25-year-old Kristine has a happy and outgoing personality. She lives in the Philippines with her mother, and she is loved by her family and fellow church members. She also loves to sing and dance with the other children in their church and community. If the church has an activity, she eagerly offers herself to help with any chores in the activity area. Kristine was born with congenital clubfoot, a condition that impacts her gait. Our medical partner, International Care Ministries (ICM), explains: "Kristine has difficulty in walking because of her left foot deformity. She also has seizure disorder but it is currently managed with medication. Her mother said that she was frequently teased by her classmates when she was still in elementary school because of the way she walked. Since then, she has not joined school; and everyday, she wishes that she could go back even in her age." Treatment for Kristine will cost $1,211, and consists of a surgery to correct her deformity give her a balanced gait, as well as boost her self esteem. It will also fulfill her wishes to go back to school if time and situation permits. Kristine's family was unable to have Kristine undergo surgery earlier because of lack of finances. At their pre-operative interview with ICM, Kristine's mother shared: "I really hope that my child can get treatment. We want to see her well and live normally, but we could not make it happen. She even stopped schooling to avoid bullies because we don't want to see her have emotional pains. We are praying that there could be someone that could help her."

Nearly three years ago, 17-year-old Naomi from Tanzania was in the company of family and friends when she had a seizure around an open fire. "As she was falling down, the person next to her tried to hold her back, but she was too heavy for her to lift her up so Naomi’s left hand went directly into the fire," explains our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). "She was quickly taken out, but had already incurred severe burns, especially on her fingers." Even though the wound was treated, she developed contractures in her fingers, a condition of shortening and hardening of muscles, tendons, and other tissues, resulting in her no longer able to use her right hand. Naomi will need $550 to undergo single contracture release treatment that will aid her in having a more functional hand. “Naomi’s mother has a small business selling maize and beans in the market and her father is a guard at a privately owned company,” shares AMHF. The family has been unable to save enough money to cover the cost of the operation. Naomi is “happy, very active and determined when she wants to do something,” says our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation. She shares, “When I am able to go back to school, I would like to study and become a pediatrician.”

Kriscous is a jolly, four-year-old boy from the Philippines with cleft palate. Kriscous loves playing with his grandmother and other children. However, he become very shy because other children make fun of his appearance and altered speech. The attention from other children, and the frustration he experiences when his community can't understand him constantly puts him on edge, and he often gets into fights with other children and neighbors. In addition to worrying about his health, his family worries that Kriscous will continue to be unhappy if his condition persists. With $1,464, Kriscous will receive cleft palate repair surgery and follow-up care that will help him speak with less difficulty and give him the confidence to connect with other children. According to his grandmother, "Kriscous is very excited to be treated so he can have self-confidence and fulfill his dreams."

74-year-old Nam “spends her free time visiting the pagoda and listening to monks pray,” shares our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). Nam is a married Cambodian woman with two sons, one daughter, and five grandchildren. Three years ago, Nam developed a cataract in each of her eyes. “This causes her blurred vision and tearing,” CSC explains. A cataract is the clouding of one’s eye lens. They are the most common cause of vision loss in people over 40 years old; in Cambodia alone, there are 22,000 new cases of cataract blindness each year. “It is hard to see everything clearly and do any of my work,” shares Nam. For $225, Nam can undergo a phacoemulsification procedure to remove her cataracts and receive intraocular lens implants. This procedure should prevent her from becoming blind. “Nam will be able to see everything clearly again,” CSC predicts. Nam and her family are eager to see the results. “I hope my mother can see everything clearly again,” Nam’s daughter says, “so she can easily do any work and go anywhere outside by herself.”

Meet Chhum, a grandmother of 21 grandchildren! According to our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), she “enjoys visiting the pagoda to listen to the monks pray.” “Two years ago Chhum developed a cataract in each eye,” CSC tells us. The most common cause of partial blindness, cataracts cause a filmy layer to develop over the eye lens. Due to this condition, Chhum finds herself more limited in her daily activities, stating, “I can’t go walking by myself or do any of my work. I can’t see anyone’s faces well." With $225, Chhum will receive a small incision cataract surgery. The cataract in each eye will be removed and replaced with an artificial implant. After this widely practiced procedure, Chhum will be able to see clearly again. Eager to regain her independence, Chhum shares, "I hope my eyes can see everything again so I can go walking and do some work by myself."

53-year-old Rem is a Cambodian woman with two sons, one daughter, and six grandchildren. "Rem spends her free time doing house work, watching social news on TV, and listening to news on the radio," reports our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). Ten years ago, Rem developed a pterygium, a non-cancerous growth of conjunctiva covering the cornea, in her left eye. Pterygium occurrence is much higher among people who live near the equator as a result of greater exposure to the sun. "This causes her blurred vision, burning, irritation, itchiness, tearing and redness," shares CSC. "It is hard for me to see anything clearly and I do not feel well," Rem says. "It is hard for me to go anywhere outside because I am afraid of the sunshine." For $150, Rem’s pterygium can be surgically removed with a 45-minute excision procedure that will alleviate her uncomfortable symptoms. "After a pterygium excision surgery, Rem's pain will be released and her irritation and itchiness will go away," explains CSC. Rem says, "I hope my eyes are better looking and I can feel more comfortable. I want to be able to do any work well and travel outside on my own. I don't want to worry about the cyst getting bigger or my vision becoming worse."

