Soy is a 56-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She has four children and four grandchildren, and she enjoys looking after her grandchildren, cooking for her family, and watching television in her free time. Seven years ago, Soy started experiencing hip pain on her left side. She cannot extend her leg normally, and also experiences pain in her neck as well. Fortunately, Soy learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. At CSC, surgeons can perform a total hip replacement to relieve Soy of her pain and allow her to walk easily. Treatment is scheduled for July 2, and Soy needs help raising $1,025 to pay for this procedure. She says, "I hope that after my operation I will be able to walk normally and return to my work without any difficulty."

Watson is a student from Haiti. He lives with his grandparents in Port-au-Prince, and attends a local college where he is seeking a degree in business. Watson has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation. One of the four valves of his heart does not open and close properly as the result of an infection he suffered earlier in childhood. Watson will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On May 8, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will remove his damaged valve and implant a mechanical replacement. Another organization, The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano, is contributing $46,000 to pay for surgery. Watson'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 Watson's family overseas. He says, "I have been looking forward to this surgery for years, and am glad that I can finally have it!"

Kamsot is a 39-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He has three children, and enjoys playing with his kids and helping around the house in his free time. One year ago, Kamsot had an ear infection. This infection caused a cholesteatoma, or an abnormal skin growth, to develop in the middle ear behind the ear drum. For this reason, Kamsot experiences discharge, headaches, pain, and hearing loss. He often experiences difficulty communicating with others due to his hearing loss. Kamsot traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On May 1, he will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure in his left ear. During this procedure, ENT surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $842 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. He says, "I hope that after my surgery, I will be able to hear clearly and will no longer have chronic ear infections."

Baraka is a baby from Tanzania. His parents are small-scale farmers. Baraka has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of his condition, Baraka has been experiencing an increasing head circumference. Without treatment, Baraka will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,238 to cover the cost of surgery for Baraka that will treat his hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on April 2 and will drain the excess fluid from Baraka's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, Baraka will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. Baraka’s mother says, “Please help my son because we have nowhere to get the money needed for his surgery”

Si Blu is a 22-year-old girl from Thailand. She lives with her parents and younger brother and sister in Mae La Refugee Camp, Tha Song Yang District, Tak Province. She and her family fled Burma 12 years ago because of the civil war and a lack of job opportunities in their area. Today, Si Blu’s parents sell noddles and snacks from their home in the camp. Si Blu loves to listen to music and help her parents with household chores in her free times. Currently, Si Blu experiences fatigue and she is too tired to climb stairs. She often has rapid breathing as well as heart palpitations when she is more tired. Si Blu was born with ventricular septal defect, a cardiac condition in which a hole exists between the two lower chambers of the heart. Blood leaks through this hole without first passing through his lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him sick and short of breath. Si Blu is scheduled to undergo heart surgery on March 17 to correct his condition and improve his quality of life. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Si Blu's procedure and care. Si Blu said, “I feel like my health is getting worse and worse and I cannot handle it anymore. I am too tired to work or walk. I love to work but my work place has stairs I have to climb, and I cannot climb the stair every day. I hope that after surgery, I will be able to help my mother at home by selling noodles and snacks.”

Nandar is a 25-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her mother and 30-year-old brother in a village in Chaungzon Township of Mon State. Nandar was diagnosed with a heart condition that involves a malformation of the mitral valve, the valve between the left atrium and left ventricle. This valve controls the flow of blood, but certain conditions may cause blood to flow backward or the valve to narrow. Nandar experiences tiredness and difficulty breathing. She is unable to work because of her symptoms. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Nandar. The treatment is scheduled to take place on February 25 and, once completed, will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably. Nandar said, “I would like to get better so that I can go to work and help my mother. My brother is not able to work, so if I was stronger, I would take any job to help my family.”

Anita is a mother from Kenya. She has four children and works as a farmer. One week ago, Anita injured her right leg. She is unable to walk or stand using her right leg because of the broken bone. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On January 3, Anita will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help her walk easily again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $968 to fund this procedure. Anita says, “My prayer is to get healed so that I can provide for my children. I am a hardworking woman. I do everything to save my family from poverty.”

Paul is a young boy and the fifth in a family of six children. He is playful and very social. His parents are planning to enroll him in school next year. Paul was born with a malformation of his left leg, which was caused by the amniotic band wrapping around it and preventing blood flow during development. His parents were advised to let him grow for a few years before undergoing surgery. Now, on October 11, Paul is scheduled to undergo an amputation, which is going to enable him to use a prosthetic leg. His family needs help raising $1,035 to fund this procedure. His father says, “We wish to get the needed surgery for our son so that he can be able to use a prosthetic leg and be able to walk to school like other children, but we are unable to afford the cost of the surgery. Please help us.”

Fabrice is a baby from Kenya. He is the youngest in a family of three children. Fabrice has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of his condition, Fabrice has been experiencing irritability and and increasing head circumference. Without treatment, Fabrice will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $685 to cover the cost of surgery for Fabrice that will treat his hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on October 30 and will drain the excess fluid from Fabrice's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, Fabrice will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. “Our entire family was shocked to learn of this condition but we are all praying for God’s will in Fabrice’s life,” says Fabrice’s mother.

Ma Kyi is a 74-year-old woman who lives with her daughter’s family in Sanpya Village, Ye Township, Mon State, Burma. Her daughter and son-in-law are agricultural day laborers who work in nearby factories and rubber plantations. In August 2018, Ma Kyi noticed that her right toe was swollen. She used traditional medicine, applying leaves onto her toe. A few days later, her toe became very painful. Consequently, Ma Kyi could not sleep at night and lost her appetite. Ma Kyi visited our medical partner's care center and was examined by the doctors. According to the doctors, the blood vessels in her feet are blocked, and the wound cannot heal due to the lack of blood supply. Thus, her doctors decided that the only solution is to amputate her right leg below her knee. Surgery is scheduled for September 4 and will cost $1,500. Ma Kyi says, “As a Buddhist, I want to go to monasteries when I am fully recovered.” Ma Kyi’s daughter adds, “I want my mother to get well as quickly as possible so I can go back home and care for my 11-year-old daughter."