Ruth is an 11-year-old girl from the Eastern region of Kenya. She is in Grade 5 and is the youngest of three children. Her father is a local farmer and her mother mother is a homemaker. They live in a traditional mud house. She is a jovial and social young girl who aspires to become a doctor in the future so that she can help children in need of different treatments. When Ruth was 7 years old, her mother began to notice an unusual knee deformity which greatly affected her mobility. Her walking style is characterized by limping, and she cannot walk long distances. This has greatly affected her studies, as she is unable to attend school which is quite a distance away. Ruth is scheduled for a knee repair surgery with our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH) on July 17th. Ruth and her family are requesting $1,224 to fully fund the procedure. This surgery will enable her to walk without pain and to attend school. It will also greatly boost her self-esteem and enable her to interact with her friends at school. Ruth’s mother said, “I am pleading for support for my daughter to undergo surgery and continue with her normal life like other children.”

Wayen is an 8-month-old baby from Haiti. He lives with his mother, grandmother, and two older siblings in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. His mother works as a market vendor. Wayen has a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus, which means that a hole exists between two major blood vessels near his heart. Blood leaks through this hole, leaving him weak and short of breath. The surgery he needs is not available in Haiti, so Wayen will travel to Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On September 13th, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will insert a catheter into the hole and expand a device to plug it, so that blood can no longer leak through it. Gift of Life International is contributing $3,000 towards the cost of the surgery, and Wayen's family needs help with the remaining $1,500 to cover the cost of labs, medicines, and check-up and follow-up appointments. This money will also support passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner International Cardiac Alliance who will accompany Wayen's family overseas. Wayen's mother shared, "I will be praying for everyone who is helping my son to become healthy."

Saw Htoo is an 11-year-old boy from Burma who lives with his parents, 4 brothers and a sister in a refugee camp, in Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand. His parents fled to the camp from Karen State, Burma, due to the civil war in 2010. Saw Htoo is in grade 4 and his favorite subject is English. His father used to work as a day laborer before travel restrictions were imposed on camp residents after the outbreak of covid-19. Since then, both of Saw Htoo’s parents are homemakers. Although they receive a small monthly cash card to purchase food in the camp, as well as free basic health care and education, they struggle to make ends meet. For the past 5 years, Saw Htoo has been brought frequently to the hospital in the camp due to having urine in his blood. He has also experienced pain while going to the bathroom, developed a fever and pain in his bladder area. He received an ultrasound, an x-ray of his kidney, ureter and bladder (KUB) and an intravenous pyelogram (IVP) and was diagnosed with a renal stone in his right renal pelvis. At a follow-up appointment in August 2023, he received another IVP which indicated that the stone was increasing in size and doctors recommended Saw Htoo have surgery to remove the stone. Saw Htoo has been experiencing pain in his back, and he often needs to take leave from school because of the pain. Fortunately, our medical partner Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF) can help. Saw Htoo is scheduled for surgery on September 8th, and BCMF is asking for help to raise $1,500 to fund the procedure. Saw Htoo said, “I want to become a football player [in the future] because I love to play football.”

Nyakek is a beautiful three-month-old baby from Sudan. She was born at home, and her mother immediately noticed a large, open swelling on the lower part of her back. The midwives recommended that Nyakek be brought to a nearby missionary hospital, where she was diagnosed with spina bifida. This is a neural tube defect, where the spine and spinal cord don't fully form, leading to infection, lower limb paralysis, and developmental delays. A missionary doctor at the hospital immediately linked them to our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH), which was able to refer them to our partner hospital in Kenya. Plans were put together for how she would travel to Kenya for treatment. Where their comes from in Sudan, the area has very poor roads and it would not have been possible for them to travel to Juba to be airlifted to Kenya. Instead, the missionary doctor organized for them to board a helicopter that visits the area once a week to deliver supplies. They were taken to Juba where they boarded another flight to Kenya. Upon arrival at our partner's care center, Nyakek was examined and they have started planning for the urgent surgery she needs. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,151 to cover the cost of Nyakek's spina bifida closure surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on November 9th at BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital. This procedure will hopefully spare Nyakek from the risks associated with her condition, allowing her to grow and develop along a healthy trajectory. Nyakek’s mother said: “When I saw the swelling, I was very stressed as I had not seen such a thing before. I immediately got worried about my daughter.”

Win Khaing is a 5-month-old baby girl from Burma. She lives with her parents in a village in Karen State. Win Khaing’s father has a small farm, growing rice, and sometimes catching fish and frogs, for their family to eat. Win’s mother has a small shop selling vegetables at home. Win Khaing has two brothers who are monks and live at the monastery. After Win Khaing was delivered, the doctor noticed that her right hip was dislocated and that her right leg looked dislocated as well. Win Khaing’s mother also noticed right away that her right leg looked twisted. Currently, when Win Khaing’s parents touch her right knee and hip, she cries a lot and they think this is because of pain. Her right leg is twisted outward, but she is able to move her right leg and bend her knee. Doctors want Win Khaing to undergo a CT scan, a procedure in which x-ray images taken from several angles are combined to produce cross-sectional images of the body. This scan will hopefully help doctors diagnose her condition and formulate an appropriate treatment plan. Our medical partner Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF) is requesting $693 to cover the cost of Win Khaing's CT scan and care, which is scheduled for August 17th. Win Khaing’s mother said, “I am worried about my daughter’s condition because she is my first daughter. When I think about my daughter’s future, I cry."

Paulo is a 17-year-old boy from Tanzania. He lives with his parents and his four siblings. His parents are farmers who grow food for their family and sell the excess to support their family. Due to limited funds, Paulo and his siblings had to stop attending school. Paulo experiences difficulty with his mobility. When Paulo was enrolled in school, he was often unable to walk the distance to class. Paulo's parents were inspired to seek treatment for Paulo after attending an outreach seminar held by our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH). Doctors at AMH's care center determined that Paulo's limited mobility is due to the shape of his legs, and Paulo was diagnosed with genu varus. Genu varus is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones which often stems from contaminated drinking water. Fortunately, AMH can help. AMH is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Paulo's legs. Paulo's procedure is scheduled to take place on June 6th, and will hopefully restore Paulo's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and decrease his risk of future complications. Paulo says, "I hope that one day I will be able to walk without feeling any discomfort."

Jeremy is a two-year-old toddler from Haiti. He lives with his parents, who run a small grocery kiosk in Port-au-Prince. He is their only child. Jeremy was born with ventricular septal defect (VSD). VSD is a cardiac condition where there is a small hole in the wall that separates the heart's lower chambers. Due to this hole, oxygen-rich blood mixes with oxygen-poor blood, causing weakness and shortness of breath. On June 12th, Jeremy will undergo cardiac surgery in the Dominican Republic. During this procedure, surgeons will sew a patch over the hole in Jeremy's heart so that his blood can't leak through it. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA), is contributing $8000 to pay for surgery. However, Jeremy's family needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep and transport. Jeremy's family is requesting $1,500 to cover labs, medicines, and preoperative and postoperative appointments. This sum will also support passport obtainment and the social workers from HCA who will accompany Jeremy's family overseas. Jeremy's mother said: "Our family is very excited to know that our son has been chosen for surgery. We're all praying for him."

