Six-year-old Vanniza is a second-grader living in rural northern Cambodia, where her parents are mango farmers and sell fruit. When Vanniza isn't in class, she loves jumping rope and watching cartoons. When Vanniza was one year old, she developed an infection, which was accompanied by a high fever. Since that time, she has had recurring infections that have gotten progressively worse over the last year. She experiences sore throats, snoring, and difficulty swallowing. Sometimes she misses school because she struggles to breathe. Vanniza was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, which if left untreated, will cause her 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 Vanniza, which is scheduled to take place on January 31st, at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre. Surgeons will remove her tonsils and adenoids, which should relieve Vanniza of her symptoms, helping her to live much more comfortably. Vanniza's mother hopes that her daughter will be well after the surgery and that she will no longer suffer from her current symptoms.

Saw Wah is a 14-year-old grade six student from Burma. Saw Wah lives with his parents and five younger brothers in a village in Hpapun Township in Karen State where there is a lot of unrest currently. Saw Wah's father works as a day labourer when there is no work on the farm. Saw Wah's youngest brother is too young to enroll in school while his four other brothers stopped going to school this last year. Saw Wah shared, “They do not want to attend school because fighting happens very often in this area. We have to run and hide in the jungle where we study and they do not like to study in the jungle.” Saw Wah’s family also raises chickens and two goats for their own consumption. They also often go fishing and forage for vegetables in the jungle. Even though his family does not have a regular income, they can gather enough food. Saw Wah's family receives free basic healthcare at a free clinic near their village. Around 2018 or 2019, Saw Wah developed a runny nose with yellowish nasal discharge. At first, he thought that this was normal, and it would go away on its own. Towards the end of April 2022, Saw Wah nose became blocked, and he could no longer breath through his nose. He finally told his parents about his symptoms and his father took him to the free clinic at Ei Tu Hta Internally Displaced Camp. At the clinic, the medic checked Saw Wah's nostrils and told them that there is mass blocking the nasal passage in both of his nostrils. The medic also recommended Saw Wah go to a larger hospital for further investigation. At this time, Saw Wah has to breathe through his mouth which causes him discomfort. He has lost his sense of taste and smell, and has a hard time sleeping. Due to these symptoms, Saw Wah has had to stop his studies while he receives treatment. Saw Wah worries that it will take a while, and he will not be able to study this year. Fortunately, Saw Wah sought treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF). Now he is scheduled to undergo mass removal surgery on September 6th. BCMF is fundraising $1,500 to cover the cost of Saw Wah's procedure and care. Saw Wah shared, "I am excited to receive surgery and I hope that I will be able to breath through my nose after surgery."

Gay is a one-year-old boy living with his family in a refugee camp. His family is originally from Burma, but they left for Thailand due to conflict in the area. Gay lives with his parents, grandparents, aunt, uncle, and brother. Gay and his brother are too young to go to school, so they stay home with their mother. Gay's aunt and uncle are in school, while his father and grandfather work on a farm near the refugee camp. Gay was born with an inguinal hernia. The condition causes him severe pain, and he often cries, so his mother sits quietly with him to help reduce the pain he is experiencing. Gay needs to undergo surgery to finally heal. Fortunately, our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), can help Gay receive treatment. On May 27th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery to help him live more comfortably in the future. BCMF is requesting $1,500 to fund his procedure and care. Gay's mother shared, “I have to be with him constantly. He cries and does not let anyone else hold him except me. I also have to look after my mother and sister, and sometimes we do not have time to cook. I cannot take care of everyone. I felt so happy when I heard that an organization will pay for my son's surgery. I would like to say thank you to all the donors who will help my son. I believe my son will get better soon and that he will grow up without feeling ashamed of himself due to his condition. I want him to become an educated person in the future.”

Eden is a 15-month-old baby boy from Haiti. He lives with his mother, father, and two older brothers in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. Eden's father is a teacher and his mother takes care of their family and home. Eden was born with a cardiac condition called complete atrioventricular canal defect. A large hole exists in the center of Eden's heart that causes blood to leak between all four chambers. This condition puts a strain on his heart and makes it difficult for oxygen to circulate through his body. The treatment and diagnostics he needs is not available in Haiti so on April 20th, Eden will fly to the Dominican Republic to hoping undergo cardiac surgery. Upon arrival at the hospital, doctors will perform advanced diagnostics to determine the best way to treat Eden's condition. Depending on the results of the exams, the doctors will determine if they recommend Eden undergo surgery or have his condition closely managed through medication and other care. Haiti Cardiac Alliance is contributing $4,000 towards Eden's medical care, but his family also needs assistance covering an additional $1,500 for labs, medicines, and follow-up appointments. This also supports passport obtainment and the social workers who will accompany Eden's family overseas. Eden's mother shared, "We are very hopeful that the doctors will have good news to share with us about Eden's heart problem!"

Chamrong is a 19-year-old motorcycle mechanic from Cambodia. He has three siblings and enjoys playing soccer and hanging out with his friends. Ten years ago, Chamrong had an ear infection. This infection caused a cholesteatoma, or an abnormal skin growth, to develop in the middle ear behind the ear drum. For this reason, Chamrong experiences discharge, tinnitus, hearing loss, and headaches. He is often unable to hear or communicate with others effectively. Chamrong traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On November 21st, he will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure in his right ear. During this procedure, ENT surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $842 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Chamrong said, "I hope that after my surgery, my ear infection will heal and my hearing will improve."

Derrick is a boy from Kenya. He has a right hydrocele. Fortunately, on May 27, he will undergo repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $423 to fund Derrick's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. “I am praying and hoping we get help towards my son’s surgical care,” says Derrick’s mother.

Guertha is a mother of one from Haiti. She lives with her parents and young son on a small farm in the mountains of northern Haiti. Guertha has a cardiac condition called severe rheumatic mitral regurgitation. One of the four valves of her heart cannot open and close properly due to an infection she suffered several years ago. As a result, her heart cannot adequately circulate blood through her body and she is weak and short of breath. Guertha will fly to Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On May 1, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will remove her damaged valve and implant an artificial replacement. Another organization, Fundacion Heart Care Dominicana, is contributing $10,000 to pay for surgery. Guertha's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Guertha's family overseas. She says, "I am hopeful that after this surgery I will have my health and energy back!"

Mediony is a student from Haiti. He lives with his parents, grandparents, and brothers and sisters in the mountains of southern Haiti. He has not yet been attending school because of his illness, and instead helps his mother around the house. Mediony has a cardiac condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. This condition involves several related defects including a hole between two chambers of the heart and a muscular blockage of one of the valves. Mediony will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On May 3, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will use a patch to close the hole in his heart, and will remove the muscular blockage in his valve. Another organization, HeartGift Foundation, is contributing $18,000 to pay for surgery. Mediony's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Mediony's family overseas. His mother says, "I am praying that my son will become normal and healthy after his surgery!"

Ephantus is a father of two children from Kenya. In September 2016, he was in a bad road accident. He has already undergone three surgeries to treat his injuries. However, he still has an unhealed fracture on his left tibia. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On November 15, Ephantus will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,451 to fund this procedure. Ephantus says, “My prayer is to be able to walk with ease and help my wife raise our family."

Imaculata is a girl from Tanzania. She is the youngest child in a family of three children. She is a friendly and playful girl. When she was one year old, her left foot was burned in a fire. Since then, contractures have developed, limiting her movement. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Imaculata receive treatment. On November 2, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help her regain her mobility. Now, her family needs help to fund this $832 procedure. Imaculata’s father says, “Ever since I became sick I have not been able to work in our farm thus making it hard to support my family. Please help my daughter.”