Ruthmeeah is a one-year-old baby girl living with her parents near the northern coast of Haiti. Ruthmeeah was born with a rare, congenital heart condition, known as Tetralogy of Fallot. This condition is characterized by four separate defects of the heart, including a hole between the heart's two lower chambers, and a muscular blockage of one of the valves. Ruthmeeah will fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On April 25th, she will undergo cardiac surgery at Hospital CEDIMAT, during which surgeons will sew a patch over the hole to prevent blood from leaking through it; they will also remove the blockage from the valve. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is contributing $6,000 to pay for Ruthmeeah's surgery. Ruthmeeah's family needs your help to raise an additional $1,500 to cover the costs of her pre-surgical prep, labs, medicines, and follow-up appointments. This money will also be used to pay for passports and for the social workers who will accompany Ruthmeeah and her family to the Dominican Republic. Ruthmeeah's mother said: "Our family has been praying very hard that our daughter would survive long enough to have this surgery, and we are so glad that our prayers are being answered."

Rodah is a 62 year old farmer. She and her husband, who is disabled, have three children who are all married. Rodah plants vegetables for sale, and gets some foodstuff from her children, who live far from home. She also has dairy cows, whose milk is used for home consumption, as well as for earning money. During an altercation with a family member, Rodah suffered a fracture of the lower part of her humerus bone in her right arm. She went to a local hospital, where the fracture was confirmed by an X-ray. Her right arm was splinted, and put into a sling. The fracture is painful, and Rodah is unable to use her right hand. If the fracture isn't treated appropriately, her hand may not heal properly. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, can help. On April 3rd, Rodah will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation, at AIC Kapsowar Hospital. After the surgery, Rodah will no longer be in pain, and she will regain the use of her hand. African Mission Healthcare Foundation is requesting $1,145 to fund this procedure. Rodah says: "My hand really hurts. I can't do anything now, and most things at home are paralyzed as I was the only one working. I am kindly asking for help so that I can get back to my usual way of living."

Kaleb is the only child of his mother and father; they live in La Paz, Bolivia. His father works in construction and his mother is a homemaker. Kaleb was born two months premature with a ventricular septal defect, or a hole between the two lower chambers of his heart. Blood leaks through this hole, leaving the lungs unable to obtain oxygen. This leaves Kaleb weak and short of breath, and making it hard for him to gain weight. Last year Kaleb underwent a surgery to prepare him for the one he currently needs. It stabilized his heart so he could gain some weight in order to safely have the congenital cardiac surgery. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is able to help with his upcoming procedure. Kaleb and his family need help raising $1,500 for his surgery that will take place September 14th. Kaleb’s mother says “Our son has been in and out of the hospital and very sick ever since he was born. We hope he will have a chance to be a normal child after his surgery."

Kuong is a 76-year-old retired rice farmer. She is a mother to four sons and four daughters, and the grandmother to 13. She and her husband live in Battambang province, but no longer work in the rice fields due to their age. They live with their youngest son who is a rice farmer. At home, Kuong cooks for the family and likes to listen to the monks pray on the radio. Three years ago, Kuong developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her light sensitivity, tearing, and blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, thus she is unable to travel on her own. When Kuong learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for six and a half hours seeking treatment. On February 7th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery, and implant a new lens in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Kuong said: "I hope after surgery, I can see again. I can see my grandchildren's faces and take care of myself better."

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.”

Jacinta is a 45-year-old woman from Kenya. She is a single mother whose only child recently completed college. Jacinta runs a small retail shop from their home in a rural town, supporting herself, her son, and her elderly mother. In December 2020, Jacinta was accidentally cut on her left leg by an iron sheet. As the wound was small, she opted to treat it with home remedies, but without success. Because the wound worsened, in December 2022, Jacinta visited a local dispensary where they dressed the wound. When there was no noticeable improvement after a month, she decided to go to the hospital to be evaluated. In January 2023, Jacinta underwent two operations. However, the doctors realized that one of the procedures had failed as there was damage to the veins in her leg. Jacinta now finds it difficult to walk. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Jacinta receive treatment. On May 8th, surgeons at AIC Kijabe Hospital will perform a debridement and skin graft procedure to help heal her chronic wound and prevent her leg from needing to be amputated. Now, Jacinta needs your help to fund this $1,185 procedure. Jacinta says: “This wound is getting worse. It is affecting my walking. I have not been able to open my shop because of it. I hope to get treatment so that I am able to also take care of my elderly mother who depends on me.”

