Serah is a hard-working farmer and mother. Sadly, she has been widowed for over 30 years but is happy to have a loving family of seven children who are now adults that live with their own families. She has a small quarter-acre tea farm, but largely depends on her children for support in her older age. In December 2021, Serah found a painless lump that worried her. She visited a local health center where additional testing was recommended. She was diagnosed with breast cancer and a mastectomy, or a surgery to remove breast tissue, was recommended to rid her body of the cancer and to prevent the cancer from metastasizing. Without treatment, the cancer could spread to other organs. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Serah receive treatment. On January 25th, she will undergo a mastectomy at AMH's care center. After treatment, Serah will hopefully return to a cancer-free life. Now, AMH is requesting $1,110 to cover the cost of her procedure and care. Serah shared, "all my life I have had the privilege of good health. We thank God. The news of cancer and surgery came as a surprise to me considering I am an old lady and fragile. I need this surgery to save my life from the jaws of this fatal disease."

Federesi is a 70-year old Ugandan woman who enjoys making and selling mats. She is a mother of 10 children and lost her husband in 1996, leaving her as their sole provider. Federesi works hard to provide for her family and lives in a modest 2-roomed mud-built house. For about six months, Federesi has been experiencing lower abdominal pains and was diagnosed with chronic pelvic pain. She needs to undergo a total hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Due to the condition, Federesi is no longer able to sustain lengthy sitting and has been forced to stop making mats and farming. She was scheduled for surgery at our partner's medical care center, Rushoroza Hospital, but was not able to raise the funds needed and needs assistance. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $319 to fund Federesi's surgery. On February 4th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center. Once recovered, Federesi will be able to resume her daily activities, free of pain. Federesi says, “I hope to get relief through surgery to be able to live a normal life once again. I'm hoping to resume farming soon.”

Yves is an 11-month-old baby boy from Haiti. He has one older brother and he loves to smile. Yves has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of his condition, Yves has been experiencing an increasing head circumference. Without treatment, Yves will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, Project Medishare, is requesting $957 to cover the cost of surgery for Yves at Hospital Bernard Mevs that will treat his hydrocephalus. This is the only site in the country where this care is currently available and the procedure is scheduled to take place on February 10th. This critical treatment will place a shunt to drain the excess fluid from Yves's brain to reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, Yves will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. Yves family is worried for him and is looking forward to seeing their son grow into a healthy child who can play with other children.

Pai is a 63-year-old woman who lives alone in a refugee camp in the border region of Thailand and Burma. She receives 350 baht (approx. $12 USD) each month on a cash card from The Border Consortium, to purchase food in the refugee camp. This support is just enough to cover her daily needs, since she sometimes shares meals with her sister. In June 2019, Pai first notice that the vision in both of her eyes was blurry. By late 2021, she could no longer see with her left eye. She then went to the hospital in the refugee camp, run by the International Rescue Committee (IRC). A medic checked her eyes, gave her some eyedrops, and told her that they would refer her to Mae Sot Hospital (MSH) for further follow up. IRC staff brought Pai to the hospital in January where the doctor completed a vision test and also checked her eyes with specialized equipment. The doctor diagnosed her with cataracts and shared that she would need surgery to be able to see clearly again. Currently, Pai can only see objects near to her with her right eye and even then, she cannot see objects clearly. She can only perceive light with her left eye. When she walks, she has to do so slowly to avoid stubbing her toes on stones and other objects. At night, she now needs someone to assist her to get around at all. She also has difficulty cleaning her house and doing other household chores like washing her clothes or cooking. She shared that when she tries to cook on her own, she will sometimes mixed up the ingredients now. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund lens replacement surgery for Pai. On February 22nd, doctors will perform a lens replacement, during which they will remove Pai's natural lens and replace this with an intraocular lens implant. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $1,500 procedure. Pai said, “I do not want to depend on my sister as she has to look after her family too. However, now I have to depend on her for many things and I feel sad about this.” Pai is thankful to the donors who can help pay for her treatment cost. She is very happy that there will be a donor for her. She said, “I hope that I can see again, and I really want to see the donors and everyone at BCMF’s organisation who was willing to help me. Thank you so much for your kind support.”

Sey Ha is a 14-year-old and seventh grade student. He has one older brother and one older sister. Sey Ha's mother and sister work in a garment factory and his brother and father are both in the military. Sey Ha enjoys playing football and studying with his friends. Fried noodles and coke are his favorite meal! Sey Ha fell and fractured his left forearm. After the accident his family took him to a provincial clinic and then a hospital where he was referred to our medical partner Children's Surgical Centre. It is difficult for him to use his left arm and he is in pain. Fortunately, surgeons at Children's Surgical Centre can help. On February 22nd, Sey Ha will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $465. This procedure will heal the fracture so he can regain function of his arm. Sey Ha said, "I really hope I can use my left arm again and be free of pain!"