Meet Komucunguzi, a 38-year-old woman from Uganda. Komucunguzi is a farmer with six children. "About four years ago, Komucunguzi felt some palpitations in her cheek," explains our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). "She felt as if something painless was moving up and down in her cheek." Komucunguzi's symptoms progressed, causing swelling and severe pain despite being given temporary treatment at a local health center. Komucunguzi has many household responsibilities that cannot be completed because of the pain she experiences. AMHF explains, "She cannot sleep well at night and cannot eat well. If not treated, the swelling might continue to grow and become more painful. She needs an excision to make her better again but she does not have the money." $120 will cover the cost of treatment through a procedure called a mass excision. This surgery will remove the mass from Komucunguzi's cheek. After treatment, AMHF expects, "Komucunguzi will be free from the pain and deformity. She will be able to eat and do her chores well." Komucunguzi shares, "I wish I can be well and be free from this pain, and be able to eat well."

62-year-old Tumuhirwe is a father of nine children, and works as a village carpenter in Uganda. His wife works as a farmer to support their large family. "In May this year, Tumuhirwe noticed that a small swelling appeared on his lower abdomen," our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), tells us. "It was painless at the time and this is the reason he first ignored it. After one month it started to pain him all the time that he became very uncomfortable." Now, the pain is even affecting his work. When Tumuhirwe visited a clinic hoping to get medicine to fix his pain, he was surprised to be diagnosed with a lipoma that required surgery to remove. A lipoma is a noncancerous growth of fat cells below the skin, and if not treated will continue to grow and cause Tumuhirwe pain. He and his wife work very hard to earn enough income to support their family, but unfortunately they do not have enough savings to pay for his treatment. For $120, Tumuhirwe will have a mass excision procedure where doctors at AMHF will surgically remove the mass in his abdomen. “We expect that Tumuhirwe will be free from the swelling and the pain he is experiencing,” adds AMHF. "After the surgery I will be free from pain, and continue to work hard for my family," Tumuhirwe shares.

Meet Kyompeire, a 24-year-old expectant mother from Uganda. “Kyompeire is eight months pregnant,” reports our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). “After undergoing several medical tests Kyompeire was found to have macrosomia and advised to have an elective C-section to deliver the baby safely. She is weak and often has fainting spells.” Macromosomia literally means “big baby”. When the baby is significantly larger than average before delivery, as is the case with Kyompeire’s, it can cause complications for mother and baby during delivery. There is also an increased risk of health complications for the baby after birth. With a C-section, however, doctors will make an incision in Kyompeire’s abdomen and uterus to safely remove the baby without the danger of a natural birth. Kyompeire lost her job as a teacher when she could no longer bear the stress of standing for such long hours. Her husband's farmer salary is not much to support their small family as well as his brothers and sisters. Together they cannot afford the operation. $160 will cover the costs of the surgery and ensure that Kyompeire gets the care she needs to bring her baby into the world safely. “My prayer is to save me and my baby from danger,” shares Kyompeire.

Amarkala is an 18-year-old woman from Nepal. “Amarkala lives with her husband and her parents-in-law,” shares our medical partner, Possible. Amarkala developed a breast abscess about one month ago. Possible reports, “It has now swollen considerably and causes her a considerable amount of pain. She has a mild fever, and has trouble breast-feeding her month-old baby, depriving the newborn of essential nutrients.” For $220, we can fund treatment that will remove the abscess. “With incision and drainage, Amarkala's fever will go down, her wound will be drained of all the pus, and hygienic dressing everyday will ensure the wound heals well,” says Possible. “I want to be treated as early as possible, the pain is getting unbearable now,” says Amarkala. Let's help Amarkala get back to proper health and fund this treatment.

Niwamanya is a 19-year-old woman from Uganda who lives with a family of eight. Her husband finds work fixing electric poles and other handy work as it comes. Niwamanya is currently pregnant with her first child. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), shares that upon examination at the High Risk Pregnancy Clinic, Niwamanya was found to have a contracted pelvis. According to AMHF, "Niwamanya is about 36 weeks and needs a caesarian section to deliver her baby safely. If she does not undergo a c-section, Niwamanya is at risk of uterine and vaginal damage such as a ruptured uterus or fistula. She could also lose her child." For $160, Niwamanya will undergo a Cesarean section. This amount will also fund all of Niwamanya’s hospital care, including a four day stay after she delivers her baby. AMHF expects that with this treatment, both Niwamanya and her child will be healthy, explaining, "an elective Caesarian section is the safest way for Niwamanya to have her baby." Niwamanya shares, "I am worried about my health and that of my baby. I leave it to the doctors to help me."

Naturinda is a 20-year-old wife and expectant mother from Uganda. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), tells us that her husband works as a carpenter and is the sole provider for their growing family. Naturinda is currently 35 weeks pregnant with her first child. Her doctor recently discovered that she is carrying a baby with macrosomia, or a body that is too large for a vaginal birth. "This is likely to be impossible for her to push and deliver the baby normally," her doctor shares. Attempting a vaginal birth could lead to vaginal tearing and excessive bleeding, which could be fatal. Her doctor recommends that she have an cesarian (C) section to deliver her baby safely. According to AMHF, “A C-section will enable Naturinda to deliver a live healthy baby.” Naturinda’s C-section costs $160, which will cover surgical expenses along with a four day hospital stay to ensure that her baby is healthy and she has a smooth recovery. “I hope my baby is safe after the surgery,” says Naturinda.