Kham is a 14-year-old student from Burma. She lives with her father, paternal grandparents, four paternal uncles, an aunt-in-law, and a cousin in Kachin State. Kham is in the ninth grade and her cousin also goes to school. Her grandmother is a seamstress. Her grandfather is retired, and her father is unemployed and looks after her. All of her uncles are mechanics in an automobile repair shop, but they do not share their income with the rest of the family. During her free time, she helps her cousin with his homework, and she loves teaching. Kham 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 her sick and short of breath. Kham is scheduled to undergo heart surgery on August 9th to correct her condition and improve her quality of life. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Kham's procedure and care. “I would like to become a teacher because I feel happy teaching children that I know,” Kham shared with us.

Neary is a 72-year-old wife and mother from Cambodia. She has fours sons, two daughters, and nine grandchildren. Neary lives with her youngest son who is a rice farmer. She shared that she enjoys listening to music on the radio. Ten years ago, Neary developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her blurry vision, tearing, and photophobia. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Neary learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four hours with her son seeking treatment. On September 9th, doctors will perform small incision cataract surgery (SICS) 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. Neary said, "I hope after surgery I can see everything and recognize faces clearer than now. I want to be able to do any work and go travel and get around on my own." Her son added, "I hope my mother's surgery is successful so her vision can improve and she can be happy."

Paulo is a happy 7-year-old child from Kitui County in Kenya. He is the fourth born in a family of five children. Paulo’s father is a casual labourer who does welding in Rwaka, while his mother is a housewife in their rural home in Kitui. Paulo had an accident and fell from an avocado tree while he was playing. He was taken to a government health facility but did not receive any service as the health workers were on strike. Paulo’s father then took him to a private hospital in Kiambu, where doctors conducted an x-ray revealing a fracture of his left femur. Paulo is not able to walk and is in constant pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help make sure Paulo has the surgery he needs. On January 7th, Paulo will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help him walk easily again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,049 to fund this procedure. Paulo's father shared, “I had my reservations about Paulo having surgery, but I have had time to think about it, leading to my decision for him to have the surgery. I look forward to him being able to play and walk properly again.”