James is a 52-year-old boda-boda driver from Kenya. He is a father to four children, all of whom are adults. His wife is a homemaker, and he is the sole breadwinner for the family. On February 5th, 2021, James was in a road traffic accident and sustained a burst fracture of T12 spinal cord transection. Immediately after the accident, he was aware of the intensity of the injury because he could not use his lower limbs and had a sharp pain in the mid-back. He was assisted by well-wishers and was rushed to Watsi's Medical Partner Care Center Kijabe Hospital, where the orthopaedic team ran x-rays and other tests. Now, James needs to undergo a posterior spinal instrumentation and fusion, a procedure that is aimed at stabilizing his spine and avoiding future complications. However, James does not have medical coverage and is therefore required to raise the full deposit for his surgery. He has raised some financial contributions from friends and relatives, but needs additional support for his care. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping James receive treatment. He is scheduled to undergo a spinal fusion procedure on February 10th at our medical partner's care center. This procedure will cost $1,500, and will hopefully allow James' legs to heal and regain some mobility. James shared, “I hope I will be able use my legs again. I need help both surgically and financially given that the cost of the surgery is high and I am unable to afford.”

Colling is a handsome eleven-month-old baby boy from Tanzania. He has a twin brother whose name is Collins. Colling's father is the sole provider to the family through his small business of selling used car spare parts. Colling and his twin brother were born healthy babies, but at one month of age, his mother realized that he had an unusual swelling around his pelvis. Doctors at the regional hospital diagnosed him with an inguinal hernia, but told them to wait until he was six months old to seek treatment. As time went on, Colling's condition got worse, causing him a lot of pain and he would cry a lot. Colling's parents decided to seek treatment at a different hospital, but the cost of treatment was too high for them to afford. His mother says that due to the pain, Collings has not been able to crawl or move around with the same ease as his twin brother. Colling's parents are unable to afford the treatment that Colling needs and appeal for financial help. Fortunately, on January 18th, Colling will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $566 to fund Colling's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently, and he will be able to grow up healthy, and walk and play with his brother. Colling’s mother shared, “Please help my son, since this problem has made him lag behind compared to his twin brother.”

Sherline is a 7-year-old playful girl from Kenya. Last Friday, Shirlene arrived at the hospital with pain in her right leg and head after being hit by a tree branch. Sherline had gone to fetch firewood with her friends when the accident happened. She was rushed to the hospital by samaritans and on arrival, an x-ray was done which confirmed a right femur fracture. Because she was unable to use her leg and was in pain, Sherline was put on traction to reduce pain, avoid irritation, and help put tension on the displaced bone. Sherline was born and raised in a village in Elgeyo Marakwet County. She was the firstborn child of a single mother. In 2015, during the Marakwet and Pokot clashes in their region, her mother was eloped and taken away to an unknown location. Since then Sherline has not seen her mum and, currently, she stays with her elderly grandmother. Shirlene's grandmother is a farmer of millet for their family's consumption. They live in a two-roomed grass-thatched house.  Sherline is going through a tough experience with intense pain, trauma, and discomfort. She needs urgent help to fix her condition. Their family is facing financial hardship and is asking anyone reading Sherline's story to help her raise the fee for her surgery. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On December 16th, Sherline will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. The surgery will reduce the pain, initiate her healing, and help her to walk easily again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,016 to fund this procedure. Shirleen's guardian shared, "It's paining me to see her cry in pain, I want her to receive treatment and be able to walk again."

Aiden is a four-year-old boy from Kenya. He is a playful kindergartener who hails from Kanam Keener Village in Turkana County. On November 13th, Aiden sustained a severe injury to his right upper limb after he fell on a hard ground while playing with his friends. His aunt brought him to the hospital after she heard his cries outside. Aiden was reviewed by our partner doctors, who conducted an X-Ray revealing a fracture to his right supracondylar or upper arm bone. Because he was in pain and could not move his hand, doctors applied skin traction to stabilize his fracture and realign the normal position of the bone. Aiden will need an Open Reduction and External Fixation (OREF) procedure to fully treat his injury. Unfortunately, this procedure is costly for Aiden and his family. Aiden is the second born child in a family of three. His mother is a single mother who earns wages from laundry labor. Because she lacks a stable job, she is struggling financially, exacerbated especially by the COVID pandemic. She decided to take Aiden to stay with his aunt because it was difficult for her to support three children by herself. Aiden and his family are appealing for financial help. On November 16th, Aiden will undergo an OREF procedure at our medical partner's care center, which will cost $801. Once recovered, he will be able to move his hand again and carry out daily life activities as normal. Aiden's mother shared, “He has so much pain. I hope he gets treated and feels better and will be well again”.

