Give the gift of healthcare

Vortey is an 11-year-old sixth grader who lives in a rural village with her parents and two younger brothers. Her mother runs a juice street cart, and her father is an electrician. In her free time, Vortey likes to play with friends and do art. She wants to attend university and become a doctor when she grows up. Since she was about five years old, Vortey has had a recurring ear infection which caused a cholesteatoma - an abnormal skin growth - to develop behind her ear drum. Because of this, Vortey experiences hearing loss, tinnitus, and ear discharge. She has difficulty hearing in school and feels self-conscious around her classmates. Vortey traveled to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, to receive treatment. On March 7th, she will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure in her right ear to remove the cholesteatoma. CSC is requesting $926 to fund this procedure, which will cover medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Vortey said she is looking forward to improving her hearing so that she has a better future.

Sreymom is a 37-year-old woman, living in rural Cambodia. She takes care of her mother full-time, while her oldest sister, who works as a rice farmer, helps to support them. Sreymom's main jobs around the house are cooking and cleaning, during which time she enjoys listening to Cambodian music on the radio, and singing along. Two months ago, Sreymom developed a chalazion - an inflamed cyst in her tear gland - in her right eye. As a result, she experiences irritation and swelling of her eye, which causes discomfort, and which also impairs her vision. Sreymom sought treatment from our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. On January 23rd, surgeons at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre will remove the cyst through a chalazion excision procedure. After recovery, Sreymom's symptoms should improve. Now, she needs your help raising $210 to fund this procedure. Sreymom said: "I hope my eye gets better soon so I can take care of my mother without problems."

Hatsumi is a 19-month-old baby who lives with her parents and five older siblings. Her mother sells flowers in the market and her father takes care of her and her brothers and sisters at home. Hatsumi was born with a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect, where a hole exists between the two lower chambers of her heart, causing blood leakage. This often leaves her weak and short of breath. Hatsumi and her family traveled to our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, to seek treatment. On March 8th, Hatsumi will undergo a surgical procedure where doctors will sew a patch over the hole to prevent blood from leaking through. Now, Hatsumi's family needs help raising $1,500 to fund the procedure. Hatsumi's mother said, "Our family is praying that our daughter will be able to breathe more easily once her surgery is over!"

Justine is a 26-year-old businesswoman from Uganda. She owns a small food-selling outlet in her shopping center. With low sales, it is a challenge for her to raise enough money for rent and expand her business. Her husband operates a motorcycle taxi (bodaboda) with little income as well. Justine and her husband are currently expecting a second child. Unfortunately, Justine lost her firstborn child during delivery and she hopes to deliver a healthy baby with this pregnancy. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband. For this pregnancy, her doctors recommend that she deliver via a Caesarean section because of the short time between pregnancies and the scar from the last pregnancy. She needs to deliver via a Caesarean section to ensure the safety of both mother and child but is unable to raise the funds needed on her own. She appeals for help. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Justine undergo a Caesarean section on February 7th. This procedure will cost $252, and Justine needs your support. Justine says, “I hope to deliver a live and healthier baby and I will be glad thus able to resume my business of selling foodstuff.”

Winjoy is a happy three year old girl, who lives with her grandmother. Because Winjoy's mother is a student, Winjoy's grandmother supports the family by selling vegetables that she grows. Winjoy arrived at the hospital with her left arm swollen around her elbow. Doctors determined that she had sustained a fracture, and a splint was applied to immobilize the joint. Winjoy's grandmother was advised that Winjoy needed to be admitted to the hospital for further evaluation and surgery, but her grandmother explained that she didn't have the necessary money for Winjoy's hospitalization. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, has stepped in to enable Winjoy to access the care that she needs. On January 23rd, Winjoy will undergo surgery at AIC Kapsowar Hospital, to repair her fractured arm. Now Winjoy and her grandmother are appealing to you to help raise the $679 needed for the surgery, which will ensure that Winjoy's fracture heals properly. Winjoys’ grandmother says: “This issue is very complex to me. I am the only provider to my children and grandchildren, and it has been so hard to even pay their school fees. I have been struggling for real and when I see my granddaughter's condition, my heart is broken more. I am not able to offer anything at the moment. Kindly help me so that she can grow normally.”

