Immanuel is a young boy from Kenya. He say and wiped his mother’s tears as she narrated her story to us. His mother is in a broken marriage and since they live with her husband's family, they are suffering financial hardship and insecurity about where to live. Immanuel’s mother has tried seeking justice from women groups but has not yet been successful. Immanuel was diagnosed with hypospadias, where the urethral opening is below the normal position. This affects his urination and if not treated, will affect his sexuality. He had an initial surgery in early 2019 through the national health system, however, insurance cannot cover his planned surgery and Immanuel’s mother appeals for financial assistance. Fortunately, Immanuel is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on January 7th with our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, who is requesting $700 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Immanuel’s mother says, “My prayer is to get justice and have my son recover fully.”

Joe is a 12-year-old student from Thailand. He moved to Mae Sot in early 2019, in search for better education. He now lives at a boarding house while studying at a migrant learning center. Joe noticed his blurred vision since he was five years old. Although he told his parents about it, his parents thought it was not that serious; they just told him that his eye sight will get better with time. As Joe did not experience any pain, aside from blurry vision, Joe stopped complaining about his problem to his parents. Joe continue to have a blurred vision, especially in his left eye. After he moved to Mae Sot, he told his uncle about his eye sight. His uncle made arrangements for him to meet with a medic, who later found that Joe has a cataract on his left eye and that it needs to be fixed in order for Joe to regain a clear vision in his left eye. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund lens replacement surgery for Joe. On December 10th, doctors will perform a lens replacement, during which they will remove Joe's natural lenses and replace them with an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $1,500 procedure. Joe said, “I don’t know yet of what I want to be in the future, but all I’m looking forward to is to ride a bicycle and play with my friends without any difficulty seeing.”

Three weeks ago, Ko was foraging for bamboo roots in the jungle when a bamboo twig sprang back and hit him in his left eye. His left eye started to hurt right away, and he stopped foraging. When he went back home, he did not apply any medication because he thought his eye would get better on its own. The next day however, he could not open his left eye and had a sharp pain in his injured eye as well as a headache. When he asked his wife to check his eye, she told him that it was red and that he had a white dot on his pupil. He then went to Chaung Son Clinic, a free clinic. he health worker at the clinic gave him an antibacterial ointment to apply inside his eye every day and seek further treatment at Mae Tao Clinic (MTC) in Mae Sot, Thailand right away. The next day, Ko went to MTC. At the clinic, he received an eye examination, one weeks’ worth of ointment and a bottle of eye drops to apply twice a day. He was asked to come back a week later. When he went back on the 14th of October. After he received another eye examination, the doctor told him that he wanted to admit him at the hospital right away. His left eye was infected, and he needed antibiotics. If the treatment would not work, the doctor told him that they would probably have to remove his eyeball. Unable to pay for his own admission, MTC referred him to Burma Children Medical Fund for assistance in accessing further treatment. Currently, Ko's left eye is teary, he has a severe headache and sharp pain in his left eye. Because the antibiotics did not work, he now has to remove his left eye. His injury has also impacted his family, as he is currently unable to work. Unable to leave his children with any money for food while he receives treatment, his children now have to work on a farm as daily labourers for 2,400 kyat (approx. 2 USD) each per day, to pay for their own meals. Luckily, they have not missed any school, as schools are closed until November for the holidays. "I worry about my eye and I worry for my children too. We left [our children] with our neighbor and they told us not to worry about my children getting food because they will look after them [when they go back to school]. I feel really grateful for my neighbors, BCMF and [BCMF’s] donors for supporting my treatment and everything they have done for me," said Ko.

Elisha is a child from Kenya. Elisha is the last born in a family of 5. He is currently a nursery school boy and likes reading and scribbling things on a paper. He also likes playing with other children both at home and at school. The family used to live in Marakwet but fled as a result of ethnic clashes. They now live in a village called Kachibora at a farm. Elisha has clubfoot of his right foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Elisha traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on October 07. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,224 to fund Elisha's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk easily and wear closed shoes. “Your help will be highly appreciated. Continue doing good.” Elisha’s father noted.

