Salha is four year old girl and the last born in a family of three children. Salha is a playful and friendly girl. Salha’s father does welding work for a living while her mother sells clothing. Her parents' income is not enough to care for their family and afford Salha’s treatment cost. They are asking for help. Salha was diagnosed with Left Valgus, where her left leg is bowed inward so that her 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, she feels pain and cannot walk long distances. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Salha. The procedure is scheduled to take place on September 2nd. Treatment will hopefully restore Salha's mobility, allow her to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease her risk of future complications. Salha’s mother says "My daughter walks with a gait and she complains of pain, please help her.”

Ol is a 41-year-old rice farmer who, along with his wife, has three daughters, all of whom are in school. They work together on their farm, but he has been working less than past seasons due to his sight. When he is not working, Ol likes to watch boxing matches and play with his grandchildren. Two years ago, Ol developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him blurred vision and photophobia. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Ol learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for three-and-a-half hours seeking treatment. On August 2nd, doctors will perform a cataract surgery and lens implant in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, CSC is requesting $229 to fund this procedure. Ol shares his plans post-recovery, "I hope that I can work well when my eyesight gets better, so I can start another vegetable garden and grow food for my family."

Em is an 18-year-old student who just graduated from 12th grade. In the future, he hopes to be a businessman. He has three brothers and one sister, and he enjoys playing tennis, football, and listening to pop songs in his free time. Em has stiff knees due to poorly administered injections in his right and left quadriceps muscles when he was younger. It is difficult for him to walk because he cannot bend his legs. Fortunately, his neighbors recommended our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). On June 8th, surgeons at CSC will perform a contracture release surgery to release the muscle contractures and allow Em to walk easily. Now, his needs help to fund this $454 surgery. Em shared, "I hope I can walk properly after this operation so I can do my daily activities independently."

Chivorn has been married for three years and both he and his wife work in a factory near their home. In his free time Chivorn enjoys playing football, listening to the news, watching TV, and taking his wife to the market. Two months ago Chivorn was in an accident and fell from a chair, sustaining an injury on his left elbow. At first he received treatment from a Khmer traditional healer but his pain did not go away. A neighbor told him to visit our medical partner Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). He presented with pain and limited range of motion of his left arm. He cannot work with his left hand. Surgeons at CSC will perform and open reduction for Chivorn to heal and regain use of his arm. Chivorn said, "I hope I can heal quickly so I can return to work. I am thankful for my treatment so that I can get better."

Abigael is a 14-month-old baby girl and the youngest in her family of three children. Her mother does household work washing clothes and cleaning houses for their nearby homes. Her father separated from the family many years ago. Abigael was born with an amniotic band on her right foot, and a webspace on her left foot and right hand. If these deformities are not corrected, they will make it more difficult for her to walk and hold things using her right hand in future. Doctors recommend Abigael undergo surgery to help correct her condition. However, Abigael's family cannot afford the cost of her care. Fortunately, Abigael will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare. She is scheduled to undergo her treatment on May 9th. African Mission Healthcare is requesting $1,224 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. The surgery will be of great benefit to Abigael at this age because she will be able to heal more quickly and be able to walk like other children even sooner. Abigael's mother shared, “I am appealing for support for my daughter to undergo surgery so that she can live like other children.”

Samuel is a 53-year-old fisherman. He is a father of two children aged 18 and 16 years old. He separated from his wife 5 years ago, and has been taking care of the children since the separation. In December 2020, Samuel was pricked by a poisonous thorn on his foot, which left a wound running from his foot to ankle that has become severely infected. He is in pain and unable to walk comfortably. The wound threatens his mobility and could result in amputation if not urgently attended to. Initially, Samuel tried treating the wound with herbs, but there was no improvement. He visited a nearby mission facility for a checkup and dressing, where doctors treated and washed the wound, but it continued to worsen. On April 1st, Samuel was driven by a well-wisher to our medical partner's care center Kijabe Hospital and upon review, doctors recommended an urgent debridement and skin grafting surgery. However, the cost of care is difficult for Samuel to afford. He had been depending on support from the local missionaries to pay for his previous medical bills and medication. Samuel appeals for financial support. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Samuel receive treatment. On April 2nd, surgeons will perform a debridement and skin graft procedure to clean off the wound and prevent further infection. Now, Samuel needs help to fund this $1,185 procedure. Samuel shared, “This wound is worsening by the day. I currently limp but I might lose the leg if I don’t get some surgical intervention. My fishing venture cannot even pay for the surgery.”

