Odam is a fifth grader from Cambodia. He has two younger sisters and a brother. He likes studying the Khmer language and wants to be a teacher when he grows up. A month ago, Odam was playing with his friends when he fell and dislocated his right elbow. It is difficult for him to use his arm, and he cannot bend his elbow. He is in pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On May 1, Odam will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $430. This procedure will help him use his right arm again. He says, "I look forward to going home and playing football with my friends again."

U All is a 44-year-old monk from Burma. He used to work as a painter, but since becoming a monk, he has only painted for pleasure and occasionally if he needs money. Generally, he survives off of donations of food and money from Buddhists in the area who visit his forest temple. Experiencing severe abdominal pain, U All was diagnosed with bile duct stones in August 2017. Relying first on medication from the hospital, he started to manage the pain with traditional medicine when the medication from the hospital stopped working. U All has been advised to undergo a biliary obstruction repair, a procedure to repair the blockage of the bile ducts, which carry bile from the liver to the gallbladder. If left untreated, U All's symptoms will continue to worsen and put him at risk for further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), U All is scheduled to undergo his biliary obstruction repair on April 18. BCMF is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of U All's procedure and care. “After surgery I want to continue my life as a monk," says U All. "But, there is still a part of me that wants to become human again and work as a painter.”

Swansen is retired business worker from Malawi. He lives with his wife, and they have seven grown children and many grandchildren. Since Swansen is retired, he and his wife live on his small pension and he spends much of his time working with his local church and enjoying football matches. Since two years ago, Swansen has been experiencing incredibly frequent urination. These symptoms are caused by an enlarged prostate, a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia. He needs to undergo a prostate resection surgery, a procedure in which surgeons will remove part of the enlarged gland. Our medical partner, World Altering Medicine, is requesting $733 to fund Swansen's surgery. On March 15, he will undergo prostate surgery at Nkhoma Hospital, our medical partner's care center. The requested money pays for supplies, medications, and two weeks of hospital stay. Swansen was thrilled to find out his surgery would be funded. Because of the family's fixed income, he was worried he would not be able to have his procedure. He says, "I give thanks to you!"

Ann is a bar attendant from Kenya. She is a mother of four children. In early February, Ann was riding as a passenger on a motorcycle when they were hit from behind by a hit-and-run vehicle. She was rushed to the hospital and was diagnosed with femur fracture and cervical spine fracture. She is not able to sit, stand, or walk and is in a lot of pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On February 16, Ann will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. The procedure will help her walk easily again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,451 to fund this procedure. Ann says, “I wish to be treated and leave the hospital when am much better. I still need to provide for my children."

Sophat is a father of three from Cambodia. He works as a nurse in a remote provincial hospital. He is busy with three kids, and enjoys gardening around his house, particularly his flowers and mango trees. For the last three years, he has been experiencing hip pain due to avascular necrosis. He can only walk about ten meters, which isn't suitable for his job. He's in pain and it's also affecting his sleep. Fortunately, Sophat learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. At CSC, surgeons can perform a total hip replacement to relieve Sophat of his pain and allow him to walk easily. Treatment is scheduled for January 10, and Sophat needs help raising $1,025 to pay for this procedure. He says, "It's difficult to work and I want to support my family."

Stephanie is a student from Haiti. She lives with her parents and younger brothers and sisters in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. She is in the tenth grade and hopes to become a doctor when she grows up. Stephanie has a cardiac condition called severe mitral regurgitation. One of the four valves in her heart was severely damaged from a rheumatic fever she suffered in childhood. It can no longer pump blood adequately through her body, leaving her in heart failure. Stephanie will fly to Cayman Islands to receive treatment. On December 15, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will either repair the damaged valve, or replace it with an implanted artificial valve. Another organization, Have a Heart Cayman, is contributing $24,000 to pay for surgery. Stephanie'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 Stephanie's family overseas. She says, "I am happy to have this surgery so that I can walk to and from school without getting tired."

Josphat is a farmer from Kenya. He is a married father of four children. Josphat farms a small piece of land, and his wife sells vegetables at their local market. His family lives in a rental house after being displaced from their home in 2008 during Kenya’s post-election violence. In 2008, Josphat broke his right femur and spent a whole year in the hospital. Fortunately, he was treated and continued farming. However, two days ago, he slid and fractured his right femur again. Josphat is experiencing difficulty walking and working. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On November 16, Josphat will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. He will able to walk again and provide for his family. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,451 to fund this procedure. Josphat says, "I wish to be treated and continue providing for my family. They still need my presence and contribution."

