Myrcayela, a nine year old fifth grader, lives with her parents and five siblings in a suburb of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Myrcayela was born with a condition called patent ductus arteriosus. In the womb, a ductus arteriosus is a normal part of a baby's blood flow system. If it doesn't close shortly after birth, however, a hole remains between the two major blood vessels leading from the heart. This is what happened with Myrcayela, resulting in oxygen poor blood circulating through her body, leaving her weak and short of breath. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is seeking $1,500 to cover the costs of the surgery that will correct Myrcayela's condition. This life changing procedure, during which doctors will plug the hole with a device to prevent leakage, is scheduled to take place on February 1st, at Clinica Corominas. Myrcayela's mother said: "Our family will pray every day for all the people who are helping our daughter!"

Lu is a 63-year-old man who lives with his wife and niece in a refugee camp in Thailand. He is unemployed, while his wife is a homemaker, and his niece is a student. Lu enjoys going to the forest to fish in the steams and to forage for vegetables. He shared he also likes to read the Bible and to sing hymns. Lu developed cataracts in both of his eyes. As a result, his vision is blurry and impaired, which makes it difficult for Lu to lead an independent life. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund lens replacement surgery for Lu. On January 19th, doctors at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital will perform a lens replacement procedure, during which they will remove Lu's natural lenses, and replace them with intraocular lens implants. After recovery, Lu will be able to see clearly again and get back to his day-to-day life. Now, he needs your help to fund this $1,500 procedure. Lu said: “I feel so annoyed and uncomfortable when I try to look around me, so I will often just close my eyes,” he said. “I want to receive surgery so that my vision can be restored.”

Maureen is a hard working stay-at-home mother. She is a beautiful and ever-smiling mother of eight from Kiambaa in Kiambu. She is currently unemployed due to medical issues after having a C-section to deliver her last born in 2020. In November Maureen tripped and fell in her house while going about her daily chores. She felt excruciating pain in her left hand and was taken to a hospital in Ruaka. An x-ray confirmed a fracture on her left arm and she was recommended surgery in order to heal her condition. She is in a lot of pain and cannot use her left hand. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, can help. On December 1st, Maureen will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. She will heal well and be able to use her hand again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,049 to fund her procedure. “I am glad there is the hope of treatment. The thought of being unable to use my left hand to go about my daily chores scares me,” Maureen remarked with a glimmer of hope in her eyes.