Jayden is a 15-month-old baby - full of smiles and jovial. However, it's difficult for him to pass urine, which was diagnosed at birth. He is the only son and his mother is a single parent who is still in school pursuing a hairdressing course. They both live at his grandmother’s home in Western Kenya. Jayden's grandmother works as a laborer getting work when she can. Jayden was born with hypospadias, a birth condition that causes urinary dysfunction. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and will be at risk of cancer and infertility. Fortunately, Jayden is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on January 12th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $847 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Jayden's mother says, “My child deserves to grow as a normal kid. The good thing is that this condition can be rectified and he can heal.”

Thaw is a two-year-old boy from Burma. He lives with his parents and elder sister in Zee Kone Village, but his family migrated to Thailand four months ago to seek better job opportunities. His father works as an agricultural day labourer, while his mother is a homemaker. Thaw’s elder brother and sister take turns working as agricultural day labourers. Thaw’s mother carefully manages their income, and their combined family income is enough to cover their daily basic expenses. Thaw receives free healthcare services at Mae Tao Clinic (MTC). On 2 July 2021, Thaw was born through emergency caesarean section. His mother noticed on the following day, while cleaning Thaw’s body, that he was born with a worrying condition that makes it challenging to go to the bathroom. Thaw’s mother immediately informed the doctor, who then referred Thaw to hospital in Ayeyarwady Division. Unfortunately, due to a lack of facilities, he did not receive the necessary treatment at this hospital. He was subsequently recommended to go to Yangon Hospital. However, due to financial limitations, Thaw’s mother could not afford to take him to Yangon Hospital, leading her to cease efforts to seek Thaw’s treatment. Fortunately, Thaw was able to defecate through a fistula however Thaw began to experience troubling symptoms, including at present, Thaw is passing stool through the fistula, experiencing constipation with bowel movements occurring every four or five days, with a distended abdomen. Thaw has been diagnosed with imperforate anus with fistula and his doctors recommend a colostomy. A colostomy is a surgery that creates an opening for the colon through the abdomen. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1500 to fund Thaw's surgery at Mae Sot General Hospital scheduled January 31st. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully alleviate him symptoms. Thaw’s mother expressed her concerns saying, “I want my son to have a healthy, long life. I was always worried about him, and he couldn’t receive treatment due to lack of money. Now, with the help of BCMF and donors, he can undergo surgery. Thank you."

Phy is an 83-year-old retired soldier from Siem Reap province in Cambodia. He has one daughter, two sons, and five grandchildren. Phy helps care for his wife, who has been experiencing multiple health problems for the last several years. They moved in with their oldest daughter and their son-in-law, who works as a motorbike taxi driver to help support the family. In his free time, Phy likes going to the pagoda and visiting his grandchildren. Around two months ago, Phy had cataract surgery at a provincial hospital and experienced post-operative complications. The retina of Phy's left eye detached, causing him partial blindness and watery eyes. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Phy learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for six hours seeking treatment. On April 3rd, eye surgeons will perform a retinal detachment repair procedure in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Phy and his family are able to contribute $300 but need help to raise an additional $649 to fund the procedure. Phy shared, "I hope I can see clearly so I can feel better going places on my own and I would like to be able to watch the news."