Sera is a bright nine-year-old 2nd grader. He resides in Kratie province alongside his parents and three siblings. His parents are rice farmers, and he attends a nearby school. Sera finds pleasure in his studies, particularly in activities like writing the alphabet and learning about history. In his free time, he likes playing with friends and getting donuts from a street cart near his school. Since birth, Sera has had a congenital nevus, a growing discoloration on his nose. This has been growing over the past three years, as is typical with congenital nevi during a child's development. Lately, Sera has been feeling embarrassed at school and believes that others are constantly looking at him. Fortunately, a simple procedure can remove it and help him feel confident. Sera's family traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment planned for June 13th. Now, Sera's family needs help to raise $273 to fund this procedure. His mother shared, "I hope my son can feel better and go back to school soon. I don't want to worry that it will keep getting bigger or that my son is feeling sad."

Kayden is an eight-month-old baby boy from Kenya. He is the second born in a family of two children. His mother works as a hotel attendant and is unable to afford the proposed surgery Kayden needs. Kayden was born with spina bifida, a type of neural tube defect in which the spine does not properly close around the spinal cord. His mother noticed the growing lump on his back and sought medical advice at a Catholic Medical Facility in Kariobangi, Nairobi, Kenya. There, she was referred to BethanyKids, where he was examined by the neurological team. Without treatment, Kayden is at risk of lower-limb paralysis, infection of the exposed nervous tissue, development of tethered cord syndrome, and possible developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1151 to cover the cost of Kayden's spina bifida closure surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on March 8th. This procedure will hopefully spare Kayden from the risks associated with his condition, allowing him to grow and develop along a healthy trajectory. Kayden's mother says, “His condition has caused me immense mental stress, which has resulted in an increase in my blood pressure. Due to this condition, I am forced to hide him from people. I hope he gets this treatment to be healthy again like kids his age.”

Bless, who is 13 years old, is a student who lives with his uncle. Bless lost his father last year, and now Bless' mother - who is a farmer - is the sole breadwinner for herself and her four children. Beginning two years ago, Bless has been living with a hydrocele, which is a swelling in a sensitive area. Initially, Bless felt shy to talk with anyone about his condition, but when he developed pain, he shared with his uncle about what was going on. He was brought to the hospital, and on examination, it was determined that he had a hydrocele. The hydrocele is infected, and could result in more serious complications if left untreated. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $146 to fund Bless's hydrocele repair surgery, which is scheduled to take place on January 24th, at Karoli Lwanga Hospital, Nyakibale. Once completed, this procedure should enable Bless to live more comfortably and confidently. His uncle says: “I feel bad whenever I see him in pain; he is a good boy at home, yet his condition leaves him in pain. Please support us."

Mauda is a hardworking elderly woman from southwest Uganda. She is a mother of four children, all of whom are grown up and are raising their own families. To support herself, Mauda works as a small-scale farmer and tends to her small piece of banana plantation. For a long time, Mauda has had a mass on her chest area. The mass has recently started causing pain and discomfort. After undergoing review at our medical partner's care center, Nyakibale Karoli Lwanga Hospital, she was diagnosed with a dermoid cyst and was recommended to undergo a minor excision surgery. On August 16, surgeons will remove the mass. Now, Mauda needs help to raise $137 to fund this procedure. Mauda says, “I hope that I will get better after surgery and the pain and discomfort I have been having will end.”

Meet Boaz, a 5th-grade student and the middle child in his family of three. His mother is a farmer, growing maize and beans to provide income for their family's needs. Boaz was involved in a car accident that injured his right hand. He was initially treated at a local clinic, where he received a cast. However, his condition worsened, so Boaz visited Kapsowar Hospital, our medical partner's facility, for further review. Doctors performed an X-ray, which revealed a fracture in his right radius and ulna - the bones in his forearm. Boaz's wound was also infected, so he received treatment and antibiotics to help heal. Currently, Boaz cannot use his right hand, and he is in severe pain and unable to sleep well. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), can help. On May 10th, Boaz will undergo a fracture repair procedure called an open reduction and internal fixation. Upon recovery, Boaz will be able to use his hand, allowing him to participate in school and help out at home again AMH is requesting $1,145 to fund this procedure. Boaz's family was also able to gather $100 to contribute to his care. Boaz's mother shared, "I feel like carrying this burden for him. He has so much pain. My hope is to see my son well again and be in good spirits."

