Yin is a widowed, 74-year-old grandmother, living with one of her daughters. In total, she and her husband have two sons, three daughters and nine grandchildren. Yin has retired from farming, and making grass and bamboo mats. One year ago Yin developed a cataract in her left eye, which causes tearing in that eye, and blurry vision. As a result of the cataract, she is unable to go outside in the bright sun because of light sensitivity, or visit her local pagoda on her own, one of her favorite activities in the past. Yin learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, and traveled some distance to seek their help. Now she is scheduled to undergo cataract surgery on October 20th, at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, when doctors will remove the cataract, and implant an intraocular lens in her eye. After she has recovered, Yin will be able to resume an independent life. Now, she needs your help to fund this $253 procedure. Yin shared: "I want to be able to see well again so I can take care of myself and do all my day to day things at my house that help our family."

Ibrahim is a three-year-old boy from Tanzania. He comes from a big family and he is the fourth born child. His father works as a bodaboda driver. His mother used to work at a market selling produce, but now stays at home taking care of the couple's youngest child, who is an infant. Ibrahim has been diagnosed with bilateral genu varus, which means that his legs bow outward so that his knees do not touch. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result of his condition, Ibrahim has difficulty walking. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), can help. On January 6th, Ibrahim will undergo corrective surgery at AMH's care center. Treatment will hopefully restore Ibrahim's mobility, allowing him to participate in a variety of activities and greatly decreasing his risk of future complications. Now, he and his family need help raising $880 to fund his procedure and care. Ibrahim’s mother shared, "I pray that my son does not grow with this disability because it keeps getting worse as he grows."

Queen is an adorable 4-month-old baby from Tanzania. Her mother is a sole proprietor who has recently started a new small business, while her father works as a security guard. Queen has an older sibling. While their current income is limited, her mother is confident that her new business provide for their family's basic needs. Queen has clubfoot of both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape, which causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Queen's parents took her to a nearby hospital, but they lacked the needed specialized medical staff. Concerned about waiting a long time for a consultation, Queen's father visited another hospital but experienced the same issue. Queen's father then visited the hospital of our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), where the doctors were able to diagnose the condition and recommended surgery. On November 18th, Queen will undergo clubfoot repair surgery that will allow her to learn to stand and walk as she grows. AMH is requesting $935 to fund this procedure. Queen's father shared: "We have been traveling far and wide in pursuit of a cure for our daughter. We're determined to see her feet get back to normal. We appeal for your financial support to help our daughter receive treatment."

Naw Eh is a 32-year-old woman who lives with her parents, her husband, and her children in a refugee camp. She supports her family by caring for her children and managing their home. Her husband is currently unemployed. Three of her children are enrolled in primary school, but her fourth child is too young to attend. During her free time, Naw Eh enjoys sewing clothes. Naw Eh is currently expecting a new baby and her doctors recommend that she undergoes a caesarean section to deliver her child because she is already 40 weeks pregnant and her baby is still in the wrong position, laying horizontally instead of vertically. With a C-section, doctors will be able to ensure the safety of both Naw Eh and her baby during the delivery. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is helping Naw Eh undergo a C-Section on July 7th. This procedure will cost $1,500, and Naw Eh's family needs your support to help fund her care. Naw Eh shares, “In the future, I will search for a job in the refugee camp, and I will also take good care of my children.”

Helena is a teenage girl and the fourth of six children. She is a friendly and social girl who loves sports and helping with home chores. Helena is in class two and her best subjects are writing skills and mathematics. Most children around Helena's age have finished their primary school education, but Helena's delay in her studies is caused by a foot disability she was born. Helena has clubfoot of both feet and her parents could not afford any form of medical treatment as small-scale farmers and livestock keepers. Learning to walk was very difficult for Helena. She can only stand or walk with crutches at this time, but it is still very painful. Therefore, Helena relies on a wheelchair to move from one place to another. Fortunately, Helena traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on May 20th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $935 to fund Helena's life-altering surgery. After treatment, she will be able to stand unassisted, walk and wear shoes like the other kids she knows. Helena shared, “I will be very happy if my feet can be treated and help me to stand and walk."

