Hean is an active 67-year-old farmer. He is married, with six sons, one daughter, and 15 grandchildren. Three of his sons still live at home and help him on the farm. He and his wife grow rice to sell at the local market. Eight months ago, Hean developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him blurred vision, cloudiness, and an inability to see well in sunlight. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on his own. When Hean learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. On November 22nd, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and implant an intraocular lens in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Hean shared: "I hope that I can see well enough to work in the rice fields to support my family."

Shem is a 14-year-old student from Kenya who is studying in class seven. He is the youngest in his family of eleven. Shem's parents practice small-scale farming of maize, and his older siblings work labor jobs to help provide for the family. A few weeks ago, Shem was injured playing football and fractured his lower tibia and fibula. He is experiencing pain and cannot use his leg, which is preventing him from being able to go to school, play with friends, and help his family at home. Shem needs to undergo surgery to heal, and his family requests assistance with the surgery costs. Happily, Shem was able to visit our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), for assistance. On November 1st, he will undergo a fracture repair procedure called an open reduction and internal fixation. Upon recovery, Shem will be able to use his leg again, allowing him to attend school and participate in activities with friends and at home. AMH is requesting $1,145 to help fund this procedure. Shem shared, "It has been hard to carry out my normal duties, especially going to school. I really look forward to getting well so that I can fully depend on myself as before."

Chantha is a 53-year-old garment worker. She is married and has one son and one daughter. Her husband is a motor taxi driver and her children are students. At home, she always has liked to watch funny movies on TV. Three years ago, Chantha developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her tearing and blurry vision. Doing household tasks for her are very difficult, and it is hard for her to use a sewing machine for her work. On September 28th, doctors will perform phacoemulsification surgery and place an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Chantha says, "I hope after surgery I will see better, and be able to work well again."

Kelvin is a young boy from Tanzania. He is the eldest in a family of two children. In February, Kelvin sustained serious burns on his body. He has experienced repeated infections, causing the wounds on his chest not to heal as well as his other burns. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Kelvin receive treatment. On September 10, surgeons will perform a skin graft procedure to help heal his chest properly and prevent recurrent infections. Now, Kelvin's family needs help to fund this $711 procedure. Kelvin’s father says, "The fire accident has changed my son’s life in a negative way. He is not as happy as he used to be and the open wound on his chest gives him a lot of pain. Please help my son.”

Precious is a cheerful baby from Kenya. She is the youngest in a family of two children. Her father is a tin and metal artisan, while her mother is a housewife. Two years ago, Precious was left unattended and was burned on her left shoulder and arm. Burn scar contractures have developed, tightening the skin around her burn. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Precious receive treatment. On October 1, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help her use and move her left arm freely. Now, she needs help to fund this $799 procedure. “I will be happy to see my daughter having undergone a successful surgery,” Precious's mother says.

Arnold is a young student from Haiti. He lives with his mother and older sister in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. He has Down syndrome and goes to a school for children with special learning needs. He has many friends and enjoys helping his mother around the house. Arnold has a cardiac condition called partial atrioventricular canal defect. Holes exist between both the upper and lower chambers of his heart. Blood leaks through these holes before first passing through his lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him sick and short of breath. Arnold also has a condition called pulmonary hypertension, in which the blood pressures to his lungs are too high. For this reason, he needs a diagnostic catheterization to determine whether it is safe for him to have surgery. To determine if Arnold's condition is operable, he must undergo a diagnostic cardiac catheterization, a procedure that is not available in Haiti. During the procedure, a catheter probe will be inserted into his heart to perform the necessary measurements and tests. On August 22, he will travel to the Dominican Republic to receive the scan at our medical partner's care center, Clinica Corominas. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is asking for $1,500 to cover the costs of Arnold's travel expenses, catheterization procedure, and lab work. His mother says, "We are all praying that Arnold can have surgery so that he will be more healthy and have more energy."

Charles is a baby from Kenya. He lives with his siblings at their aunt’s place in central Kenya. His father works as a taxi driver. Unfortunately, his mother passed away last month. Charles was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, Charles has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Charles will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on June 22. AMHF is requesting $542 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. “Life has never been as difficult as it is now. I will appreciate any kind of help accorded to us," says Charles’s father.

Christella is a student from Haiti. She lives with her mother and aunt in a small village in the mountains of northern Haiti. She is in the sixth grade, and enjoys studying math and science in school. Christella has a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect with subaortic membrane. Her heart has two defects: a hole between the two lower chambers of her heart, and a piece of tissue that partially blocks one of the heart's four valves. These conditions prevent blood from flowing normally through the heart, and could eventually be fatal. Christella will fly to Cayman Islands to receive treatment. On June 7, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will close the hole in her heart with a patch, and remove the tissue blocking her valve. Another organization, Have a Heart Cayman, is contributing $17,000 to pay for surgery. Christella'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 Christella's family overseas. She says, "I am nervous about my surgery but excited to fly on a plane!"