Ly Houn is a nine-year-old student. He lives with his aunt because his parents are trying to earn enough money to take care of him and support his schooling so they currently work as farmers in a different province. One month ago, Ly Houn began experiencing pain, discharge, bleeding, and tinnitus in his right ear. His aunt took him to a private clinic for treatment, but his condition did not improve. He has been diagnosed with a tumor in his right ear. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), is helping Ly Houn receive treatment. On October 18th, surgeons at CSC will remove the mass. Now, Ly Houn needs help to raise $231 to fund his procedure and care. Ly Houn shared that he hopes that after surgery, his ear pain will go away.

Evans works hard as a motorcycle taxi driver. He's the second-born in a family of five and had to drop out of school in grade 8 after his parents were unable to pay his secondary school fees. He opted to take a “Boda boda” (motorcycle taxi) job so that he could support his siblings and his children. Evans has two children that he works hard to provide for and he hopes to get married in the future. Now, he worries about not walking again. He is a hardworking and industrious man who makes ends meet for his young children. Two days ago, Evans sustained a traumatic right femur and tibia fracture after he was involved in a road traffic accident. He was rushed to the hospital for x-rays. Because he had an open wound on his femur, Evans was taken to the operating room for emergency washout surgery. A cast was placed and he was admitted to the surgical ward as doctors plan for his care. Evans is unable to walk or lift his right leg due to the fractures. He is worried that he'll continue lying in the hospital bed in a lot of pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMH) can help. On September 7th, Evans will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). Evans will heal and be able to work. He'll be able to fend for himself and help out his family and children. AMH is requesting $1247 to fund this procedure. Being single and without a proper job, Evans has very little to help him undergo this surgery. He has come out to ask well-wishers to help him raise money for his surgery so that he can walk again and continue supporting his family. Evans says, “If I could be walking now, I could be out there looking for a job and supporting my family. I have faith that I will walk again."

Ryan is a very active and jovial 5-year-old boy. He's the only child in his family. His mother works at a local dry cleaner and his father is a matatu driver in their area. Ryan's family lives in a small rented house in a town within Nairobi, Kenya. His parents’ income is very limited and they are not able to afford the second surgery he needs, as they are also paying off his first surgery that was unsuccessful in fully treating his birth condition. Ryan was diagnosed with a condition called cryptorchidism. If left untreated, Ryan has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Ryan will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on October 14th. AMHF is requesting $646 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Ryan’s mother says, “It has been a tough time for us after we realized Ryan's first surgery was not successful, but we still trusted in God.”

Godwin is three-month-old baby boy and the last born child in a family of two children. Godwin's parents are small-scale farmers and his father has a small shop where he sells fruits and vegetables. His parents have spent all their savings seeking treatment for Godwin. However, their savings were not enough to fund his medical bills and so they resorted to borrowing from their friends and relatives. They are still in debt and can no longer find any money to pay for their son's shunt revision surgery that he needs to treat his worrying condition. Godwin has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of his condition, Godwin has been experiencing an increased size of his head due to fluid accumulation. Without treatment, Godwin will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $765 to cover the cost of surgery for Godwin that will treat his hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on October 13th and will drain the excess fluid from Godwin's brain. This will reduce the intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, Godwin will develop into a strong, healthy young boy. Godwin’s mother says “We can no longer raise the money needed to cover our son’s treatment. We are in debt and we have no one to run to, please help us."

Three-month-old Rian was born with an abnormally shaped head, and quickly “came down with symptoms of irritability and slight paleness," explains our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). After seeking treatment near his home in Kenya, Rian was diagnosed with craniosynostosis -- a condition in which the joints between an infant’s skull bones are prematurely fused together. AMHF reports, “If left untreated, Rian will suffer from increased intracranial pressure, which in turn could result in developmental delays, brain damage, or even death.” Rian lives in Kenya with his single mother and grandmother, who do not have the means to provide funds for Rian's surgery. For $1,260, Rian will undergo a craniotomy, or the surgical removal of parts of the bone from the skull. The craniotomy will “relieve Rian’s risks of high intracranial pressure. Rian’s brain will have room to grow naturally," AMHF adds. “To just be told that all this treatment is going to be provided for my son gives me a massive sense of relief," Rian's mother shares. "I know that people truly care. It gives me hope that Rian will be well."

Meet Babu, a 13-month-old boy from Tanzania. “Babu is a beautiful little boy and the only child to his mother, who is a single parent," says our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). “Babu was delivered by C-section in a bridged position, and has had trouble passing stool since birth," AMHF shares. His mother tried to feed him and provide Babu with the best care, but her son’s condition worsened. At six-weeks-old, Babu received an immediate colostomy, the removal of his colon. Babu was then diagnosed with Hirschsprung's disease, a condition characterized by a blockage in the large intestine. As a single mother working on the farm, Babu’s mother cannot afford another hospital visit. AMHF says, “Despite all her hardships, Babu’s mother is a strong and hopeful woman. She dreams of raising her son and later going back to school. Her dream was to become a vet, and she still wants to have such a career.” With $1,500, Babu can undergo a two step procedure to first resection his paralyzed colon, then re-attach it and close the colostomy. AMHF states that with this surgery, “Babu will be able to pass stool normally and continue with normal growth.” “I pray for my baby to get well, live a normal life, go to school, and later on have a good career,” says Babu’s mother.

Meet Lorvensky, an eight-month-old little boy from Haiti. Lorvensky was born with hydrocephalus, which is a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid within his brain cavities. Project Medishare (PM), our medical partner, explains Lorvensky’s situation in more detail: “After Lorvensky was born, his mother noticed that his head was soft and a little bit swollen. When she brought him to a doctor, she was referred to our facilities. The baby was seen by a pediatrician and a CT scan was performed, confirming Lorvensky’s condition, which can cause seizures, fevers, and the flu.” “Lorvensky cries a lot during the nights and his head is getting larger,” PM adds. If Lorvensky continues without treatment, he will be at risk for brain damage, a loss of physical capabilities, and even death. Lorvensky's mother isn't able to afford surgery. “Lorvensky is the only child of his 19-year-old mother. When she became pregnant she stopped going to school. After Lorvensky was born she left her parents to live with her aunt, just to go back to school," PM adds. "But now she has a sick baby to take care of and her aunt, who is unemployed, cannot help with the costs of the surgery." For $1,260, Lorvensky will receive a life-saving hydrocephalus shunt. During this procedure, the excess fluid will be drained from his head and a shunt will be inserted in order to prevent any further buildups and all Lorvensky to grow up healthy. According to PM, “His mother says that she is very excited to go back to school and to see her child able to sit up and walk normally.”