Mu is a 34-year-old wife and mother, living in Thailand. Mu lives with her husband, son, and two daughters in Mae Sot, Tak Province. Their family moved from Yangon, Burma to Thailand 14 years ago, in search of better job opportunities. Today, Mu is a homemaker, her son is a student, while her two daughters are still too young to study. Her husband is a dockworker in Mae Sot. Because their income is insufficient to cover their daily expenses, they sometimes have to borrow money from a neighbor. About two years ago, Mu developed a femoral hernia. Because of the hernia, Mu experiences severe pain in her left groin area, and she also has a lump that has been increasing in size, and which hangs down when she walks. Mu is very stressed about her condition, and because of chronic discomfort, she has been unable to keep up with her daily tasks. Fortunately, with the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Mu is scheduled for hernia repair surgery on October 27th, at Mae Sot General Hospital. Burma Children Medical Fund is seeking $1,500 to cover the cost of Mu's surgery and care, which should enable Mu to return to a life without the hardship she experiences now. Mu said: “I feel like I have to hold myself so this will not fall down when I walk, which makes me feel very uncomfortable. I want to receive surgery soon so that I can work to earn more money in the future. Now, my baby—our youngest daughter—is older so I will find a job after I have fully recovered from surgery.”

Man is a 41-year-old woman with one daughter, one son, and an adorable grandchild. Man's husband works as a laborer and, since her vision declined, Man stays home to care for her grandchild. Two years ago, Man developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. Consequently, she has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so she cannot go places on her own. When Man learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. On September 28th, doctors will perform cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. CSC is requesting $253 to help fund this procedure. Man shared, "After surgery, I hope my eye will feel comfortable enough that I can help my daughter care for her child and go outside by myself."

Korng is a 77-year-old retired tailor from Cambodia. She has two sons, two daughters, and six grandchildren. She shares that her husband passed away many years ago, so she lives with her youngest son, who is a garment worker. When Korng is not cooking or helping her daughter care for the grandchildren, she enjoys listening to monks chant on the radio. Two years ago, Korng developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her to experience light sensitivity, blurry vision, and eye tearing. As a result, she has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so she she cannot go out on her own. When Korng learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled to their care center for treatment. On August 12th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and place an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. CSC is requesting $253 to fund her procedure. Korng shares, "I hope I can see better so I can take care of myself. I want to go to the pagoda by myself and visit with my neighbors without being afraid I will fall."

Kamsort is a 28-year-old vegetable farmer, living with his wife and their two-year-old son. Kamsort's wife is a garment worker. In his free time, Kamsort enjoys listening to music and playing with his son. In January 2021, Kamsort was involved in a traffic accident that caused an open fracture of his right tibia. After the accident, his family took him to a hospital where he had surgery. Six months later he had the hardware from the surgery removed. But Kamsort remains in pain, he has swelling around his right ankle, and his fracture has not healed properly, making it difficult for him to walk. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On June 2nd, Kamsort will undergo a fracture repair procedure at Kien Khleang Rehabilitation Centre. Children's Surgical Centre is requesting $483 to fund this procedure, which will enable Kamsort to walk without pain. Kamsort says: "I hope my leg will finally be healed after this surgery and I can walk again."

John is a 12-year-old student living in a small village in northern Haiti. John lives with his parents, three brothers, and one sister, and before he fell ill, he loved to play soccer and to go to school. John has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation, which means that one of his heart valves can no longer pump blood through his body. This condition is due to an infection John suffered earlier in childhood, and it has rendered him weak and left him in late-stage heart failure. The care John needs is not available in Haiti, so John will need to fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On May 9th, he'll finally undergo the cardiac surgery he needs, during which surgeons will remove the severely damaged valve and implant a mechanical valve in its place. Our medical partner Haiti Cardiac Alliance is contributing $15,000 to pay for the surgery. However, John's family also needs help to fund all the pre and postoperative costs. The $1,500 they are seeking will cover laboratory tests, medicines, checkups and follow-up appointments. It will also help John to obtain a passport, and cover the costs of the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany John's family overseas for his treatment. John shared: "I am looking forward to being strong and healthy again once my heart is fixed."

