Benjamin is a seven-month-old baby boy from Bolivia. He is his parents' first child. His mom is studying to become a speech therapist, and his dad works in a call center. Benjamin was born with a heart condition called coarctation of the aorta. His aorta has a passage that is much narrower than normal, causing blood to back up and placing strain on his heart. On November 25th, he will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, surgeons will surgically repair the affected section of the aorta so that it is a more normal size. Benjamin's family needs help to fund the costs of cardiac care and surgery. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, requests $1,500 to cover the cost of cardiac exams and diagnostics, surgical costs, follow-up care, and medications. Benjamin's mother shared, "I'm grateful that the children's hospital has these kinds of surgeries so that the doctors can help him here."

Phanneth is an eight-year-old student from Cambodia. He lives with his parents, who are rice farmers, his two older brothers, grandmother. They live in Takéo Province, near the international border with Vietnam. His brothers are in high school, while he is currently in kindergarten. At home, he enjoys eating sour soup with rice and fried fish. Phanneth was born with diplegic cerebral palsy, a neurological disorder that affects muscle tone and movement in the legs. Because of this, Phanneth was not able to walk until he was almost three years old and he is unable to play sports with other children. During his free time, he enjoys playing with his older brothers. Phanneth needs to undergo a tendon and nerve repair procedure and our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is helping Phanneth receive treatment. He is scheduled to undergo surgery on November 19th. His family can contribute $100 but needs your help to raise $472 to fund Phanneth's procedure and care. Phanneth's mother shared: "I hope my son can walk and be happy and healthy when he grows up."

Zana is a 6-year-old pre-schooler who lives in Kandal province with her father, a delivery driver, and her mother, an electronics factory worker. She has a four-year-old brother. In school, she likes learning about Khmer history, and at home, she enjoys playing with toy cars with her brother. She loves it when her mother makes her favorite meal, which consists of fried pork and noodles. In January, she became feverish and ill. Her father took her to a government hospital where she was diagnosed with meningitis, but she was also unable to move her right shoulder or use her hand. Her paralysis has continued to get worse. She is unable to lift her arm and suffers shoulder pain, upper extremity weakness, and abnormal sensation that feels like tingling or pricking. On November 1st, she will undergo surgery to heal her condition and restore mobility. After recovery, her family hopes to gain some function in her arm. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Center, requests $709 to fund her procedure. Zana's father said: "I hope that she can move her shoulder again with no pain and no difficulty after this operation."

Jorge is a 13-year-old boy who lives in Bolivia. He is in seventh grade and likes to study art and psychology. Jorge was born with a congenital heart defect called atrial septal defect. A hole exists between the two upper chambers of his heart; blood leaks through this hole, leaving him weak and unable to exert himself. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, can help heal his condition. Jorge is scheduled for surgery on September 11. He will need to fly from his hometown to another city in Bolivia for the treatment. During the surgery, doctors will sew a patch over the hole in Jorge's heart to close it and prevent the blood from leaking. Jorge's family needs your help raising $1,500 to fund his cardiac treatment. He hopes that after the surgery he will be able to have a more active life. Jorge said: "I am hopeful that after this surgery I will start getting stronger and will be able to play soccer."

Ryan is a handsome three-year-old boy and his mother's only child. He and his mother are supported by his grandmother, who works washing clothes for neighbors. In mid-2021, Ryan was frequently contracting common colds, and experienced difficulty sleeping and swelling of the tonsils. He visited many hospitals, and finally an ENT clinic where a doctor recommended that he undergo an adenotonsillectomy, or a procedure in which surgeons will remove his adenoids and tonsils. If left untreated, Ryan will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and will be at risk of complications like nasal obstruction, infection, difficulty swallowing or even heart problems. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Ryan receive treatment. On April 8th, he will undergo an adenotonsillectomy. After treatment, his symptoms will subside, his quality of life will improve, and he will be able to join school with no challenges. Now, he and his family need help raising $565 to fund his procedure and care. Ryan's grandmother shared, "we have seen our child suffer for a long time. We have tried all we could and our boy continues to suffer. We kindly seek sponsorship so that our boy can be happy and be ready to start school."

Vanna is a mother of four from Cambodia. She has two sons, two daughters, and now seven grandchildren. Vanna lives with her husband who is a retired teacher. She shared with us that she likes to listen to the monks praying on the radio. Two years ago, Vanna developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Vanna learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two and a half hours with her son seeking treatment. On December 16th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $229 procedure. Vanna said, "I need my eyes to see clearly so I can cook the best food for my husband and look after my grandchildren."

Thu is a 11-year-old student from Burma. He lives with his mother, sister, brother-in-law, twin brother and an older brother. He and his family moved to Thailand from Burma five months ago in search of better job opportunities. Thu’s mother and older brother are agricultural day laborers. Thu and his twin brother are fourth graders at a Burmese migrant school. In his free time, Thu likes to play football with his friends. On July 12th Thu, his twin, and his friends were climbing guava trees near their school to pick up guavas. He fell out of the tree and onto his left arm. An x-ray revealed that he had broken his left elbow. Currently, his left arm is swollen, painful, and cannot be bent. He feels uncomfortable when he lays down and he cannot sleep at night. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Thu will undergo surgery to reset his fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for July 15th and will cost $1,500. Thu’s mother shared, “I’m very worried and sad that I don’t have enough money to pay for my son’s treatment.” Thu also said, “I’m sad that I broke my hand and that I won’t be able to climb trees again. I don’t want to carry my hand in a sling.”

In December 2012, Vanny fell down the stairs and fractured her left elbow. Her initial injuries were treated, but they have since not healed properly and her elbow has become deformed. She finds it difficult to carry things and often experiences pain at nighttime. Surgery will help to re-position the bones so they heal in alignment, and she will be able to move her arm again without any discomfort. Vanny enjoys studying Khmer literature at school and likes to watch television and play games with her older brother.

“I like playing with mud; building mud houses and dolls,” Namayani tells us. Namayani is a three-year-old girl from Tanzania who often plays with her twin sister. Namayani and her twin sister both have bilateral genu valgus, also called “knock-knee.” This makes Namayani walk and run slowly and fall down easily. If untreated, Namayani will be at high risk of developing early osteoarthritis of the knees. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), tells us that “Namayani’s parents are small scale farmers. They have six other children to look after so coming up with extra cash to pay the medical treatment for their two children has been difficult.” With $940, Namayani can receive genu valgum surgery. With this treatment she will have straight lower limbs, be able to walk and run fast, and continue to have normal growth. Her chances of developing early osteoarthritis will also decrease. “My hope is for my daughter’s legs to be straightened so that she does not become completely disabled and dependent on other people,” said Namayani’s father. Let’s work together to let Namayani grow up healthy!

Juan and Juan are 4-year-old gemelos (“twins” in Spanish) from a rural community in Guatemala where Wuqu’ Kawok runs a nutrition program. According to Dr. Rohloff, the two boys suffer from “one of the worst cases of chronic malnutrition we [Wuqu’ Kawok] have ever seen, which was brought on by extreme poverty, frequent infections and lack of access to food.” Wuqu’ Kawok’s staff have been treating Juan and Juan in their home for several months now, but in collaboration with their parents and local health workers, have concluded that the boys need to be hospitalized for approximately five weeks in order to fully recover. Juan and Juan love to spend time together exploring the outdoors. Let’s help their family pay for their five week hospitalization to health so they are able to continue their adventures!