Tabitha is a middle-aged woman from Kenya and a very jovial lady. She is a single mother with two children. In December 2019, Tabitha started feeling some swollen tissue in her breast. A few days later, she went to a nearby hospital to seek care. In the facility, a scan was done and she was given some medication. As time went by, the tissue in her breast continued to grow and worried Tabitha greatly. She returned to the facility to seek further treatment, but beyond a biopsy test and another scan, the facility told her they could not offer her additional treatment. When a family member paid her a visit, Tabitha shared her story and was referred to Kijabe Hospital. Upon arrival, she was examined and diagnosed with breast cancer. The doctors recommended a mastectomy to remove the lump in her breast. Without treatment, the cancer may metastasize to other organs. Tabitha has struggled financially to raise both of her children. To earn a living, she makes and repairs fishing nets and hooks and later sells them. One of her children has joined her in this business, and the other one does casual jobs to earn a living. Tabitha is not able to raise or source funds to pay for this surgery and appeals for financial help. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $857 to cover the cost of a mastectomy for Tabitha. The procedure is scheduled to take place on October 15th. After treatment, Tabitha will hopefully return to a cancer-free life. Tabitha says, “Having heard from the doctor that the swollen tissue might be cancerous, I am very much worried about my health. On the other hand, I am happy that the tissue can be removed. I am hopeful that I will receive treatment very soon despite having no money for the surgery.”

Hellen is a farmer from Kenya. Hellen, accompanied by her youngest daughter, looks uneasy but confident as she met with our local Watsi rep. She shared a smile as we approached her but occasionally frowns and gets lost in thoughts. She has symptomatic fibroids which have been causing her excessive bleeding since 2015. Doctors recommended a Total Abdominal Hysterectomy-TAH to help stop the prolonged bleeding and relieve her of stomach aches and discomfort. Hellen's problem started in early February 2015 when she began experiencing stomach aches and bleeding. She visited a nearby health centre and was treated for suspected ulcers and stomach pains. Although her pains and the discharges kept recurring, she never visited the hospital but was managing the condition with medication from a nearby pharmacy. However, in November 2016 her condition worsened and she was forced to visit a bigger hospital. After a series of tests and visits to the facility, doctors recommended myomectomy. At the time Hellen was taking care of two of her family members, her husband who succumbed to prostate cancer, and a son who has epilepsy. Due to financial constraints, she was unable to get the surgery done and opted not to seek medical attention. After a while, her daughter mobilized resources from friends and relatives and opted to bring her to Watsi's Medical Partner Care Center Kijabe Hospital for medical attention. The OBS/GYN team recommended a TAH, of which she is unable to fully cover the cost. She was recently widowed after her husband and the father to her 4 children passed on as a result of his cancer. Her second-born child is suffering from epilepsy and has been in and out of the hospital depleting their family's already limited resources. She shared that her kids have been supportive but bills for her husband and his subsequent burial have forced them to seek help from well-wishers and relatives. Her National Health Insurance has not been approved for the procedure. Hellen lives in a one-acre piece of land in Embu where they practice small scale farming for home use. She was a housewife who relies on her children since her husband who was the breadwinner passed on. She is unable to pay for the cost of the surgery and treatment and hereby requests for help. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $794 to fund Hellen's surgery. On September 24th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center. Once recovered, Hellen will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Hellen says, “I have lived with pain and bleeding for a long time. I sacrificed the family resources to treat my husband and child. I need help to at least put this pain to a stop.”