José is a 79-year-old elderly man who lives with his wife in Guatemala's rural highlands. He and his wife have six children, but only one daughter still lives with them. José used to work as a day laborer, planting and cultivating crops in the local countryside, until an accident that caused him to lose one of his legs rendered him unable to work. Although José's wife began to work in the local market immediately following the accident, the couple still does not have the resources to pay for a prosthetic leg. On June 9, José will receive a specially molded leg fit just for him. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, is requesting $1,166 to fund the prosthetic leg, hospital stay, and transportation to fitting and molding sessions. With a prosthetic, José hopes that he will be able to find ways to support his family again. He states, “I hope that with this I will be able to walk well and that I can then help my wife.”

Cesar is a 50-year-old married father of four who lives in Guatemala's rural highlands. His and his wife's joint sales of small rings provides a source of family income. For years, Cesar worked as an agricultural laborer in the local countryside. Unfortunately, Cesar suffered an accident that resulted in the need for an amputation of his leg at the hip. For many years now, Cesar has struggled to walk, go to work, and complete daily tasks. Our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq, is requesting $1,166 to cover the cost of a prosthetic leg for Cesar. The start of Cesar's fitting and molding sessions is scheduled for July 7. Receiving this prosthesis will positively impact Cesar's life, hopefully allowing him to walk more easily, comfortably, and independently. “I hope that by recovering my leg I can do something with my life. With our business we only earn pennies. Hopefully with the new leg I will be able to do something new, something unique,” expresses Cesar.

Bless is a cute and playful 18-month-old baby boy from Tanzania who has two older siblings. Bless was born a healthy child, but when he was three months old he started having trouble breathing. Because of this, he has been hospitalized several times. Although he has been given different medications and injections to reduce the swelling in his adenoids, nothing has helped so far. His mother was then directed to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, where they recommended surgery to remove the adenoids. After this surgery, Bless will be able to breathe well and he will no longer suffer from sleep apnea. He is scheduled to undergo adenoid removal surgery on May 25. Although Bless's family was able to contribute $49 to the cost of his surgery, he is still in need of $609 to cover the rest of the expenses. Bless’s mother says, "Please help my son get better.”

Ruth is less than a month old. She is the first child in her family and lives with her grandparents and parents in Guatemala’s rural coastal region. Ruth’s mother cannot produce breastmilk, so Ruth is small and malnourished. She often cries from hunger, and her mother uses the only substance she can afford—warm sugar water—to soothe her. This limited diet is insufficient and has dangerous implications for Ruth’s health. When Ruth’s mother took her daughter to the local health center for a checkup, she found out that Ruth weighed less than when she was born. She was also told that Ruth was at risk of malnutrition. Lactation failure can lead to starvation and dehydration. It can also provoke electrolyte imbalances that cause seizures. Brain development occurring during this delicate time is compromised, and Ruth is at risk of long-term damage. To stabilize her condition, she was given a preliminary supply of formula. This will last until our medical partner's nutritionist can create a nutrition plan and begin treatment. Lactation failure, while dangerous, is easy to treat. By supplying Ruth with formula, she will receive the calories she needs to grow and thrive. Ruth’s mother will be taught how to provide a nutritious, inexpensive diet for her daughter. She will also learn to check for signs of malnutrition and other illness. Ruth’s immune system will strengthen, and she will grow up to be a healthy, energetic baby. Unfortunately Ruth’s family does not have the resources to purchase the expensive formula that Ruth needs. Her father’s job as an agricultural day laborer is the family’s only source of income. They need help to fund this intervention. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, is requesting $1,162 to fund Ruth’s treatment. Ruth’s mother says, “I am worried because my daughter is losing weight and she could get sick. I want to thank you for the help that you are giving to my daughter. I wish to see her grow well, so that when she is older she can become a nurse.”

Rayuth is a 16-month-old boy from Cambodia. He has one brother. He enjoys playing with toys, playing soccer, and being looked after by his mother. Rayuth has developed a dermoid cyst—a benign growth—on his right eyebrow, causing him pain and discomfort. On May 16, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), will remove the cyst. CSC requests $224 to cover his treatment.