Cleophas is a 7-year-old boy from Kenya. He is the 5th born in a family of six children. Cleophas was born with clubfoot, a condition where his foot is twisted. He was also born with hydrocephalus, an issue where fluids accumulate in his brain. To help with his hydrocephalus, doctors put a shunt in his head to drain the extra water. But even with the shunt, Cleophas still has trouble walking because of his clubfoot. He tiptoes as he walks and often falls. Fortunately, Cleophas visited our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on April 23rd. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, requests $1,286 to fund Cleophas's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he is expected to be able to walk comfortably without tiptoeing and continue with his education without interruption. Cleophas' mother shared, "I look forward to seeing my son walking comfortably like other children."

17-year-old Kim Leng lives in Phnom Penh with his mother, younger sister, and several members of his extended family. His mother works as a cleaner in a bank, while other members of the household help support the family by working in local service jobs. Kim Leng is a senior in high school. He hopes to attend university, and to obtain a job in marketing or sales after he has graduated. In April 2023, Kim Leng was in a motorbike accident, and injured his right leg. There was nerve damage to his right ankle, but he was unable to afford the treatment from the local trauma center. As a result, he has developed foot drop, which causes his right foot to drag whenever he walks. The foot drop - along with constant discomfort - renders Kim Leng unable to pursue his daily activities. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is here to help. On December 12th, Kim Leng will undergo a tendon transfer procedure at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, which will improve the function and mobility of his leg. Now he needs your help to fund the $572 cost of the surgery. Kim Leng shared: "I hope I can walk like before the accident and play soccer again."

Beatrice is a friendly, outspoken, and determined woman from Uganda. She separated from her husband fifteen years ago, leaving her to care for their two sons and one daughter. Her elder son is a teacher, her daughter is a nurse operating a small medicine shop, and her younger son is in school and just finished senior year six. Growing up, Beatrice wished to become a teacher, but she had to leave school early. Despite this setback, Beatrice has worked hard to provide an education for her children from the modest income she makes from running a small retail shop. She also engages in farming to supplement her income. Over six years ago, Beatrice began to experience troubling symptoms, including an anterior neck swelling. She reports feeling that her neck veins are always paralyzed, experiencing pain when swallowing, having shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing when sleeping. As her symptoms became too severe to manage, she sought help at our medical partner’s care center. The doctors had her undergo a thyroid test and diagnosed her condition as a giant goiter. The thyroid is the gland located in front of your neck and produces thyroid hormones. These hormones are responsible for metabolism, growth, and other bodily functions. Beatrice needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Beatrice receive treatment. On April 9th, she will undergo a thyroidectomy, during which the surgeon will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. AMH is requesting $252 to fund this procedure. Beatrice said, “I am hopeful for a successful surgery, and I will continue with my business in good health after I have recovered.”