Naw Say, a 30-year-old woman, resides in a refugee camp located in Mae Hong Son Province with her husband and daughter. Originally from Burma, they sought refuge in 2010 due to conflict in their homeland. Naw Say works as a nurse in the camp while her husband is employed as a day laborer in a nearby Thai village. They receive a monthly cash card payment of 848 baht (approximately 28 USD) from The Border Consortium, which barely covers their daily expenses. The organization Malteser International (MI) Thailand provides them with essential healthcare services at the camp's hospital. In her leisure time, Naw Say enjoys sewing clothes for her family. Currently pregnant with her second child, Naw Say's doctors have advised her to undergo a scheduled cesarean section (C-Section). This recommendation is based on her previous childbirth experience where her first baby's head couldn't pass through her pelvis opening, necessitating an emergency C-Section. Our partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is helping facilitate Naw Say's C-Section procedure on August 5th, and is requesting $1500 to help fund the procedure. Naw Say is in need of your support for this important medical procedure. Naw Say said, “I want to have a boy this time because I already have a daughter. I love being a nurse and I enjoy taking care of people who are sick."

Shashi is a 15-year-old student and the second-born child in a family of five children. His parents are farmers who depend on small-scale agriculture for sustenance and to generate some income to cover their daily expenses. Shashi was diagnosed with bilateral genu valgus, a condition characterized by bilateral knocking of the knees that is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones. He first experienced this condition when he was 5 years old. Despite trying various traditional treatment methods, they were all unsuccessful. Due to the fear of being unable to afford the medical expenses, they did not initially seek help from a hospital. As a result, as Shashi grew older, his condition continued to deteriorate. What initially began as a slight bowing of his legs progressively worsened over time, causing immense concern for his parents. It became increasingly challenging for him to walk and engage in activities that required long distances of walking. He was forced to stop attending school because of its distance from home and the lack of transportation options available in his area. His condition has made it difficult for him to connect with his peers. Fortunately, our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH) can help. Shashi is scheduled for corrective surgery on August 1st, and AMH is requesting $880 to fund the procedure. Treatment will hopefully restore Shashi's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Shashi says, “It is painful living like this. My legs hurt when I walk. I can’t play and socialize with my friends. I hope the treatment I get will make my life better.”

Meet Juliet, a small-scale farmer and mother of five. Her dream was to become a banker, but her father passed away when she was in primary school, and her family was unable to continue to pay her school fees. Juliet is married and earns a living through farming, while her husband works as a builder. They live in a two-roomed home in southwestern Uganda. Three of their children are in school, and the other two children are married or working. For five years now, Juliet has had an inguinal hernia. This condition causes her pain and discomfort, especially when she lifts things, coughs, or does strenuous work like cultivating the farm. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping her receive treatment. On March 21st, Juliet will undergo hernia repair surgery at AMH’s care center. Once completed, this procedure will allow her to live more comfortably and confidently. AMH is requesting $230 to fund Juliet's surgery. Juliet said: “I hope to get healed when I am operated on and continue with my activities in good health.”

Dessonlove is a nine month old infant boy from Haiti. He is the youngest child in a large family. Dessonlove 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, Dessonlove has been experiencing a persistent growth in the circumference of his head. Without treatment, Dessonlove will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, Project Medishare, is requesting $897 to cover the cost of surgery for Dessonlove, at Hospital Bernard Mevs. This is the only site in the country where hydrocephalus care and treatment are currently available. This critical procedure is scheduled to take place on March 30th, when surgeons will drain the excess fluid from Dessonlove's brain to reduce intracranial pressure, and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, Dessonlove should develop into a strong, healthy young boy. Dessonlove's family is hopeful and looking forward to their child being able to grow and thrive with this care.

Rajai is a 13-year-old student from Tanzania. He loves science classes and enjoys playing football and racing track at school. At home, his parents and two older siblings are farmers who rely on the crop yield to support the family. When Rajai was 8 years old, he stumbled while playing with his siblings and fell, injuring his left arm. Although his parents rushed him to the hospital, the skin and fingers on his left hand were damaged. As a result, he isn't able to use his arm in most of his day-to-day activities. At school, he feels self-conscious when new people are shocked upon seeing his injury. Rajai would also like to help more around the farm at home, but feels that his hand limits him. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Rajai with treatment. On March 9th, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help him use his hand freely again. Now, he needs help to fund this $832 procedure. Rajai says, “I am hopeful that this treatment will increase my confidence around new people.”

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."