Richard is a retiree from Uganda. He is a father of three children, with his last born child currently attending school. To help feed his family, he raises pigs, chickens, and two cows. His wife operates a small retail shop near their home. For the past six months, Richard has had a swelling on his right cheek near his ear, which he says has been increasing in size quickly. The mass is painful and makes it difficult to turn his neck to the right comfortably. Although doctors recommended that he undergo surgery, he is unable to fund the procedure due to financial constraints. Richard traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On August 16th, surgeons will remove the mass. Now, Richard needs help to raise $137 to fund this procedure. Richard says, “Basically, after being given your support, all I wish for is a successful surgery, and I am sure I will get well after surgery."

Seang is a 58-year-old woman. She and her husband work as rice farmers and have two daughters, four sons, and ten grandchildren. In her free time, Seang enjoys listening to the monks pray on the radio. Three years ago, Seang developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her blurry vision, photophobia, and tearing. As a result, she has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so she cannot go places on her own. When Seang learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On April 19th, doctors will perform cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. CSC is requesting $253 to fund this procedure. Seang says, "After surgery, I want to be able to plant rice more easily."

Sreyka is a 17-year-old water treatment facility employee. She has two brothers and two sisters; she is the youngest child in the family. Her mother is a homemaker and her father drives a motor-taxi. When at home, Sreyka likes to read books. Two years ago, Sreyka developed a chalazion cyst in her right eye, causing her itchiness and irritation. She is worried that her eye is often red and it has also impacted her self-esteem. It is difficult for her to see clearly at work, and she is embarrassed for others to see her eye. Sreyka traveled for four and a half hours to seek treatment from our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. On May 9th, surgeons will remove the cyst through a chalazion excision procedure. After recovery, Sreyka's symptoms should improve. She needs help raising $210 to fund this procedure. Sreyka said, "I hope after surgery my eye feels comfortable and I can see better to work."

Janat is a hardworking small-scale farmer from Uganda. She is a mother of 8 children, all of whom are adults now with their own families. When she was younger, she did not have a chance to go to school. Now, she and her husband practice farming to support their day-to-day needs. For the past year, Janat has had a left axillary mass, which is increasing in size. Because of the mass, she has difficulty moving her hand. She sought medical treatment at a hospital and had surgery recommended to her; however, she was unable to undergo the procedure due to financial constraints. Fortunately, Janat traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On July 19th, surgeons will remove the mass. Now, Janat needs help to raise $137 to fund this procedure. Janat says, “I think I will get relieved from all this pain I have been having for a long time. Please fund me.”

Judith is a 40-year-old farmer from Uganda. She currently lives with her parents, who are also small-scale farmers. She has one son, but he currently lives with his father, whom she is divorced from. Judith uses her income from farming to help further support her parents. For the past seven years, Judith has dealt with a mass on her left upper arm, causing her to experience pain at times. Although surgery was recommended to her, she is unable to fund the needed procedure due to financial constraints. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Judith receive treatment. On August 9th, surgeons will remove her mass. Now, she needs help raising $137 to fund this procedure. Judith says, “I have always had a hard time working because of this swelling, but I hope when operated on, I will be able to continue farming in good health.”

Savoeun is a 43-year-old rice farmer, living with her husband - who is also a farmer - and their five sons. In her free time, Savoeun enjoys watching movies on television. One month ago, Savoeun developed an inflamed cyst on the tear duct in her left eye. The cyst has caused swelling and itchiness of the eye, and has also made it difficult for Savoeun to see clearly, impairing her ability to work. Savoeun traveled for three and a half hours to seek treatment from our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. On June 9th, surgeons at Kien Khlang National Rehabilitation Centre will remove the cyst, which should heal Savoeun's conditions and symptoms. Children's Surgical Centre is seeking $210 to fund her procedure. Savoeun says: "I hope after surgery my eyelid heals and I do not get more cysts."

Jamesly is an 11-year-old boy who lives with his parents and older brother in Haiti. He shared that he likes to play with his friends. Jamesly has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain, increasing intracranial pressure. As a result of his condition, Jamesly has developed headaches, and he is unable to walk. Without treatment, Jamesly will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, Project Medishare, is requesting $897 to cover the cost of surgery for Jamesly at Hospital Bernard Mevs. This is the only hospital in the country where Jamesly can receive the treatment that is critical to resolving his hydrocephalus. This life-changing surgery is scheduled for May 12th, and it should allow Jamesly to develop into a strong and healthy young man. His family is hopeful the surgery will enable Jamesly to go back to school, and be able to play with his friends.