Ye Min is a 19-year-old young man from Burma. He lives with his parents, younger brother, and a younger sister. His father is unemployed due to a previous accident. His mother works as an agricultural day laborer, while his brother looks after their neighbor’s cows, and his sister helps with household chores. Ye Min is unemployed. Their family’s combined monthly income is not enough to cover their daily expenses, and with Ye Min’s medical condition, the family is now indebted to neighbours and friends for loans they've received to help them finance medical and living expenses. Ye Min was 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, Ye Min experiences significant limitations in his energy and physical capacity. He often has to rest after walking for not more than five minutes. His condition has prevented him from working, and he feels stressed about his health. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to help fund a heart valve replacement for Ye Min. The treatment is scheduled to take place on June 27th at our medical partner's care center, Kasemrad Prachachuen Hospital. Once completed, Ye Min will hopefully live more comfortably. Ye Min said, “Without surgery, I will not live longer, and now I cannot walk far or work due to my fatigue, which makes me sad.” His mother said, “I leave my son’s life in your hands. I believe that he would have died in Burma if we had not come here to receive surgery with the help of your organization. When I came here, I felt like half of my burden had been lifted when I saw that your staff were kind and caring. I would like to thank you very much ahead of time for being willing to help us.”

Elsa is a 77-year old woman from the Philippines. She enjoys spending time with her neighbors, whose companionship provides her with emotional support and a sense of community. She also takes light walks around her neighborhood to stay active and maintain her health despite her condition. However, her condition has increased the financial burden on her family, who now shoulder her medical expenses. Three months ago, Elsa began to experience troubling symptoms, including abdominal pain. Elsa was diagnosed with gallstones and has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, her symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), Elsa is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy on July 18th. A portion of the procedure's cost is being covered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is raising the remaining $1,031 to cover the cost of Elsa's surgery and care. Elsa shared, "I am truly grateful for the opportunity to receive free treatment. I look forward to recovering so I can enjoy more time with my family and continue living a healthy and active life."

Aneth is a one-month-old baby girl from Tanzania. Her parents are both subsistence farmers who grow crops primarily to provide food for their family, selling any surplus at the market to earn a living. She has one older sibling. Aneth has bilateral clubfoot, a condition in which both feet are turned inward. Without treatment, clubfoot can make it difficult for children to wear normal shoes and walk comfortably as they grow. Aneth’s family learned about clubfoot treatment through a former patient who had previously received care at our medical partner's care center, Kafika House. The former patient encouraged the family to seek medical help for their daughter, giving them hope that Aneth’s condition could also be treated. Fortunately, Aneth's family traveled to Kafika House, where she will first undergo gentle manipulation and casting, a process that will gradually guide her feet into the correct position. After the casting phase, she will undergo a tenotomy procedure to help achieve proper foot alignment. Aneth's treatment will begin on September 21st. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $341 to fund Aneth's clubfoot repair. After treatment, Aneth has a good opportunity to grow with properly positioned feet, enabling her to wear normal shoes, walk comfortably, and participate fully in everyday activities as she grows. Aneth's mother shared, “We are grateful that we were directed here. We hope that through this treatment, our daughter will grow up able to walk well and wear normal shoes like other children."