Dany is 29-years-old. She is married and her husband is a farmer. Together they have one son. When Dany's not caring for her very active child, she likes to go through Facebook and watch TV. For the past ten years, she has had consistent right ear discharge and pain. When she was a child, she had surgery for an abscess near her right ear. This infection caused a cholesteatoma, or an abnormal skin growth, to develop in the middle ear behind the ear drum. For this reason, Dany experiences hearing loss and ear discharge. It is difficult for her to hear or communicate with others. Dany traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On January 14th, she will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure in her right ear. During this procedure, ENT surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $925 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. "I really hope that after the operation my ear will be better, the hearing will be normal, the ear discharge and pain will all be gone," Dany said.

Beteitse is a teacher from Uganda. He is married and is a father to four daughters. Upon graduating college, he became a third grade teacher. Following in his footsteps, three of his daughters are primary school teachers, and the fourth one is still studying and is in senior four. Since two years ago, Beteitse has had an umbilical hernia. The hernia causes him weakness and pain and prevents him from working and supporting his family. Unfortunately, this procedure is very costly for Beteitse and his family. His only source of income is from his job of teaching in a primary school. He also does some farming, because the money he earns from teaching alone is not enough to support his family. His wife is also a small scale farmer and has little income. They are appealing for financial help. Fortunately, on November 3rd, Beteitse will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $230 to fund Beteitse's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Beteitsa shared, “I hope for a new life and health after my surgery to continue with teaching after I have completely recovered.”

Stephen is a boda boda motorcycle driver who was involved in an accident and sustained a left tibial plateau fracture. He lays on his hospital bed in pain and unable to move. He was wheeled into the emergency room in a wheelchair. He needs an urgent tibia plateau ORIF surgery to help with the fracture and be able to walk again. If not treated, he risks getting infections and will be unable to use his leg well. Two days ago in the evening, the 40-year-old was riding a motorcycle and lost control after he struck a bump and he fell off sustaining an injury to his left lower limb. It had rained and the area was slippery. He was rushed to Naivasha Hospital for emergency services. He was later referred to Watsi's Medical Partner Care Cetner Kijabe Hospital for further orthopaedic services. He was immediately admitted, and after review, doctors recommended and ORIF fracture repair procedure. Stephen is a father of two children ages 8 and 4 years. His daily income from his work is an average of 350 Ksh a day. The owner takes Kes 250 and he is left with Kes 150 (less than US$2 each day). He is the breadwinner of the family. His wife used to have a small salon but it was closed down due to a lack of customers and increased rent that remained unpaid. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On December 18th, Stephen will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. He will be able to move with ease and return to work. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to fund this procedure. Stephen says, “My businesses went down and I am already servicing a huge bill ... I am unable to pay for the surgery and I need help.”

Lenox is a 1-month-old baby boy from Tanzania. He is the second-born child in a family of two children. Lenox’s father works as a guard and earns limited income, so he is not able to cover the cost of Lenox's treatment. Lenox has clubfoot in both his feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes him difficulty with walking and wearing shoes. Fortunately, Lenox's family traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on November 13th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $935 to fund Lenox's clubfoot repair. After treatment, as he grows, he will be able to walk well and wear shoes when he grows up. He will be able to run and play just like all the other kids. Lenox’s mother shared, “We have tried to seek treatment for our son’s feet with no success, but we were referred to this hospital with the hope he could get proper treatment, but the cost has turned out to be expensive for us. Please help support us if possible.”

Kupha is a 45-year-old woman from Kenya and has six children. In 2014, Kupha started experiencing some pain in her upper jaw. After some time, her jaw started to swell and the pain worsened. Both cold and hot food triggered pain that would last day and night. She went to a nearby facility in Kwale County to seek care, and was given some pain medication that worked for a while. She later returned for a surgery to remove the swollen tissue. Though she recovered well, the following year, Kupha started experiencing pain and swelling again. Upon returning to the same facility for a checkup, the doctor told her that no further treatment could be done. A few years later, Kupha heard about Kijabe Hospital and came for an examination in January 2020. The doctors diagnosed her with a benign maxillary mass and scheduled her for an excision surgery. During the surgery, they will put in a plate and screws to hold together her maxillar. However, Kupha and her family are not able to raise funds needed for the surgery. After the death of her husband a few years ago, Kupha has been struggling to provide for her six children. Her firstborn son is the main breadwinner of the family and also attends college, partially sponsored by the county government of Kwale. He does some casual jobs when he is not in class to feed the family, and also facilitates his mother's hospital visits. Kupha was able to raise some money for her treatment, but she does not have enough financial support and appeals for help. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,500 to cover the cost of Kupha's surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on October 15th and will be a ten hour long surgery. Hopefully, this treatment will alleviate her of further severe pain and swelling. Kupha shared, “With the pain that I have endured over the years, it has made it difficult for me to look for work and provide for my family. I will be happy when I receive the required treatment for my condition.”

Angelo, a 9-year-old boy, is the fifth of eight siblings. He enjoys playing with his younger sister. Angelo was born with an abnormal condition in a sensitive area. He underwent surgery when he was seven days old, but his family's financial limitations prevented doctors from completing treatment. For this reason, his activities are limited, and he often experiences indigestion and weight loss. Though Angelo finished preschool, his condition has prevented him from enrolling in first grade because school is too far from home. Angelo flew from his rural home to the city of Bacolod to receive treatment. On November 24, Angelo underwent corrective surgery. He will be monitored for two weeks and will undergo a followup surgery several months from now. Angelo's father works as a tenant on a farm, and his mother is a housewife. They cannot afford this $1,500 procedure, and they need our help. "I am so thankful for this opportunity that has come to us," says Angelo's mother. "I never thought that Angelo would be treated because of our financial situation...This has given us hope for Angelo and for his future. I am looking forward to Angelo being fully well, going to school, and fulfilling whatever dreams he has. I know he will have a better future."

Three-month-old Amadily has not grown at all since she was born. Her mother is unable to produce breastmilk. As a result, Amadilly is not growing, and she has difficulty sleeping due to hunger. This limited diet is insufficient and has dangerous implications for Amadilly's health. Lactation failure can lead to starvation and dehydration. Brain development is compromised, and Amadilly is at risk of long-term damage. Fortunately, she began treatment on November 17. Amadily is the first child to her parents. Together, they live in a rented one-room adobe house. Her parents work in a butcher shop. They need help to fund this $1,107 treatment. Amadily's treatment will be simple and effective. She will receive formula, which will give her the protein, calories, and nutrients she needs to grow and develop. Her mother will receive in-home nutrition education, so she will learn low-cost ways to prevent future cases of malnutrition. Amadily's immune system will strengthen, and she will grow up to be a healthy, energetic baby. "I really want my daughter to be able to get better, but I do not have the economic resources to buy her the milk she needs," says Amadily's mother. "I want to see her grow, be a good person, and maybe even become a doctor when she's older."