Leakhen is a bright and hardworking 12-year-old girl. She and her brother live with their parents, who are rainy day farmers, in Takeo province in Cambodia. Leakhen enjoys playing with her brother, reading books, and doing homework. When she grows up, Leakhen would like to be a teacher. Leakhen was born with congenital scoliosis. Congenital scoliosis is the presence of an abnormal curvature of the spine. The curvature causes the spinal column to bend left or right. Leakhen is not able to stand up straight or expand her lungs, which causes her frequent fatigue and chronic pain. Because of the stress that scoliosis places on the vital organs of adolescents and their ability to grow, active treatment is required. If not corrected, she could experience progressive weakness, numbness, or a loss of coordination. Leakhen is embarrassed to go places because of her condition. She has had two previous surgical procedures, and surgeons have determined that she needs a revision of her spinal rod to help her heal. Leakhen and her family traveled to our medical partner’s care center to receive treatment. On September 17th, she will undergo a revision of her spinal rod. During this procedure, surgeons will implant and expand a rod to allow her to continue to grow normally. Our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, is requesting $1,500 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. This support will help her feel confident and be active like other children her age. Leakhen said, "I hope that my spine will look better and I can play with other children."

Asiimwe is a 41-year-old small scale farmer from Uganda and a mother of three children. Her firstborn is 14 years old and in secondary school class one, the second born is 11 years old and in primary school class five, while her youngest is 8 years old and in primary school class four. Her husband is a primary school teacher and their family tries to earn enough to make ends meet. During her free time, she enjoys taking care of her family. About one year ago, Asiimwe began to experience troubling symptoms, including difficulty breathing. She was diagnosed with a goitre and needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Asiimwe receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on December 7th at our medical partner's care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $293, and Asiimwe and her family need your support. Asiimwe shared: “My condition has interfered with my productivity, I pray that I may be considered for surgery. I will resume farming as soon as possible.”

Rachel is a very social and talkative six-year-old from Tanzania. She has not had the chance to join school yet but her grandmother plans to enroll her next year. She is the first born child to her mother who had two children and is currently being raised by her grandmother for the past few years. Her grandmother had to take Rachel and raise her since their mother would spend her money on alcohol and would leave both children at home for hours without food or anyone to look after them. Rachel was diagnosed with genu varus. bilateral bowing of the femur. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, Rachel has difficulty walking. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $940 to fund corrective surgery for Rachel. The procedure is scheduled to take place on November 14th. Treatment will hopefully restore Rachel's mobility, allow her to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease her risk of future complications. Rachel’s grandmother says, “Please help treat her, her mother has abandoned her and I can’t afford the treatment cost."

Neema is a child from Tanzania. She is the fourth born child in a family of four children. Neema’s mother is a stay home mother she is was working before Neema’s birth, but after Neema was born with Spinal Bifida she had to be committed to taking care of Neema and her father is a small business man. Three months ago, Neema has been experiencing difficulty in breathing and sleep apnea. She was given medication to use for a few days which helped but her condition has been worsening as she is growing up. Neema was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils, which, if not treated, will cause her symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $633 to fund a tonsillectomy for Neema, which is scheduled to take place on August 23rd. Surgeons will remove her tonsils, hopefully relieving Neema of her symptoms and helping her live more comfortably. Neema’s mother says, “Neema’s condition is getting worse she is not sleeping well and her health is deteriorating. Please help her get this treatment.”

Mary walks into my office with the top of her cardigan covering her chin. She sits on the chair opposite me with one hand clasping the top of her black cardigan to veil the swell running from her jawline to her neck. The lower lip protrudes with a peeping swelling attached in so that her upper lip cannot touch the lower one. This has been Mary’s life for over 6 months. Late last year, Mary developed a small swelling on her jaw. It was not painful and therefore she did not think of it as serious. As time passed, the swell grew in size. Mary who could eat just about anything now has restrictions on what she can eat. There is pain when she bends and this has also obstructed her working. Mary is married with two children. She was a subsistence farmer before the condition restricted her activities. Mary and her husband depend on one of their daughter who sells second-hand clothes. Besides helping her parents, she has four children under her care. Mary says, “Please help me because I can barely eat."

