Sonara is a 37-year-old office worker living in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. He is single and lives with his elderly father and two sisters. His father is the village chief, his older sister works in a music store, and his younger sister works in an office. When not working, he enjoys reading books. Several days ago, he noticed a wound on the sole of his left foot. Since he was 17, he remembers having a small black mole on his foot, but until recently, he did not have pain. The mole has recently increased in size and hinders his ability to walk. Because most people never check their feet for signs of melanoma, unfortunately it often spreads before it is noticed. When Sonara learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for one and a half hours seeking treatment. On January 3rd, surgeons at CSC will perform an excision and biopsy of the mole on the left sole, medial plantar flap, and inguinal node biopsy to determine if he has melanoma and if it has spread. In addition, surgeons will replace the part of his sole that has been excised with a local flap. Now, he needs help to fund this $673 procedure. Sonara said: "I am lucky to know about CSC, I hope the pain in my foot goes away and I can return to work."

Zackaria is a 9-month-old baby from Tanzania. His young parents work hard to take care of their only child's needs. They used to depend on farming to make ends meet, but recently the rainy season has been unreliable due to the climate. Zackaria's father, working together with the mother, then started a small business selling food products. They are now trying to run their new business while raising their baby. Zackaria has clubfoot of both his feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes as he grows older. Fortunately, Zackaria traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on December 6th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $935 to fund Zackaria's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to grow up active and healthy. Zackaria’s father says, “it is my wish to see my son with normal feet.”

Grace is a 50-year-old living in the Nairobi area of Kenya. She is a mother of three children, but shared that she has separated from their father. Her youngest child is in school, and the older children are a 31-year-old handy worker and a 29-year-old preacher trainee. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, Grace was doing well financially. She used to sell secondhand clothes at Gikomba market and was able to earn a living and support her children. The Covid outbreak and the subsequent lock downs have made her life and that of her children very difficult, and she is now struggling to pay off a loan. Her condition started back in 2014. She started having abdominal pains and discomfort. The condition became worse about three years ago when pain became severe with a lot of sweating. She has been going to different hospitals and getting treatment without much help. A scan showed that she has cholelithiasis. She has now come to our medical partner's care center Nazareth Hospital and the surgeon recommended a cholecystectomy. Unfortunately, Grace cannot afford the fee for this surgery and needs help to raise the $788 required for it. If not treated, she will continue to have the pain and risks serious complications. Grace says, “I am desperate because the pain is too much, I can’t do my housework well and even my work. I have no one to turn to so I kindly request for support to have this surgery so that my life can be normal again.”

Chhuon is a 65-year-old rice farmer. He is married with one son, four daughters, and nine grandchildren. He lives with his wife and several of his grandchildren. All of his children are garment workers at local factories. Chhuon has recently retired from farming due to his age and poor vision, and now likes to spend his days listening to the news on the radio. Six months ago, Chhuon developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him to have cloudy vision and sensitivity to light. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on his own. When Chhuon learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for one hour seeking treatment. On October 4th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and implant an intraocular lens in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly again. Now, he needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Chhuon says, "I hope after surgery I can see better, and go outside. I hope to take care of myself and not need help from others."

Joseph is a bright six-year-old student from Kenya. He is the oldest in a family of two children. Both of his parents work as small-scale farmers to support their family. Joseph has clubfoot of both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Joseph traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on September 6th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,286 to fund Joseph's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk without difficulty and wear shoes again. Joseph mother says, “I have a very bright son. Everything else about him is fine except his feet. I hope he becomes a holistic, confident young man in the future, and I will definitely offer him my all to ensure that is achieved.”

