"My wish is to have a healthy son, one that will have a normal life," shares Andres' mother. Andres is a 9-month-old baby boy from Guatemala. He came to our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq (WK), with a large hernia. "His hernia has grown to the point where it is irreducible," shares WK. "If left untreated his hernia could cause infertility, loss of blood flow to the intestine (strangulation), and immense pain." "His father is a day worker in the fields and does odd jobs to support his family," WK continues. "His mother works to maintain the home and care for their children. Nine people live in their house together." Andres' family cannot afford the treatment cost. Fortunately, we can help. For $565, we can fully fund the life-changing surgery that Andres needs. "This treatment will repair his inguinal canal and allow him to avoid further discomfort and future complications due to his hernia," WK adds. "His parents will be supported both financially and emotionally through the operation and post-op process. They will be guided by our staff through the hospitalization process, and receive counseling. This repair surgery will fix his hernia, and allow him to live a normal life."

"Once I am healthy, I will be able to work hard and save money," Soe Win shares. "I will try to donate to the needy. I can see a brighter future ahead of me. When the rain stops a rainbow will appear in its place." Soe Win is a 30-year-old woman from Burma who “likes to spend her time outside of work at the local monastery, helping the less fortunate any way she can," says our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP). Soe Win has a uterine myoma -- a condition where uterine muscles develop abnormally and benign tumorous growths called fibroids grow within the uterus. The fibroids increase the pressure on the internal organs, causing abdominal pain. "Soe Win cannot sleep well and it is difficult for her to stand up and sit down," says BBP. Due to this pain, “Soe Win is unable to walk more than a short distance.” “Since she lives alone,” BBP explains, “Soe Win worries that if she does not get better, there will be no one to take care of her.” Though she currently works as a laundress, her income is not enough to pay for the operation she needs. With $1,500, Soe Win will receive a total hysterectomy—a procedure in which her uterus will be removed to prevent the fibroids from returning. “With surgery, Soe Win will not be in pain anymore, and she will be able to sleep well and move around much more easily," BBP adds. Following this procedure, Soe Win is looking forward to being healthy enough to work and go to the temple.

Meet Tim, a 63-year old grandmother from Cambodia with five children and twelve grandchildren. “In her free time, she likes to sew pillows and mattresses,” shares our partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). Tim has a pterygium, a growth of pink, fleshy tissue on the white of the eye. Though this growth is a noncancerous lesion, it can continue growing until it covers the pupil of the eye and interferes with vision. Also known as surfer’s eye, this condition is common in people living close to the equator who are frequently in the sun. CSC explains, “Tim has burning in her eyes that makes it hard for her to do anything and go anywhere. She is always uncomfortable and is worried she will go blind.” For just $150, we can fund surgery that will remove the pterygium, allowing her to see properly again and relieving her of the burning her eye. CSC tells us, “After surgery she hopes to return to sewing, go to the farm, take care of her grandchildren and in general have no more pain.”