Aaron is a 16-month-old baby boy from Haiti. He lives in Port-au-Prince with his two loving parents and three older sisters. His parents describe him as a happy and outgoing baby. Aaron was born with a congenital heart defect called Aortic coarctation, where a major blood vessel leading from the heart is too narrow. It forces the heart to pump harder to move blood through the aorta. Often, this condition can go undiagnosed and result in fatality later in life. Fortunately, Aaron was diagnosed by our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA), and a treatment plan has been created. On April 17th, doctors will perform the surgery and use a balloon attached to a catheter to stretch the aorta to a more appropriate size. HCA is requesting $1500 to fund the procedure. After the surgery, Aaron should live more comfortably and his parents with less worry. His mother says, "We are very excited to know that this surgery will finally be possible for our son!"

Collins is a handsome, two-year-old boy living in Roysambu, Kenya, with his parents and two siblings. Collins' mother is a housewife while his father works as a driver. In June 2022, Collins was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both testicles remains undescended. Surgery was performed in July 2022, but about a month ago, Collins' mother noticed that his testis had retreated into his groin again. The surgeon ordered a repeat orchidopexy- corrective surgery- which the family cannot afford and the NHIF has refused to pay for. They have been told that without surgery, Collins has an increased risk of developing hernias and testicular cancer, as well as experiencing fertility issues in the future. Fortunately, Collins will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation. He is now scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on March 20th at Nazareth Hospital. African Mission Healthcare Foundation is requesting $483 to cover the total cost of Collins' procedure and care. “I am disappointed NHIF could not help us; I still hope that my baby is treated soon since I was explained the risks. We ask for your support so that he can get back to his normal growth like other boys,” said Collins' mother

Srey Moch is a 39-year-old mom of two from Cambodia with a daughter in fifth grade and a son in eighth grade. Her husband is a chef and she sells rice. In her free time, she likes watching movies with her kids. Ten years ago, Srey Moch had an ear infection that caused the ear drum in her right ear to perforate. Because of this, Srey Moch experiences ear pain, hearing loss, and tinnitus. She cannot communicate clearly at work and frequently experiences discomfort. Srey Moch traveled to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, to receive treatment. On March 6th, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in her right ear, during which surgeons will close the perforation. CSC is requesting $487 to cover the procedure, medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Srey Moch said, "I hope my hearing will improve after surgery and I can do more during work."

Nika is a 9-year-old 4th grader from Cambodia. She loves egg-fried rice and her favorite hobby is sleeping. Her favorite subject is Cambodian history, and she would like to become a teacher when she grows up. Five years ago, she fell while climbing rocks near her house, causing a fracture in her left pinky finger. Her finger never healed properly, and she is often unable to use her left hand for activities. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On February 22nd, Nika will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $483. Nika and her family need help raising the funds for this procedure that will help her improve the function of her left hand. After surgery, her family hopes that her hand will look like it did before the accident and that she will be able to use her left hand when playing.

Htwe is a 12-year-old student who lives with his uncle's family in Thailand. His parents are day laborers in Bangkok, who send his uncle money every month to support him. In his free time, Htwe enjoys playing football with his friends. Two years ago, Htwe's right eyelid became swollen and red. By July 2021, the swelling had worsened and he felt a small mass in his right eyelid. He also developed double vision. He visited several clinics and was given oral medications and eye drops, but he never felt better. Currently, Htwe has redness and swelling in his right eyelid, and sometimes his eye will water. He also has blurry vision and feels uncomfortable with the mass pressing on his eyelid. Due to his blurry vision, he finds it hard to study and do his homework. Eventually, his aunt took Htwe to Mae Sot Hospital (MSH), where he was diagnosed with a cyst in his right eyelid. The doctor told him that he will need to have surgery to remove the cyst. Thanks to our partner's care center, Htwe will have the cyst surgically removed on May 11th. Now his family needs your help to fund this $1,500 procedure. Htwe said, “I want to be a football player when I grow up.” (His family hopes he'll become a medic himself one day and can help others in need!)

Meet Slai, a 41-year-old man who lives alone, and works as a security guard at night. In June 2020, when Slai was living in Burma, he started to sneeze frequently, and he also developed a constantly runny nose. Additionally, his nose became swollen, and his right nostril became blocked, making it difficult for Slai to breathe through his nose. At the local hospital, he was diagnosed with nasal polyps, and was given medication to treat his condition. However, when he moved to Thailand in January 2022, his symptoms returned, and doctors recommended surgery so he can breathe well again. Fortunately, our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, can help Slai access the treatment that he needs. On January 11th, Slai will undergo surgery to remove the polyps at Mae Sot General Hospital. Slai is looking to you to help raise the $1,500 to cover the cost of this procedure, which will allow him to breathe freely again. Slai said: "After completing my treatment, I want to be legally employed as a worker in Thailand. Driving is my profession, so I want to work as a driver, but I would be happy with any work opportunity.”