Zeblom is a four-year-old boy from Ethiopia. He loves toys, playing football with his brother, and enjoys going to school. His twin brother is currently suffering from pneumonia and his parents are struggling to pay for medical treatment for both of them. His mother is currently not working as she is taking care of her kids, while Zeblom's father cuts wood for a living — his income is limited to providing basic needs for his family. They have not yet managed to get proper treatment for Zeblom due to these financial constraints. Zeblom was born with hypospadias, a congenital abnormality that causes urinary dysfunction. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and will be at risk of cancer and future infertility. Fortunately, Zeblom is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on December 20th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,293 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Zeblom's mother says, “After he goes through his surgery, I want to start working again and educate him. I hope he will be healthy like other children.“

Mao is a loving grandmother from Cambodia. She has two sons, three daughters, and 11 beautiful grandchildren. Since her husband passed, she has lived with her youngest daughter, who is a garment worker. Mao no longer works as a rice farmer. Instead, she enjoys taking part in ceremonies at her local pagoda and cooking for her many grandchildren. One year ago, Mao developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her to experience light sensitivity, blurry vision, and eye tearing. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so she is not able to go places on her own. When Mao learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for one and a half hours seeking treatment. On July 14th, doctors will perform cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly again. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Mao says, "I hope after surgery I can see well enough to go outside by myself and take care of my grandchildren."

Cleophas is a 23-year-old farmer and student from a Kenyan family of eleven. He is studying at a technical training institute, and grows potatoes to help him pay his school fees. His wife is also a student taking an information technology course at the same institute, and they have a 2-year-old son. When schools are in session, they live in a rental house near their school, but during the holiday they stay at home and focus on farming as it is their main source of income. Cleophas was preparing timber for repair of their maize store, when one of the timbers fell on his leg and injured him. The heavy timber broke his leg, and when he was examined, he had a large wound on his left leg with tendons and proximal tibia exposed. He was rushed to theatre for incision and drainage and his fracture was stabilized with a long leg posterior splint. Now Cleophas is unable to use his swollen and painful leg. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On November 8th, Cleophas will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. Cleophas will no longer be in pain, he will be able to use his leg and work to provide for family. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,145 to fund this medical procedure. Cleophas says, "I am the sole bread winner in the family. Sometimes I give a helping hand to my parents so that my siblings can study. I feel so sorry for myself now that I cannot use my limb. Please help me so that my family may not suffer.”

Abdara is a sweet four-month-old Venezuelan girl who was born in Colombia. Abdara's mother moved to Medellin, Colombia around four years ago in search of a better life. Abdara lives with her mother and her four aunts. Abdara's Aunt Gabriela is the sole provider for their family and she works hard to meet all of their daily needs. Abdara has been diagnosed with cereberal cysts that need to be removed. Fortunately, she will undergo surgery on July 13th and our medical partner, Clinica Noel, is raising $785 to fund Abdara's medical care. Her mother shared, "Please help my little princess. I just hope she has a better future than I. Everyday I pray for a miracle, not being able to pay for her treatment is always in my mind. I feel guilty but then I remember that I'm trying my best and continue fighting in this new country to work and move forward."

Kyaw is a 80-year-old man who lives with his wife and his sister-in-law in Mon State, Burma. Kyaw and his wife are retired, while his sister-in-law is paralyzed. They are supported by Kyaw’s brother-in-law, who is a monk, and his niece, who owns a small food shop. In his free time, Kyaw likes to meditate while using prayer beads and he enjoys going to the temple. He also likes to listen to old Burmese songs and the news. During the first week of October, Kyaw began to experience severe pain in the sole of his right foot and now he cannot put any weight on that foot. He has to use a stick when he walks, and his wife has to support him. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is helping Kyaw receive treatment to heal his condition and help him walk again. On October 13th, he is scheduled to undergo a procedure to drain the abscess. This procedure will cost $760, and he and his family need help raising money. His wife said, "Thank you to the donors and the organisation (BCMF) for paying for my husband’s surgery.”

Phors is a 41-year-old motor-taxi driver who is married and has one daughter and two sons. Phors's wife is a farmer and all of their children are in school. At home, Phors enjoys watching the news on TV. One year ago, Phors developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him photophobia and blurry vision. It is hard for him to be out in the bright sun. When Phors learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled there hoping for treatment. On May 10th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery, and an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, Phors will be able to see clearly. CSC is requesting $253 to fund his care. Phors says, "I hope after surgery my eye can see clearly. I would like to return to driving my motor-taxi again so I can earn money for my children's studies."