Israel is a three-year-old boy from Tanzania and an only child. His parents raise livestock for a living. They are able to buy maize for food if they sell the milk they get from their cattle. They live in a semi-arid area where raising livestock is the main economic activity since the region is not favorable for farming. Early one morning in June of last year, Israel got burned in an accident. His mother woke up and went out to milk the cows while Israel was still sleeping. The fireplace still had a few charcoals burning from the fire that had burned all night. Israel woke and tried to get out of bed. He fell off the bed and his right leg went into the fire. His wounds have healed, but the skin around his knee contracted making Israel unable to straighten his leg. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Israel receive treatment. On March 3rd, surgeons at AMH's care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help him walk easily again. Now, he needs help to fund this $639 procedure. Israel’s mother shared, “my son would be running around and playing with his siblings and friends if not for the fire accident that has left him with a deformed leg. Please help correct his leg so that he can stand and walk.”

Mach is a 70-year-old grandmother with one daughter, one son, and four grandchildren. She lives in a remote province of the northwest of Cambodia with her nephew. Mach used to be a bacon seller, but now she cannot work because she cannot see well. Her husband passed away in the Khmer Rouge regime. In her spare time, she likes to listen to monks preaching on the radio. One year ago, Mach stopped seeing normally out of her left eye. The retina of Mach's left eye had detached, causing her partial blindness. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Mach learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for eight and a half hours seeking treatment. On February 4th, eye surgeons will perform a retinal detachment repair procedure in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $648 procedure. Mach shared, "I hope I can see well again, I am afraid now. I want to take care of myself, and go back to join ceremonies at my pagoda."

Pun Theary is a 59-year-old mother of four, with three sons, one daughter, and four grandchildren. Pun Theary sells fruit and her husband is a tailor. In her free time she enjoys watching Khmer movies on TV. Her days have become more challenging since one year ago. The retina of Pun Theary's left eye detached, causing her blurry vision, photophobia and tearing. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing friends, and going places on her own. When Pun Theary learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled by motorcycle with her husband seeking treatment. On December 24th, eye surgeons will perform a retinal detachment repair procedure in her left eye. After her recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $648 procedure. Pun Theary shared with us, "For my business I need to have good vision. I want to see well again so I can sell my fruit and take good care of my children."

Humphrey is a young boy from Tanzania. Humphrey is four years old and an only child to his single mother. He has been staying with his aunt because his mother works at a local food joint commonly known as "mama ntilie" (mum serve me) and can't afford to get help to stay with him. Humphrey's father tries to offer support whenever he can, but doesn't have a regular income as he is a small-scale farmer. Humphrey 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 has difficulty walking. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Humphrey. The procedure is scheduled to take place on December 4th. Treatment will hopefully restore Humphrey's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Humphrey’s mother shared, “Please help my son so that he can be well and be able to walk without difficulty."

Meet Diana: a 17-year-old bright, social, and jovial girl at our partner's clinic in Voi, Kenya. Diana is the second born in a family of three children. Their family hails from Sofia village in Taita Taveta county and her single mother is a small business lady. Diana was born healthy, however, when she was seven months old, her mother noticed her condition when she started crawling. She could not stand or walk, and her left part of the body was weak. It is then that Diana's mom learned that she has a condition known as Hemiplegic CP, causing paralysis of one side of the body. Diana's left hand is greatly affected and she cannot hold things or engage in household duties like washing clothes and dishes. Her desire is to have her hand straight and functional so that she can be independent and do her own things at home and in her future. Diana's mother is unable to raise the estimated cost of $1,224 and has requested for support for her daughter's surgery. “I would like to request for support so that my hand can function well and I can help my mother at home. If my hand functioned normally, I will be happy,” Diana told us.

Gladness is a two-month-old baby girl from Tanzania and the last born in a family of two children. Both parents depend on small-scale farming for a living and their income is very limited. Gladness has clubfoot of both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Gladness traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on August 11th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $935 to fund Gladness's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will be able to walk easily and wear shoes. Gladness’ mother shared: “Please help us, our daughter needs this treatment but the cost is too high for us to afford.”