Meet Angela, a two-month-old girl from Guatemala. Angela has two older brothers, ages seven and 10. Her father works as a day laborer who picks crops, cuts firewood, and plants beans and seeds. Angela’s mother used to weave traditional Mayan textiles but now spends all of her time caring for her children. “Angela's mother cannot produce breastmilk to feed her child,” our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK), tells us. Access to maternal milk is critical for newborn babies to reach their physical and mental developmental potential. Without it, Angela must rely on milk formula which is extremely expensive. “Angela’s mother could afford to buy one container of formula, but she has been watering it down with sugar water, making Angela gain a lot of weight but putting her at risk of many serious health complications due to the lack of vitamins, minerals, and antibodies she is not receiving enough of,” explains WK. Without enough of the proper nutrients, Angela is at risk of stunted growth, poor mental development, and chronic illness. $1,016 will fund medical care to treat Angela’s nutritional deficiencies. She will receive milk formula, vitamin supplements, and visits with a nutritionist over the course of 12 months to get her nutritional health back on track. “Angela’s parents will also receive nutrition education to ensure that she has a chance to reach all her developmental milestones, have normal intellectual development, and be more successful in school,” shares WK. “I just want my daughter to grow and not get sick,” says Angela’s mother. Let's support Angela and her family and help fund the treatment Angela needs.

"Communication with other people is hard,” says Chet, a 17-year-old teenager from Cambodia. “Sometimes I cannot go to work when I have ear discharge." Chet is the youngest in her family; she has three sisters and two brothers. “She works in construction,” says our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). “In her free time she cooks food and watches television." Chet first began experiencing symptoms of chronic otitis media—long standing middle ear infection—when she was seven. She had discharge, hearing loss, and tinnitus on both ears. The ear infection has continued untreated for the past ten years, and now Chet has a perforated tympanic membrane in both right and left ears. With $598, Chet will undergo a bilateral myringoplasty, an operation where a surgeon will seal the hole in her ear drums with a small piece special gel or paper. The surgeons will first perform the procedure on Chet’s left side, and after six weeks, her right side as well. After the operation, she will stop experiencing ear discharge and have improved hearing. Her sister says, "I hope after the operation is done my youngest sister can stop having ear discharge and can have good hearing and health."

Meet Keng, a 60-year-old woman from Cambodia. Our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), tells us: “Keng is married with two sons, one daughter, and five grandchildren. She works as a rice and crop farmer and in her spare time, Keng does housework and visits the pagoda.” Six years ago, Keng developed a cataract in both eyes. A cataract occurs when a lens becomes cloudy, resulting in impaired vision. Keng has a white lens and blurred vision, which makes it difficult to see clearly. “It is hard for me to do work on the farm and go anywhere outside by myself,” says Keng. “I can't see the faces of people clearly.” For $225, Keng can receive cataract surgery to remove the cloudy lens in her eye and replace it with a clear implant. CSC tells us that with this surgery, “Keng will be able to see clearly again and independently travel anywhere.” Keng shares, “I want to see everything clearly again so I can do my work on the farm well and visit the pagoda by myself. I want to join in ceremonies at the pagoda without help from my family." Let’s make this happen for Keng!

Meet Aron, a 21-month-old baby boy from Guatemala who "loves to play with toy cars, run around his house, and hang out with the chickens in his front yard," our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq (WK), shares. Aron is malnourished, and has frequent bouts of diarrhea. He has struggled to gain weight since he was born. "Without intervention Aron’s immune system will continue to weaken and his growth will continue to decline, both of which are large threats to his future,” WK reports. His condition threatens his mental development and eventually his performance in school. WK explains that Aron's family is unable to afford the necessary treatment. “Aron’s mother feels that he is sick because of her. Her family cannot afford a lot of food, and her parents have given her very little guidance on how to raise children.” Aron's father works in the field, but doesn't generate sufficient income for his son's healthcare. For $535, Aron will receive treatment for his malnutrition, and his mother will enroll in a nutritional education program. "Aron will recoup the height and weight he has lost and will avoid the long term effects of malnutrition, instead developing the ability to concentrate and eventually succeed in school and the workforce,” WK details. “I will never forget that you want to help me,” expresses Aron’s mother.