Win is a 50-year-old man from Burma. He lives with his extended family in a village in Karen State, which is an area under conflict and violence. He and his wife have four children, and three grandchildren. Win, his wife, two sons and one of his sons-in-law are farmers, while his two daughters are homemakers. Win lost vision in his right eye in the middle of 2022. Two months after this occurred, the vision in his left eye blurred, until he could only perceive light. He was diagnosed with glaucoma in his left eye, and as a result of his impaired sight, he had to stop working. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the cost of eye surgery for Win. On April 3rd, doctors at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital will operate and, after recovery, Win will be able to see clearly again. Now, he needs your help to fund this $1,500 procedure. “I feel stressed and worried about my life," Win said. "I want to go back to work after my surgery.”

Nant is a 47-year-old woman from Burma who lives with her husband and three sons. Her husband is a pastor, she is a homemaker, and her three sons are students. Nant has gallstones and common bile duct stones, which cause loss of appetite and poor sleep. She also feels weak and cannot walk as much as she could before. Nant has received medication and injections, which have helped to lessen the pain in her back and abdomen and decrease jaundice. However, only surgery can help her recover. Nant has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, Nant's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), Nant is scheduled to undergo her cholecystectomy on March 6th. BCMF is requesting $1,487 to cover the total cost of Nant's procedure and care. Nant said, “I have been praying for this miracle. I am very thankful to [BCMF] for their kindness in supporting me and my family. Now, I will pray for my surgery to be a successful one. I am looking forward to a full recovery from this condition because I want to continue serving God together with my husband and children.”

Voeun is a proud 66 year old grandmother, with five daughters, and nine grandchildren. After her husband passed away, Voeun moved in with her youngest daughter, who is a teacher. Voeun used to work as a rice farmer, but due to changes in her vision, she can no longer do so. Three years ago, Voeun developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her sensitivity to light, blurry vision, and tearing. As a result, in addition to being unable to work, Voeun also finds herself unable to help her daughter at home, leaving her feeling as if she is living a life without purpose. When Voeun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours to seek treatment. Thanks to their intervention, Voeun is scheduled for cataract surgery on October 4th, at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, at which time the cataract will be removed, and an intraocular lens will be implanted in her eye. Voeun needs your help to fund the $253 to cover the costs of the surgery, which will enable her to return to a full and productive life. Voeun said: "I hope I can see well enough to take care of myself well and go places on my own."

Gareth, who is four years old, lives with his parents and three siblings in central Bolivia. His parents are shopkeepers and have so much love for their family. Gareth was born with ventricular septal defect, a heart condition that creates a hole between the two lower chambers of the heart. Blood, which should circulate through his lungs to obtain oxygen, simply leaks out through the hole, leaving Gareth weak and short of breath. In addition to his heart condition, Gareth was born with Down syndrome. Doctors at our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, are scheduled to operate on Gareth on January 19th, at Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uria. During the procedure, surgeons will sew a patch over the hole in Gareth's heart, so that his blood will flow normally. Gareth's family needs your help to fund the $1,500 to cover the costs of his care. Gareth's mother said: "Our family is very grateful to everyone who is making it possible for Gareth to have this surgery."

Hannah is a 70-year-old mother of seven children. She is a widow who lost her husband ten years ago. She is a small-scale tea farmer and relies on her children for upkeep and survival. For eight months, Hannah has been experiencing abnormal bleeding and pelvic pain. She has been diagnosed with endometrial cancer. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Although supportive, her children are unable to raise the funds required for her procedure. She had one cow that she sold to pay for a biopsy, treatment and fare to the facility. However, she is requesting financial support for her surgery cost. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping raise $1260 to fund Hannah's surgery. On December 16th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center. Once recovered, Hannah will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Hannah says, "I am old now and fragile. This cancer has depleted my financial resources and affected my health. I need the surgery to avoid the spread of the cancer.”