Kasimi is a man from Kenya. He works on a plantation and is a father of five children. His wife also works as a laborer. Recently, Kasimi sustained a spinal injury. Without treatment, it could result in total paralysis. Currently, he is wearing a brace for support. Fortunately, Kasimi is scheduled to undergo a spinal fusion surgery at our medical partner's care center on June 5. He needs help raising $1,500 to fund the treatment. Kasimi says, “I wish to be treated and resume my fatherly duties."

Anne is a woman from Haiti. She lives in Port-au-Prince with her husband. She works as a clerk in a cell phone shop. Anne has a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus, in which a hole between a major artery and vein near the heart remains open, instead of closing shortly after birth as is normally the case. Blood leaks through this hole, leaving her sickly and weak. Fortunately, Anne will undergo interventional heart catheterization on May 24. During the procedure, a device at the end of a catheter will be used to plug the hole so that it can no longer leak. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is asking for $1,500 to cover the costs of Anne's travel expenses, catheterization procedure, and lab work. She says, "I am so glad that God found a way forward for my heart to be fixed!"

Esther is a farmer from Kenya. She has three children. Seven years ago, Esther started experiencing troubling gynecological symptoms. The symptoms became worse in 2017. She has been diagnosed with adenomyosis. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $718 to fund Esther's surgery. On April 25, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center. Once recovered, Esther will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. “I have no one to look upon and I wish to be well and care for my children. I am their only hope and can’t wait to see myself strong again,” says Esther.

Eh is a one-year-old boy from Burma. He lives with his mother, father, and grandmother. His parents work as farmers on a villager’s farm, and receive a share of the crop as payment. When he was one month old, Eh’s mother noticed his left eye was tearing up more than usual. At ten months old, both his pupils became white. Eh suffers from severe discomfort from bright lights and when the wind blows into his eye. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund lens replacement surgery for Eh. On March 23, doctors will perform a lens replacement, during which they will remove Eh's natural lenses and replace them with an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $1,500 procedure. "I want him to become a medic as there are many patients in my village and I want him to return home to help them when he is grow up," says his mother.

Huy is a young student from Cambodia. He enjoys watching sports on TV and going out with friends. His favorite sport is football, which he plays with his friends. In January 2017, he was in a motorcycle accident, and he fractured his right leg. It is difficult for him to walk without pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On February 5, Huy will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $430. This surgery will help him be able to walk normally again.

Luza is a toddler from Haiti. She lives with her parents and several older siblings and cousins in a rural, mountainous area of central Haiti. Her parents are both farmers. Luza has a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect. A hole exists between the two lower chambers of her heart. Blood leaks through this hole without first passing through her lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving her weak and short of breath. Luza also has Down syndrome. Luza will fly to Cayman Islands to receive treatment. On January 24, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will close the hole in her heart by sewing a patch across it. Another organization, Have a Heart Cayman, is contributing $17,000 to pay for surgery. Luza'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 Luza's family overseas. Her mother says, "We are excited for this surgery so that Luza can run and play with her brothers and sisters."

Justine is a happy nine-year-old boy. He was born in a small village located in Kenya's Rift Valley. Justine was born with stiff muscles, but has never been to the hospital to seek medication. Because of his condition, he has stiff legs and is not able to walk as his peers do. He lives with a 70-year-old grandmother who took him in after his parents left Kenya. Because of his condition, Justine has never been to school. A few weeks ago, a church outreach group noticed Justine and decided to bring him to the hospital for treatment. He has been diagnosed with bilateral congenital knee tendon contractures, which means the tendons at his knees do not extend fully. A surgeon plans to perform two surgeries to correct Justine's tendon contracture. Watsi is requesting $1,006 to help fund Justine's treatment, scheduled for August 9.

Joseph is a 14-month-old baby who lives with his parents in Kenya. His mother is a subsistence farmer, and his father is a motorbike taxi driver. At birth, Joseph was diagnosed with spina bifida, which has led to the development of hydrocephalus. Spina bifida refers to an incomplete closure of the spinal cord, which puts Joseph at risk of infection of exposed nervous tissue, a tethered spinal cord, loss of muscular function in his lower limbs, and intensification of his hydrocephalus, which is a build-up of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,097 to fund spina bifida closure surgery for Joseph, which is scheduled to take place on June 21. A local NGO, APDK, is subsidizing $206 of Joseph's treatment. Joseph's mother says, “I am devastated. I wake up every morning to the painful reminder that this isn’t a dream. I go to bed every night hopeless, exhausted from worry and despair. My one lingering thought is, 'Why my baby?'”

Deborah is a cute and happy little three-year-old girl. She is the fifth child in a family of five children, and everyone adores her. As Deborah grew, her parents noticed that her legs were unusually bowing outwards. The condition makes it difficult for her to walk. She easily falls down when running. Despite her condition, Deborah is going to school. She is in kindergarten and enjoys being with other pupils. Deborah's parents have been using some vitamins to help with her condition, but so far there is no improvement. Through a referral from an orthopedic doctor, Deborah’s parents brought her to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, for treatment. Deborah badly needs surgery to correct the deformity and allow her to walk properly. Thankfully, her surgery is scheduled for October 17. Deborah's surgery will cost $838. After surgery, Deborah will hopefully be able to walk easily and continue her schooling. Deborah’s father says, “I am grateful for this opportunity my daughter has gotten. Thank you all.”

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.”

Mussa is a 12-year-old boy with a large, painful growth on his left thigh. Mussa’s doctors say the pain will increase as the growth continues to grow. Mussa needs surgery to remove the growth from his leg. Mussa is in 5th grade. His doctors tell us: “He told us that he wants to be a pilot when he finishes school. We have no doubt that Mussa can make that happen, he's really intelligent, we just hope that he's able to stay in school. Receiving this surgery will go a long towards making that possible for him.”