Samwel is a five-month-old baby from Gilalumpa, Tanzania. He is the youngest child in his family, born into a polygamous family of two wives and eleven children. The family relies on livestock-keeping as their primary livelihood but lack the means to generate sufficient income to cover expenses. They reside in a communal boma or community enclosure consisting of seven small mud huts, each hut divided into two rooms, which accommodate their entire family. Samwel’s mother, Namag, gave birth to him at home, and while the delivery went smoothly, Samwel developed some health issues a few days later. Observing an abnormality in Samwel’s left foot, the family initially took no action as they had no understanding of the condition. When a concerned neighbor noticed his foot, the family sought medical treatment. However, due to their financial situation, the family was unable to afford the necessary care. Fortunately, doctors offering mobile clinic services set up camp near the family's home. Samwel’s parents managed to attend the clinic, where the doctors recommended assistance from Fly Medical Services (FMS) for transportation to Arusha where treatment would be available. Samwel has congenital clubfoot of left foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape or position as the tissues connecting the muscles to the bone (tendons) are shorter than usual. Clubfoot causes difficulty walking and wearing shoes. Samwel's family was able to travel to visit our medical partner's care center, The Plaster House NGO. There, the team will begin clubfoot treatment on September 22nd. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $935 to fund Samwel's clubfoot repair. After treatment, Samwel’s quality of life will significantly improve as he grows. The treatment will enable him to walk comfortably, wear shoes, and alleviate any concerns his parents may have about his condition and his future. Samwel’s mother says: “I would like my son to be well. I want him to enjoy long walks with his brother when he grows up.”

Pheareak is a 17-year-old from Cambodia who lives with his parents, older sister, and younger brother. His parents are rice farmers, and his older sister works as a seamstress in a clothes factory. Pheareak stopped studying after grade six to help his family in the ancestral rice paddies. His favorite activities include playing football and swimming with his friends as well as eating his mother's amazing fried chicken. Four months ago, Pheareak was in a motorbike collision on his way home. He sustained a blow to his right shoulder on the concrete road and was knocked unconscious. He was transported to a local hospital, where he received emergency care. As the doctors were unable to diagnose his shoulder injury, they suggested he visit our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), for review. The doctors at CSC diagnosed his condition as a brachial plexus injury on his right side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. Pheareak cannot move his arm and experiences pain, numbness, and lack of muscle control. Pheareak traveled to CSC's care center to receive treatment, as this is the only center in the country where this treatment is available. On July 25th, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, he hopes to use his arm again. CSC is requesting $709 to fund this procedure. Pheareak contributed $100 to his care. Pheareak said: "I hope this surgery will help me to use my arm again. I would like to work in a factory or on the farm to support my family."

Renatus is a seven-year-old boy in grade 1 from Tanzania. He is smart, charming, and enjoys playing with everyone he interacts with. Whenever engaged in conversation, he exudes confidence. Renatus is the younger child in a family of two siblings. His parents are farmers and livestock keepers, making every effort to provide for their family. However, inflation makes it challenging for them to meet all their needs. During his early growth stages, Renatus effortlessly went through crawling, standing, and beginning to walk. However, as time passed and he started walking more, his legs began to show signs of bowing. This concerned his mother, leading her to take him to the hospital for evaluation. The doctor advised starting him on calcium therapy, but unfortunately, the treatment proved ineffective. Consequently, the mother sought another medical opinion from various medical centers, but the condition continued to worsen as Renatus grew older, making it increasingly difficult and painful for him to walk. Renatus and parents traveled 6 hours to seek treatment. He was diagnosed with a wind-swept deformity, which affects both of his legs, leading to reduced stability while walking. He was also diagnosed with clubfoot of both feet, a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. These conditions cause difficulty in walking and wearing shoes. He has become less confident during playtime, as he frequently trips and falls. Our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH) determined that the best course of action is corrective surgery to improve Renatus’s quality of life. Surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on August 2nd. AMH is requesting $935 to fund Renatus's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk and play easily. Renatus’s mother said, "I wish my son to have a good life ahead free from any defect. I hope this treatment will make it possible for him to have a good future.”

Eh Sha is an 8-year-old living in a refugee camp in Thailand with her parents and other relatives. Eh Sha's mother is a midwife and her father is a medic at the camp hospital. Eh Sha is a primary school student. During her free time, she enjoys drawing, singing, and learning to play piano. When she was four, Eh Sha had a high fever and a sore throat. Although the fever subsided, her tonsils remained inflamed, causing her to experience occasional bouts of tonsillitis every three or four months. On September 17th, Eh began experiencing fever and sore throat. The doctor at Mae Sot Hospital (MSH) diagnosed her with chronic bilateral tonsilitis and tonsil enlargement. The doctor wants to perform a tonsillectomy, a procedure to remove her tonsils, and scheduled the surgery for October 30th. Currently, Eh Sha has a sore throat and difficulty swallowing, accompanied by fever and joint pain. The surgery will help relieve her pain and discomfort. Eh Sha's mother has big dreams for her future, saying, "I want her to become a healthcare worker who can not only take care of her own health but that of her family and others too."

Yusufu is a bright student. He is a young 8-year-old boy from Mpanda, Tanzania, with dreams of attending school. His parents work as farmers supporting their large family of ten children. As the ninth child in his family, his parents have made every effort to make ends meet. Yusufu has clubfoot of the right foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Yusufu finds it hard to go to school because it is far from home, and he cannot help much on the farm. Financial hardships have made it nearly impossible for his parents to provide Yusufu with the urgent care he requires. Fortunately, Yusufu's family traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, The Plaster House NGO. There, the team will begin clubfoot treatment on September 15. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $935 to fund Yusufu's clubfoot repair. After treatment, Yusufu’s ability to walk will be restored and he will no longer experience severe pain. Yusufu can't wait to be treated so that he can go to school easily and help his family work on their farm. Yusufu says, "I wish to be able to play with my friends comfortably and help my parents around the farm.”

Babi is a cute toddler from Ethiopia. He is an only child and loves to play with toy cars; he pushes the toy making the sound 'uuuuuvvvv', saying it's a car. His father, who has a 5th-grade education, used to work in the horticulture industry as a laborer, but he lost his wife a year back to tuberculosis and has been trying to balance everything on his own. After his mom's death, Babi had no one to take care of him besides his dad, so his dad decided to leave his job to take care of his child and try to get him the necessary treatment. Babi experienced a bowel obstruction, and he got three surgeries at Negele Arsi General Hospital, but he still had complications with his bowel. There is a small window for corrective surgery, but colostomy closure is preferred since the opening is too small. Babi's father has suffered with the whole process and feels he is highly affected psychologically as Babi cannot make a stool in a normal way. Earlier, Babi 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 Babi's case, his colostomy requires closure to restore bowel function and prevent future complications. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,009 to cover Babi's colostomy closure cost. Once completed, he can grow up more comfortably and confidently. Babi's dad said, "After he gets the treatment and heals, I hope he will go to school and lead a good life in the future."

Hellen is a nine-year-old girl who is approaching grade one. She is one of nine siblings, three of whom share the same congenital condition of clubfoot. Both of her parents are farmers. They cultivate maize and millet for food and sell the surplus to earn money for other expenses. Unfortunately, Hellen’s father, who is advancing in age and has clubfoot, cannot work extended hours. Therefore, his mother toils diligently on the farm to ensure they yield sufficient harvests. Hellen has clubfoot on her left foot and, fortunately, Hellen's family visited our medical partner's care center, the Plaster House NGO. There, the team began clubfoot treatment on October 6th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $935 to fund Hellen's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will use night casts to aid in her full recovery and later be able to walk comfortably. She did not receive treatment as a baby because of her parents' lack of knowledge about the condition and financial barriers. However, one day, a glimmer of hope emerged when Hellen’s father crossed paths with a young boy who had once faced a similar challenge but had now fully recovered. Filled with renewed hope, he inquired about how this transformation had occurred. The boy’s story revealed the existence of our medical partner's care center to Hellen’s father. Filled with optimism, he hurried home and shared this life-altering discovery with his wife. Together, they decided to bring their precious daughter and three of her siblings to The Plaster House. Hellen’s mother says: “I am glad there is a chance for my daughter to get treatment, I hope she doesn't have to live with this disability for the rest of her life.”

