Arold is a student from Tanzania. He is the eighth child in a family of eleven children. Arold was diagnosed with bilateral genu varus. His legs are bowed so that his knees touch. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, he experiences pain, discomfort, and difficulty walking. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $940 to fund corrective surgery for Arold. The procedure is scheduled to take place on April 5. Treatment will hopefully restore Arold's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Arold’s mother says, “Please help us.”

Ant Htoo is a seven-year-old boy from Thailand. He is a first grade student. When he was six, his mother noticed a mass on his thigh. It is not currently painful, but his mother worries that the mass will get bigger as he grows. Ant Htoo's family sought treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund. He is now scheduled to undergo mass removal surgery on March 8. His family is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Ant Htoo says, “I want to be a policeman."

Edward is a student from Kenya. He is the youngest in a family of four. Edward is a primary school student who aspires to become a doctor. His parents are farmers. This month, Edward was in a motorcycle accident, and he suffered a femur fracture. He needs intramedullary nailing to correct the fracture. He complains of mild pain. If not treated, Edward risks further complications, such as malunion. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On January 24, Edward will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This treatment will help him walk on his easily own again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,451 to fund this procedure. Edward says, “I wish to be treated. I want to become a doctor."

Bolhubasa is a market vender from Uganda. She is married and a mother of five children. For seven months, Bolhubasa has been experiencing abdominal bleeding. She has been diagnosed with endometrial polyps. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $268 to fund Bolhubasa's surgery. On December 19, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center. Once recovered, Bolhubasa will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. She says, “After surgery I will resume with my business.”

Furtu is an infant from Ethiopia. She loves to play with her mother. Furtu was born with an anorectal malformation, a congenital abnormality that leads to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. She needs to undergo a series of procedures to eliminate bowel dysfunction. Furtu is scheduled to undergo surgery to correct her condition on December 4. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Furtu's procedure and care. After her recovery, Furtu will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. Her father says, "We came here after being informed by a relative that we might receive help. It is our hope that we can get the surgery for our baby and to see our child healthy.”

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."

Vanna is a two-year-old boy from Cambodia. He likes to play with toy cars at home. Vanna has ptosis in both eyes. Ptosis occurs when the eyelid droops over the eye. He has difficulty seeing clearly. Vanna traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On August 9, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), will perform an eyelid correction procedure to improve his vision. Now, Vanna needs help to raise $292 to fund this procedure. His mother says, "I worry about my son and I want his eyelids to look normal so that he can easily see well."

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!"

Yasin is a baby from Tanzania. He is an only child to his young parents. Yasin was diagnosed with bilateral genu varus. His legs are bowed outward. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, he has difficulty walking. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $940 to fund corrective surgery for Yasin. The procedure is scheduled to take place on September 6. Treatment will hopefully restore Yasin's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Yasin’s mother says, “Thank you very much you have brought hope to us."

Esther is a single mother of two from Kenya. She is under the care of her mother because she has epilepsy. Esther has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Without treatment, the cancer may spread to other organs. A mastectomy, a surgery to remove breast tissue, has been suggested to rid her body of breast cancer and to prevent the cancer from metastasizing. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $816 to cover the cost of a mastectomy for Esther. The procedure is scheduled to take place on August 8. After treatment, Esther will hopefully return to a cancer-free life. Esther says, “My hope is to be treated and help my mother raise my children."

Nwe Nwe is 42-year-old woman from Thailand. She lives in Thailand with her husband and youngest son. She has two other children who study in Burma and currently live with her mother. Nwe Nwe has multiple gallstones and suffers from abdominal discomfort, headaches, difficulty breathing, and vomiting. Nwe Nwe 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, Nwe Nwe's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), Nwe Nwe is scheduled to undergo her biliary obstruction repair on June 29. BCMF is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Nwe Nwe's procedure and care. If she recovers after surgery, Nwe Nwe would like to work and save money for her children’s school fees. “My oldest son will be starting grade ten next year so his school fees will be more expensive,” said Nwe Nwe. “I am not educated so I want my children to receive an education."

Seketsani is farmer from Malawi. He lives with his wife, and together with their five grown children, they run a small farm. Due to his illness, Seketsani can no longer farm, so he spends his days fetching wood for the family. In his free time, he likes to go to church and worship with his family. Since May 2018, Seketsani has been experiencing pain and urinary difficulty. 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 Seketsani's surgery. On June 5, 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. Seketsani was thrilled to find out his surgery would be funded, and he is eager to get back to working his land and again enjoying his life. He says, "I am so happy to get this surgery and I thank you!"