Phalla is a 54-year-old who is married and has three sons. All her boys are in public school. She lives with her family and her husband, who is a construction worker. When she is not busy cooking, she likes to watch movies on TV. Four years ago, Phalla developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her light sensitivity and blurry vision. It is becoming hard for her to use the stove to cook because she cannot see well. When Phalla learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled far for six and a half hours over many dirt roads seeking treatment. On December 15th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $229 procedure. "I hope after surgery I will have good eyesight," says Phalla, "I can then take care of my children, take my children to school, and can do more housework to help out."

Raymond is a three-year-old toddler from Kajiado County in Kenya. He is the youngest child in his family with one older sibling. His mother is the sole provider of his family, and works in a beauty salon. Together they live in a one-room house in the village. Raymond was born with a birth condition on his right foot called clubfoot. Clubfoot is a musculoskeletal condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. As a result, Raymond has difficulty walking and wearing a shoe on his right foot. He has had appointments at Makindu Medical Centre, but his condition has yet to improve. Our medical partner met Raymond at their outreach clinic and he was scheduled to undergo serial casting to help improve his range of motion. Raymond now needs surgery to fix his malformation. However, his mother is unable to raise the estimated cost and has requested support from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare. Fortunately, Raymond's family has now traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform a clubfoot repair surgery on March 3rd. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,286 to fund Raymond's surgery. After treatment, he will be able to grow up without being worried about his ability to walk. Raymond’s mother says, "I would request medical support for my son to be able to walk without any difficulty."

Sinem is a 65-year-old vegetable seller. She lives with her daughter who also sells vegetables. Sinem shared that her husband passed away 10 years ago. She likes to listen to the news on the radio. Three years ago, Sinem developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her photophobia, blurry vision, and tearing. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Sinem learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled across the country for seven hours seeking treatment. On January 3rd, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $229 procedure. Sinem says, "I hope after surgery my eye can see again. Then I can go back to selling vegetables with my daughter."

Hoeun has five sons, three daughters, and several grandchildren. She is a farmer along with her husband and they work hard to take care of their family. Hoeun has had type 2 diabetes for 15 years which has gone mostly untreated. Two weeks ago she developed a severe infection on her left foot. This makes it difficult to do her daily tasks and presents a danger if left untreated. Surgeons at our medical partner Children's Surgeon Centre will perform a disarticulation amputation to remove the gangrene and prevent future complications. The surgery and care is $446 and Hoeun's family needs help raising the funds. Hoeun said, "I am thankful that I can return home soon and be healed. This treatment will allow me to use my foot again."

Muok Ny is a 71-year-old rice farmer who is married and has four sons and six grandchildren. In his free time, Muok Ny enjoys listening to the news on the radio and going to the pagoda on holy days. Six months ago, Muok Ny developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him blurry vision and photophobia. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking. As a result, he cannot go places on his own. When Muok Ny learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On February 3rd, doctors will perform cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. CSC is requesting $229 to fund his procedure. Muok Ny shared, "After surgery, I hope my eye can see clearly. I would like to go to the rice field and plant vegetables around my house."

Cristina is a 53-year-old woman from the Philippines. She works hard doing laundry to support her family and is the sole breadwinner of her household. In 2014, Cristina began to experience troubling symptoms, including a mass growing on her neck, followed by hoarseness in her voice and difficulty in swallowing. She was diagnosed with an inflamed mass in her neck and needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Fortunately, our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines, is helping Cristina receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo surgery on February 22nd at Our Lady of Peace Hospital. Her treatment will cost $1,323, and she and her family need help to raise money for this life-changing care. "We are very thankful to WSFP and WATSI for this surgery. Our mom will be able to continue with her life without difficulty speaking and swallowing her food," Cristina's daughter shared.

Mary is a kind woman from Cambodia who lives with her aunt near the capital city of Phnom Penh. Mary was born with a development disability. At home she enjoys playing with her nephew and helping her aunt sell soft drinks. In January, Mary tripped and fell, dislocating her left elbow. Now it is difficult for her to use her left hand and she is in pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On February 4th, Mary will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $465. This procedure will help her to use the hand easily again. Mary said, "I am thankful that I can go home soon and the pain will stop."