John is a 2-month-old baby from Tanzania. He resides in a modest home with his parents and two siblings. His mother is a devoted stay-at-home mother, while his father works as a carpenter. His father’s income is enough to cover the family’s basic needs. After John's birth, the doctors realized he was born with a congenital condition and advised his mother to seek specialized care. His right foot was twisted inward and downward. They started him on casting at the hospital for three weeks, hoping it might help him heal. However, it became apparent that his condition was more complex and would require surgical intervention as the only viable option to give John a chance at a more mobile and fulfilling life. However, the financial burden proved to be overwhelming for John’s family. Living on a modest income, they could not afford the surgical treatment cost. They had to make a hard decision to stop their son’s treatment. Sometime after discontinuing their son’s treatment, John’s mother learned about our medical partner the Plaster House and the services it provides. Fueled by love and hope for her son, she sought assistance from the center. John underwent a comprehensive wellness assessment; however, the family cannot raise money for his treatment and is appealing for financial assistance. John has clubfoot on his right foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. The Plaster House team will begin clubfoot treatment on September 19. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $935 to fund John's clubfoot repair. After treatment and as he grows he will be able to walk comfortably, wear shoes, enjoy playtime with his peers, and reassure his parents that their son is free from disability. John’s mother says: “I hope my son’s treatment will be smooth and he will turn out okay after his treatment.”

Peace is an eight-year-old girl from Kenya who was brought to our care center by her grandmother. She is the firstborn of two siblings and is in grade two at her local public primary school. Peace's mother, who is 30 years old, dropped out of school after getting pregnant with Peace. Despite her desire to return to school after giving birth, her parents refused, as her other two siblings were already in school. Consequently, Peace's mother started a family life. She works as a casual laborer, picking tea on other people's farms, and Peace's father owns a boda boda (motorcycle taxi). The family also owns a piece of land with tea plants and another where they grow maize, beans, and Irish potatoes for their family's home consumption. In 2022, while attempting to lift her brother, Peace accidentally fell and injured her hand. She was taken to the hospital, where she had an X-ray, and the doctors applied a Plaster of Paris. However, the plaster was removed after a month and a half, and her hand had already deformed. Peace was then referred to another hospital for treatment, but the family lacked the necessary funds for the required surgical procedure at the time. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help Peace heal. On November 3rd, Peace will undergo a fracture repair procedure called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure helps fix severely broken bones and is only used for serious fractures that can't be treated with a cast or splint. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), requests $1,079 to fund this surgery. Peace's mother said, "I kindly ask for your support so that my little daughter can have a normal life like the rest."

Maria is a 16-year-old girl who hails from a sizable family comprising of six siblings. Following her father’s death, they are now under the care of their single mother in Karatu, Arusha region. Despite facing challenges such as a delayed milestone condition, Maria is currently a secondary school student. Initially experiencing delays in sitting, walking, and running, as well as intellectual development, Maria spent much of her time indoors with her parents. Despite difficulty blending in with her peers, she now relishes attending school and excels in her classes. Her notable success in primary national exams paved the way for a promising secondary education. Maria’s healthcare journey began when she was three years old when her parents observed her leg twisting downward. Maria has clubfoot of right foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Financial constraints prevented them from addressing her medical needs, and despite this condition, Maria discovered joy in life through participation in a choir. Recently, Maria’s family learned about our partner Kafika house and their services. Filled with hope, Maria’s mother and brother embarked on a journey, leaving the center with optimism about her foot condition. Following introductions, an assessment was done by the team there. Now the team will begin her clubfoot treatment on December 15th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $935 to fund Maria's clubfoot repair. After treatment, Maria's mobility will significantly improve and she can continue chasing big dreams. Maria says: “I hope my leg improves. Walking long distances can be exhausting, and I look forward to being able to enjoy dancing while singing in the choir.”

Dinah is a 3-year-old girl from Kenya. She is the second born in a family of three children. Her family hails from the interior part of North Pokot. Our medical partner met Dinah, accompanied by her grandmother, at a mobile community clinic in Kacheliba. The grandmother has nine children and is raising Dinah. She is a farmer and a herder and shared that she separated from her husband after he married several wives. Dinah was left by her parents, who are pastoralists and migrated to a different region. Because of the deformity, she could not walk for long distances. Dinah has clubfoot of right foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Dinah and her grandmother visited our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on October 17th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,286 to fund Dinah's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will no longer be in pain and will be able to walk much more easily. “I am appealing for your support to help my grandchild undergo surgery so she can walk normally,” Dinah's Grandmother told us.

Ni is an eight-year-old second grade student from the Thailand. Ni lives with his parents and uncle. His father is a day labourer, and his mother and uncle are factory workers. In his free time, Ni likes to draw, especially big houses. He also likes to listen to storytelling and watch dances. Since May 2023, Ni has been experiencing pain in his throat and his tonsils are enlarged and swollen. It is painful for him to swallow food. He has difficulty breathing and this gets worse if he is not aware of his position while sleeping. Ni was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils, which, if not treated, will cause his symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a tonsillectomy for Ni, which is scheduled to take place on January 2nd. Surgeons will remove his tonsils, hopefully relieving Ni of his symptoms and helping him live more comfortably. Ni’s mother said, “I feel so happy that my son will have a chance to see the specialist and hopefully, get surgery and recover very soon. I worry the enlarged tonsils will increase in size and block his airway. Every time he sleeps, I worry about his sleeping position. I want to say thank you donors and to BCMF for helping pay for my son’s surgery.”

David is the fourth child in a family of five living in Gikindu village in Muranga county, Kenya. David is in grade 6 at Gikindu Primary School, and his mother describes him as a playful boy who is always on the field playing football. He admires Messi, a football player in Europe who always inspires him to play for the national team. His mother is a farmer, and his father is a primary teacher. One sunny afternoon, five years ago, David and his friends gathered at the field to play. During the game, he fell and sustained an elbow injury. He was taken to a nearby hospital where a plaster was applied, then started therapy. Despite these interventions, his injury deteriorated and his elbow began to deform. David and his mother visited Kijabe Hospital, where they were referred to our medical partner's care center AIC Cure International Hospital for an orthopedic review. David is now scheduled to undergo Distal Humerus Osteotomy surgery on November 28th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,224 to cover the costs of the surgery. The treatment will be impactful on him because he will be able to use his arm normally again, lift things, and also help in doing household chores. “I am looking forward to seeing my son using his hand fully like other children,” says David’s mother.

Annizabelle is an 11-year-old fifth-grader who lives with her parents and three siblings in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Her father is a mechanic, and her mother is a vendor. Anizabelle has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation. One of the valves in her heart is severely damaged due to an infection she suffered earlier in her childhood. As a result, her heart is unable to adequately pump blood through her body, leaving her weak and short of breath. Fortunately, our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA), is helping Annizabelle receive treatment. Annizabelle and her family will fly to the Dominican Republic, where she will undergo cardiac surgery at Hospital CEDIMAT on August 8th. During the surgery, doctors will attempt to repair her existing valve. If they cannot repair the valve, they will remove it, and implant an artificial replacement. HCA is contributing $9,000 to pay for the surgery. Now Annizabelle and her family need help to cover the $1,500 for the pre-surgical prep, lab tests, medicines and post operative follow up visits. In addition, this sum will pay for the passports for the social workers who will accompany the family overseas. Annizabelle's mother said: "Our family is praying that this surgery will be a success so that our daughter can get back to focusing on school and the rest of her life."