Genet is a playful cute baby from Ethiopia. He is the only child to his mother, a finance officer at an insurance company in the capital. Genet has hypospadias, a congenital malformation where the urinary opening is not in the usual place. This challenges the young child from peeing while standing like any other boy. If not treated, Genet will continue experiencing difficulties urinating, suffer social discrimination and reproductive challenges when he grows up. He was reviewed in our facility and surgery to correct the defect recommended. Genet's mother is a single mom with limited income to meet all the demands of city life including basic needs and that of healthcare. She was shocked to learn about the required surgery and afraid as she is not able to meet the cost of treatment. She appeals for financial assistance. Fortunately, Genet is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on October 16th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,231 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Genet's mother says, "I am here with a hope that he gets the surgery."

Joyce is business woman and 47-year-old mother of three from Gitaru, Kenya. She has been widowed since 2003. Her daughter is 29 and married but unemployed while her son is in university and her youngest daughter is yet to join university. Two weeks ago someone pointed out that Joyce's neck looked a bit swollen. Joyce decided visit the hospital. She began to experience troubling symptoms, including a swollen neck. She was diagnosed with multinodular goitre and needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Joyce receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on December 26th at our medical partner's care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $625, and she and her family need help raising money. “When I was told of the diagnosis I gathered a group of people to help me pray towards the provision of funds for surgery. My prayers have been answered,” Joyce commented on the prospect of financial assistance for her surgery.

Duncan is a young boy from Kenya, who was 1 month old when he was diagnosed with distal hypospadias. This is a condition where the urethral opening is abnormally placed. His mother took him to the nearest hospital and was referred to a Watsi partner hospital. In March 2018, she brought Duncan to Kijabe and had one successful surgery performed on him. Duncan needs a second surgery to complete his treatment but his family faces a financial crisis to pay for it. Duncan is the second born of two children and lives with his parents and sibling in Eastern Kenya. His parents are peasant farmers without an external source of income. They are not able to raise the funds needed. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $700 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. “I am more hopeful than ever, that my son will get treated,” says Duncan’s mother.

Joseph is a young boy from Kenya who was diagnosed with a left inguinal hernia in November. His mother who was giving him a bath noted the abnormal swelling. With the swell being persistent, a scan was done and revealed a left inguinal hernia. This is a condition that occurs when tissue, such as part of the intestine, protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles. If not treated, Joseph is at a risk of suffering strangulation which can potentially restrict blood flow to the body tissue and result in gangrene. Joseph’s mother is a housewife while his father is employed as a tout. With a very menial income, the young parents are not able to raise the funds needed. They do not have medical insurance and lack funds to pay for the surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $423 to fund Joseph's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably.

Joselyn is a peasant farmer from Uganda who was diagnosed with goitre. She has suffered for the past five years, complaining of difficulty breathing, headache and consistent palpitations. She is not able to perform most of her daily work. Joselyn was not able to get funds for surgery previously so continued struggling with the condition. She came to our facility and had surgery recommended. With successful surgery, Joselyn will be able to lead a normal life. Joselyn is a mother of 10 children. They are not in any formal employment and thus unable to help their mother. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Joselyn receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on December 10th at our medical partner's care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $240, and she and her family need help raising money. Joselyn says, “I hope to have a successful surgery so that I continue with cultivation at my farm.”

Ashley is a baby from Kenya. Ashley’s father is employed casually in a company in the Coastal region of Kenya. Her mother on the other hand is a full-time mom. Ashley lives with her parents and elder sister in a two-room house with an income that barely sustains their needs. Ashley underwent a colostomy, in which the end of the colon is brought through an opening in the abdominal wall. This surgery is often performed to bypass bowel malformations, but colostomies are usually temporary and may call for closure. In Ashley's case, her colostomy requires closure in order to restore bowel function and prevent future complications. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $619 to cover the cost of a colostomy closure for Ashley. The surgery is scheduled to take place on October 29th and, once completed, will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably and confidently. “The journey has been long and tedious, but hopefully we will make it through soon,” says Ashley’s mother.

Alice is a wife and mother of eight from Tanzania. Her husband, is also a farmer, and they both assist each other in their daily duties. They plant potatoes for consumption and also for commercial purpose. The family is hardworking but due to having a large family, they struggle financially to make ends meet. Also to add to their hardship, one of their children is paralyzed and disabled. Alice has give him special attention because he can’t leave the compound and all he can do is crawl outside and in the house. Seven years ago, Alice began to experience troubling symptoms, including anterior neck swelling that has been increasing in size. She was diagnosed with a goiter, an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Alice receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on November 15th at our medical partner's care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $641, and she and her family need help raising money. Alice says, “I want to be a strong mother for my children especially my son. I have good plans for them.”