Yves is a young man from Haiti. He lives with his parents and sister in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince; they have been caring for him since he fell ill about five years ago. Prior to his illness, he worked as a clerk for a local business. Yves has a cardiac condition called severe rheumatic mitral insufficiency. One of the four valves of his heart was severely damaged by a rheumatic fever that he suffered a number of years ago, and cannot adequately pump blood through his heart and body. The care Yves is not available anywhere in Haiti, so Yves will fly to Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On September 12th, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will remove his damaged valve and implant an artificial replacement. Haiti Cardiac Alliance is contributing $9000 to pay for surgery. Yves's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep and travel. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. It will also pay for the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Yves's family overseas, and the cost of obtaining Yves' passport. Says Yves: "I am hopeful that I can get back to a healthy and independent life once my heart problem is fixed!"

Minea is a sweet, nap-loving two-year-old boy. He is the first child in his family, and his parents work as rice farmers. They shared that Minea loves to play with toys and take a good nap, if not two, every day! Minea also loves to eat and cuddle with his parents. In December 2021, Minea and his mother were in a motorcycle accident that injured Minea's left shoulder. His parents took him to the local hospital for X-rays and care; however, his shoulder is still dislocated, meaning he cannot lift his arm or grasp objects with his hand. Minea has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his left side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. Minea's family brought him to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), in February to undergo physiotherapy for his injury. Since there has been no improvement after three months of physiotherapy, CSC's specialty surgeons determined that Minea needs to undergo a nerve transfer surgery to heal. CSC is the only center in the whole country where this treatment is available, and, on April 21st, Minea will undergo surgery. His doctors shared that, after recovery, his nerve graft should regenerate so he can use his arm again. CSC is requesting $709 to fund this procedure. Minea's parents hope their child will have a successful surgery and he will be able to fully use his hand as he grows up.

Horn is a 72-year-old man with one son, seven daughters, and many grandchildren. Horn shared that his favorite activities include playing with his grandchildren, exercising, going to the pagoda, and meeting friends to drink tea. Horn has a squamous cell carcinoma, which is a type of skin cancer, on his left heel. The wound on his heel has become infected and he is worried about it worsening and spreading. When Horn learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On April 21st, surgeons at CSC will perform an excision and reverse sural flap procedure to heal his wound. Now, Horn needs help to fund this $673 procedure. Horn says, "After surgery, I hope my infection and pain are gone and I can return home soon."

Peter is a 75-year-old man from central Kenya who has never been married and has no children. He is the thirdborn in a family of 10 siblings, all of whom are now adults. Peter previously worked on his small farm to support his basic needs, but he had to begin depending on his family members once he grew older and became unable to continue farming. On July 12th, Peter was hit by a sports motorcycle, causing him to sustain an injury to his left leg. An X-ray was taken at a nearby hospital, which showed that Peter fractured his left tibia and fibula. If left untreated, he risks developing a bone infection, since it is an open fracture. His injury can also result in a malunion, meaning the bones may not heal in their proper position, potentially impairing functioning of the bones and limb. Fortunately, his brother brought him to our medical partner's care center. On August 15th, Peter will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help ensure he heals properly, and it will allow him to walk again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,049 to fund this procedure. Peter says, “My brothers have been feeding me, but this is too much for them. They have no money to pay for my treatment. Please help so that at least I can be able to move around and also become less of a burden.”

Panha is a 22-year-old construction worker and the youngest of his three siblings. His parents are farmers in the Kampong Thom province, which is known for its bountiful rice and mango harvests. In his free time, Panha enjoys playing games on his phone, listening to music, and watching TV. In August, Panha was burned at work while dealing with high electric voltage. His family took him to a local clinic for medical treatment and dressing; however, he still developed contractures. As a result, Panha's hand and joints are stiff, and the muscles have atrophied. He is in constant pain and unable to hold things, limiting his ability to perform daily tasks like eating, dressing, or riding his motorbike. Surgeons determined Panha needs to undergo a scar contracture release and receive a flap of healthy skin in order for his hand to fully heal. When Panha learned that our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), could help, he traveled there hoping to receive treatment. On April 4th, surgeons will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help him use his hand again and start the process to strengthen his muscles. CSC is requesting $477 to help fund this procedure, which is also subsidized by $100 that Panha was able to gather. Panha shared, "After surgery, I hope the wound will heal, and I can use my hands to work and support my family."