Hannafy is a 13-year-old 7th-grade student from Cambodia. He lives in Kampong Chnang with his parents and two younger siblings. His parents work in construction and Hannafy cares for his siblings after school. He enjoys his Cambodian history class and hopes to attend university to become a Cambodian-Mandarin translator. In January, Hannafy and his parents noticed a mass growing near his two front teeth. Hannafy experiences pain near the growth and has missed several days of school due to it. Hannafy's parents are worried about the growing size of the mass. Hannafy traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On July 5, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), will remove the mass. Now, Hannafy's family needs help to raise $273 to fund this procedure. Hannafy said that he hopes that he can stop having pain and return to school without taking sick days.

Lucy, a 3-year-old girl, is shy with a heart full of joy. As the third and youngest child in her family, Lucy brings delight to her loved ones. Her mother shared that Lucy enjoys singing, spending time with her friends, engaging in playful activities, and assisting with household chores. Lucy's father is a farmer, while her mother oversees the household. During our medical partner's encounter with Lucy at the Nyahururu clinic, she was accompanied by her mother, who expressed concerns about a leg deformity. Her mother mentioned that Lucy has recently been limping and frequently complains of pain when walking and playing with her friends. Lucy was diagnosed with clubfoot on the right foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape, which causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Lucy's family visited our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on July 12th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, requests $1,286 to fund Lucy's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she can walk without pain, continue her education and play with friends. "It would bring me joy to have Lucy walking and playing like other children," Lucy's mother told us.

Samwel is a 15-year-old student. He is the second-to-last child in a family of seven children. He resides in the Mpanda region and had to discontinue his education during his primary school years due to the remote location of his school, which made it impossible for him to travel long distances because of his birth condition. His parents, who are farmers, work daily to provide food for the family and generate additional income by selling their surplus harvest. To supplement the family’s income, his mother also engages in a side business of selling charcoal. Despite his parents’ efforts to seek treatment for his condition, limited financial resources prevented them from affording treatment at hospitals capable of providing the specialised care he needed. Consequently, Samwel had to adapt to his situation. He assists his family with farm work, although he tends to tire quickly. Remarkably, he has even discovered a way to derive enjoyment from playing football and other sports with his friends. In July 2022, our medical partner's care centre had the opportunity to meet Samwel and his parents during one of the outreach visits. They were deeply moved by how he had found ways to enjoy his life despite living with a condition that could have limited him in numerous ways. Samwel 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, Samwel's family now traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, The Plaster House NGO. There, the team will begin clubfoot treatment on September 15. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $935 to fund Samwel's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk comfortably and play sports even better. Samwel says, “I feel like this is a blessing. I once thought I was meant to live with this condition for life. I hope this treatment will enable me to work harder and enjoy sports better.”

Japhet is a baby and the last born in a family of five children living in Ngorongoro, Tanzania. His father works as a livestock keeper and farmer, cultivating crops for sustenance while selling part of the harvested produce to meet household expenses. Meanwhile, Japhet's mother fulfills the role of a homemaker, taking care of the children and managing house and family. Despite the father's efforts to provide for the family, there are difficulties in affording education and healthcare for their children, leading to their reliance on traditional remedies for medical treatment. Japhet was born with clubfoot, a condition where the foot is twisted out of shape, causing difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. This situation concerns his parents as they contemplate their child's future. While attending church, they received information about visiting specialists organizing a clinic specifically for children with treatable disabilities. Japhet's mother was able to attend the clinic, feeling relieved upon hearing about potential treatment options. With the church's assistance, transportation was arranged for them to travel to the hospital, and they arrived at our medical partner's center, where they were warmly welcomed. After assessing Japhet, he was diagnosed with clubfoot, specifically in his left foot. He will undergo manipulation and casting to gradually correct the foot's angle, followed by a tenotomy surgery to heal his condition. Thankfully, on June 16th, skilled surgeons at our medical partner, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre, will perform clubfoot repair surgery. African Mission Healthcare is seeking $935 in funding to cover the costs associated with Japhet's treatment. This procedure will significantly improve Japhet's prospects for a better future. Japhet's mother says, "I hope my child will have the best treatment, and this treatment will make his future life better."

Vireak Thet is a happy two-year-old boy from Cambodia. He lives in Phnom Penh with his parents and grandmother. His mom stays at home to care for him, and his dad works as a motorbike taxi driver. To supplement their income, his grandma sells ice cream from a cart in front of their home. Vireak Thet loves playing with the other children in the neighborhood, and eating ice cream from his grandma's cart. Last year, Vireak Thet accidentally burned his right hand with hot cooking oil. Burn scar contractures have developed, tightening the skin around his index and middle fingers. It is difficult for him to use his hand for every day activities. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), can help Vireak Thet. On August 9th, surgeons at CSC's care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery to to improve the function of his hand. Now, his family needs help to fund this $495 procedure. His mom shared, "I hope he can move his fingers freely and be able to use his hand when he starts school."

Charles is a 7-year-old boy living in Kiambu County, Kenya. He is in the third grade and says he likes attending school and playing with other kids. Charles is the only child of a young, single mother. He lives with his grandparents and their children because his mother travelled to Saudi Arabia about a month ago in search of better economic opportunities. Charles's grandmother is a small businesswoman selling vegetables and fruits, and Charles's grandfather is a local barber. Charles's mother first noticed his condition when he was 3 years old, but had troubling getting doctors to take the condition seriously. Finally, at age 7, his grandmother brought him to Nazareth Hospital, where an ultrasound scan was done. Charles was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition affecting his private areas. If left untreated, Charles has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Charles needs corrective surgery, but the family income is insufficient for this treatment. Charles will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF) and is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on October 31. AMHF is requesting $483 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Charles's grandmother says, "This is the only child of my daughter, and we love him very much, especially his grandfather." She expresses concern about Charles's potential to have his own children some days, and says, "On behalf of my daughter, I kindly ask for help so that he can be treated and grow up in a normal way like other boys."

Phinehas is a 3-year-old social boy who likes playing with toys. He is an only child who his parents adore. The family hails from a village in Kenya. His mother is a homemaker and his father is a small-scale businessman who operates a shop in their local area. As Phinehas began to walk, his mother noticed an unusual walking style characterized by continuous knocking of his knees, leading him to lose balance and fall often. Upon examination, the condition identified was knock knees, whereby his knees tilt inwards. He was issued a brace to correct the deformity, but this treatment proved unsuccessful. He was then referred to our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH) where the doctor examining determined that surgery is necessary to fix his condition. Phineas is scheduled to have a bilateral surgery on July 26th, where doctors will insert small metal plates shaped like an eight to guide the growth of his legs. AMH is requesting $1,224 to fully fund this procedure. The treatment will be impactful to him because he will be able to walk upright without falling and without knees knocking each other. Phinehas’s mother shared, “We would like to seek support to help my son undergo surgery and his legs to be corrected so that he can walk normally like other children.”

George is a 3-year-old boy from Limuru in Kiambu County. He is the third and last born in a family of three kids. George is a very active and playful kid. His mother runs a small general kiosk selling small items, and the father is a driver. George was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, George has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. George will receive assistance from our medical partner, the African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). AMHF is requesting $483 to cover his procedure and care costs. “I know I have delayed my son’s treatment, but I want the best for him. He is our only son, and we want him to grow up like a normal man. We are kindly seeking assistance on his behalf,” said George’s mother.

