John is a baby boy from Tanzania. He is the fourth-born in a family of four children. John's parents are both subsistence farmers who grow maize and also farm honey. John 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, John has been experiencing an increasing head circumference. Without treatment, John will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $765 to cover the cost of surgery for John that will treat his hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on November 2nd and will drain the excess fluid from John's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, John will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. John’s mother shared, “We are really struggling financially and there is no way we are going to raise the money needed for our son to have this necessary surgery. We appreciate any help you can provide.”

Vy is a 32-year-old farmer who raises animals in Cambodia. Vy has one sister and one brother. Their father passed away years ago. She lives with her family and they work together to raise animals. Vy was born with meningoencephalocele (MEC), a rare defect which causes spinal fluid to protrude from the front of the skull. In her case, the mass formed at the bridge of her nose. Years ago she had the complex MEC correction procedure to remove the mass and repair the hole in her skull to prevent future fluid leaking. The surgery was successful at treating the MEC but some tissue scarring remains on her nose. Vy still experiences occasional pain and tearing from the condition. She also finds it difficult to secure employment outside her home due to the stigma associated with her facial scarring. When Vy learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On June 5th, surgeons at CSC will perform a skin graft procedure to cover up the scar tissue around Vy's nose, allowing her to skin to heal normally. Now, Vy needs help to fund this $474 procedure. Vy said, "I hope that after the surgery, I will not have that big scar on my nose, and I can be happy and confident showing my face to the people in my village."

Alex is a motorcycle taxi operator from Kenya. He is married and has been blessed with a three-month-old baby boy. He works as a motorcycle taxi driver to support his young family. His wife is a stay-at-home mom and they live in a two-room rental house in Kapsowar. Alex was recently involved in a road accident. He was riding his bodaboda (motorcycle taxi) when he lost control and fell into a ditch. He fractured his right hand and suffered bruises and lacerations on his face and other body parts. Since the accident, Alex has been unable to work and support his family. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On June 16th, Alex will undergo a fracture repair procedure called an open reduction and internal fixation. This treatment will help him heal well. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $848 to fund this procedure. “My hope is to get treated so that I can resume my fatherly role of supporting my family," shared Alex.

Vanna is a 64-year-old government employee. He and his wife have six children together, all of whom are grown and started their own families. His wife was a rice farmer, but recently retired. He reads a lot of books, and has started to collect books to give to his grandchildren. He also enjoys watching news on TV. Vanna has had chronic back pain for over ten years. He has managed the pain with painkillers and light exercise, but recently it started to get worse. He experiences numbness in his legs, and has difficulty sitting and standing. He came to Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) on recommendation from a friend, and has been diagnosed with lumbar stenosis, a condition in which spinal nerves are pressured by the bone. Doctors will perform a laminectomy in order to relieve that pressure. This will allow him to walk easily with out pain. Now, CSC needs your help to fund this $1,027 procedure. Vanna shared, "I can't imagine life without back pain, so I am simply excited to feel what it will feel like when the surgery is done."

Ha is a nineteen-year-old worker in a rubber factory. His lives with his parents and four siblings. His parents are farmers. When he is not working, he meets with a big group of friends who play regular soccer matches, or helps his parents with their farm. In May 2020, Ha was accidentally injured by a machine while working at the factory. He suffered fractures in both his legs resulting in nerve damage. His family took him to a local hospital where they used hardware to repair his fractures, but caused nerve damage in the process. Now, he cannot feel his feet or move either of his legs and must use a wheelchair. Luckily, surgeons at Children's Surgical Centre will be able to perform a repair procedure in order to restore normal nerve function and help him heal his legs. Now, they are asking for your help to fund the $541 procedure. His father shared, "I am worried that my son will not be able to walk again, so I pray that the doctors can find the best way to help him walk and be strong like before."

Tho is 47-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She and her husband have four daughters together. Two of her daughters are married, and Tho now has three grandchildren in primary school. She works in the fields with her husband and her two unmarried daughters. She loves to cook, and uses the vegetables from her garden. Tho was in a motor accident eight years ago, resulting in a fractured left tibia. She went to a provincial hospital to receive treatment, but her fracture never healed correctly. The condition of her leg has deteriorated over time and now she can no longer walk unaided. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On June 3rd, Tho will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $465. With a successful surgery, the bone will heal properly and she will regain her ability to walk. Tho said, "After this surgery, I hope that my leg will finally be better, and I will be strong enough to walk by myself. I don't like to have my family take care of me all the time, so with no more pain, I can help them again."

