Luana is the only child of her mother and father. Her mother is a college student hoping to become a doctor, and her father is a market vendor. They live in the Amazon basin of northeastern Bolivia. Luana was born with a condition called ventricular septal defect, in which a hole exists between the two lower chambers of her heart; blood leaks through this hole without passing through her lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving her weak and short of breath. Luana also has Down syndrome. Our partner International Cardiac Alliance is requesting $1,500 to fund cardiac surgery which will help her to grow up healthy and active. Luana's mother shares, "We are so grateful that the hospital selected our daughter to have surgery, and we are praying everything will go well!"

Peter is a student from Kenya who just completed secondary school. He is the third born in his family of seven children. Peter's father passed away, making his mother and older brother the primary providers for his family. His mother works as a small-scale farmer, while his brother works as a truck conductor. In his free time, Peter likes playing football with his friends. In early May, Peter slipped and fell on his left leg. His older brother brought him to the hospital, where Peter received an X-ray revealing a fractured tibia. He needs to undergo surgery to relieve his pain and ensure his leg heals properly to prevent future complications. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On May 15th, Peter will undergo a fracture repair procedure called an open reduction and internal fixation. Upon recovery, he will be able to walk with ease. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $1,049 to fund this procedure. Peter said: "I am just starting my adult life and have high hopes for how I wish it would be. I request your help so that my leg can be well again."

Tiny is a 29-year-old policeman. He's married and has a son and a daughter. His wife is an office worker in a construction material shop, and his children are students in a local public school. When he has free time, Tiny enjoys playing football with his friends. One year ago, Tiny developed a pterygium in his right eye. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage, and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. As a result, Tiny experiences irritation and burning and feels insecure about his eye. When Tiny learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled there hoping for treatment. On January 18th, Tiny will undergo a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent a recurrence. CSC is requesting $216 to fund the total cost of his procedure, which covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. Tiny shared, "After surgery, I hope my eye looks and feels better, and doesn't look so irritated. Having better vision will help me do my job better."

Dickson is a sweet five-year-old and the second born in a family of three children. Dickson’s father works finding jobs on construction sites for a living while the mother sells vegetables and fruits to be able to support their family. One of their relatives told Dickson’s parents to try seeking treatment for him with our medical partner's care center in Arusha. Dickson was diagnosed with bilateral genu varus, where his knees bow so that they always touch. 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 has difficulty and pain walking. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Dickson. The procedure is scheduled to take place on February 4th. Treatment will hopefully restore Dickson's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Dickson’s mother shared: “We have tried to seek treatment for our son but eventually we could no longer continue due to financial challenges."

Nickson is a milk vendor from Kenya. A few months ago, he married his wife and now they are expecting their firstborn baby. His wife is a housewife and they live in a mud house on a farm. Nickson was not able to go to college, so he decided to become a milk vendor so that he could provide for his young and growing family. In December 2020, Nickson was involved in a road traffic accident - he was riding a motorcycle when he collided with an oncoming lorry truck. He was rushed to the district hospital where he had a cast applied and was then discharged home. However, two weeks ago, he started having pain while he was walking. A friend referred Nickson to a local medical facility. Nickson was examined and sent for an x-ray which revealed that he had fractured his knee. Right now, Nickson has trouble standing on his right foot or flexing his knee. Fortunately, surgeons at our Medical Partner, African Mission Healthcare, can help Nickson, and they are requesting $1,016 to fund his procedure. On March 3rd, Nickson will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help him walk more easily again. Nickson says, “My hope is to receive treatment, be well, and continue supporting my young family."

Elnatan is a 1-year-old boy from Uganda. He is very playful and loves to play with car toys. Elnatan is an only child. His mom makes traditional coffee for a living, and she is the main breadwinner and caretaker for the family. His dad is an assistant mechanic, but, as his mom shared, he does not contribute as much to the family due to his problems with alcoholism. Elnatan was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, Elnatan has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Elnatan will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo a corrective surgery called an orchidopexy on January 21st. AMHF is requesting $754 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Elnatan's mother shared, “I believe he will heal and go to school and become a clever student. I hope he will lead his own organization and become financially successful one day."

Srey Pich is a 6-year-old student in the first grade. She has two siblings. Srey Pich's father is a construction worker, and her mother is a factory worker. Some of her favorite foods are fried vegetables, traditional Khmer soup, and coconut milk. In her free time, Srey Pich loves painting and drawing pictures. Five months ago, Srey Pitch got a high fever after bathing in the river with her friend, and developed an ear infection. This infection caused a cholesteatoma, or an abnormal skin growth, to develop in the middle ear behind the ear drum. As a result, Srey Pich experiences foul-smelling ear discharge, tinnitus, and hearing loss. It is difficult for her to hear sounds or communicate with anyone around her. Srey Pich traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On February 1st, she will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure in her right ear. During this procedure, ENT surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $925 to fund this procedure. This covers Srey Pich's medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Her family shared, "We hope that this procedure will improve her hearing and stop her ear discharge. She loves going to school, and nowadays is often sick and must stay home."