Jecinta is a delightful 4-year-old girl from Kenya. She is playful and jovial. Born with a birth condition her journey began at Kiambu Hospital, where dedicated healthcare professionals initiated a treatment plan to address the condition. She was prescribed braces as part of her comprehensive care to correct her clubfeet. With the support of her mother, she embarked on a hopeful journey towards improved mobility and a future filled with possibilities. The braces played a role in maintaining the corrections achieved through casting and other interventions. However, along the way, and because of the hardships, Jecinta, like many children, faced challenges in using the braces. Unfortunately, she lost to follow-up at Kiambu Hospital, and the regular monitoring and follow-up appointments ended. Over more than a year with no follow-up, Jecintas deformity recurred. Currently she tiptoes as she walks and feels pain. Fortunately, Jecinta and her mother traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,286 to fund Jecinta's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she be able to walk well, with no pain and discomfort. Her self-esteem will also improve, and she will continue with her education without any hardship. “I will appreciate if consider my daughter to undergo surgery so that she can stand on her feet and walk confidently like other children,” Glory, Jecinta’s mother, told us.

Sophanun is an active seven-year-old student in grade one. He and his family come from Battambang province, approximately six and a half hours away from the capital city. He has one younger sister, his father is a musician, and his mother stays home to care for the children. His favorite activities in school are singing Khmer songs and painting. He has recently learned to swim and really enjoys splashing in the water his father. His favorite foods are pork porridge, broccoli with meat, and fresh mango juice. For several years, Sophanun has been experiencing sore throats. During the night he often has trouble breathing. He gets frequent fevers and he doesn't sleep or feel well. Frequent illness causes him to lose his appetite and miss school. Sophanun was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, which, if not treated, will cause his symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $265 to fund a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for Sophanun, which is scheduled to take place on September 26th. Surgeons will remove his tonsils and adenoids, hopefully relieving Sophanun of his symptoms and helping him live much more comfortably and be able to attend school and do all the things he loves. His parents say, "We hope that after surgery, Sophanum will be comfortable drinking and eating and it will be easy for him to breathe."

Moe is a nine-year-old girl from Burma who lives with her mother, grandparents, and siblings in a camp for internally displaced people in Burma. She is a student in grade two at the school in the camp. During her free time, Moe enjoys babysitting her younger siblings. On December 6th, while playing in her classroom, Moe fell off a bench and fractured her left forearm. She has been experiencing pain, swelling, and limited mobility in her left forearm ever since. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Moe will undergo surgery to reset her fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for December 8th and will cost $1,500. Moe and her family need your help raising the money to fund her procedure and care. This surgery will not only alleviate her pain but also restore the functionality of her arm. Moe’s grandmother said, "Thank you for helping my granddaughter. Our family is facing financial limitations, and affording her treatment has been challenging. Without your help, I wouldn’t know how to manage to get her treated."

Bunaidie is an 18-year-old student living with her parents and younger sister outside of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Bunaidie would like to become a doctor or nurse one day and was a junior in high school last year, but is taking this year off of school because of her health. Bunaidie has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation. One of her four heart valves was severely damaged by a fever she suffered earlier in childhood. As a result, her heart cannot adequately pump blood through her body, leaving her weak and short of breath. The surgery that Bunaidie needs is not available in her country, so Bunaidie will fly to Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On October 5th, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will remove the damaged heart valve and implant an artificial replacement. Another organization, Haitian Hearts, is contributing $12,000 to pay for surgery; however, Bunaidie's family also needs $1,500 to help to fund the costs of surgery prep and follow up, including labs expenses, medicines, and checkup and follow-up appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social worker from our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Bunaidie's family overseas. Bunaidie says, "I am hopeful that after my surgery my heart will be normal. I want to be able to focus on my school and be ready for the rest of my life."

Nabulu is a 2-year-old girl from Tanzania and the youngest of six children in her family. Her father is a livestock keeper, providing sustenance and income for the family. In February, there was an accident in which Nabulu suffered severe burns from boiling milk. The family rushed Nabulu to the hospital, where she received two weeks of intensive wound care. As her wounds began to heal, burn scar contractures formed around her arms, severely limiting her range of motion and functionality. The scars on her elbows and wrists have left her unable to perform basic activities, hindering her ability to explore and learn. Nabulu’s parents, aware of their limited resources, were hesitant to seek treatment for the contractures until they learned about the positive impact of our medical partner’s work from a former patient. Touched by the transformation they witnessed, Nabulu’s family reached out for help, hoping to provide Nabulu with a brighter future. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Nabulu receive treatment at their care center. On December 13th, surgeons will perform a burn contracture release surgery to improve the functionality in her arms. AMH is requesting $639 to fund this procedure. Nabulu’s mother said: “I hope my daughter won’t have to live with these defects throughout her life. I hope this treatment will bring about a positive change.”

Chorvy is a 19-year-old student from Cambodia. She lives with her parents and her two younger siblings. Her father is a welder, and her mother is a clothing factory worker. Chorvy is taking courses in management at a local university, and when she isn't studying, she likes to read books. Several years ago Chorvy was in a motor vehicle accident, and sustained facial trauma. Since then, she has had headaches, nosebleeds, and nasal congestion on the left side of her nose. Medications purchased from the pharmacy do not alleviate her symptoms. As a student, she cannot afford to pay for a private clinic consultation, but she is finding it increasingly difficult to concentrate or study when she has headaches. She is afraid she might have to drop out of school if she is not able to keep up with her classes. A friend told her about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). Doctors at CSC's care center have diagnosed her with a left deviated septum, and have scheduled her for unilateral endoscopic sinus surgery on August 8th, at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre. After she has recovered, Chorvy should be able to live symptom free. Now she needs your help to fund this $319 procedure. This sum will cover her surgery, medication, and hospital stay. Chorvy said: "I hope the surgery stops my headaches and it will be easy to breathe."

Alex is the 3rd born in a family of four children and hails from Longonot, Naivasha, in Nakuru county. His mother told us he likes playing with other kids at home. Alex came to Cure Hospital accompanied by his mother, Grace, a housewife, and his father, farmer. Alex was born with multiple disabilities - spina bifida, hydrocephalus, and bilateral foot deformity. He underwent treatment for spina bifida when he was five days old, and hydrocephalus treatment was done at the age of eight months. Currently, he tiptoes as he walks and often falls. He is scheduled to undergo bilateral serial casting and then foot reconstruction surgery. The treatment will be impactful to the young boy because he will be able to walk, run, and play like other children and continue with his education uninterrupted. Alex's mother said, "I believe the joy of a mother is to see her children growing well and not with challenges, and therefore, I would love to see Alex walking normally like other children if given assistance."

Samrong is a sweet, clever six-year-old from Cambodia. He is the oldest child and has one younger brother. His father is a fisherman, and his mother works in the local factory. Samrong is in the first grade, where he enjoys learning about Khmer literature in school, and he would like to be a policeman when he grows up. Samrong was born with syndactyly of his right hand. This means that several fingers of his right hand are webbed, and there is often a fusion of the bones in his finger. As a result, he has difficulty with fine motor skills, like writing with a pencil or holding objects, and his parents are concerned he won't be able to keep up in school. On November 2nd, surgeons at our medical partner will perform a syndactyly repair procedure to separate and release the fused digits, allowing Samrong to use his hand easily. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), is requesting $444 to fund this procedure. Samrong's parents contributed $100 to his care. His mother shared: "After surgery, we hope Samrong's fingers will look like other children's, and he can use his hand well."