Darith is a third grader who lives in Kandal province. He has one older brother and one younger sister. His father drives a pick-up truck for a local construction company, and his mother is a homemaker. At school, he enjoys math, Khmer, and social science. He would like to be a soldier when he is old enough. When not in school, he likes to play volleyball with his father, and eat fried fish or fried beef. For two years, Darith has been experiencing high fevers and sore throats. Often he cannot swallow his food and vomits it up because he feels so bad. Medicine from the local pharmacy has not helped. He has not gained weight and is absent from school. Darith was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, which, if not treated, will cause his symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $265 to fund a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for Darith, which is scheduled to take place on December 14th. Surgeons will remove his tonsils and adenoids, hopefully relieving Darith of his symptoms and helping him live much more comfortably. His mother said: "I hope after this operation, my son will eat well and not feel sick all the time."

Vanna is a 24-year-old farmer who has been married for 2 years and has one daughter and one son. She stays home to care for the children, and her husband drives a motor taxi. In her free time, she grows plants outside her house and likes to do embroidery. One year ago, she had an ear infection that caused pain and discharge from her right ear. She tried medicine from a local pharmacy but the symptoms persisted. The infection caused the tympanic membrane (ear drum) in her right ear to perforate. For this reason, Vanna experiences tinnitus, ear pain, and hearing loss. She cannot communicate clearly with others, does not sleep well, and often has headaches. Vanna traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On November 21st, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in her right ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $487 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Vanna shared: "I hope my ear will be healthy and my hearing will improve."

Chamroeun is a 36-year-old father of two, living with his wife and children near the Mekong River, in the Prey Veng province of Cambodia. Chamroeun used to work as a tuk-tuk driver, while his wife is a rainy day rice farmer. They also own several cows, from which they get fresh milk. Chamroeun was hit by a car in September while crossing a road near his home. His right arm and right clavicle were fractured, and he lost his lower left leg, as a result of the accident. Because he had no money, he was transferred from a local private clinic to a government hospital, where he spent several weeks recovering. His arm and clavicle were repaired, but the stump below his knee has still not healed fully. The skin around the stump is open, and Chamroeun is in chronic pain, and is unable to walk. He and his family have also found it difficult emotionally to adjust to Chamroeun losing part of his leg. When Chamroeun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he sought their help. Now, on October 21st, surgeons at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre will perform a skin graft procedure to help his leg heal, and to facilitate long-term rehabilitation. Chamroeun needs your help to fund this $487 procedure. Chamrouen shared: "After surgery, I hope my left leg and skin will heal soon. After the skin is good, I can get a prosthesis to walk without crutches and return to work to support my family again."

Rin is a 43-year-old mother of one. She is a construction worker and divorced from her husband. She has one son who lives with her. In her free time, she likes to listen to Khmer songs and do things around the house. Earlier this month, she was working on a roof near a high-voltage wire and suffered multiple electrical burns on her hands, feet, and head. She was taken to a referral hospital, but only received minimal dressing for her burns. The tissue damage is extensive, and she is in pain and unable to use her hands. When Rin learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On September 15th, surgeons at CSC will perform a skin graft surgery to to help regenerate the damaged skin. Now, she needs help to fund this $805 procedure. Rin is hopeful that after surgery her hands will be better and she will be able to work again.

Lai is a 68-year-old farmer from Cambodia. He and his wife have one son, two daughters, and several grandchildren. His children all live in the same village near him and his wife. Lai's wife stays home to watch their grandchildren while their children work with him on the farm. During his free time, he enjoys listening to the news, visiting the local pagoda, and drinking tea with his friends. While walking home on a local road this past April, Lai was hit by a motor vehicle. This accident left him with a fractured tibia in his right leg. He sought medical attention at a government hospital where they placed an external fixation to stabilize the bone and gave him a cast. Over time, his wound became infected, so he visited our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). Surgeons at their care center performed a debridement of his wound to rid his leg of the infection prior to any further surgery. He is currently unable to walk, feels poorly, and is in chronic pain. Now, he needs surgery to properly repair the fractured tibia. Fortunately, CSC can help. On August 11th, Lai will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $483. This procedure will help him walk easily again and return to work on his farm. Lai says, "After surgery, I hope my right leg will be fixed, I will have no pain or infection, and I will be able to walk as well."

George is a brave boy from a village in southern Kenya. He is the third born in a family of four children. He is in pre-kindergarten and likes to play a lot. His mother does house work when available while his father does any jobs he can find. The family faces a lot of financial challenges which made it hard for them to bring George to the hospital for help. On June 30th, George accidentally fell and fractured both the radius and ulna bones in his right hand. The surgeon found that he needs a fracture repair surgery, but George's family cannot raise the money for it. George is in pain and cannot use his hand. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On July 7th, George will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help reduce his pain and be able to use the hand once he recovers. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1049 to fund this procedure. “I am desperate and have no way to help my son. I ask for help so that he can be treated, be able to use his hand, and continue with his education. I will appreciate this help,” said George’s mother.