Sean is in 6th grade and lives with his parents and his older brother. His parents are rainy day rice farmers and have several cows for milk. Sean likes to read and watch TV and loves it when his mom makes curry soup for dinner. He would like to be a policeman when he is older. Sean has a rare genetic disease called Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, which mostly affects boys. He suffers from chronic pain and progressive muscle weakness in both his legs. He has an uneasy gait and difficulty climbing stairs. His neighbors told his parents about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, and urged them to visit for diagnosis and treatment. While there is no cure for his genetic disease, surgeons plan to release and lengthen his Achilles tendons on both legs, which will allow him to walk more easily. Sean needs help with the $541 cost of the procedure, subsequent leg casts, and physical therapy. His mother said: "It is hard to see our son in pain when he tries to walk; we are grateful the doctors will be able to help him walk again."

Elisante is a three-week old baby and the second born in a family of two children. Elisante’s father is a dressmaker and his mother takes care of their home and family. They do not earn enough to be able to afford Elisante’s needed treatment and need support. Elisante has clubfoot of his left foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Elisante's family traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on January 3rd. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $935 to fund Elisante's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he'll will be able to walk easily and wear shoes. Elisante’s mother says, “Please help my son get this treatment so that he may be able to walk. I fear that when people will see his leg they might talk badly of my son.”

San is a 69-year-old man who used to work as a laborer but is no longer able to work. He lives with friends in Tak Province. His friend works as a construction laborer, and his friend’s wife is a homemaker. San’s friends provide food and accommodation for him, as he has no income of his own. In his free time, San enjoys listening to Buddhism Dharma and meditation. Currently, San cannot see at all with his right eye and can only read with his left eye. Fortunately, our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), can help. On January 4th, doctors will perform a lens replacement, during which they will remove San’s natural lens and replace it with an intraocular lens implant. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly again. BCMF is requesting $1,500 to fund San’s lens replacement surgery. San shared his hopes for a healthier future: “If I regain my vision, I want to become a monk.”