Thanun is a fourth grader from Cambodia. His favorite subject is history, and he likes to play soccer with his friends after school. While Thanun and his younger sister are in school, his parents practice farming in the rice fields close to their home to earn a living for their family. Since Thanun was a year old, he has had a mass near his upper lip. In the last year, the mass has grown in size, causing him discomfort, especially when talking and eating, as well as occasional bleeding. Thanun's family traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On September 5th, surgeons will remove the mass. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), is requesting $273 to fund this procedure. Thanun's family contributed $100 to his care. When asked about their hopes for the surgery, Thanun mom shared that she hopes he can feel more comfortable and be able to focus at school.

Ly Huor is a 19 month-old toddler who lives in Pursat province with his grandparents. His grandmother is his main caretaker as his mom and dad work factory jobs several hours away. They are able to visit Ly Huor every few weekends. At home, Ly Huor likes playing with the kids in the village and eating soup. In December 2022, his right hand was burned when he accidentally put his hand into a pot of hot rice porridge. Burn scar contractures have developed, tightening the skin around his burn. He has difficulty holding objects and playing with toys. When Ly Huor's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, they traveled for four hours seeking treatment. On September 14th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to to help him to use his hand easily again. Now, his family needs help to fund this $495 procedure. His grandmother shared, "I hope he can use his hand again and play with the other kids."

Solomon is a two-year-old boy from Ethiopia. His parents are both students, and while they are in school, Solomon is cared for by his grandparents. In addition to pursuing their studies, Solomon's parents plant fruit and corn primarily for home consumption, while some is sold to help support the family. Solomon was born with hypospadias, a congenital abnormality that causes urinary dysfunction. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms, and he will be at risk of cancer and infertility. Solomon has been to different health facilities in search of treatment, but this process has been hindered by a lack of sufficient funds for surgery and transportation. The family visited their district office, and were linked up with a charity organization, that facilitated their transportation costs to BethanyKids Medical Centre. Now Solomon is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on December 19th, at BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,293 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Solomon's father says: “After the surgery, I hope he will be normal and just like other children. I worried too much since he is a boy that he might not have children in the future. And I hope after the surgery he will grow and be well."

Brightking is a four year old schoolboy, who lives with his grandmother. His mother, who is a single parent, works as a housekeeper, while his grandmother sells sweaters. For the past two years, Brightking has been having recurrent swelling of his tonsils and adenoids. As a result, he has difficulty eating and sleeping, and has had to miss school quite often, due to frequent high fevers. The family has sought treatment from different health facilities, but the problems keep returning. His mother is employed by a visiting pediatrician, who also tried to treat Brightking, without much success. Now Brightking's family has turned to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare. It has been determined that Brightking needs to have his tonsils and his adenoids surgically removed. On July 28th, he will undergo a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy at Nazareth Hospital, and the family needs your help to fund this $565 procedure. Brightking's condition may worsen if he isn't treated, with complications like chronic ear infections, sinusitis, peritonsillar abscess or Rheumatic fever. “I have moved up and down to different hospitals with our child; I just wish he could get help and be treated. I can only imagine him having a completely quiet and restful sleep. Kindly support us so that he can return to his normal life,” said Brightking’s grandmother.

Phalen is a happy 9-year-old 3rd grader who lives with his parents and 3 brothers. His mom stays at home to care for the children, and his father is a police officer. Phalen loves math and basketball. At home, he enjoys playing with his brothers and eating Cambodian fish soup. In the future, he would like to be a police officer, just like his dad. Since the age of three, Phalen has been experiencing a sore throat and difficulty swallowing that has become worse over the last month. Frequent illness has caused him to miss school, and he is not eating as much as he used to due to discomfort. Phalen was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, which, if not treated, will cause his symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) will help by performing a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for Phalen, which is scheduled to take place on July 17th. Surgeons will remove his tonsils and adenoids, hopefully relieving Phalen of his symptoms and helping him live much more comfortably. Phalen's parents are able to contribute $100, and they need help with $265 to fully fund the procedure. He shared, "I hope I can go back to school soon and feel better. I also want to sleep well at night."

Simwenda is a three-year-old boy from Tanzania. He resides in a village in the Mpanda district. His parents, hardworking farmers, work daily to provide for their family’s subsistence needs. Simwenda was born with a clubfoot - a birth abnormality in which the foot is twisted out of shape or position. The tissues connecting the muscles to the bone (tendons) are shorter than usual, causing the foot to twist and making walking and wearing shoes difficult. Simwenda’s parents, with limited resources and no access to medical insurance, could only watch their son’s condition worsen for three years. It broke their hearts to see him suffer. The nearest hospital could not provide the treatment he needed. Simwenda’s parents shared their son’s story with their community, hoping for help and learned that services would be available at the Plaster House, a care center of our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH). However, Simwenda's parents encountered a significant obstacle in obtaining care: transportation costs. Their village is hundreds of miles from Arusha, where the medical care center is located. Simwenda’s family organized a fundraising event to raise money for the transportation and additional expenses of the journey. Upon Simwenda’s arrival at the center, he received a warm welcome. The medical team will begin clubfoot treatment on September 15. AMH is requesting $935 to fund Simwenda's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk with less struggle. Simwende’s mother says: “Despite our financial situations, we have tried so hard to get him treatment. I hope this time around our son has a chance to get treatment.”

Zana is a 6-year-old pre-schooler who lives in Kandal province with her father, a delivery driver, and her mother, an electronics factory worker. She has a four-year-old brother. In school, she likes learning about Khmer history, and at home, she enjoys playing with toy cars with her brother. She loves it when her mother makes her favorite meal, which consists of fried pork and noodles. In January, she became feverish and ill. Her father took her to a government hospital where she was diagnosed with meningitis, but she was also unable to move her right shoulder or use her hand. Her paralysis has continued to get worse. She is unable to lift her arm and suffers shoulder pain, upper extremity weakness, and abnormal sensation that feels like tingling or pricking. On November 1st, she will undergo surgery to heal her condition and restore mobility. After recovery, her family hopes to gain some function in her arm. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Center, requests $709 to fund her procedure. Zana's father said: "I hope that she can move her shoulder again with no pain and no difficulty after this operation."

Gifton is a fifteen-month-old boy. He is the only child in his family and resides in an urban area Nairobi. His mother, Mercy, works as a housemaid in the area, undertaking various household tasks, including washing clothes. Gifton's mother noticed a deformity in his feet immediately after birth. His feet were turned inward, not as other children's. Gifton has been diagnosed as having clubfoot of both feet--a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. As Gifton grows, this will cause difficulty walking and even wearing shoes if not corrected. Mercy sought medical help for Gifton. When he was just one month old, a course of serial casting to correct the position of his feet was started. Despite these efforts, the condition has not improved, prompting Mercy to seek a pediatric orthopedic review. Doctors at AIC CURE International Hospital in Nairobi have determined that Gifton needs bilateral PMR surgery to correct the deformity. This surgery will be performed on October 23. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,286 to fund Gifton's clubfoot repair. After treatment, there will be a significant impact on Gifton, as the treatment will realign his feet to their normal position. As he grows, he will gain the ability to walk comfortably, just like other children. “I am appealing for help from well-wishers to help my boy walk comfortably like other children,” Gifton's mother told us.

