Obvious is a 12-year-old student from southwestern Uganda. She has one brother and two sisters. She and her siblings are all in school, with Obvious studying in grade four this year. Her parents are peasant farmers, and most of their income pays for their children’s school fees. During her free time, Obvious loves to play and sing with other children. For three months, Obvious has had a supra umbilical hernia that causes her pain, especially when she is walking or playing. She visited our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), for review, and the doctors recommended surgery. On December 13th, Obvious will undergo hernia repair surgery that will allow her to live more comfortably and confidently. AMH is requesting $230 to fund this procedure. Obvious’s mother says, “My daughter requires surgery, but we do not have money for it. Please help us.”

Ma Win is an 18-year-old girl who lives with her parents, sister and brother-in-law in Yangon, Burma. Ma Win’s sister works at a clothing factory, while her brother-in-law works as a day laborer. Her parents are homemakers. Before Ma Win's current illness, she also worked at a factory. When Ma Win was four years old, she experienced a bout of high fever, and was brought to the local clinic. She received an injection, and the doctor informed her parents that she was born with a heart problem. However, she was too young at the time for corrective surgery. Instead, she was sent home with medication, and appeared to be doing well until this past year. In April, Ma Win began experiencing chest pains, high fever and difficulty breathing. She went to a clinic, and received an x-ray and an echocardiogram. After the doctor checked her results, she was diagnosed with an opening between two major blood vessels leading from the heart. The doctor told her and her family that she would need to have surgery. When Ma Win explained to the doctor that her family could not afford to pay for the surgery, she was referred to the abbot of a local monastery, who provided the family with information about our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund. Now Ma Win is scheduled for cardiac surgery on October 23rd at Pun Hlaing Hospital. After she has recovered, she should no longer experience chest pains or difficulty breathing, and she won't have to worry any longer about her condition. She will also be able to return to work, which will help ease her family's financial burdens. Now she needs your help to raise $1,500 to cover the cost of her procedure. Ma Win said: “I am scared to receive surgery, but my mother tries to encourage me. However, I am very happy that I will be able to receive treatment with your help. I would like to say thank you so much to all the donors.”

Kanitha is a bright, 13 year old seventh grade student, living in Phnom Penh with her parents and two siblings. Her father stays home to care for the children, while her mother works as a chef. In her free time, Kanitha enjoys reading books and helping her father do housework. At school, mathematics is her favorite subject, and she aspires to be a teacher in the future. For the past two years, Kanitha has been experiencing sore throats and difficulty swallowing. She often feels tenderness in her throat, accompanied by a high fever. Her parents took her for treatment at a local hospital, where she was given antibiotics. Despite the medications, Kanitha continues to have frequent infections. She was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, which, if not treated, will cause her symptoms to persist and to intensify over time. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $265 to fund a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for Kanitha. This procedure is scheduled to take place on January 17th, at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre. Surgeons will remove Kanitha's tonsils and adenoids, which should relieve her of her symptoms, allowing her to live a healthier and more comfortable life. Kanitha's parents said: "We hope after her operation, her throat will get better, and she can eat and breathe easily."