Roland is a 36-year-old father from the Philippines. He has been living with a fistula for about 15 years. Initially, his symptoms were sporadic and self-resolving. However, flare-ups have become frequent, occurring every two months for the past two years. These episodes cause pain, fatigue, and difficulty sitting, forcing Roland to adjust his daily routine. After Roland traveled to our medical partner's care center, World Surgical Foundation Philippines, surgery was recommended to relieve his symptoms. While this has brought Roland hope, the estimated cost remains beyond his financial capacity, leaving him reliant on antibiotics for temporary relief. Despite his condition, Roland continues to support his family by helping run their small clothing business and taking on electrical work on the side. His condition limits his ability to fully participate in work, leisure activities, and caring for his children. His family strongly believes surgery would restore his quality of life, reduce recurring medical expenses, and ease the financial strain. Fortunately, Roland is scheduled to receive surgery on March 20th at the World Surgical Foundation Philippines. Our medical partner, Our Lady of Peace Hospital, is requesting $1,198 to fund this treatment. Access to surgical treatment would allow Roland to regain comfort, resume normal activities, and provide more stability for his household. Roland shared, "I’m looking forward to playing basketball again without pain and being able to sit comfortably while spending time with my children."

De Wai is a 55-year-old man from Burma. He lives with his wife, daughter, son-in-law, and daughter-in-law. All of the family members are agricultural day laborers, since their lands were destroyed by a military air strike in February 2026. However, De Wai stopped working in November 2025 due to his heart condition. They do not receive an income from their labor, but the owner of the farm provides them with rice. For their daily expenses, they have borrowed money from the village head—a debt they will have to repay with interest. In his free time, De Wai does household chores. De Wai has been diagnosed with a heart condition that requires valve replacement. Heart valves control the flow of blood between chambers, but certain conditions may narrow the heart valve or cause the blood to flow backwards. Normal valve function is necessary to prevent long-term damage to the heart and lungs. Currently, De Wai feels a little better since he has received medication from a doctor. However, he still experiences fatigue when he is active and walking, a loss of appetite, and sometimes he cannot sleep at night due to palpitations and chest pain. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to support a heart valve replacement for De Wai. The treatment is scheduled to take place on June 29th at our medical partner's care center, Kasemrad Prachachuen Hospital. Once completed, De Wail should be able to live more comfortably and begin again to contribute to his family's future. De Wai said, “I cannot work since November as I get tired easily, and I feel depressed and unhappy for my family as they have to face financial difficulties, and I have to suffer from these diseases. While I am undergoing treatment, I feel worried about my family who are in the village. I hope to recover soon, and I want to go back and help my family.”

Nusrat is a nine-year-old girl from West Bengal, India. She has an elder brother and goes to school in her village. She lives in a home that her family shares with extended family, and she is equally loved and adored by everyone. When she was just an infant, Nusrat sustained severe burns when a vessel full of hot oil was accidentally spilt as her uncle walked by carrying the pot. She was treated locally for a few weeks, but developed extensive scarring on the left side of her face, lower lip, neck, and chest. She had two previous surgeries in 2019 to treat the burned skin on her neck. Nusrat needs surgery for her residual neck contracture and lower lip scarring. She has high hopes of restoring her neck mobility and improving her appearance with surgical repairs. Nusrat has travelled a considerable distance for treatment with our medical partner, G.S. Memorial Plastic Surgery Hospital and Trauma Center. The G.S. Memorial Trust will cover a portion of the cost of her procedure, and the family is seeking assistance to raise the remaining $866 to fund her next procedure. Her surgery is scheduled for April 8th. Nusrat's mother says, "The surgical team and the hospital have been supportive during her treatments before, and we have full faith in their abilities to treat her and help her regain confidence as they have done from day one."