Diana and her husband Isaya just had beautiful newborn twins! Their family lives in the Arusha region of Tanzania. Diana works in the home, managing the household and caring for their children, while Isaya works diligently on their farm to provide food. In addition to farming, Isaya seeks daily work to supplement their income. Since the babies have been born the family has been working hard to try to provide them with everything they need. Diana's newborn babies were born with clubfoot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This will cause difficulty walking and even wearing shoes throughout his life. Fortunately, their family traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Kafika House. There, the team will begin clubfoot treatment on February 20th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $935 to fund their baby's clubfoot repair surgery. After treatment, his feet will grow straight to be able to walk easily and wear shoes. Diana Says, “I hope both my children will grow up with no disability.”

Purity is is a young lady aged 18 years who resides in in Kiambu County. She is the last born in a family of four children. Purity completed secondary school in 2022 and scored well enough to join the university. Unfortunately, she has not yet joined due to a lack of school fees. Her parents, who are farmers, are not able to raise the fee required to attend the university. This makes Purity very sad because she focused all her effort into studying, though she understands her parents’ situation and hopes she can get help soon to pursue her education. In December 2023, Purity began to experience troubling symptoms, including neck swelling. It was Purity’s elder sister who noted her neck was swollen. She was taken to the hospital, and a scan showed a multinodular goiter. She was referred to our medical partner's care center, Nazareth Hospital, for further tests and treatment. She was diagnosed with multinodular goiter. Her surgeon advised them to have a thyroidectomy to heal her condition, but due to their low income, her parents are not in a position to pay for this treatment. If not treated, the goiter may become very big, compressing the trachea and esophagus, leading to breathing and feeding difficulties. She may also have hyperthyroidism leading to palpitations, sweating and weight loss. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Purity receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on March 5th at our medical partner's care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $625, and she and her family need help raising money. “I am very much worried about this condition. I pray that someone will come to my aid so that I can be treated and be ready to go to university by the time my parents will manage to pay,” said Purity.

Donnalyn is a hardworking woman from the Philippines. She works as a factory worker and currently resides with her partner. Even though her partner is also working, their combined income is only enough for their household expenses. One year ago, Donnalyn began to experience troubling symptoms, including excruciating stomach pain and frequent acid reflux. She was diagnosed with gallstones and kidney stones. She could not afford the surgery and treatment at the local hospital. Donnalyn has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, her symptoms will continue to worsen and put him at risk for further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), Donnalyn is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy on March 9th. A portion of the cost of the procedure is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and WSFP is raising the remaining $1,128 to cover the cost of Donnalyn's surgery and care. Donalynn shared: "I have not availed of the free surgery yet but I am already very grateful to everyone who will help me. I will never be able to avail the needed surgery even if I borrow money from everyone I know, so I am truly grateful."