Lekere is a joyful 7-year-old from Kenya who is in the second grade. She is the firstborn in a family of five children. Lekere's favorite activities are playing with other kids and writing. Her father is a herder, and her mother is a homemaker. Lekere was born with clubfoot of her left foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape, which causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Currently, Lekere tiptoes as she walks and often falls while walking, making it difficult for her to engage with her peers fully. Lekere has been undergoing serial casting for five weeks as part of her healing process. The purpose of serial casting is to soften the tissue to achieve better results after surgery. Lekere is scheduled for clubfoot repair surgery on November 28th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $1,286 to fund Lekere's clubfoot repair surgery. After treatment, she will be able to walk well, play with her peers at home and in school, and continue growing into a strong, healthy young girl. Lekere's mother said, "My joy is seeing my girl walking normally like other children."

Meshach is a 5-year-old boy child from Kenya. He recently was in a severe accident and needs our help. Meshach lives with his family in the Kiambaa area, about 20 km from Nairobi. He is the firstborn in a family of two children. His mother is single, born of a single mother who neglected her. Meshach's mother was raised by her grandmother. Meshach’s mother recently found employment and as a new employee is currently under probation. She is fearful she may lose her job as she is at the hospital with her son. Next to their home is a busy main road. About two weeks ago, Meshach came home from school and started playing with his friends. He decided to cross the road to visit other friends on the opposite side of the road. Unfortunately, as Meshach tried to cross, he was hit by a speeding motorcycle. He was badly injured. Fortunately, the motorcyclist picked him up, summoned good Samaritans and quickly brought him to Nazareth Hospital. Meshach's abdomen was torn open and he sustained a fracture of the right leg and face bruises. An emergency laparotomy--an open surgery of the abdomen--was done and he was placed in HDU (high dependency unit) to receive extensive care. His leg was stabilized as his internal injuries were treated. The surgery for his abdominal injuries was successful. The surgeon is prepared to now repair his fractured tibia with further surgery--ORIF, or open reduction internal fixation. The bones will be realigned and hardware will be inserted to hold the bones in place. This surgery is scheduled for October 10. Until the surgery, Meshach is experiencing pain, and the inability to use his leg or walk. Meshach's family is not able to meet the cost of this surgery. Already, the bill for the other surgery is more than Meshach's mother can afford. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,049 to fund this procedure. Once treated, Meshach will be able to use his leg and walk again. He will resume school and his normal life. “I have seen the hand of God over the healing and life of my boy. I already have a heavy bill that am unable to pay for the treatment already given. As I thank the Hospital for the care they have taken on my child, I kindly request the sponsors to consider supporting him for this surgery, so that he can be fully well to go back to his normal life and growth,” said Meshach’s mother.

Rajabu is a bright-eyed 4-year-old boy. He resides in the heart of Mpanda with his loving family in Tanzania. As the firstborn in his family, he harbors dreams of a promising future, yet his path has been obstructed by a devastating accident. Rajabu’s parents work tirelessly as farmers and have been diligently striving to provide for their family. However, life took an unexpected turn in 2020 when Rajabu was involved in a motorcycle accident that resulted in a severe leg injury. Rajabu’s leg was fractured, necessitating four weeks with a cast at Morogoro Regional Hospital. Regrettably, despite their utmost efforts, his leg did not heal as anticipated, and he developed a condition known as wind-swept deformity. This condition impedes his mobility and threatens to undermine his future prospects. Medical experts have strongly advised a second surgery to reset his leg and recast it to ensure the proper healing of his bones. Fortunately, Rajabu's family traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, The Plaster House NGO. There, the team will begin treatment on September 14. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $935 to fund Rajabu's surgery. After treatment, he will be able to gain mobility. Rajabu’s father says, “I wish to see him get treatment that will make his life easier.”

Eduardo is a 55-year-old father from Philippines. He works as a tricycle driver and as an on-call painter to provide for his family. Despite his diligent efforts, his income is barely sufficient to meet their basic needs. In 2022, Eduardo began to experience troubling symptoms, including severe abdominal pain, shortness of breath, restlessness, and weight loss. Unable to tolerate his pain and discomforts, he sought a medical consultation. After an examination and laboratory tests, it was determined that he was suffering from chronic calculous cholecystitis, which is a condition characterized by inflammation of the gallbladder due to the presence of gallstones. Eduardo has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, his 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), Eduardo is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy on August 12th. 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 Eduardo's surgery and care. Eduardo shared how grateful he is to be one of the beneficiaries. He said, "This free surgery is a big help for me. I'll be eternally grateful to Watsi and World Surgical Foundation Philippines for their generosity."

