Benjamin is a seven-month-old baby boy from Bolivia. He is his parents' first child. His mom is studying to become a speech therapist, and his dad works in a call center. Benjamin was born with a heart condition called coarctation of the aorta. His aorta has a passage that is much narrower than normal, causing blood to back up and placing strain on his heart. On November 25th, he will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, surgeons will surgically repair the affected section of the aorta so that it is a more normal size. Benjamin'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. Benjamin's mother shared, "I'm grateful that the children's hospital has these kinds of surgeries so that the doctors can help him here."

Joseph is a bright-eyed, 4-month-old boy. He has a loving family that spans across borders. His mother resides in Kenya and works in a catering company, while his father is based in Arusha, working as a videographer. Joseph is the youngest member of this close-knit family of three children, and his parents have always dreamt of a bright future for their little one. However, he was born facing a formidable challenge. He was diagnosed with club foot. Joseph’s journey towards a brighter future began at Huruma Hospital in Rombo district, where he received initial treatment. He has undergone four cast changes, showcasing his incredible resilience at a tender age. The medical team at Huruma Hospital has recognized Joseph's potential for a full and happy life, but they know that more specialized care is needed. That’s why his family is now turning to us for support. Fortunately, Joseph's family visited our medical partner's care center, The Plaster House NGO. There, the team began clubfoot treatment on October 6th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $935 to fund Joseph's clubfoot surgery. Joseph’s mother says: “I wish for my son to be okay. I hope when he starts crawling, this condition won’t limit him and make it uncomfortable for him.”

Srey Neang is a playful 4-year-old from Cambodia. She has one sister and lives with her grandma while her mother works a few hours away in a factory. A few of Srey Neang's favorite things include playing with toys, eating fried eggs with rice, and exploring her village with her grandma! Around two months ago, Srey Neang's grandma noticed that her nose was always red and bothering her. The doctors found a foreign object stuck deep inside her nose. Srey Neang is currently experiencing discomfort, redness, and difficulty breathing through her nose as a result. Her family brought her to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment; on March 13th, surgeons will remove the mass. Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), our medical partner, is requesting $273 to fund this procedure. Srey Neang's family contributed $50 to her care. Her grandma said: "I hope my granddaughter feels better and she can breathe easily again."

Srors is a student and the only child in her family. Her parents are divorced and since childhood she has been living with an NGO in Kandal Province. She enjoys reading books, exercising, watching TV, swimming, and listening to music. She is completing 12th grade in public school and her best subject is math. Srors was burned all over the body by an oil lamp when she was three years old. After the accident her family took her to a hospital in Phnom Penh for one year of treatment. When she was 17, she was operated on again for related skin contractures. Now, she has come to our medical partner Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) because of unhealed tissue on her left knee. It is difficult for her to walk, and she is in pain. On April 5th, surgeons at CSC will perform a skin graft procedure to to help her walk easily again. Now, Srors needs help to fund this $474 procedure. Srors says, "I hope I can heal quickly and return to school."

Bb Lafleur is a newborn baby from Haiti. She has an older brother and two loving parents. Bb Lafleur has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of her condition, Bb Lafleur has been experiencing an increasing head circumference. Without treatment, she will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, Project Medishare, is requesting $957 to cover the cost of surgery for Bb Lafleur at Hospital Bernard Mevs that will treat her hydrocephalus. This is the only site in the country where this care is currently available and the procedure is scheduled to take place on April 7th. This critical treatment will place a shunt to drain the excess fluid from Bb Lafleur's brain to reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Bb Lafleur will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. Her family hopes that this early treatment of their baby's hydrocephalus will allow her to grow up without any health problems and have a full life ahead.

Meng Cheu is a loving 1-year-old girl who is already a great big sister to her newborn brother. She especially enjoys playing with her dolls at home. Meng Cheu's father sells bread to make a living for their family. One month ago, Meng Cheu developed chalazions in both eyes. A chalazion is a slow-growing inflamed cyst in a patient's tear gland. This causes Meng Cheu's eyes to swell up and become itchy and irritated. It is also difficult for her to see clearly. Meng Cheu traveled for three and a half hours to seek treatment from our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. On February 9th, surgeons will remove the cyst through a chalazion excision procedure. After recovery, Meng Cheu's symptoms should improve, and she will be able to see clearly again. Meng Cheu's parents were able to contribute $50 towards their daughter's surgery, however need help raising funds to cover the cost of her procedure and care. Meng Cheu's mother said: "I worry about her vision and discomfort. I am grateful this surgery can help her."