Myrcayela, a nine year old fifth grader, lives with her parents and five siblings in a suburb of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Myrcayela was born with a condition called patent ductus arteriosus. In the womb, a ductus arteriosus is a normal part of a baby's blood flow system. If it doesn't close shortly after birth, however, a hole remains between the two major blood vessels leading from the heart. This is what happened with Myrcayela, resulting in oxygen poor blood circulating through her body, leaving her weak and short of breath. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is seeking $1,500 to cover the costs of the surgery that will correct Myrcayela's condition. This life changing procedure, during which doctors will plug the hole with a device to prevent leakage, is scheduled to take place on February 1st, at Clinica Corominas. Myrcayela's mother said: "Our family will pray every day for all the people who are helping our daughter!"

Pauline is a 65-year-old small-scale farmer and mother of eight, living in Uganda. In addition to farming, Pauline raises cows so that she can sell milk to earn additional money for her family. For the past eight months Pauline has had a swelling on her back. The swelling causes her pain, and has continued to increase in size. Pauline sought medical attention, and it was recommended that she have the mass excised. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Pauline to access the care that she needs. On December 21st, surgeons at Karoli Lwanga Hospital, Nyakibale will remove the mass on Pauline's back. Now she needs your support to raise the $137 to fund this procedure. Pauline says: "I believe that I will get better once this swelling is removed. I appeal for your financial support to undergo this surgery."

Hor is a sweet and curious toddler from Cambodia and the only child in her family. Her mother works in a garment factory, while her father works as a motorbike mechanic. Like many toddlers, her mother shared that Hor loves to eat milk and fruit as well as stay busy playing with her toys! In mid-January, Hor fell while she was playing and dislocated her elbow. She is experiencing pain and cannot use her arm properly. Fortunately, her parents were able to bring her to our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), for review. On February 9th, Hor will undergo surgery to reduce her pain and improve her mobility. CSC is requesting $485 to cover the cost of this procedure, and Hor's family was able to contribute $75 to her care. Her mom shared, "I hope her arm will get better, so she feels better."

Hoy is a 64-year-old retired Khmer cake seller from Cambodia. Sadly, Hoy's husband passed away during the Khmer Rouge. She has two sons, three daughters, and five grandchildren, and her children support her. She enjoys listening to the monks pray on the radio and joining ceremonies at the pagoda in her free time. Three years ago, Hoy developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so she is not able to go places on her own. When Hoy learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On November 15th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help raising $253 to fund her procedure and care. Hoy shared, "I hope after surgery I can see better, do housework and visit our local pagoda by myself."

In is a 66-year-old retired rice farmer from Cambodia. She has three sons, five daughters, and 17 grandchildren. Sadly, five years ago, her husband passed away due to hypertension. Now, she lives with one of her grandchildren. When In is not cooking, she enjoys listening to monks chant on the radio. Three months ago, In developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her blurry vision with frequent tearing. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so she is not able to go places on her own. When In learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On November 18th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help raising $253 to fund her procedure and care. In shared, "I hope I can see better so I can take care of myself. I want to go to the pagoda by myself and not be afraid."

Lim is a 61-year-old rice farmer from Kampong Cham province in Cambodia. She is married and has one son and two grandchildren. Lim's husband is also a rice farmer, while their son works in food service for weddings. Five years ago, Lim developed a pterygium - a non-cancerous growth - in her left eye. This condition is most often caused by cell damage in the eye due to too much exposure to the sun and results in visual impairment and physical discomfort. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is seeking $225 to cover the total costs of Lim's treatment. On February 6th, doctors at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre will remove the abnormal conjunctiva from Lim's eye and replace it with a graft, which should prevent a recurrence. Lim is looking forward to being able to see clearly again and is hopeful that you will support her in funding her procedure. Lim said: "I hope after surgery my eye will stop watering and I can work comfortably, and not worry all the time."

Sun is a 67-year-old grandmother. She is a widow and has one son, one daughter, and three grandchildren. She used to work as a rice farmer, but she is now retired. Her daughter helps support the family by working as a cleaner. In her free time, she enjoys spending time at her local pagoda to pray. One year ago, Sun developed a cataract in her right eye causing her blurry vision and itchiness. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so she is not able to go places on her own. When Sun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. On February 1st, 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 funding this $253 procedure. Sun shared, "I hope after surgery I can see better I feel happy and I can go out and recognize people."