Zaw is a 15-year-old boy who lives with his mother and his 11-year-old brother in Burma. Both Zaw and his brother are students, but Zaw stopped attending when his health deteriorated. Zaw has been diagnosed with atrial septal defect, which means there is a hole in his heart. He needs to undergo heart surgery to treat his condition. Fortunately, surgery is scheduled for March 12. Now, his family needs help raising $1,500 to fund this procedure.

Bettcherly is a student from Haiti. He lives with his mother and two brothers in a small city in southwestern Haiti. He likes attending school and listening to soccer on the radio. Bettcherly has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral and aortic regurgitation. Two of the four valves in his heart are severely damaged due to an infection suffered earlier in childhood. As a result, his heart cannot adequately pump blood through his body. Bettcherly will fly to India to receive treatment. On February 26, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will remove his two damaged valves and implant artificial replacements. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is contributing $5,000 to pay for surgery. Bettcherly'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 Bettcherly's family overseas. His mother says, "Our family is very grateful to everyone who is helping our son to be able to have this surgery."

Sy is a rice farmer from Cambodia. He lives with his grandmother. He likes to play football and watch TV in his free time. Nine months ago, he was in a motor vehicle accident that caused paralysis of his left arm. He has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his left side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. He is unable to use his arm below his elbow and he cannot work. Sy traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On December 11, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, he will be able to use his arm again. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $637 to fund this procedure. He says, "After the operation I hope I can use my arm and hand normally and I can return to work."

Jilungu is a child from Tanzania. His parents are farmers. Jilungu 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, Jilungu traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on December 5. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $890 to fund Jilungu's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk. Jilungu’s father says, “Please help my son.”

Thon is a rice farmer from Cambodia. She has one daughter. She likes to spend time at home and watch TV when not working. A year and a half ago, she developed hip pain on her left side. She was diagonsed with avascular necrosis, which is the death of bone tissue due to lack of blood supply. Fortunately, Thon learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. At CSC, surgeons can perform a total hip replacement to relieve Thon of her pain and allow her to walk easily. Treatment is scheduled for November 7, and Thon needs help raising $1,025 to pay for this procedure. She says, "I hope I have no more hip pain and I can walk on my own after the surgery."

Jeannette is a student from Haiti. She lives with her parents and sister in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. She is pursuing a college degree in business studies, but has taken a year off because of her illness. Jeannette has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation. One of the four valves of her heart has become damaged because of an infection she suffered several years ago, and it cannot adequately circulate blood to her body. Jeannette will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On November 8, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will first attempt to repair her damaged valve. If it cannot be repaired, it may need to be replaced with an artificial valve. Another organization, The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano, is contributing $45,000 to pay for surgery. Jeannette'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 Jeannette's family overseas. She says, "I am excited about this surgery so that I can go back to school and pursue a career!"

Samith is a rice farmer from Cambodia. She has a daughter and three sons. She likes to spend time at home and watch TV. Thirty years ago, Samith had an ear infection. This infection caused a cholesteatoma, or an abnormal skin growth, to develop in the middle ear behind the ear drum. For this reason, Samith experiences pain, tinnitus, ear discharge, and hearing loss. It is difficult for her to hear and communicate. Samith traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On September 5, she will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure in her left ear. During this procedure, ENT surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $842 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. She says, "I hope I have no more ear pain and discharge after the surgery and I can hear well. I hope I can return to work soon."

Malai is a fruit vendor from Cambodia. She has one son and three grandchildren. She likes to spend time at home with her family. A year ago, a thief pushed Malai off her motorcycle while trying to rob her. She fell off the bike and fractured her arm. She cannot bend her arm and is in chronic pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On August 3, Malai will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $430. This procedure will help her use her arm freely again. She says, "I hope after the operation I can use my arm without pain."

Ka Buh is a 13-year-old boy from Burma. He lives with his parents and older brother. His family members are farmers. On May 28, Ka Buh slipped, and stones fell onto his left leg and chest. The stone on his leg was very heavy, and he sustained a fracture. Currently, he is in a lot of pain and he is unable to walk or sit properly. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Ka Buh will undergo surgery to reset his fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for June 29 and will cost $1,500. After surgery, Ka Buh will be able to walk again.

Srey Mom is a student from Cambodia. She has five sisters. She likes to read and is studying accounting. She hopes to work in a bank. When she was six years old, Srey Mom had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in her left ear to perforate. For this reason, Srey Mom experiences recurrent infection and hearing loss. She has difficulty hearing and communicating with others at school. Srey Mom traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On June 5, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in her left ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $423 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. She says, "I hope my hearing improves after surgery so I can continue my school work."

Neema is a child from Tanzania. She is the last born in a family of four children. Neema’s parents are both subsistence farmers and are barely able to support the needs of their family. Neema has clubfoot of her right foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Neema traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on April 12. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $890 to fund Neema's clubfoot repair. This treatment will allow Neema to walk without pain or discomfort, and she will be able to go to school when she grows up. Neema’s mother says, “Please help my daughter get treatment so she may be able to walk. I wish I knew earlier about this program, I would have brought her sooner.”

Taingkea is a 26-year-old man from Cambodia. He is single and has seven siblings. He is the eldest child. He enjoys watching football and drinking coffee when he is not working. For the past three years, he has had chronic back pain. He has difficulty getting comfortable and bending his back. He needs to undergo a spinal surgery to help him regain function in his back and not be in pain. Fortunately, Taingkea is scheduled to undergo surgery on March 14. He needs help to fund this $930 procedure. He says, "I hope my back does not cause me pain anymore after the surgery and I can walk more easily."