Lewis is a shy and quiet two-year-old boy, living with his mother and three siblings in Kiambu County, Kenya. Lewis' mother, who is separated from her husband, is currently unemployed but is sometimes able to sell fruit to earn money and support her family. When Lewis was born, the doctors determined that because of a birth defect, Lewis is unable to pass urine normally. While the doctors recommended surgery to correct the deformity, and all of the appropriate documents were completed and submitted, the request for surgery has been denied twice. If Lewis does not have the surgery, he could grow up socially isolated, be prone to infections, and he may suffer from infertility and the risk of cancer. Fortunately, Lewis is now scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on May 16th at Nazareth Hospital. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $710 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. “I have been worried wondering what more I need to do to finally get the money required for Lewis’s surgery, but I am glad that God has heard my prayers,” Lewis’s mother remarked.

Chhem is a retired rice farmer who needs cataract surgery to help him see clearly again. Chem and his wife have three sons, two daughters, and fifteen grandchildren. All of their children work as farmers, as well. Chhem shared that he likes to go to the pagoda and listen to the monks pray. Three years ago, Chhem developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him photophobia, tearing, and blurry vision. As a result, he has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so he cannot go out on his own. When Chhem learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. On June 14th, doctors will perform cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. CSC is requesting $253 to fund this procedure. Chhem says, "After surgery, I hope I can see well enough to visit the pagoda by myself."

Channy is a 60-year-old rice farmer with one son, two daughters, and six grandchildren. Channy lives with her daughter who works in an office. Her husband is a monk. Five months ago, Channy developed a pterygium in right, causing her itchiness and tearing. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Channy learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. Channy needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. The total cost of her procedure is $225. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for April 7th. Channy says, "I really hope the irritation goes away after surgery and I can go outside and do things more easily."

Emmanuel is a quiet and calm seven-year-old. He is in grade one in primary school and has a younger brother. Emmanuel's father works at a construction site, and his mother helps others around their homes. Emmanuel was born with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. His parents brought him to Nazareth Hospital, where the doctors performed an ultrasound and recommended Emmanual undergo bilateral orchidopexy surgery. If the condition is left untreated, Emmanuel has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Fortunately, Emmanuel will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH). On May 26th, he will undergo corrective surgery. AMH is requesting $483 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Emmanuel’s mother said, “I was shocked to realize that I did not know my boy had a problem. We cannot pay for his surgery, and we are kindly requesting help from well-wishers. We hope to see our son healthy so that he can grow up like his brother.”

Friday is a widow and a mother of three. She arrived at the hospital with two months’ history of pelvic pain associated with difficulty in movement and loss of weight. She is in severe pain with right and left iliac masses of different measurements. Doctors completed scans/tests and she was diagnosed with ovarian masses. If not treated through curative laparotomy, Friday will not be able to do her work due to severe pain, and her pelvic masses may develop into carcinomas. Friday is a small-scale farmer who grows beans and potatoes for home consumption. Her husband died in 2011 and left her with two children. One is now 15 years old and in primary school class six and another one who is 9 years old is in primary school class five. She later had another child who is 5 years old and in preschool. Friday managed to construct a two-room semi-permanent house to shelter her family, and is on her own to raise her children. She gets their school fees through selling part of what she produces from farming, but cannot afford additional surgery charges. Friday shared with us, “I had planned to stop my children from going to school because I cannot afford their school fees in my condition. Given the opportunity with the surgery, I look forward to resuming farming to be able to take care of my children.”

Htike is 40-year-old father from Thailand. He is a daily laborer who works in construction. In his free time he enjoys playing football and cane ball. He also likes to watch Manchester United play soccer. On December 18th, 2019, while working at a construction site, Htike fell from the roof of a 2nd story building. During the fall, not only did he break both his ankles, unfortunately he also slammed his face against nails, which caused bruising and several deep cuts all over his face. He is in severe pain all the time, he cannot walk or move his ankles, nor can he sleep. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Htike will undergo surgery to reset his fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for December 25th and will cost $1,500. This procedure will stop the pain, allow him to walk again, and provide for his family. "After receiving treatment, I am looking forward to working again in construction," Htike said.

Saron is a 63-year-old vegetable farmer from Cambodia. She has one son, three daughters, and four grandchildren. When she has free time, she enjoys listening to the monks pray on the radio. Two years ago, Saron developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her blurry vision and irritation. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Saron learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On January 14, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $229 procedure. "I hope that I will be able to see again and can return to taking care of and selling my vegetables," she said.