Nget is a 32-year-old cleaner from Cambodia. He and his wife have two young sons, both in elementary school. His wife is a cook. He enjoys listening to news on the radio, watching sports on TV, and playing soccer with his sons. In November 2019, Nget accidentally fell, causing trauma to his right knee. After the accident he went to a clinic, but they only provided him with pain relievers. His injury has worsened over time, and he now experiences severe pain in his right knee, and cannot walk without support. When Nget learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for four hours seeking treatment. On August 12th, surgeons at CSC will perform a joint arthrodesis procedure to fuse his right knee and and alleviate his pain, allowing him to walk easily. Now, Nget needs help to fund this $518 procedure. Nget said, "I hope that I can recover quickly so I can walk again with no pain or support."

Noah is a casual laborer from Kenya and a father of five. His wife passed away in December of 2019 but he is still grieving for her. He usually sells flowers in the streets of Nairobi with his sons, but because of the COVID-19 lockdown they have been at home struggling to even put food on the table. Noah fell and fractured his right femur on the 5th of July. He is in a lot of pain and cannot walk on his own. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On July 7th, Noah will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help him walk again and heal well. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,049 to fund this procedure. Noah shared, “I don’t know how I fell and I have no money or anyone to turn to for this treatment. My children depend on me. I plead for help so that I can be able to walk again and resume selling flowers to sustain my family.”

Gilbert is a calm and polite boy. He is the second born in a family of four children and hails from Dagoretti in Nairobi county. He is in 3rd grade at a primary school in Nairobi and aspires to be a pilot. Gilbert was brought to our hospital by his mother because he was experiencing pain and could not walk long distances. He has had this condition since he was three years old and it has significantly impacted his ability to go to school. Gilbert's mother shared that, “I sometimes carry him to school as his knees knock against each other which hinders his movement. But when I have money, I will pay for a motorbike to take him and his brother to school.” His mother works part-time cleaning houses, washing clothes, and performing other household work she may be given. Gibert's father is a street pastor and works as a street vendor. The family lives in a one-bedroom rental house in Nairobi and they shared with us that they feel life is hard because they do not have the resources to buy everything they need. Gilbert was able to already have his right leg treated which is now healed. He now needs support for the surgery on his left knee. With both knees healed, Gilbert will be able to walk comfortably and continue with his studies.

Mary is a housewife from Kenya. She is married with two children, who are in school. Mary's husband has a kiosk to earn income and Mary has also kept two cows that give them milk for their family. Since December 2018, Mary has been experiencing experiencing lower abdominal pains and heavy prolonged menses. She has been diagnosed with multiple fibroids. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $791 to fund Mary's surgery. On May 15th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center. Once recovered, Mary will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Mary shared, "I am suffering a lot even to take care of my family is hard because of the bleeding. I plead for help so that this problem can be over and I can lead my normal life and also take care of the family.”

Christine is a single, 35-year-old who lives in Kiambu County with her 12-year-old child. She trades in second-hand clothes to make a living for her small family. Since September 2019, Christine started experiencing pain on the right side of her abdomen. She has visited many clinics without much change. She then came to Watsi's Medical Partner Care Center Nazareth Hospital and had a scan that showed she has gallstones. Treatment was given to try to dissolve them without success. On 1st March, she experienced severe pain. A repeat ultrasound scan showed the stones are still there and surgery is advised. Unfortunately due to her limited income, Christine is not in a position to meet the cost and she requests support. If not treated Christine will continue to have severe pain and may suffer complications like pancreatitis, blockage of the gallbladder, or may even become cancerous. Christine shared, "I have gone through a lot of pain and yet am unable to raise the money for this surgery. I kindly request for help so that I can go on with my normal life and take care of my daughter.”

Alex is a second grade student from Kenya. He is the second born in a family of three chidlren. Our medical partner came to learn that Alex and his siblings stay with their grandfather, who is a widower; he helps to feed them, clean them, and prepare them for school every day. Alex’s father separated from his mother and she subsequently left him with their three children. Having challenges with alcoholism, Alex's father could not care for them and so their grandfather decided to take the children to his house and tend for them. Alex’s grandfather does hawking for a living; selling artificial flowers with little income. In December 2019, Alex fell while playing on the bed and sustained closed fracture left elbow joint. He is in pain and cannot use his hand freely. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On March 18th, Alex will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will allow him heal and not develop a deformity. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $998 to fund this procedure. “I look at this child and would not like to see him with a deformed hand. May God touch those people of Watsi to help him and I will appreciate it,” said Alex's grandfather.