Meet Sharon, a 5-year-old girl from Kenya. She is the second born in a family of four children. Sharon was brought to Medical Partner's clinic by her grandmother. Her mother has stayed at home and according to Sharon’s grandmother, she is mentally impaired. Both Sharon's mother and grandmother do not work and only depend on farm products and well-wishers. Their family hails from Makengi village in Embu county. Sharon has a burn scar deformity that she sustained at home when paraffin poured on her and unfortunately, she caught fire, severely burning her feet. She healed with contractures on her hands and feet as well. She currently cannot walk or hold things on her hand and she is in great pain at the moment. Surgery will be of great impact to her as she will be able to stand, walk, and hold things. Her family is not able to raise the estimated cost of surgery and thus requested for support. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Sharon receive treatment. On May 20th, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery to better allow her to use her hands easily. Now, she needs help to fund this $799 procedure. “We cannot be able to raise the estimated cost of surgery and if there are any means that you can support us, we will be grateful.” Sharon’s grandmother told us.

Lay is a 45-year-old man from Burma. He lives with his family in a village in Karen State. His wife is a homemaker while his son and daughter-in-law work as a day laborers. He also used to work as a day laborer before he stopped two months ago due to his loss of vision in his left eye. He has blurred vision and sometimes he also feels dizzy. When the doctor checked his left eye, he was diagnosed with a cataract as well as glaucoma. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund lens replacement surgery for Lay. On March 17th, doctors will perform a lens replacement, during which they will remove Lay's natural lens and replace with an intraocular lens implant in his eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $1,500 procedure. Lay said, "Now I am happy that I will receive surgery with the help of donors. Thank you everyone for helping me and I pray for you all with all my heart. I know this surgery will return my vision and will be a great benefit for my family if it will allow me to go back to work.”

Soti is a farmer from Kenya. Soti is a widow and mother of four with many grandchildren. Her husband died 28 years ago while she was still in her early 40’s. She became a strong woman for her children and took care of them. Ten years ago, Soti developed blurred vision in her eyes which is related to muscular degeneration. On February 27th she fell on her left hip while she was walking to the farm due to her poor vision. She is not able to walk and is in pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On March 4th, Soti will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help her heal and walk again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $968 to fund this procedure. Soti says, “I want to get out of bed and walk again, please pray for me and support my surgery.”

Paulo is a young man from Tanzania. He is a friendly boy and very social. He is the first born child to his mother who has four children. His father is polygamous and has two wives. The second wife has two children making it a family of six children. He was only able to go to school until class three and due to financial challenges. Paulo suffers form seizures and two years ago he was involved in a fire accident after getting a seizure and sustaining severe burns on his stomach and on his right side of his arm. This has left him with contracture on the axilla which is limiting his arm movement thus making him have challenges carrying out his daily life activities. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Paulo receive treatment. On January 31st, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help him move and use his arm freely again. Now, he needs help to fund this $608 procedure. Paulo’s mother says, “Our son needs this treatment but we can’t afford the cost, kindly help us.”

Habibi is a sweet and very shy girl from Ethiopia. She loves to play with her best friend at home. Habibi has two brothers and five sisters, and she loves to take care of her three younger siblings. Her father is a daily laborer and he maintains his family with the little he earns. Her mom is a house wife. Habibi dropped out of school when she was in grade 1 as a result of her condition. Habibi was born with an anorectal malformation, a congenital abnormality that leads to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. She needs to undergo a series of procedures to eliminate bowel dysfunction. Habibi is scheduled to undergo surgery to correct her condition on January 9th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Habibi's procedure and care. After her recovery, Habibi will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. Habibi’s father said, “It is my hope to see Habibi go to school and get educated after she gets treatment. I believe she will serve her community. She always says ‘I want to get treated go to school and be a doctor.’ That’s my prayer and hope for her. ”

Ndeye is a student from Tanzania. She is the fourth born child in a family of six children, she is a hard working girl and very social both at home and school. She is currently in class three and her favorite subject is mathematics. When she grows up she would like to be a doctor and help sick people. Her parents depend on small scale farmers and livestock keeping for their living. They don’t have much income but just enough to get them by. Ndeye has clubfoot of both her feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Ndeye traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on November 19. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $890 to fund Ndeye's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will be able to walk easily. Ndeye’s father says, “Her life will be easier if she able to have her legs corrected. Please help she is struggling so much walking to school.”