“Bayron is an only child. He loves to sing and imitate the tune when his mother sings, even if he cannot yet say the words,” shares our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK). Bayron is a 16-month-old baby from Guatemala with acute malnutrition. “Bayron is far below the average weight and height for his age. The long term effects of malnutrition include increased risk of chronic diseases, and low economic productivity,” WK reports. Because most children are malnourished in the town where Bayron lives, his mother did not realize he was malnourished until WK visited him. This is due in part to how malnutrition is normalized in Guatemala. There are few examples of how a healthy child grows and develops, so it is difficult for parents to recognize the warning signs." $535 will fund the treatment Bayron needs to address his malnutrition. “This treatment will supply Baryon with the growth monitoring, micronutrient and food supplementation, and medication for him to recoup some of the weight and height he has lost, strengthen his immune system, and increase his overall caloric intake.” In addition, Bayron’s parents will receive intensive nutrition education so that they can continue to care for him throughout his childhood. “Without intervention his immune system will weaken and his energy will decline,” WK continues. “Intervention now will prevent the future devastating effects of malnutrition, and give Bayron the chance to live a healthy productive life.” This comprehensive health plan will ensure that Bayron and his family are placed on a successful path for the future.

Meet Rabira, an eight-year-old son of peasant farmers from Ethiopia. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), explains: “Rabira was born with a condition called ‘imperforated anus.’ For the last eight years he has lived with a colostomy that enables him to pass stool.” Also known as anorectal malformation (ARM), Rabira’s condition involves a blockage of stool flow and/or an incorrect alignment of the anus and rectum. Although Rabira has a colostomy, meaning that his colon is linked to an artificial opening so that he can effectively pass stool, his treatment is not complete. ARM still causes vomiting, pain, bloating, and malnutrition, and there is a stigma surrounding it. “Rabira has suffered from social stigma and colostomy complications,” AMHF reports. “[Rabira’s parents] do not have any money to cover any amount of the bills that Rabira's treatment will generate. That is why he has endured all these years without receiving treatment.” AMHF continues, “[They] are very eager to send him to school once he is cured.” This will be possible for $1,500, with which a new anal opening will be created. According to AMHF, “Rabira will undergo a PSARP (the next step following a colostomy) and then two to three months from now he will undergo the final stage of the surgery (colostomy closure).” After surgery, “Rabira will be able to pass stool normally. He will have a chance to attend school, work towards his dreams, and will no longer be under social stigma," AMHF shares. Furthermore, the discomfort caused by this condition will decrease dramatically, further improving Rabira’s quality of life. “Rabira wants to be a ball player but he has a very hard time playing with his peers because of the colostomy. He hopes to be able to play and go to school once he is well,” AMHF tells us.

Meet Ruth, a four-day-old baby girl from Kenya. Ruth’s mother is a housewife and her father is a small-scale farmer. Ruth was born with spina bifida, a neural tube defect. She has a fluid filled sac protruding from her lower back, covering the abnormally developed spinal cord tissue. Complications from spina bifida include long term issues such as malformation of the spinal cord and loss of muscle function in her lower limbs. She is also at risk of contracting infections, which could be fatal. Ruth’s mother has worked hard to ensure the health of her new baby girl. Despite having no money to pay for hospital bills, "Ruth’s mother despite all odds struggled to bring Ruth to the hospital," explains our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). "Ruth’s mother says that she cannot watch her daughter die." For $805, Ruth will receive spina bifida closure surgery. Funding will cover surgical costs of the spina bifida closure, laboratory work, medications, hospital stay, and the necessary physiotherapy for Ruth to recover successfully. After treatment, Ruth will no longer be at risk of developing infection, spinal cord malformation, or paralysis in her lower limbs. Children with spina bifida who have undergone this treatment tend to go on to lead active lives. “I will not give up on my daughter,” says Ruth’s mother. “It’s my prayer that she gets well and becomes my greatest testimony.”

“I would like to be a pilot in the future,” shares Morris, a bright 11-year-old boy from Kenya. Coupled with his career aspirations is a love for mathematics. Morris enjoys attending school and learning from his teachers and peers. Severe headaches and blurry vision have affected Morris’ performance in school lately. According to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), Morris was diagnosed with a brain tumor and “is at high risk of increased intra-cranial pressure, which may cause brain damage or death.” If his condition goes untreated, Morris may lose his vision and face decreased cardiac respiratory function, as well as eventual loss of consciousness. The youngest of six children, Morris lives with his mother and two of his siblings in a single-roomed rental house. AMHF explains, “Morris’ father abandoned the family, taking no responsibility in providing for their needs.” Three of Morris’ older siblings have already fled from home due to harsh living conditions. “Morris’ mother does any work she can get,” but does not earn nearly enough income to raise funds for Morris’ surgical care. With $1,260, we can support Morris by funding a craniotomy—a surgical procedure that involves opening his skull and removing the brain tumor. The funding will also cover labs, medication, imaging and 10 days of hospital care. AMHF expects that, with this treatment, “Morris will be relieved from risks of experiencing high intra-cranial pressure. His risk of becoming visually impaired will also be minimized.” Let’s help fund this life-saving treatment for Morris—hopefully allowing him to resume classes and pursue his dream of becoming a pilot.

