Grayson is the fourth born in a family of five children. His mother shared that their family is not well off financially, as his father works a matatu driver and the sole breadwinner. His mother is not able to go to work as she has to take care of Grayson and his younger brother. Grayson was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, Grayson has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Grayson will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on June 17th. AMHF is requesting $569 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Grayson’s mother says, “As his mother, I can do anything to see my child is treated but I cannot go to work to help raise the funds for his surgery as I have to take care of him.”

Pascalina is a charming and friendly four-year-old girl. She is the youngest child in a family of four children, and her mother is currently pregnant and ready to welcome a new baby. Last year, Pascalina stayed home with her aunt while her mother went to sell vegetables at the market. Her aunt had a pot of porridge on the charcoal stove and when Pascalina ran into the house, she tripped over the pot sustaining burns. Her wounds have healed, but the skin around her elbow has contracted limiting her ability to straighten and use her left hand. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Pascalina receive treatment. On May 21st, surgeons at AMH's care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery. Now, her family needs help to fund this $874 procedure. Pascalina’s mother shared, "the accident has left my daughter with a deformed left hand which she is having difficult using. Please help us."

Degenet is an eight-month-old baby boy from Ethiopia and the third child born to his parents. He is curious and loves juice, eggs, and playing with his mom. His father is a day worker and a student, while his mom is a homemaker. Degenet was born with an anorectal malformation, a congenital abnormality that leads to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. He needs to undergo a series of procedures to eliminate bowel dysfunction. Degenet is scheduled to undergo surgery to correct his condition on May 4th. After his recovery, he will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Degenet's procedure and care. Degenet's mother shared, “I hope our baby gets as normal as other boys. I hope he will be educated and do good work in the future. And it is my hope he will serve God becoming a good Christian.”

Mary is a 46-year-old mother with two children aged 28 and 25 years old. Mary takes care of her family, while her husband is a casual laborer at construction sites. Mary was generally in good health until a few years ago, when she started having upper abdominal pain. To treat her condition, Mary visited many hospitals that provided her with pain medication. She also underwent a scan that showed she had gallstones, but was told treatment would not remove them. Fortunately, Mary's pastor and other friends advised her to come to Nazareth Hospital for another opinion, where a surgeon confirmed she had gallstones and advised that she undergo a cholecystectomy procedure for treatment. If not treated, Mary will continue to experience pain, and her condition could develop into bladder inflammation and bile duct inflammation. Mary will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare. She is scheduled to undergo a laparotomy to start treatment for her gallstones on April 1st, and the procedure will cost $788. Once recovered, she will hopefully be free of pain and able to return to her daily life activities. Mary shared, “I have had a lot of pain and have gone to very many places seeking treatment for the last four years. I kindly hope and plead for help so that I can be well and regain my normal life."

Fulgence is a 3-year-old boy and the fifth born child in a family of six children. Fulgence is a charming, friendly, and playful child. His parents are small scale farmers who grow maize, vegetables, and sunflowers. They depend entirely on what they harvest for their food and daily living. In 2019, Fulgence dipped his right hand in a pot of hot cooking oil, sustaining severe burns on his palm. His mother had been making mandazi, a morning snack, and left the hot oil unattended in a different room after she was done. Due to the family's income, Fulgence's parents were only able to take him to a local dispensary for treatment, where he had the burn dressed and continued with home treatments afterwards. His wounds eventually healed with contractures, which limit him from holding items comfortably. When Fulgence's mother heard about the plastic surgeons working at our medical partner's care center, she decided to seek treatment help for her son. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Fulgence receive treatment. On March 2nd, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery, which will help him to be able to use his right palm with ease. Now, he needs help to fund this $639 procedure. Fulgence’s mother shared, “The Watsi program has been of great help to me and my family through the funding of my daughter’s treatment cost, which we couldn’t afford. I am kindly asking for help for my son as well who is unable to hold things using his right hand. Please help him.”

Touch is a 31-year-old construction worker from Cambodia. He has been married for 15 years and has one son and two daughters. Touch's daughters are in school, and his son is nine months old and not yet in school. His wife is a factory worker but does not make enough money to support their family's needs. Currently, he and his family live with his mother due to his inability to work. He describes his general health as very poor, especially since his accident. In 2019, Touch was hit by a car and his left tibia was fractured in the accident. His family took him to a government hospital, where they treated him with a skin flap, but the bone was not stabilized and remained unhealed. When Touch returned home, the wound appeared to heal, but he still couldn’t walk. His left knee is very painful, and the wound scars appear infected. Touch now has a knee flexion contracture and can only walk with support. He takes pain medication to ease his symptoms, but it is still too painful for him to walk. When Touch learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for four hours seeking treatment. On February 4th, surgeons at CSC will perform knee fusion procedure to help him to walk without pain, secure his left knee, and restore pain-free range of motion in his left knee. Now, Touch needs help to fund this $518 procedure. Touch shared, "I hope that after surgery, my left leg will have no pain, and I can go back to work to support my family."

