Collins is a young boy from the northeastern slopes of Mt Kenya in Meru County, Kenya. He is 5 years old and is the firstborn in a family of two children. His mother is a housewife, while his father is a mason. Collins was born with clubfoot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. Since birth, he has had serial casting treatment, but his condition has yet to improve. Both his mother and his sibling also have neglected clubfoot conditions. Collins has difficulty with walking and wearing shoes, and is unable to play with other kids. In January 2020, he was able to undergo a left posterior medial release (PMR) with Watsi support, and his foot has corrected well. As a result of the surgery, he is able to wear his left shoe and his walking has improved. However, his right foot is still deformed and requires surgery for him to be able to walk comfortably and confidently on both feet. Fortunately, Collins' family traveled back to our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on his right foot on January 11th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,286 to fund Collins's clubfoot repair. This surgery will be very impactful for Collins because he will be able to walk, play, and enjoy life like other children. His mother is grateful for the support for his first surgery, and again appeals for support for this procedure as their income level is not high enough to afford his needed care. Collins' mother shared, “I would like to thank CURE Hospital and AMH-Watsi who made possible my son’s first surgery. May the almighty God bless you. I continue to plead for support for the planned surgery on his right foot so that he can fully walk without any difficulty.”

Tereza is a small-scale farmer from Uganda. Tereza has been a widow for many years. She has five children who work in construction and practice small-scale farming. Tereza is a small-scale farmer too. Thirty years ago, Tereza began to experience troubling symptoms, including difficulty in breathing, swallowing, and heart palpitations. She was diagnosed with a goitre, an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Tereza receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on August 18th at our medical partner's care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $252, and she and her family need help raising money. Tereza says, “If I can have a life free from this burdening condition, I will be very grateful and I will be able to continue with cultivation though I am elderly.”

Katushabe is a 39-year-old teacher from Uganda. She has four children of her own and cares for her deceased brother's six children. One year ago, Katushabe noticed a swelling in her right armpit. She initially went to a clinic and was temporarily relieved of her discomfort, however the swelling is now progressively increasing in size. Moreover, the pain has intensified and has radiated to her breast. Katushabe was diagnosed with a lipoma, and, if not treated, the lipoma will continue to grow and further impede her ability to teach. On June 27, Katushabe will undergo surgery to remove the mass. The $187 requested by our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, will cover the full cost of treatment, including labs, medication, supplies, and physician time. Katushabe's procedure, once completed, will hopefully relieve her of her pain and allow her to live more comfortably.

Four-year-old Maria is a charming girl with an infectious smile and a twinkle in her eyes. She is a nursery school student and the youngest of three children in her family. She lives with her family in a rental house in Kenya. Her mother sells African dresses, and her father works as a chef. Maria visited our medical partner's hospital with a protruding abdominal bulge that was visible under her woolen cardigan. She was diagnosed with an umbilical hernia, a condition that occurs when a portion of the intestine protrudes through the umbilical opening in the abdominal muscles, presenting as a soft swelling or bulge near the navel. Maria's condition causes her pain, and painkillers provide only temporary relief. Without surgery, a segment of the intestine may become trapped in the hernia and cause more intense pain. In addition, the blood supply to the trapped tissue may weaken and lead to tissue death. Fortunately, Maria will undergo an operation to repair the hernia on December 22. During the procedure, the surgeon will push the protruding tissue back into the abdomen and cover the umbilical area with a synthetic mesh. Over time, muscle tissue will grow into and around the mesh to reinforce the area and prevent protrusion of the intestines. With very little income, Maria's parents are not able to raise the funds needed for Maria’s surgical care. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $423. Funding for Maria covers the costs of the surgery, two nights in the hospital, pain medicine, blood tests, and antibiotics. "God bless anyone who takes the time to listen to my story," shares Maria's mother. "I hope you can inspire me by making a difference in the life of my daughter."