Sina is a 22-year-old woman from Cambodia with chronic otitis media, a condition where the middle of her ear is inflamed. Since her left ear drum is perforated, “Sina has recurrent discharge from her ear,” our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), reports. “She has been dealing with this for six years and it causes her constant discomfort and hearing loss,” CSC continues. “Sina is a university student and the youngest of four sisters, and in her free time she enjoys drawing pictures and reading books.” Sina needs a myringoplasty for $399 -- a surgical procedure to close the perforation of her eardrum. With surgery, "Sina will no longer have discharge from her left ear and her hearing will slowly return," says CSC. Sina’s younger sister says she is worried about Sina “because she cannot hear the teachers clearly, even if she sits at the front of the room.” With this treatment Sina will be able to continue at school with improved hearing.

“Abigaelle was normal after she was born, but when she turned four months old she became sick and her head started getting large,” our medical partner in Haiti, Project Medishare (PM), reports. Symptoms of the flu, fever, and vomiting, accompanied Abigaelle’s head growth. Her mother brought her to the hospital, and a CT scan revealed excess fluid in her brain. Abigaelle was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, which is the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain. This can lead to brain damage and death if left untreated. Abigaelle’s mother “used to do commerce in the past, selling second hand clothes in the streets, but when her baby became sick she spent the money she had and did not have time to go sale,” adds PM. Abigaelle’s father “is also sick and cannot respond to the needs of the family." Furthermore, Abigaelle’s family is currently homeless after their home was destroyed during hurricane season. Her condition can be treated for $1,260, and surgery consists of a hydrocephalus shunt placement to drain the excess fluid in her head. This treatment will also help prevent other diseases prompted by hydrocephalus, such as seizures. We can help ease some of the hardship that Abigaelle and her family are facing by funding her treatment.

"I and my wife are working very hard so that our children can have a bright future," says Geoffrey. Meet Geoffrey, a 38-year-old husband and father from Kenya. Geoffrey is married and a father of six. His oldest son has just joined high school and his youngest child is two and a half. Geoffrey and his wife work on a tea farm and make a limited income to support their family, says our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). The family rents a small one-room house near their work. “Geoffrey has had wounds on his legs for several years now,” AMHF explains. “He always visits a local hospital [for] cleaning and dressing. But over that the past few months, the infection has made it difficult for the wounds to dry. He was referred to our hospital for care.” AMHF continues, “He is not able to work well because he cannot walk or stand for a long duration of time before the wounds start bleeding. The wounds are itchy and painful.” Given Geoffrey’s financial circumstance, he has not been able to raise the money he needs for treatment. For $940, Geoffrey will receive surgery to address his infection and have the opportunity to live a more normal and pain-free life. “We expect that after treatment and recovery, Geoffrey will be able to work again and the risk of amputation would be reduced,” AMHF tells us. Let’s work together and see to it that Geoffrey receives this life-changing treatment.

“I have been very nervous about this surgery ever since I learned I would have it,” shares 12-year-old Cedric. “I am glad it will be done soon so I can stop worrying!” Cedric was born with a heart condition called atrial septal defect. He has a hole between the upper two chambers of his heart. “Blood passes through this hole and back to the body without first obtaining oxygen," explains our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA). "This leaves him constantly short of breath and unable to exert himself. If untreated, this condition could become fatal.” "Cedric lives in Port-au-Prince with his mother and twin five-year-old brothers," continues HCA. "He is a survivor of the 2010 earthquake, and was in a building that partially collapsed but he exited safely. He likes playing video games, and enjoys soccer when he has the energy to play." For $1,500, we can help Cedric travel overseas to a hospital with cardiac specialists who can perform surgery to repair the hole in his heart. Following the closure of the hole between his atria, Cedric’s heart should engage in normal blood flow. He will have full relief from his symptoms.