Marites, who is 50 years old, is a dedicated wife and mother, living with her husband and two children in the Philippines. Currently, Marites is facing a challenging situation, as she deals with a painful mass in her left breast. While the mass was only mildly uncomfortable in the beginning, Marites did not seek medical attention because of her family's financial struggles. When she did finally meet with a doctor, she opted not to undergo the recommended surgery, because of the financial burden it would impose on her family. Over time, as Marites has lived with the breast mass, she has been left to endure sudden bouts of numbness, sleepless nights, and feelings of hopelessness. Having been diagnosed with breast cancer, it is imperative for Marites to undergo surgery, to prevent the cancer from spreading. Fortunately, our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), is helping Marites receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a mastectomy on July 19th, at Our Lady of Peace Hospital. A portion of the cost of her treatment is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP needs to raise $1,058 to cover the remaining cost. After treatment, Marites will hopefully return to a cancer-free life. Marites said: "It's a tremendous help because we don't know where else to turn to for the operation. I also want to extend my life for the sake of my children and my husband, who is also ill and relies on me. He's already 62 years old. I hope the assistance for people like us who are truly in need continues, and I hope you can help many others too."

Daw Toe is a 70-year-old woman who lives with her husband in Burma. They are both retired farmers. Daw Toe likes to cook and sew clothing during her free time. Daw Toe has started to experience severe lower abdominal and back pain. When she walks long distances, the pain increases in her back and abdomen. She also has symptoms when using the restroom. Daw Toe has been diagnosed with kidney stones and swelling in her left kidney. Our medical partner Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF) is requesting $1,500 to cover the cost of a nephrectomy for Daw Toe, an operation to remove her left kidney, scheduled for June 12th. Daw Toe said, “I feel so sad since I have no money to pay for my surgery cost... Now, I feel a little bit better and I hope I will recover quickly after surgery. I thank everyone for helping me.”

Ann is a 45-year-old woman from Kenya and a mother of four children aged between 23-27 years old. Her husband passed away in 1999. Her children have been unable to secure steady jobs, and Ann works as a casual laborer washing clothes to provide a living. However, she shared that her income is inconsistent, as it depends on the availability of work. She lives alone in a single room. Ann does not have medical coverage and is requesting assistance with her treatment costs. In April 2023, Ann slipped and fell on the road causing a fracture in her right wrist. She went to a local pharmacy for first aid and has since been using hot water and salt to treat the fracture due to a lack of medical coverage. However, her hand has continued to swell, and she is in chronic pain, making it challenging to use her right hand. A church member recommended Ann visit Kijabe Mission Hospital for review. Through church members’ contributions, Ann received an X-ray, and the doctor recommended she undergo surgery to treat the fracture. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On May 15th, Ann will undergo a fracture repair procedure called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will heal the broken bones and enable her to use her hand again. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $1,500 to fund this procedure. Ann says: “I can’t use my hand because it is broken. I am unable to work and sometimes sleep hungry because I depend on my hand to work and earn a living. I need the surgery to earn a livelihood.”

Obadiah is a 26-year-old man from Kenya. He is the youngest in his family of three children. His mother passed away seven years ago due to cancer. Obadiah lives with his father and works as a casual laborer to support his father, who is in his old age. However, since Obadiah’s injury, it has been painful for him to work, and they have had a relative come and stay with them. Obadiah needs surgery to heal and is requesting assistance with his medical costs. Obadiah fell and sustained a fracture to his arm last year. At the time, he went to a hospital, received a splint, and underwent a plate fixation procedure. He has continued to experience persistent pain for the last year and cannot use his hand. Obadiah recently received an X-ray, which revealed that the fracture has not united and one of the screws has moved out of place so that the plate is no longer holding the fracture correctly. To finally heal, Obadiah must undergo a three-part procedure to align his bone and return it to a normal position. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On April 25th, Obadiah will undergo a fracture repair procedure called an open reduction and internal fixation. Upon recovery, Obadiah’s fracture will be healed, he will no longer be in pain, and he will be able to work. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $1,145 to fund this procedure. Obadiah shared: “I feel so sad when I depend on people to provide everything for me. I am sadder when I remember that my father is alone without a helper. I am so hopeful that one-day things will get back to normal, and I will be able to work and earn something. Kindly help me so that my father may no longer suffer.”