Jane is a middle-aged woman from Kenya and a mother of three. She is a grocer in her hometown of Kapsokwony and lives in a rental house. Jane separated with his husband eight years ago when he remarried. That is when she decided to start her grocery business to, as she shared, "at least to get things going and put something on the table." Her children had to stop their schooling in grade 8 because she was unable to pay for their school fees. Jane’s condition begun over 10 years ago. She visited the nearest health facility but they could not help her condition hence she was asked to visit a better hospital for further investigations. Doctors examined her and she was diagnosed with a goitre that needed surgery. Not being the only one in the village with the same condition, Jane turned to herbal medicine just like the rest in her community. She continued using herbal medicines for many years but her condition did not improve in fact her condition was worsening. She could not work for long, she had difficulty in swallowing, and she lost weight and increased sensitivity to cold. She stopped using herbs and feels now she needs the right treatment which is through surgery. She started looking for solutions but everything seemed impossible without money. It was not until one evening when she was listening to the radio and heard the news about a free medical camp that was organized by Kapsowar Mission Hospital in their area. That is when Jane decided to seek consultation from Medical Partner's doctors. She was diagnosed with a multinodular goitre and was asked to come to the hospital for it to be removed surgically. Because of her socioeconomic status, Jane is unable to pay for her surgery but she is a strong believer and has a lot of hopes that she will receive treatment and get healed. She is requesting anyone reading her story to support her in raising money for her surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Jane receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on September 10th at our medical partner's care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $673 and she and her family need help raising money. Jane says, “I want this mass to be removed for two reasons; so that I can continue with my daily duties and also that the people in my community learn that herbal medicines cannot cure and they should seek medical care at the hospital.”

Muzoora is a young student from Uganda. He is the third child in a family of five children. All are studying in both primary and nursery school classes. Muzoora’s father is a builder by profession but since he works in the village, he rarely gets sites for construction; he last got work six months ago. His mother is a small-scale farmer and she at times works in other people’s farms whenever a need for money comes in. Three years ago, Muzoora developed an inguinal hernia. Muzoora always complains of pain whenever he coughs or laughs, when he stretches as he is playing with others, and he has ongoing abdominal discomfort. Fortunately, on May 21st, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $241 to fund Muzoora's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Muzoora's father says: “I will be grateful once my child is free from this pain because it worries us as his parents.”

Khin is 38-year-old woman in Thailand. Originally from Mon State, Burma, Khin went to one of the refugee camps in Thailand to visit her cousins and search for job opportunities four years ago. However, Khin met her husband there and ended up moving in with her parents-in-law, four brothers-in-law and a nephew in the camp. Since 2016, Khin has been experiencing abnormal bleeding, pain in her back and suprapubic area which increases whenever she walks long distances. She has been diagnosed with uterine myoma. She has been advised to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy, the surgical removal of her uterus and cervix. If left untreated, Khin's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. Fortunately, Khin is scheduled to undergo her hysterectomy with our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, and is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Once recovered, she will no longer experience pain or discomfort and will be able to return to work full-time.

Anastacia is a farmer from Kenya. She is a mother of four children-two in high school and two in college. Her family strains to raise school fees for their children as they do not have an external source of income aside from subsistence farming, which she practices together with her husband. Anastacia and her family live in a two-room house in Central Kenya. Late last year, Anastacia developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her blurry vision. A cataract occurs when the lens of the eye becomes opaque, blurring vision. She has difficulty reading which she likes to do. Fortunately, Anastacia is scheduled to undergo cataract surgery at Watsi's medical partner's care center. Surgeons will remove and replace the blurred lens. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $220 procedure. “I am glad there is hope to regain my sight,” says Anastacia.

Bernard is a father of four from Kenya who came to our facility with a left knee injury he sustained after falling on a rock, a few days ago. Unable to raise funds required, he could not come for orthopaedic review. A week later, Bernard received support from his brother who paid for his transportation to our hospital. He had x-ray imaging done and diagnosed with closed knee fracture of his left patella. He walks in pain and his knee is swollen. Bernard operates a tractor after missing out on studies due to financial constraints. His monthly income is quite negligible to meet the cost of surgery. His wife sells at a grocery shop in the local market to provide for their our children. With the fracture, Bernard is not able to provide for his family. They appeal for help. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On January 22nd, Bernard will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. The surgery will reduce chances of further complications on the fracture and allow him to walk with ease. Bernard was able to contribute $50 toward his treatment, but does not have the funds for the full treatment. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $771 to fund this procedure. Bernard says, “I want to get treated so that I can go out to provide for my family. There is no one to help them now when I am injured. I am looking forward to stepping on my feet again.”