Levi lives in a mining city in the mountains of central Bolivia, and he loves exploring and trying new things. His parents are both industrial mining engineers. Levi was born with a serious heart condition that leaves him weak and short of breath. Through surgery, doctors can close the hole in his heart so he can continue to be his happy and playful self. Levi's mom shared: "Our family is so relieved to know that it is possible to fix the problem with our son's heart. Thank you."

Saw Eh is a three-year-old boy who lives with his parents and younger brother in a refugee camp in Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand. His father works in the refugee camp as a water supply staff and he occasionally works as a day labourer. Saw Eh’s mother is a homemaker. Saw Eh used to go to preschool but stopped in March 2023 due to his condition. Saw Eh’s parents noticed a concerning swelling last March so his mother took him to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with an inguinal hernia. Over the next couple of months, Saw Eh returned for two follow-up appointments. In September, Saw Eh’s condition became more swollen and painful. The size and pain increased especially while he plays. When his father brought him back to the hospital in the refugee camp, the doctor referred him to Mae Sariang Hospital for further treatment. There, doctors confirmed his diagnosis and scheduled Saw Eh's surgery for October 5th. His parents are concerned that he had to stop going to school due to his condition and he cannot play or run around with his friends. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund is requesting $1,486 to fund hernia repair surgery. This will hopefully allow Saw Eh to play and live more comfortably. Saw Eh's father shared: "I am worried about my son's condition, and I am concerned about his pain and discomfort."

Ly Huor, who is 14 years old, lives in Takeo province with his parents and two siblings. Ly Huor's parents work as rice farmers. Ly Huor was born with hemiplegia, a type of cerebral palsy that results from damage to the part of the brain that controls muscle movements. As a consequence, patients suffer from paralysis of one half of the body. Recently, Ly Huor has struggled to use his right arm and hand. Ly Huor and his family consulted with physicians at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. On November 2nd, he will undergo a nerve and tendon procedure at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre to improve the position and function of his right hand. Now the family needs your help to fund the $572 procedure and post-op care. Ly Huor's mother shared: "I hope my son can move his arm and hand better and we don't have to worry so much anymore."

Woodyson is a young student from Haiti. Woodyson lives with his mother and older siblings in central Haiti's rural, mountainous area. He is in the tenth grade and would like to become a teacher. Woodyson has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation. Woodyson underwent surgery six years ago to replace his aortic valve and repair his mitral valve due to a rheumatic fever that severely damaged his heart. Although his repaired mitral valve served him well for six years, he now needs to have his mitral valve replaced with an artificial implant. The surgery he needs is not possible in Haiti, so Woodyson will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On July 7th, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will remove Woodyson's damaged valve and implant an artificial mechanical valve. Another organization, Baylor Scott and White Heart Hospital is contributing $20,000 to pay for his surgery. Woodyson's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep, travel, and followup. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, checkups, and follow-up appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Woodyson overseas. Woodyson shared: "I am excited to be able to have this surgery so that I can feel completely normal and healthy again."

Kim Huoy is a 13-year-old girl who lives in Kampong Cham province, Cambodia, with her parents and two brothers. Her mom works long hours in a factory making medical gloves, and her father works at a nearby construction site. Kim Houy's favorite subject is Cambodian history, and her dream is to get good grades so she can study to become a writer. In her free time, she likes to read and play hide and seek with her friends in the village. For the last few years, Kim Houy has had bad posture, and occasional discomfort in her back. Then, in June, she fell off the top of the stairs at the front of her house, which caused her back pain to worsen. Her parents took her to a nearby clinic, where her x-ray showed curvature of the spine, and she was diagnosed with scoliosis. Kim Houy and her family traveled 3 hours by shared taxi hoping to receive treatment at our medical partner Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). On July 31st, she will undergo a scoliosis correction procedure with implants to improve the position of her spine. Surgeons will realign and fuse together the curved vertebrae so that she feels comfortable and can stand straighter. Her mom shared, "I hope my daughter can feel better after surgery and go to school without any problems."

14-year-old Rosemary lives with her parents in a mining town high in the mountains of central Bolivia. Her father is a farmer, and her mother is a homemaker. Rosemary is in the ninth grade and especially enjoys studying chemistry; she hopes to become a scientist one day. Rosemary was born with a cardiac condition called atrial septal defect, in which a large hole exists between the two upper chambers of her heart. Blood leaks through this hole without circulating properly through her body, leaving her weak and short of breath. Fortunately, our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, can help. On November 8th, Rosemary will undergo heart surgery at Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría, during which doctors will sew a patch over the hole, so that blood can no longer leak through it. Once she has recovered, Rosemary should be able to live the life of a healthy 14-year-old. Now her family needs your help to raise $1,500 for her procedure. Rosemary said: "I am very excited to go back to my school and my friends after surgery with a normal heart."

Leonard is a 14-year-old boy from Mpanda, Tanzania. Leonard's parents manage a small farm that provides their family with food. They also take on various additional jobs during the day, including helping on other people's farms, washing clothes, and cleaning yards, to support their family. Despite their hard work, Leonard's parents have a hard time supporting their five children and Leonard's grandparents. Leonard was diagnosed with genu varus, a condition where his legs bow outwards. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. Due to his condition, Leonard has difficulty walking and participating in daily activities. However, as a result of financial constraints, Leonard's family has been unable to seek treatment for him. An outreach team directed by our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), visited Leonard's village and spread the news about available treatment for genu varus. As a result, Leonard's parents were motivated to seek treatment for their son at AMH's care center. AMH is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Leonard. Leonard's procedure is scheduled for June 6th. This treatment will reduce the discomfort in his legs, restore his mobility, greatly decrease his risk of future complications, and allow him to resume his daily activities. Leonard says, "I am glad that after a long wait, I get to have treatment that will make my legs better. I can't wait to enjoy playing soccer with my friends and helping my parents at the farm."

Elia is a two-year-old boy from a small village in the Simanjiro district of Tanzania. His parents are livestock keepers and farmers, relying on agriculture for food and sustenance. The drought has brought new problems to their residential area, with large animals such as elephants and buffaloes coming in search of food and damaging their crops. Despite the challenges in the past year, they remain hopeful that the situation will improve in the coming season. In October 2022, Elia had an accident and suffered burns from hot water, resulting in severe wounds on both his hands that required medical attention. His parents took him to a health center for care. Over the next four months, as his wounds healed, he developed skin contractures on both elbows. Recognizing the impact of the scars on Elia, his parents sought treatment at Monduli Hospital. However, they could not receive the appropriate care and were subsequently referred to our medical partner's facility. In September, Elia’s mother, accompanied by an escort from Monduli Hospital, approached with concerns about Elia’s well-being. Our medical partner facilitated a meeting with a visiting plastics surgeon. During the preparations for surgery, it was observed that Elia was not yet ready for the procedure, and it was decided that he needed to wait until he was in better health before undergoing surgery. In November, Elia had the opportunity to meet with a plastic surgeon and was deemed fit for surgery. Given the severity of his case, the plan is to start with a contracture release on one elbow as the start of Elia's healing journey. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Elia receive treatment. On November 16th, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery to enhance the extension of his arm. AMH is requesting $639 to fund this procedure. Elia’s mother says: “I hope this treatment will be a start for a better life for my son.”

