Meet Hussein, a four-year-old boy from Somalia. Edna Adan Hospital (EAD), our medical partner in Somaliland, shares that, “Hussein sustained severe burns to both of his arms when he fell onto burning charcoal, which is used in traditional household kitchens on the floor for cooking. He now has decreased use of both arms due to burn contractures.” For $1165, we can fund a procedure to release the contractures on Hussein’s right side--a procedure that has already been completed on his left side. “Hussein’s mother is hopeful that he will have restored mobility in his wrist and hands and be able to continue his life as normally as possible.” Let’s help Hussein get back on track!

“I just want Teresa to be normal, and I want her to enjoy school,” says Teresa’s mother. Teresa, a three-year-old girl from Guatemala, was born with extra toes on her right foot. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK), reports, “This is cosmetically distressing to the parents, and they are concerned that she will be laughed at when she goes to school. Also, Teresa has trouble fitting into shoes, and this causes pain with walking.” WK continues, “Teresa has been in our nutrition program for a number of years, and she is growing and thriving. Her parents are very proud of how smart she is and they have high hopes that she will do well in school." Teresa’s father is a manual laborer who has had difficulty finding work, so the family has had trouble finding financial support to correct Teresa’s defect. For $505, we can fund surgery to help Teresa. Wuqu’ Kawoq expects that the “surgery will correct the orthopedic defect, allowing Teresa to walk without discomfort and not be distressed by the cosmetic defect later in life.”

“He was okay when he was born, but now he is very bad. I wish God to save his life," says Ladouceur’s mother. Ladouceur is a sweet one-year-old from Haiti where he lives with his parents and three older siblings. Two weeks after Ladouceur was born, his family noticed the size of his head was growing abnormally and took him to a hospital where he was diagnosed with hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus is a condition causing an excessive accumulation of fluid in the brain, massive head size and sun setting eyes. If left untreated, this condition can lead to brain damage, a loss in mental and physical abilities, and even death. With all they have spent on clinic visits, Ladouceur’s parents cannot afford his treatment. We can fund a successful treatment for $1,260. Our medical partner, Project Medishare, writes, “doctors will drain the excess fluid in Ladouceur’s head and prevent more fluid from accumulating. This will give him access to a healthy life.” Let’s help Ladouceur and his family by funding this surgery!