano, is contributing $28,000 to pay for surgery. Eliette'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 Eliette's family overseas. She says, "I would like to thank everyone who is helping to make this life-saving surgery possible for me."