Karduni is a 9-year-old student and the fifth born in a family of six children. He's a friendly and social boy. Karduni is currently in class one, but he's having a hard time walking to school due to his foot being impacted by a fire accident when he was two years old. On the day he was hurt, Karduni's mother was boiling water at an open fireplace while Karduni and his siblings were playing. As they played, Karduni stepped on firewood that was burning in the fireplace tipping the pot and burning his foot with the hot water. His wound healed but left his foot deformed due to the contracture of the skin. Burn scar contractures have developed, tightening the skin around his burn and making it difficult for him to walk. He also is in pain, and his family and community want to see him feeling well and being active. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Karduni receive treatment. On May 20th, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help him walk easily again. Now, his family needs help to fund this $874 procedure. Karduni’s priest says, "Please help Karduni have this treatment, his parents are struggling to make end meet they can never be able to afford his treatment cost."

William is a hardworking motorbike taxi driver from Kenya. He earns $2.50 daily and lives in a one-room house in Naivasha, costing about $24 a month. His parents are elderly and live nearby on a quarter of an acre piece of land. William suffered femur and distal tibia fractures and is unable to walk and cannot work. Currently, the hospital has admitted him to the respiratory ward since he developed difficulties in breathing. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On May 20th, William will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. These surgeries will enable the bones to heal and he will be able to walk again normally. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,500 to fund this procedure. William says, “I don’t have anyone to depend on, I survive on my own through this motorbike taxi business. But with these fractures, I cannot walk or work at all. I need the surgery to normalize my life and be independent again.”

Weyneshet is a 15-month-old baby girl from Ethiopia who is active and playful. She loves to play with her mom and other children, and she loves eating and breastfeeding. Her mom is a single parent, and they live with the support of family members. Weyneshet was born with an anorectal malformation, a condition that leads to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. She needs to undergo a series of procedures to eliminate bowel dysfunction. Weyneshet is scheduled to undergo her first surgery to correct her condition on April 8th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. After her recovery, Weyneshet will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. Weyneshet's mother shared, “after receiving treatment, I will educate her by working hard in any job I get.”

Peter is a third grade student from Kenya. Peter is very active and playful like many kids his age. He is the seventh son in a family of eight children. Peter's father repairs household items including basins and jerricans, and his mother is a casual laborer who washes clothes for a living. Their family currently lives together in a two-room mud house. About 10 weeks ago, Peter fell from a tall tree and he sustained a femur shaft fracture and hip dislocation. He currently walks and gets around using crutches, and there is the risk that he may not able to walk on his own again unless he receives surgical intervention. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On March 17th, Peter 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, is requesting $1,500 to fund his surgery. Peter's father shared, “[Peter] has been unable to go to school since the accident. He can’t walk without the help of crutches and if he doesn’t go for surgery he might be unable to walk normally.”

James is a 52-year-old boda-boda driver from Kenya. He is a father to four children, all of whom are adults. His wife is a homemaker, and he is the sole breadwinner for the family. On February 5th, 2021, James was in a road traffic accident and sustained a burst fracture of T12 spinal cord transection. Immediately after the accident, he was aware of the intensity of the injury because he could not use his lower limbs and had a sharp pain in the mid-back. He was assisted by well-wishers and was rushed to Watsi's Medical Partner Care Center Kijabe Hospital, where the orthopaedic team ran x-rays and other tests. Now, James needs to undergo a posterior spinal instrumentation and fusion, a procedure that is aimed at stabilizing his spine and avoiding future complications. However, James does not have medical coverage and is therefore required to raise the full deposit for his surgery. He has raised some financial contributions from friends and relatives, but needs additional support for his care. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping James receive treatment. He is scheduled to undergo a spinal fusion procedure on February 10th at our medical partner's care center. This procedure will cost $1,500, and will hopefully allow James' legs to heal and regain some mobility. James shared, “I hope I will be able use my legs again. I need help both surgically and financially given that the cost of the surgery is high and I am unable to afford.”

Patrick has clubfoot of both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape, and it causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. After he was born, his parents visited the nearest dispensary in their village to take him for treatment, where he was referred to a bigger hospital that would have more resources to treat him. Because Patrick's parents are small scale farmers with minimal income, they decided to return home and save up money so that they could take him to a proper hospital to have his feet corrected. Through a neighbor, Patrick's parents got to know about Watsi's Partner ALMC Plaster House and decided to come and seek treatment for Patrick. Patrick needs to start manipulation and casting, which will help correct his feet. If Patrick does not get this treatment, his learning-to-walk process will be very challenging. It will take a long time for him to be able to stand and walk, and it may be painful. He will not be able to wear normal shoes like other children, and could potentially experience discrimination due to his disability. Fortunately, Patrick traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery and begin his treatment on January 15th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $935 to fund Patrick's clubfoot repair. After treatment as he grows, he will be able to walk and play with ease. Patrick’s mother shared, "We wish our son to have his feet corrected but the treatment cost is too high for us to afford. Please help our son.”

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.”

Song Heu is a 28-year-old man from Cambodia. He has three older sisters and to support their family, Song Heu's mother sells vegetables in the market and his father is a tuk tuk driver. In his free time, Song Heu enjoys exercising, listening to music, playing games on his phone, meeting with friends to discuss problems, and doing house work. Last month, Song Heu was attacked by someone trying to steal his motorbike. The thief cut Song Heu's left arm and neck with a knife, causing paralysis. He has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his left arm 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 loss of function and sensation. Now, Song Heu has a scar on his left neck and has no control of his left shoulder, elbow, or hand. He cannot lift his arm at all and therefore is unable to work. Fortunately, Song Heu traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On November 17th, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, Song Heu will regain use of his left arm. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $696 to fund this procedure. Song Heu shared, "I hope I can use my arm again with full function so I can resume my normal life activities."

Teresiah is a teenage girl from Kenya who has special needs. She was born into a family of 3 girls and hails from a very humble background. Her studies Limuru Cheshire Home were partially sponsored by a compassionate organization. Since she left school last year, the organization has helped her family settle in a small two-roomed iron-built house, which is a real milestone. Her dad has a health condition that requires surgery but it has been postponed several times due to funds. Her dad cannot do heavy manual jobs and so he mostly remains at home with Teresiah while her mother goes to search for casual work. Teresiah has clubfoot that has rendered her walking difficult. She was reviewed by specialists at Cure International Hospital and surgery is recommended. The surgery will be of great impact as she will finally be able to walk comfortably and help her parents at more home. She will be able to be more independent as she grows. Fortunately, Teresiah traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on October 12th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,286 to fund Teresiah's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will be able to walk easily. “Any assistance accorded to our daughter will be highly appreciated. God bless you," Teresiah’s mom told us.