Meet Joshua, a 2-month-old baby boy from Kenya! Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), says that Joshua--the youngest of seven children--lives with his family in a “grass-thatched, mud-wall traditional house.” Joshua was born with a congenital condition called spina bifida. This neural condition occurs when the spine improperly forms in utero, creating a gap along the spinal cord. In some cases--like Joshua’s--this abnormality can cause a small mass of neural tissue to form externally. As AMHF explains, “Joshua has a sac-like protrusion on the lower side of his back.” Due to this mass, Joshua faces potential health complications later in life. According to AMHF, “Joshua is at risk of developing infections, malformation of the spinal cord or loss of muscle function on his lower limbs if not treated soon.” Joshua’s mother works as a subsistence farmer, while his father operates a motorcycle taxi. At this time, their collective income is not enough to cover the costs of Joshua's proposed treatment. With $805, Joshua will receive an operation to remove the mass and close the gap along his spine. Both before and after his surgery, Joshua will receive routine laboratory examinations to facilitate a safe operation and recovery. In addition to working closely with a physiotherapist, Joshua will also receive five days of hospitalized care to make sure he has access to all of the medical support he needs after his procedure. This operation is expected to have a tremendous impact on Joshua’s life--allowing him to grow into a healthy and active childhood. AMHF shares, “the surgery will prevent risk of infection, developing tethered cord and paralysis on Joshua’s legs.” Joshua’s mother shares, “I hope my son gets well!”

Meet Jane, a 45-year-old woman from Kenya. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), tells us, “Jane is a joyful mother of five children. Two of her children are in school, while three have cleared high school and are in casual employment. Jane works as a clothes seller specializing in selling sheets and bedding.” AMHF explains, “Jane found a lump in her left breast during a self-examination three months ago. Since then she has been referred to three different hospitals in search of treatment. ” AMHF determined that the lump is cancerous, and Jane thus requires an immediate mastectomy to remove the cancerous tissue. Following surgery Jane will also need chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. Even before getting sick, AMHF reports, “Jane’s business was very small and barely enabled her to pay rent, buy food and educate her children.” Now that she is ill, Jane has not been able to work often and has spent all of her savings on doctors’ visits. Thus, she cannot afford the lifesaving care she needs. With $740 in funding, Jane will receive the full scope of treatment she requires. Jane shares, “The breast is not painful but I know cancer is dangerous and it should be treated fast. I really hope to get well so that I can concentrate on my business and work with my older children to make our family better.'' AMHF adds, “Jane's children are very determined to see their mother get the treatment she needs.”

Meet San! San is 42 years old, and works as a seamstress in Burma to help support her husband and elderly parents. A few months ago, San visited her local midwife because she was experiencing abdominal and back pain, fatigue, and joint pain. All of these symptoms were causing her a great deal of stress as well. San’s midwife referred her to our medical partner, Burma Border Projects, where she was diagnosed with a uterine tumor known as a myoma. San is grateful for this access to care -- she tells us, “the poor always have to struggle to get food daily and at the hospital there are not enough health workers.” San has not been able to work due to the pain and swelling caused by the myoma, and has been additionally distressed because her husband’s truck broke down, making it impossible for him to work as a driver and earn enough to support their family. For $1500, San will have surgery to remove the uterine myoma. After this surgery, her pain and distension will subside and she will be able to return to work and supporting her family. Let's help ensure that San gets the care she needs to alleviate her discomfort and stress.

“It has been a trying time for me, but now I have hope that my son will be well and grow to be normal like every other child,” Simon’s mother says. This is Simon, a two-year-old boy from Kenya. Simon has no father or siblings. His mother works in a hair salon and lives with her mother, who helps take care of Simon. Simon was diagnosed with hypospadias. “Simon does not pass urine normally because the opening of the urethra is on the underside of his penis instead of the tip,” his doctor at African Mission Healthcare Foundation explains. “If the surgery is not done, Simon will be at risk of urinary tract infections, and he may not be able to have his own children when he grows up.” “Simon's mother has taken him to different hospitals with hopes of getting him treated despite not having the money needed,” AMHF continues. “Simon's mother is not in a position to raise the amount required for surgical care. She held on to hope that one day someone will hear her plight and support her son's care.” With $655, we can help Simon receive the hypospadias repair surgery he needs. AMHF explains that after treatment, "Simon will be able to pass urine normally and the risk of urinary tract infections will be reduced."

Meet Liberte, a three-year-old girl from Haiti. Liberte lives with her mother, grandmother, and several other family members in the countryside where they grow corn and other crops. She loves to sing at church, and eat chicken. “Liberte was born with multiple holes between the two lower chambers (ventricles) of her heart," explains our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA). "This impedes normal blood flow through her body." HCA tells us that as a result of the disease, “she has been slow to develop and gain weight, and sometime ago she suffered a stroke that has affected her left side.” “She has not yet started preschool in part because of her heart condition,” continues HCA. $1,500 will fund the surgery to repair the defect in Liberte’s heart. “Following the closure of the defect, normal blood flow should be restored to Liberte’s heart and she should not have further need for surgery in the future,” HCA adds. “I want to say thank you to everyone who is helping my daughter get better,” shares Liberte’s mother.

A 30-year-old single mother, Emmah owns her own small business, making and selling soaps. In the midst of trying to expand her business, Emmah went to a gynecologist for a routine visit. A scan revealed that she had uterine fibroids, or noncancerous growths of her uterus. Emmah had to put her business on hold. "This is difficult for me because I was looking for a way to have another child," Emmah shares. "I now fully understand my condition and it is better I receive this treatment so that I can see my child grow to maturity. After I recover from surgery, I hope to expand my small business." Because of the size and position of her fibroids, Emmah needs a total abdominal hysterectomy to remove her uterus and cervix. If left untreated, the fibroids will continue to grow, affecting adjacent organs and putting her at risk for sudden, profuse bleeding. Because Emmah has been unable to keep up with her business, she cannot afford the $790 cost of a total abdominal hysterectomy. Once she is treated, she will be able to get back to work and continue making and selling her soaps, as she dreams of doing. Let's help make it happen!