Kelvin is a student from Kenya and the eldest of 4 children. He is a student at Kitui School for the mentally challenged. His mother told us that he likes listening to music, playing football and operating a phone. Our partners in AIC Cure International met him at their Matuu clinic accompanied by his mother Petronilla who works as a peasant farmer. Kelvin has clubfoot of his right foot, a condition that was noted by the mother when he was 1 year old. His foot is twisted out of shape, which causes difficulty walking and wearing shoes. This condition formed because he used to convulse. He started medication and experienced delayed milestones. At the age of 3, Kelvin began to exhibit an unusual walking style and was diagnosed with hemiplegia, a type of unilateral cerebral palsy that causes paralysis on only one side of the body. Fortunately, our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH) can help. AMH is requesting $1,286 to fund Kelvin's clubfoot repair. The treatment will be impactful to him because he will be able to walk without falling and play football with his friends. Kelvin’s mother shared, “I would love to see my son’s condition corrected so he can be independent. I will appreciate any support from AMH, and God bless you.”

Veun is a 78-year-old retired rice farmer with eight children and 23 grandchildren. Sadly, her husband passed away ten years ago and Veun now lives alone. Her oldest daughter has been supporting her with income she earns working at a nearby garment factory. Veun enjoys spending time with her family and cooking. Two years ago, Veun developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her sensitive to light, itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on her own. When Veun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On June 22nd, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. She shared, "I hope that after the surgery, my eye will improve and I will be able to see better. I want to be able to go out more easily and see all of my loved ones. I also want to do some housework and grow some bananas and mint around my house. I dream of being able to join ceremonies in faraway places and seeing the beauty of the world."

Eh Sha is an 8-year-old living in a refugee camp in Thailand with her parents and other relatives. Eh Sha's mother is a midwife and her father is a medic at the camp hospital. Eh Sha is a primary school student. During her free time, she enjoys drawing, singing, and learning to play piano. When she was four, Eh Sha had a high fever and a sore throat. Although the fever subsided, her tonsils remained inflamed, causing her to experience occasional bouts of tonsillitis every three or four months. On September 17th, Eh began experiencing fever and sore throat. The doctor at Mae Sot Hospital (MSH) diagnosed her with chronic bilateral tonsilitis and tonsil enlargement. The doctor wants to perform a tonsillectomy, a procedure to remove her tonsils, and scheduled the surgery for October 30th. Currently, Eh Sha has a sore throat and difficulty swallowing, accompanied by fever and joint pain. The surgery will help relieve her pain and discomfort. Eh Sha's mother has big dreams for her future, saying, "I want her to become a healthcare worker who can not only take care of her own health but that of her family and others too."

Ra is a 50-year-old mother of two. Ra lives in a refugee camp near the Thai-Burma border with her family, where they are provided with accommodation and a monthly food allowance. During her free time, Ra shared that she enjoys praying. Since July 2023, Ra has been experiencing discomfort in her lower abdomen, accompanied by pain and heavy menstruation. During a routine medical check-up in the camp, a mass was detected by the doctor. She has been diagnosed with severe endometriosis, an often-painful disorder in which tissue similar to the tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus grows outside the uterus. She has been advised to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy, the surgical removal of her uterus and cervix. If left untreated, it is expected that Ra's symptoms would continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. Fortunately, Ra is scheduled to undergo a hysterectomy on September 7. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Once recovered, it is hoped that Ra will no longer experience pain, discomfort, and the other symptoms that have impacted her life. Ra said, "I feel uncomfortable and worried. It feels like something is moving in my belly. I hope this will go away after the surgery. Thank you BCMF and donors. May God bless you."

Wayen is an 8-month-old baby from Haiti. He lives with his mother, grandmother, and two older siblings in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. His mother works as a market vendor. Wayen has a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus, which means that a hole exists between two major blood vessels near his heart. Blood leaks through this hole, leaving him weak and short of breath. The surgery he needs is not available in Haiti, so Wayen will travel to Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On September 13th, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will insert a catheter into the hole and expand a device to plug it, so that blood can no longer leak through it. Gift of Life International is contributing $3,000 towards the cost of the surgery, and Wayen's family needs help with the remaining $1,500 to cover the cost of labs, medicines, and check-up and follow-up appointments. This money will also support passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner International Cardiac Alliance who will accompany Wayen's family overseas. Wayen's mother shared, "I will be praying for everyone who is helping my son to become healthy."

Billy is a 14-year-old student from a rural area named Migori in Kenya. He is in grade six, and loves playing football. He is the last born in a family of 6 kids. He comes from a family that depends on their small-scale farming for sustenance and live together in a mud house. Three months ago, Billy was playing with other boys using bicycles. Unfortunately, one of the boys pushed his bike down a hill, and Billy fell into a ditch. He was hurt in the right leg and was taken to Migori Referral, where a Plaster cast was applied. The bones had not united when it was removed, but the family decided to seek traditional medicine. In spite of the traditional medicine, which involved massaging his leg, Billy cannot walk properly. He is in a lot of pain; he has difficulties walking and engaging in day-to-day activities. Dr. Owen, a Medical Officer, heard about Billy when he visited Migori. He decided to request and pay for an X-Ray, which showed the bones are not united yet. The doctor brought Billy to Nazareth Hospital for evaluation by Watsi's local rep. When he was seen at Nazareth, the surgeon determined that a fracture surgery is needed to correct his condition, but the cost is very out of reach for this family. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On July 4th, Billy will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. When treated, Billy will no longer be in pain, he will be able to walk, and his leg will heal without deformity as he continues to grow. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1049 to fund this procedure. “I thank Dr Owen for what he has done. I hope my brother can get help so that his leg can recover so that he can go back to school,” said Billy’s brother quietly.

Grandpa, a 6-year-old boy, is the fifth born in a family of seven. Currently enrolled in the first grade, he already shws a strong enthusiasm for reading. Our medical partner first met with Grandpa at an outreach mobile clinic, where his father accompanied him. The family originates from Achapost, a village in the interior of Samburu County. Grandpa's father actively serves as a community health volunteer, while his mother diligently takes care of their home and family. Grandpa was born with bilateral clubfoot, a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. He has been living with the condition since birth and tiptoes as he walks. He cannot walk long distances or play with friends because of his condition. He is scheduled to undergo bilateral PMR, which will correct his feet and allow him to continue living a more active life. The family cannot afford the hospital bill and request support from well-wishers. "My joy would be seeing my boy walking and playing like other children and progressing with his education," Grandpa's father told us.

San is a 26-year-old factory worker who lives with his wife and five-year-old daughter in Kandal province in Cambodia. His wife is employed at the same factory where San works. In March 2023, San was the victim of an attempted robbery, during which the left side of his neck was injured. He was treated at a local hospital, where surgeons attempted to do a nerve transfer. However, the doctors told San that his condition would require further investigation and treatment. San was referred to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, where he was diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his left side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in a loss of function and sensation. Currently, San can't move his arm and his left hand is paralyzed. He also experiences a great deal of pain and is unable to work or care for himself. With assistance from the Children's Surgical Centre, San is now scheduled to undergo brachial plexus repair surgery on May 9th at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, the only facility in the country where this surgery is available. After he has recovered, San hopes to be able to use his arm and hand again. Children's Surgical Centre is requesting $709 to fund this procedure. San said: "I'm hoping to regain movement in my arm and to get back to work."