Carolyne is a casual laborer from Kenya. Carolyne has been blessed with four children. She doesn’t have a permanent job hence she does all sorts of low income jobs to feed her family. Her husband is a small scale farmer who depend on seasonal plants like sorghum and Mangoes. Due to scarce jobs in their village, Carolyne enjoys spending her free time taking care of her children. About four months ago, Carolyne suffered an injury on her left hand after she fell from a mango tree. It is difficult for her to work and is in chronic pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On October 2nd, Carolyne will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help her work again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $968 to fund this procedure. Carolyne says, “I have been struggling with pain for these four months. Working would be very difficult at times but because I had no money for treatment, I tried to ignore the pain I was in”.

Sue is a 10-month-old boy from Burma. He lives with his mother, his great-uncle, his grate-aunt and his uncle in Hlaingbwe Township, Karen State. father works at an ice factory in Bangkok, while his mother looks after him in their village. Sue has cataract in both of his eyes. He cannot see clearly with both of his eyes. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund lens replacement surgery for Sue. On August 28, doctors will perform a lens replacement, during which they will remove Sue'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. Sue’s mother said, “I feel very stressed and upset that I don’t have money to treat my son. I also feel bad that my husband doesn’t care about us, even though I told him that my son has to receive surgery. He still doesn’t believe me and doesn’t provide us with any money since we found out his diagnosis.”

Michael is a motorcycle taxi operator from Kenya. He is a hardworking and entrepreneurial man. In July, Micheal was involved in an accident with another motorbike. He was brought to the hospital, where it was confirmed that he had sustained a fracture of the left femur. He is not able to walk and is in chronic pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On July 25, Michael will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help him walk easily again Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $998 to fund this procedure. “I cannot afford the cost of surgery. I will be eternally grateful if you can find a way to help,” Michael says.

Patrick is a laborer from Kenya. He is married and a father of two. Earlier this month, Patrick fractured his mandible. He can barely talk or open his mouth. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On June 24, Patrick will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help him eat easily again and he will no longer be in pain. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $640 to fund this procedure. Patrick says, “I wish to have the much pain I am having eased. I am not able to earn for my family and its frustrating."

Tatu is an eleven-week-old baby girl with a twin sister from Tanzania. Tatu and her twin sister are the first-born children to her parents. They live in a small rental home, and her father is a small-scale farmer. Tatu has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of her condition, Tatu has been experiencing an increasing head circumference. Without treatment, Tatu will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,238 to cover the cost of surgery for Tatu that will treat her hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on May 13 and will drain the excess fluid from Tatu's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Tatu will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. Tatu’s mother says, “I pray that Tatu will receive treatment, and I hope she will be well like her twin sister.”

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!"

Heng is a young man from Cambodia. He has one brother and one sister and enjoys watching television and listening to music. Heng was born with severe scoliosis, which has progressed with age and has made it difficult for him to sit for long periods, causing a lot of discomfort. Surgery can help correct the position of his spine, and prevent further worsening of the condition. Heng has not been able to work because of his condition. Fortunately, surgery is scheduled for March 12. Our medical partner is requesting $1,500 to fund this procedure. He says, "I hope that after surgery, I will not have any pain and can walk normally and be able to take care of myself."

Maria is a student from Tanzania. She is the fourth in a family of six children. Maria 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, Maria traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on January 4. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $890 to fund Maria's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will be able to walk to school. Maria says, “I wish to be able to walk well like my school friends, please help me get this treatment.”

Sokleng is a factory worker from Cambodia. He has a brother and two sisters. He is the eldest. He likes to play football and listen to classical Khmer music. Four months ago, he was in a motor vehicle accident that caused a fracture in his right leg. It is difficult to walk, and he is in pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On November 8, Sokleng will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $430. This procedure will help him walk easily again. He says, "After surgery, I hope I am not in pain and can walk again."

Yusuph is a baby from Tanzania. He is the youngest in a family of two children. His parents are livestock keepers and small-scale farmers of maize and beans. When he was one, Yusuph sustained burns on his right hand and face. He has developed contractures that prevent him from chewing. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Yusuph receive treatment. On November 5, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help restore his ability to chew. Now, he needs help to fund this $832 procedure. Yusuph’s mother says, “I would be forever grateful if my son could get help on his treatment to correct his face and help him grown into a confident man.”

Ruth is a jovial young girl. She the fifth in her family of six children. Her parents are casual laborers. They live in their ancestral land, with only a small space to practice subsistence farming. Ruth does not speak and perceives only very loud sounds. At our medical partner's care center, she was diagnosed with hearing loss. Ruth requires hearing aids that will allow her perceive sound with better clarity. Ruth is scheduled to receive the aids on September 6, and her family needs help raising $929. Ruth’s mother says, “My wish is to have my daughter fitted with the hearing aids and lead a normal life."

Sok is a third grade student from Cambodia. He has two older sisters. He likes to play football, watch TV, and eat fried pork. He wants to be a teacher when he grows up. A year ago, Sok had an ear infection. This infection caused a cholesteatoma, or an abnormal skin growth, to develop in the middle ear behind the ear drum. For this reason, Sok experiences ear discharge and pain. It is difficult for him to hear and he is in chronic pain. Sok traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On September 4, he will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure in his left ear. During this procedure, ENT surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $842 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. His mother says, "I worry about my son's hearing and hope the operation is successful."