Saw Ta is a 36-year-old farmer who lives with his wife and eight children in a village in Karen State, Burma. Saw Ta plants chili and cardamom and volunteers as a community development worker in his area. The family also raises chickens, goats, and pigs. Saw Ta has a heart condition that requires the replacement of the aortic and mitral heart valves and the repair of the tricuspid valve. These valves control the blood flow between the chambers of the heart and are necessary to prevent long-term damage to the heart and lungs. Saw Ta gets tired easily and experiences heart palpitations when he is working, requiring him to take frequent periods of rest. As he cannot work long hours on the farm, he stays home to take care of his children while his wife goes out to work. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 for the complex surgery that Saw Ta's condition requires. The procedure is scheduled to take place at Kasemrad Prachachuen Hospital on April 10th, and once completed, will hopefully allow Saw Ta to live a fuller and healthier life. Saw Ta said: "After treatment, I will go back to help my wife on the farm, and also continue to volunteer in my community. Now, because of my heart condition, my wife has to do all the work at home and I feel sorry for her."

Saroth is a 42-year-old mechanic who lives in Kandal province with his wife and three children. His wife stays home to take care of the children - a 16-year-old daughter, an 11-year-old daughter, and a four-year-old son. All the children are active in the local school and keep their parents busy. When not taking care of his children, Saroth likes to play soccer with friends. In June 2022, while working on a roof, Saroth fell about three meters to the ground and fractured his left humerus in the middle of his upper arm. He visited a local hospital, where a metal plate was inserted to stabilize the bone. However, it is still hard for him to use his arm and he is unable to work so his family struggles financially. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On February 20th, Saroth will undergo a procedure to heal his arm, which will cost $304. This procedure will help him improve his range of motion to increase strength and completely heal. Saroth is hopeful he'll be able to find a better-paying job if he has full use of both arms. Saroth said: "After surgery, I hope I have no pain and can use my arm again to work hard to support my family."

11-year-old Ryan lives with his mother and three siblings in Malawi. His parents are separated, and the family depends on Ryan's mother - who sells vegetables - to support their family financially. Since he was born, Ryan has been experiencing a painful swelling in a sensitive area. The swelling disappears for periods of time, but is followed by abdominal pain and fever. His mother has taken him to different health centers, where he was given medication, which didn't ultimately help. Finally, he was seen by a surgeon who was conducting a free clinic at their nearby health center who diagnosed Ryan with a left inguinal hernia. Ryan is now scheduled to undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center Nkhoma Hospital on February 7th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is seeking your help to raise the $421 needed to fund his procedure, without which Ryan will be unable to continue his schooling without interruption, and he'll continue to face potential health complications. Ryan’s mother says: “I am looking forward to seeing my son free of this condition so that he can focus on school.”