Hai is a 60-year-old farmer. She has two daughters and one son. Her husband died 20 years ago, so Hai lives with one of her children. When she isn't working, Hai enjoys having to time to play with her grandchildren. Hai has nasal polyps in each nostril that cause bad odor, discharge, and pain. She has been using medications she purchases at a pharmacy to manage these symptoms but her condition has not improved. Fortunately, surgeons at Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) are able to perform a bilateral polypectomy to alleviate these symptoms permanently. She needs help to raise $343 to fund the surgery. Hai said, "I really hope after the surgery my nose will be better, my headaches will be reduced, and the infection will go away. When I am healed, I will help my children with their work."

Jackline is a 13-year-old girl from Kenya and the fifth born in a family of six children. Her father works as a farmer, while her mother is a housewife. In school, Jackline is a humble and hardworking Class 8 student. She aspires to be a doctor in the future so that she can be of help to her village, where the community feels they are marginalized and lack facilities like hospitals and schools. Jackline was born with a condition known as bilateral genu valgum, or knock knees. This condition has severely affected her mobility. She cannot walk for a long distance or play with her friends, and this has greatly affected her self-esteem. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner's care center can help. On December 1st, Jackline is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on her left leg, and then will subsequently undergo surgery on her right leg. The surgery will be of great impact because, once recovered, she will be able to walk well without pain and discomfort. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,224 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Jackline shared, "I will be very happy if my legs are corrected and I can walk to school like my friends." Hellen, Jackline's mother, added, “We are appealing for help from well-wishers so that our daughter can walk normally.”

Debora is a three-weeks-old beautiful baby girl and the firstborn child to her young parents. Both parents are small-scale farmers and depend fully on what they harvest for their daily living. Debora was born with spina bifida, a type of neural tube defect in which the spine does not properly close around the spinal cord. Without treatment, Debora is at risk of lower-limb paralysis, infection of the exposed nervous tissue, development of tethered cord syndrome, and possible developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,015 to cover the cost of Debora's spina bifida closure surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on November 2nd. This procedure will hopefully spare Debora from the risks associated with her condition, instead allowing her to grow and develop along a healthy trajectory. Debora’s mother shared with us, “Please help my daughter I am scared. I would love to see my daughter grow up into a big girl but this condition is putting her life at risk.”

Sok is a 23-year-old watch seller from Cambodia. He has one older sister, and enjoys playing soccer for exercise and listening to music. In October 2019, Sok suffered injuries to his left hip after a motorcycle accident. He now experiences hip dislocation and pain, and is unable to walk without support. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On December 24th, Sok will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $430. Surgery will help Sok to walk easily again and relieve any pain in his hip. "I hope that I will be able to walk again and return to work like before," Sok said.

Mao is a 43-year-old construction worker from Cambodia. He and his wife have been married for 20 years and have five children together. His wife is a seasonal farm worker while Mao raises and sells chickens to supplement his income. He enjoys taking care of his chickens and teaches his sons about it in his free time. He also likes to go fishing and watch boxing matches on TV. In July 2020, Mao was working on his brother's house to fix the roof when he accidentally received a high voltage shock. This caused burns to both of his hands and feet. His burns are still painful and he cannot walk or use his hands. The burns on his right hand were too severe to treat and his hand had to be amputated. His left hand is treatable and shows good movement. When Mao learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for six hours seeking treatment. On August 4th, surgeons at CSC will perform a nerve graft and abdominal flap procedure to to help heal his left hand and allow him to use it again. Now, he needs help to fund this $787 procedure. Mao said, "I hope that my left hand can be saved and that I can get back my strength. I can earn money to support my family with one hand, so everything will be ok."

Angel is a 6-year-old student from Kenya. Our medical partner shared that they met Angel’s mother in the hospital corridors crying, she looked depressed and they drew in closer to inquire for more information. She showed our team her invoice and explained that she cannot raise the estimated bill. Angel is 6yrs old, the second and last born in her family. She is a nursery school pupil and likes the company of small kids. Their family hails from Gilgil in Nakuru county. Angel's mother is a single parent and she is a waitress at a small hotel. They live in a one-roomed rental house. Angel has clubfoot of both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Angel traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on June 8th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,347 to fund Angel's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will be able to walk easily and hopefully enjoy a full, active life. “Any kind of support to make my daughter walk well is highly appreciated,” Angel’s mother told us.