Lameck is a child from Tanzania. Lameck is a fifth born child in a family of five children, he is a shy little boy and likes to keep to himself. His parents are subsistence farmers who earn very little and can barely support their family. Lameck has clubfoot of both his feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Lameck traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on September 10th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $890 to fund Lameck's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk easily with no pain and difficulty. Lameck’s father says, “Please help my son get the treatment he needs so he may be able to walk without difficulty.”

Baraka is toddler from Uganda. He was diagnosed with genu varus. His legs are bowed outward. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, he experiences difficulty walking and tires easily. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $940 to fund corrective surgery for Baraka. The procedure is scheduled to take place on July 24. Treatment will hopefully restore Baraka's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Baraka’s mother says, “If it was within my power I would have treated my son a long time ago but due to financial challenges have not been able, please help treat my son his condition worsens every day.”

Ormnai is a young student from Tanzania. He was diagnosed with genu valgus. His legs bow inward so that his knees touch. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, he cannot for long distances without pain. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $940 to fund corrective surgery for Ormnai. The procedure is scheduled to take place on July 4. Treatment will hopefully restore Ormnai's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Ormnai’s father says, “My son’s legs are worsening am afraid he won’t be able to walk if not treated please help my son am unable to afford the cost.”

Bopha is a teenager from Cambodia. At just 21 days old, Bopha suffered from a severe soft tissue infection that left her back deformed and with thick scarring. Since 2017, she has undergone several skin grafts to expand the skin around the affected area. In March of 2019, she was fitted with a halo gravity traction for three months, which reduced the curvature in her spine. Spinal surgery will help correct the position of her spine, and prevent further worsening of the condition. Surgery is scheduled for June 7 and will cost $1,500. Bopha enjoys reading books, listening to music, and watching television in her free time. She looks forward to returning to school and her friends as soon as possible.

Watson is a student from Haiti. He lives with his grandparents in Port-au-Prince, and attends a local college where he is seeking a degree in business. Watson has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation. One of the four valves of his heart does not open and close properly as the result of an infection he suffered earlier in childhood. Watson will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On May 8, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will remove his damaged valve and implant a mechanical replacement. Another organization, The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano, is contributing $46,000 to pay for surgery. Watson'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 Watson's family overseas. He says, "I have been looking forward to this surgery for years, and am glad that I can finally have it!"

Elisha is a toddler from Tanzania. He is the second in a family of three children. Elisha was diagnosed with bilateral acquired genu valgus. His legs are abnormally curved. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, he experiences pain when he walks. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $940 to fund corrective surgery for Elisha. The procedure is scheduled to take place on April 10. Treatment will hopefully restore Elisha's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Elisha’s mother says, “We wish to see our son walk and ran around like normal children but we can’t afford his treatment please help our son.”

Sogomo is a grandmother from Kenya. She plants millet and cassava. She is the mother of five children. Early this month, Sogomo slipped and broke her right hand while crossing a fence. She is now unable to stretch or lift her right hand. Sogomo will not be able to perform her normal duties of farming and fetching water for her house if she is not treated. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On February 13, Sogomo will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. She will be able to use her hand again with no pain. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $968 to fund this procedure. Sogomo’s son says, “We were forced as family to borrow money from a money lender with high interest rates to pay bills for Sogomo’s first treatment. We are unable to afford for her second treatment again."

Loserian is a one-week-old baby from Tanzania. He is the youngest in family of three children. Loserian was born with spina bifida, a type of neural tube defect in which the spine does not properly close around the spinal cord. Without treatment, Loserian is at risk of lower-limb paralysis, infection of the exposed nervous tissue, development of tethered cord syndrome, and possible developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $966 to cover the cost of Loserian's spina bifida closure surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on January 3. This procedure will hopefully spare Loserian from the risks associated with his condition, instead allowing him to grow and develop along a healthy trajectory. Loserian’s mother says, “Please help our son, we have no money to pay for the needed surgery which he needs urgently."