Srey Pin is an 18-month-old baby girl and an only child in her family. Her father works in construction and her mother stays home. She enjoys playing with toys and likes her mother's milk and rice. In June 2021, Srey Pin was accidentally burned by a car engine on both her palms. After the accident, her mother took to a local hospital where she was given medication. However, burn scar contractures have developed, tightening the skin around her burns. It is difficult for her to use her hand and her motor skill development has been delayed. When Srey Pin's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On September 15th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help her to use her hand again. Now, they needs help to fund this $477 procedure. Srey Pin's parents shared that they hope that her hand will be better and she will be able to use it as she grows.

Ku is a seven-year-old boy who lives with his parents and two younger sisters in a refugee camp in Northern Thailand. Ku's mother weaves shirts that she sells, and Ku's father helps weave, too. Ku is a primary school student, while one of his sisters is in nursing school, and his youngest sister is too young to go to school. On June 6th, Ku and two of his friends were playing in a tamarind tree when they all fell out of the tree. Ku injured his left arm in the fall and his father carried him to the camp hospital for an exam. The medic there told Ku's father that his elbow might be broken. After they bandaged his arm, Ku visited another hospital for an x-ray and was diagnosed with a left elbow fracture. Ku is in pain and cannot bend his arm or lift anything. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), Ku will undergo surgery to reset his fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for June 9th and will cost $1,500. After surgery, Ku will no longer be in pain and he will be able to go back to school. He will regain full mobility in his arm. Ku's father shared, "Ku is an active boy who loves school and reading a lot. He always says that he wants to become a health worker to look after his family and others when he grows up. I want him to recover and go back to school soon."

Alvis is a two-month-old baby boy from Kenya and the youngest child in a family of five children. His father is a taxi driver in their home area, but unfortunately, since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, he rarely gets customers. His mother has not been able to get work, but sells produce on their small farm to supplement their family’s earnings. Alvis was born with hypospadias, a congenital condition that causes urinary dysfunction. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and will be at risk of infertility. Fortunately, Alvis is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on June 4th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $735 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Alvis's mother shared, “it is very difficult for us to raise the funds required for Alvis’ surgery. Any financial help is highly appreciated.”

Reaksa is an 11-year-old student who is in the third grade at a school in her village. Her father works in construction and her mother works in a factory. She also has one brother. In her free time, Reaksa enjoys playing with her brother and playing at her friend's house nearby. One month ago, a preauricular sinus pit infection developed on Reaksa's right ear. She experiences pain and discharge from the wound. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), is helping Reaksa to receive treatment. Her family traveled to CSC's care center and on May 20th, surgeons will remove the mass. Now, they need help to raise $231 to fund this procedure. Reaksa's parents shared that they hope the infection will go away and their daughter will be free of pain.

Francis is a nine-year-old boy and the youngest of four children in his family. Francis is developmentally delayed, and his mother shared that at he has not yet developed speech and recently learned how to walk. Francis' father is intellectually disabled and does not work. Francis' mother does a variety of jobs, including feeding neighbors' cattle to provide for their family. Francis was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, Francis has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Fortunately, Francis will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH). He is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on May 8th. Now, AMH is requesting $569 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Francis’ mother shared, “as the breadwinner in the family, I cannot raise the funds for his surgery. We are requesting financial help.”

Ing Ing is a three-year-old girl from Cambodia. She has one older brother who is in 2nd grade and Ing Ing's parents are farmers. Ing Ing enjoys playing with toys with her brother, watching TV, and going to the market with her parents. In September 2018, Ing Ing was shocked by electricity, leaving multiple scars on her right hand. Now, a burn scar contracture on her index finger and thumb make it difficult for Ing Ing to use her right hand. When Ing Ing's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, they traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On January 6th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to to help her use her hand easily again. Now, she needs help to fund this $477 procedure. Ing Ing's mother said, "I hope her right hand can be repaired from this surgery."