Paul is a 48-year-old married man and a father of two children from Kenya. He and his wife are from Kiambu County, about 3 kilometers from Nazareth Hospital. Both Paul and his wife work on tea farms. They live in a rented single room, and work hard to provide for and educate their children. Their first-born child began her secondary education on February 12th. Paul and his wife, with the collective effort of neighbors, raised funds for her schooling. Paul and his wife are working to send their second-born child to secondary school as well. Unfortunately, Paul was hit by a drunk motorcyclist when going home on February 11th. He was hit on the right leg and bruised his face. After Paul obtained first aid at a local clinic, his neighbor brought him to a larger hospital via motorbike. An x-ray showed Paul had an open fracture of the tibia/fibula of the right leg and is currently in a lot of pain. On February 15th, Paul will undergo a fracture repair procedure to enable him to use his leg and avoid complications including infection. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1049 to fund this procedure. Paul says, "Our life has not been easy, and even getting money to come to the hospital was not possible; at least our neighbor was kind enough to bring me to Nazareth Hospital. I appeal for support so that I can walk again and at least join my wife in our casual job so that we can continue supporting ourselves and our children."

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.”

Festus is a three-month-old infant from Kenya. His mother gave birth to him while she was still in high school, and she had to discontinue her studies to care for him. Festus and his mother were driven out of their home by his grandfather, and although a relative has provided them with shelter, they lack the financial means to support themselves or cover their medical expenses. Festus' mother got to know about our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids, through a mobile clinic in their locality, following which they were referred to the hospital for treatment. At BethanyKids, Festus was diagnosed with spina bifida, a congenital neural tube defect in which the spine does not properly close around the spinal cord. Without treatment, Festus is at risk of lower-limb paralysis, infection of the exposed nervous tissue, development of tethered cord syndrome, and possible developmental delays. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Festus receive treatment. On March 20th, surgeons at BethanyKids will perform a spina bifida closure surgery to alleviate the risks associated with the condition, allowing him to grow and develop along a healthy trajectory. Now, Festus' family needs help to fund this $1,151 procedure. Festus’ mother says “It is very painful seeing him with the swelling at the back. I wish to see him healed so he can grow up as other children.”