Chan is a 39-year-old father of three from Cambodia. They have three children who are all in school. He and his wife were both rubber tappers, collecting latex from rubber trees, but neither can work now. His wife is pregnant, and Chan was in an accident three months ago. His relatives are helping with his children’s education. At home, he helps with housework, such as cleaning and cooking, and supports his wife. Chan fell from a truck three months ago while carrying a heavy bag of potatoes. He suffered a dislocated right shoulder along with a greater tuberosity fracture. This injury involved the bone in his upper arm coming out of the shoulder joint, and it also fractured the area where vital shoulder muscles attach. Due to financial constraints, he could not receive care at a hospital and instead sought treatment from Khmer traditional medicine. However, he still cannot lift his shoulder, experiences numbness in his lower arm, and cannot carry heavy objects. It is difficult for him to use his right arm, and he has pain and weakness in his shoulder. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On May 8th, Chan will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $471. This treatment will help him regain shoulder movement, reduce pain, and allow him to use his arm for daily activities again. Chan shared, "I want to work again soon to support and care for my pregnant wife and children."

Justine, who is 37 years old, is a married man with three children in primary school. He is a laborer, who works with his wife on peoples’ farms to earn a living and to provide for their children. For over 20 years, Justine has been living with a large tumor located on his left cheek. While it started out small, it has continued to increase in size over the years. While he remains relatively symptom free, Justine is uncomfortable when he is out in public. Justine finally visited a facility for treatment, where a fine needle aspiration was performed, to determine whether or not the growth was malignant. The results indicated that the mass was benign, and doctors scheduled a procedure to excise it. However, as Justine didn't have sufficient funds to cover the costs of his treatment, he turned to herbal medicine for help. This has only worsened the tumor. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is seeking $1,196 to pay for Justine's mass excision, which is scheduled to take place on October 12th, at AIC Kapsowar Hospital. Once the tumor has been removed, Justine's self esteem will be restored, and he will be able to lead a more comfortable life. Justine says: “I have been uncomfortable and without confidence for over twenty years. Please help me so that I may have a normal face and be able to carry out tasks that will help me provide for my family.”

Justine is 28-year-old pregnant woman from Uganda. She lives with her husband and daughter in a small village about 30km from the hospital. Justine works as a subsistence farmer growing food for her family’s consumption on rented land. She also is a farm laborer and picks tea in plantations. Justine enjoys life playing with her three-year-old daughter and is looking forward to having another child. When she is not working, Justine enjoys socializing with neighbors and going to church. She makes dolls from banana fibers for her daughter to play with. Justine has several complications that indicate it is highly likely she will need a C-section to have a safe delivery. She delivered her daughter by C-section and has lost a previous pregnancy due to abstracted labor. $258 will cover the cost of the C-section Justine needs to safely deliver her baby. When her baby boy arrives she would like to call him “Wealthiest,” take him to school, and hope that he will "get rich to change their story." Justine would like to thank all the donors and hopes that they continue to help others.

Twenty-one year old Simon lives with his parents and five siblings in a small village in Uganda. When he can work, he works as a farm laborer for others, contributing much needed income to his family. In his free time, Simon enjoys going for walks in the evening, visiting with the other men in the village, and going to church. Simon walked several miles to the hospital after he heard from a neighbor that he might be able to get help for his hernia. He has been in pain for more than one year and been unable to work and could not afford the surgery to correct the hernia. Simon is looking forward to getting well so he can contribute to his family again. He is also looking forward to being able to play soccer again. $229 will cover the costs of the surgery and care Simon needs. Simon shared, “I am full of happiness at the prospect of getting well. I thank all the donors for their help.”

“We all want what is best for Kendory and hoping that this test will provide a way to fix his heart,” says Kendory's mother. Kendory is a two-year old boy from Haiti with a condition called a ventricular septal defect, in which a hole exists between the two chambers of his heart. To determine whether this condition is repairable, doctors need to insert a catheter into the chambers of his heart to diagnose his condition with confidence, and come up with an accurate treatment plan. This procedure costs $1,500, and following the procedure, Kendory's family will know with certainty whether the condition is operable or not. “If operable, plans will then be made to move forward with this surgery as soon as possible,” explains our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA). “Since this is not possible in Haiti, arrangements are being made to bring him to Dominican Republic to perform this extremely important test in the hopes that he can have heart surgery later in the year,” shares HCA. Kendory lives with his mother, father, and older sister and brother, and is a very happy child, curious about everything around him. Let's help Kendory receive the test and treatment he needs.

