John is a 27-year-old young man from Kasarani in Kenya. He is the second born in a family of four children, and he is studying at Kenya School of Law to become a lawyer. Before his sickness, John enjoyed playing football with his friends. His father is a police officer, and his mother is a homemaker. John's condition started about a year ago when he started having epigastric pain (pain in his upper abdomen), nausea and heartburn. He was treated for H. pylori, a bacterial infection, with no improvement. The condition has affected his studies because it has hindered him from completing his exams. An endoscopy procedure showed that he is suffering from hiatus hernia - a condition where part of the stomach squeezes up into the chest through an opening ("hiatus") in the diaphragm. John is scheduled to have surgery on July 17th with our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH) and needs help with $788 to fund the procedure. If not treated, John will continue having the symptoms that may result in complications like gastrointestinal reflux syndrome, severe heartburn, difficulty swallowing, and the development of stomach ulcers. John shared, “I am still young and wish to complete my studies so that I can plan my future. I kindly request for help so that I get this treatment. I have no happiness or peace of mind until I get this surgery.”

Joshua is a 7-year-old student from Tanzania who is in grade two and enjoys Mathematics and English. He also loves to play soccer. He comes from a family of seven children. His hardworking mother practices small-scale farming, as well as livestock keeping, in order to support their family since she is the sole provider. Joshua has been diagnosed with bilateral genu valgus, a condition that causes his legs to bow outward. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, he is unable to fully enjoy games and sports with his classmates and siblings. This condition has also affected his day-to-day activities around the house. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Joshua. The procedure is scheduled to take place on August 9th. Treatment will hopefully restore Joshua's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Joshua's mother shares, "As a mother, seeing my son play and walk freely gives me joy, and that is what I desire."