Branton is a toddler from Kenya. He has one sibling. His mother is a stay-at-home mother, and his father is a taxi driver. Branton was born healthy, but when he was one year old, his mother noticed an abnormal growth on his head. A few weeks ago, Branton was diagnosed with a brain tumor. The family was referred to our medical partner's care center, where an MRI was performed and surgery was recommended. If not treated, Branton is at a risk of losing vision and suffering brain damage. Fortunately, he is now scheduled to undergo surgery on May 9. His family needs help raising $1,500 to fund the procedure. “These are the worst news one could ever receive. We are optimistic though and hope for the best,” shares Branton’s mother.

Njebela is a boy from Tanzania. He is the fourth born in a family of five children. He completed grade seven and now helps his parents with farm work. When he can, Njebela enjoys playing soccer. Njebela has a keloid, or a mass of scar tissue, on the back of his neck. It has been there since he was a small child. It itches and sometimes grows painful. Njebela traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On March 5, surgeons will remove the mass. Now, Njebela needs help to raise $689 to fund this procedure.

Dah is a 46-year-old woman who lives with her husband, one son, and two daughters in Karen State, Burma. Dah has been unable to work since 2015 due to her poor health. Her oldest son works as day laborer on someone else's farm and supports their family. Both of her daughters are currently studying at school. Four years ago, Dah started experiencing back pain and had difficulty walking or standing for long periods of time. She went to see the doctor in a Burmese hospital, where she was diagnosed with a kidney stone. At that time, she was unable to afford the cost of treatment. Eventually, she went to Mae Tao Clinic, our medical partner's care center, for further treatment and the doctor sent her to Mae Sot Hospital for further investigation. At the hospital she was again diagnosed with a kidney stone and was told she would require surgery to remove the stone. She was referred to Burma Children Medical Fund, our medical partner, for assistance in receiving treatment. Now, Dah is scheduled for a procedure called shockwave lithotripsy on March 8. She needs help raising $1,500 to pay for this treatment. Dah said, “I want to recover quickly so I can return to work. I want to be able to support my daughters so that they can continue with their studies.”

Alhaji is a toddler from Tanzania. He is very active and playful. He has not started school yet. Alhaji lives with his mother and one of his brothers in his grandmother’s house. Alhaji’s mother is a small businesswoman who sells onions. Alhaji was diagnosed with bilateral congenital genu varus. His legs are bent. 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 cannot walk well and experiences pain when he walks long distances. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $940 to fund corrective surgery for Alhaji. The procedure is scheduled to take place on February 9. Treatment will hopefully restore Alhaji's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Alhaji’s mother says, “I am happy that Alhaji will receive treatment and I will be very happy to see him attend school and become a doctor one day."

Noeun is a rice farmer from Cambodia. He has four children and likes being active by walking and fishing. For two years, has has been experiencing bilateral hip pain and difficulty walking. He is not working and can't do his regular activities, such as looking after his house. Fortunately, Noeun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. At CSC, surgeons can perform a total hip replacement to relieve Noeun of his pain and allow him to walk easily. Treatment is scheduled for January 8, and Noeun needs help raising $1,025 to pay for this procedure. He says, "I am not able to help my family like I could before."

Ana is a five-year-old girl from Guatemala. Her mother used to work in a neighbor’s house, doing laundry, washing dishes, and preparing meals. However, she recently had to leave her job to take care of Ana. Ana has both cataracts and strabismus. Cataracts occur when the clear lens of the eye becomes cloudy. Strabismus is a condition that occurs when the eyes do not align in the same direction and appear crossed. In Ana’s case, these vision defects make it difficult to see, and they worsen over time. She has had symptoms since she was born, and often complains that she has trouble seeing. Ana needs surgery to fix these conditions. Without intervention, her vision could be irreparably damaged. Ana’s mother cannot afford to attend a consult with an eye specialist, or the expensive surgery Ana needs. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, is requesting $1,500 to fund Ana’s eye surgery. Ana will receive further evaluation from an eye specialist and surgery to remove her cataracts and correct her strabismus. She will also receive post-op follow-up treatment and accompaniment and transportation throughout her treatment process. This surgery is safe, effective, and will positively impact Ana’s life for years to come. Ana’s mother says, “We are so grateful for this support. I hope everything will go well with the operation, and that next year Ana will go to school. She is very excited about this.”

Michael is a casual laborer from Kenya. He is the second born in a family of three kids. Michael does odd jobs to earn a living. Three months ago, Michael slipped and fell, sustaining a closed fracture of the radius bone. He was taken to a nearby clinic, and a Plaster of Paris was applied. He visited our medical partner's care center, and an x-ray showed that his bones have not united correctly. Michael is in pain and cannot use his right hand. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On November 6, Michael will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This treatment will enable Michael use his hand again and eventually resume his odd jobs. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $998 to fund this procedure. “My mum is the only one I have and she is not able to help, I hope to get help and have my hand working again,” says Michael.

Meet Savannah, a 12-day-old infant from Kenya. Savannah was diagnosed at birth with spina bifida, a condition in which the formation of the spine is incomplete. This condition can lead to paralysis and infection and needs to be treated immediately. Savannah was referred to our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital, where surgery was recommended. Savannah is the first born child and her parents are very worried about her health. They are unable to pay the full cost of the procedure. The surgery is scheduled for July 20 and will cost $1,097. With this procedure, the risk of continued health problems will be minimized, and Savannah will grow to be a healthy baby. “I cried in despair when I learned that this condition had adverse effects. Being told that there were solutions made everything seem light. I really want this for my daughter,” says Savannah’s mother.

Aye is a 30-year-old rice farmer from Burma. She lives with her husband and their four-year-old daughter. Aye and her husband work on her parents' farm, cultivating rice for home consumption. Aye has recently been diagnosed with uterine fibroids and requires a total abdominal hysterectomy in order to treat her condition and prevent future medical complications from arising. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the cost of Aye's surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on July 19 and, once completed, will hopefully give Aye peace of mind and allow her to live much more comfortably After her surgery, Aye is eager to get back to work so that she can pay for her daughter's education. "I hope my daughter will complete her education and maybe become a nurse or doctor," shares Aye.

Sroy is a 37-year-old mother from Cambodia. She cares for two sons and one daughter. She enjoys watching comedy shows and concerts on TV during her free time. Seven years ago, Sroy developed a pterygium, a pink tissue growth, in each eye. This causes her blurred vision, irritation, and tearing. Sroy has difficulty seeing things clearly and going places on her own. Sroy and her mother-in-law traveled for four hours to reach our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), for treatment. Sroy is scheduled to undergo eye surgery to remove the pterygium from both of her eyes on July 17. CSC is requesting $201 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. After the procedure, Sroy will be able to see clearly again and return to her favorite activities.

Hor is 83 years old and has one son, four daughters, and 10 grandchildren. She likes to listen to monks pray and listen to the news on the radio, go to the pagoda, and do housework in her free time. One year ago, Hor developed a cataract in each eye, causing her blurred vision and tearing. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Hor learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On June 12, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, Hor will be able to see clearly again. Now, she needs help to fund this $292 procedure.

Leap is a 55-year-old crop farmer and banana seller from Cambodia. She is married and has three daughters and three grandchildren. In her free time, she likes to listen to monks pray on the radio and go to the pagoda. Six months ago, Leap developed a cataract in each eye, causing her blurred vision. Leap has trouble seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and working on her own. When Leap learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours to seek treatment. On May 2, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, Leap will be able to see clearly again. Now, she needs help to fund this $292 procedure.