Meet Sabiolie, a 7-month-old baby girl, who lives in rural Haiti with her parents and four older brothers and sisters. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, tells us, “Her parents are both farmers. Sabiolie has Down syndrome and her parents and older siblings are very devoted to caring for her. She is a very happy baby and has made friends with all of her nurses and doctors.” “Sabiolie was born with a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect, in which a hole exists between the two lower chambers of her heart,” Haiti Cardiac Alliance explains. “Blood leaks through this hole without first passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving her sickly and weak. If not corrected with surgery, this condition would eventually be fatal.” Sabiolie has received a $5,000 donation from Health City Cayman Islands for cardiac surgery. We can raise another $1,500 to cover the cost of the overseas prep and transportation. Haiti Cardiac Alliance tells us that post-surgery, “Sabiolie should have normal circulation to her body and no further cardiac symptoms.” Sabiolie’s father shares, “We would like to thank God, the doctors and nurses, and everyone who is helping Sabiolie to get better.”

“Akanyijuka is very grateful for any help you can give him and looks forward to getting well and helping others as you have helped him,” shares our medical partner, The Kellermann Foundation (KF). Akanyijuka is a 27-year-old man from Uganda. KF tells us, “Akanyijuka and his sister were orphaned at a very young age and have been on their own since then. Because they were orphaned, they were unable to afford school fees to obtain an education. Akanyijuka has been supporting his sister as a laborer but has been unable to work for a while.” Akanyijuka was sidelined by a hernia—a condition in which an organ or fatty tissue squeezes through a weak spot in a surrounding muscle or connective tissue. Untreated for a long period of time, Akanyijuka’s hernia led to a blockage in his intestine. This blockage prevents the passage of fluid or digested food through his intestine, causing severe bloating, abdominal pain, decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. After living with the blockage for a period of time, Akanyijuka has become severely malnourished. KF explains, “Akanyijuka has been unable to absorb nutrients properly and is unable to work.” With $227 in funding, Akanyijuka will receive surgery to repair the tear in his tissue, thus treating his hernia. The funding will cover surgery, medication, and Akanyijuka’s 14-day hospital stay. Following surgery, Akanyijuka will be able to return to work and continue to support himself and his sister.

“My wife and child depend on me,” explains John. “I want to get well soon so that I can work again and provide for them. I thank God for the people that saved my life and have been helping my family through this difficult time.” John is a 26-year-old married husband and father who lives in Kenya, in a small wooden house he built himself. He works as a casual farmer to provide for his family, and often takes a motorbike taxi to and from work sites. Several months ago, a man ambushed John’s taxi, chased John and assaulted him. Hearing John’s screams, several people came to his rescue and saved his life, though his leg was badly damaged. “John is not able to walk without support and is in severe pain,” report our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation. “He has not been able to work since early February due to the injury. If surgery is not done, John is likely to suffer severe infection which could lead to amputation of his leg.” For $660, we can fund open reduction and internal fixation surgery to repair John’s broken leg. After surgery, John will be able to walk again and return to work.

Meet Aydarus, a 26-year old man living in Somaliland. He sustained severe burns in an accident, and has had to travel 16 hours round-trip to receive constant treatment in the last year, including skin grafts. Aydarus needs further medical care, but is unable to afford it since he hasn't been able to work since his accident. For $1,500 he will receive the care his wounds need as well as have his bilateral axillary contractures released, which will allow him to "be able to move his arms more freely...and therefore obtain more autonomy in his daily living" shares our partner, Edna Adan Hospital (EAH). “Aydarus is looking forward to the end of his treatment so he can start 'fresh,'" adds EAH. Let's help him get there!