Meet John, a young boy and the oldest in his family. He is eight years old and lives in Kenya. Both of his parents work as laborers. John was diagnosed with hearing loss when he was about three years old. Unfortunately, his mother could not afford treatment for him. Finally, they were referred to our medical partner's care center, where hearing aids were recommended. John will receive the hearing aids on May 2. Now, his family needs help raising $712. John’s mother says, “It is my prayer that my brilliant boy will soon be able to hear and lead a normal life."

Five-month-old Edwin is an only child who lives with his parents in a single-roomed rental house in Kenya. He has beautiful bright eyes. Edwin was born with spina bifida, a birth defect in which several vertebrae in the lower back do not close properly, leaving his spinal canal exposed. The spinal cord and its surrounding membranes protrude through the opening in the backbone, forming a cystic mass on his lower back. If not treated, Edwin is at a risk of infection, malformation of the spinal cord, and loss of muscle function on his lower limbs. Surgery was recommended to close the open defect on Edwin’s spine, but his parents are unable to afford the cost of the treatment. Edwin’s father is a casual construction site worker since he lost his job two years ago, and his mother is a stay-at-home mom. Since last December, when they were advised that Edwin would require surgery, they have managed to raise only $104. For $805, surgeons will place Edwin’s spinal cord and membranes back inside the spinal canal and close the opening on his back. Funding for Edwin also covers the costs of a five-day hospital stay, three days of physical therapy, imaging, lab work, and medicine. Edwin's parents are contributing the $104 they have saved to help cover additional costs associated with his care. Spina bifida closure surgery will help prevent infection, development of tethered cord, and paralysis of Edwin's legs. "Having Edwin was the best gift we could receive, as he was born near Christmas," shares Edwin's mother. "I had tried to have a child for some years, and he came to us as a miracle for which we are grateful. We are hoping that he will get treated."