George is a 13-year-old boy from Uganda. He is very sweet and shy, letting his mother answer questions for him. He is the second-born in a family of four and has three sisters. As George is unsure what he wants to do when he grows up, his mother shared her hopes that he'll become a teacher, a profession she wished she could have pursued herself. George enjoys doing home chores like helping his mother with cooking and fetching firewood and water. He also likes reading by himself in his free time. For four years, George has had epigastric hernia. He experiences abdominal swelling and pain after eating, lifting a heavy object, and standing or sitting for long periods. Due to financial constraints, his parents have not been able to take him to the hospital for medical intervention before but have always given him local herbs. When his symptoms became severe, his family brought him to our medical partner's hospital, where, on December 28th, George will undergo hernia repair surgery at the care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $230 to fund George's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. George's mother says, "I hope he will get better when operated on and regain his health back after surgery."

Hapyness is a charming 9-month-old girl, born to hardworking farmers in the remote village of Igot, in the Ulanga district of Tanzania. Her family's daily life revolves around the cultivation of maize and millet, which not only sustains their meals, but also provides a modest income for the family’s necessities. Unfortunately, her father, who is advancing in age, cannot work extended hours, so her mother toils diligently on the farm, to ensure they yield bountiful harvests. Hapyness was born with a clubfoot, a condition in which the foot is abnormally twisted, making it difficult for her to crawl and eventuall to walk. At the time of her birth, the nurse in attendance recommended immediate medical attention. However, locating such specialized care in their isolated village proved to be impossible. After months of searching, Hapyness' father crossed paths with a young boy who had had a clubfoot which had been successfully treated, and he was able to provide Hapyness' father with the information he had been seeking. As a result of this meeting, Hapyness' parents brought her to the Plaster House, where her treatment will begin on October 6th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $935 to fund Hapyness' clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will be able to crawl and to walk comfortably as she grows. Hapyness’s mother says: “I am glad there is a chance for my daughter to get treatment. I hope she doesn't have to live with this disability for the rest of her life.”

Somaly's parents are rice farmers in Svay Rieng province. Two of her brothers are eleven and two, and two of her sisters are ten and one. They all attend the local school, where she excels in Khmer subjects. When she grows up, she wants to be a policewoman. At home, she likes to read books. For the past five years, Somaly has had slow-growing hard tumors on her shinbone, wrist, arm, finger, and shoulder. Her father and brother have the same condition, called hereditary osteochondroma. These tumors are benign and usually grow outward from long bones. The disease is associated with slowed skeletal growth, bony deformity, shortened stature, and compression of peripheral nerves. Somaly already has difficulty walking and pain. She is embarrassed at school, and her parents are concerned that these tumors interfere with the growth of her leg; one leg is already longer than the other. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Center, can help. On November 3rd, Somaly will undergo a complex excision of her tumor, which costs $726. This surgery will excise the tumor from her shinbone - removing it can help straighten out her bones as she continues to grow. The cost will cover surgery, post-operative care, medications, and rehabilitation. Her mother shared with us: "After surgery, we hope that the tumor is gone and Somaly will be pain-free and her leg will grow normally."

Mitchelle is the only child in her family and always loves being in the company of her mother. Mitchelle met Cure International at their Satellite clinic in Makindu, Kenya, accompanied by her mother, Evelyn, who is a housewife while her father works as a labourer in a company based in Nairobi. Mitchelle was born healthy, however at the age of 2 years, her mother noticed her knees bending towards each other, a condition they refer to as knock knees. She took Mitchelle to a nearby hospital where plaster casts were applied for 2 weeks to check whether the condition would correct, but the condition did not improve and instead deteriorated. Mitchelle is now scheduled to undergo orthopedic surgery to correct her leg deformity. The treatment will impact her because she will be able to walk well and continue her education like other children. Our medical partner African Mission Healthcare is requesting $1,224 to fund orthopedic surgery and care for Mitchelle so that she can grow up active and healthy. Mitchelle's mother said, "My hope and joy would be to see Mitchelle walking well, just like other children, and without any discomfort.”

Thida is a friendly 2-year-old toddler. She has three older siblings, 17- and 14-year-old sisters and a 9-year-old brother. The children live with their rice farming parents in Prey Veng province. While her siblings attend school, she stays home with her mother. She enjoys fried chicken, and likes to watch cartoons on her mother's phone. In 2022 when Thida was learning to walk, she put her right hand in a fire, burning her fingers. She has developed a burn contracture scar on her wrist and fourth and fifth fingers. Children are often at increased risk for serious burn injuries because they have thinner skin than adults. Because of her scars, Thida is not able to use her two fingers or hold anything in her hand. When Thida's parents learned about our medical partner Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), they traveled 2 hours seeking treatment. On August 14th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to improve her grasp in that hand. Thida's parents are able to contribute towards the cost of the surgery and need help raising $495 to fully fund the procedure. Her mother said, "After surgery, I hope that Thida can hold things and her fingers will look normal."

Shane is a four-year-old toddler from Bolivia. She is the middle of three children and lives in a jungle valley in northern Bolivia where her parents are both farmers. When Shany began to walk, her parents noticed that she would become out of breath very easily. After several doctor visits she was diagnosed with a condition called pulmonary valvar and subvalvar stenosis, in which the area in and near one of the four valves of her heart is too narrow. Blood cannot pass easily through this valve, leaving her weak and short of breath. Surgery is recommended to repair her heart. Our medical partner International Cardiac Alliance is requesting $1,500 to fund Shane's surgery. During surgery, doctors will open the valve to a more normal size so that blood can circulate normally through her body. Her mother shares: "Our family is hopeful that after this surgery our daughter will be healthy and strong enough to start school."

Phineace is nearly six years old and a lively student from Kenya. He loves playing with his friends and with toys. His youthful mother was overjoyed when she gave birth to a handsome boy, and she named him Phineace, a name which she says would be close to her name (her name is Phanice). His mother works as a salesperson, selling solar panels. She is paid on commission, which results in limited income. Phineace has clubfoot of both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape, making even the wearing of shoes a problem. Phineace's clubfeet makes it difficult for him to walk. He loses his balance and often falls. Phineace and his mother visited our medical partner's care center, AIC CURE International Hospital, where the doctors determined they could help. Surgeons will perform clubfoot treatment on October 24. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,286 to fund Phineace's clubfoot repair. After treatment, Phineace hopefully will be able to stand upright, stop walking on tiptoes and no longer have to crawl to avoid falling. Hopefully, he will be able to walk well, run, play with his friends and continue with his education like other children. “I am appealing to the people of goodwill to help my son undergo surgery so that he can walk like other children,” Phineace’s mother told us.

Neema is a 2-month-old baby girl from Tanzania. She is the firstborn child of her parents, who are still quite young themselves. Her mother is a homemaker, while her father is a farmer and livestock keeper. Whenever necessary, the young parents receive assistance from Neema’s grandfather, who steps in to help due to their relative youth and inexperience. Neema 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, Neema and her parents traveled to visit our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH), and she is scheduled to begin clubfoot treatment on August 11th. AMH is requesting $935 to fund Neema's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will be able to achieve independent and comfortable mobility when she grows older, allowing her to wear regular footwear. Furthermore, successfully implementing this treatment plan will alleviate the concerns and anxieties of her parents regarding her future. Neema’s mother says: “I wish my daughter to have normal legs. I am hoping this treatment will be fast and go on smoothly.”

Emmanuel is a three-month-old baby boy from Tanzania. He has one older sibling. His parents are Olkokola Center volunteers, who dedicate their time to helping those in need. However, they face challenges in finding jobs that would offer them a stable income to provide for their family. Emmanuel has clubfoot of both feet. This is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape, making it difficult for the individual to wear shoes and to walk. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), can help. Emmanuel's family brought him to AMH's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. On August 4th, AMH's surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on Emmanuel's feet. AMH is requesting $935 to fund Emmanuel's clubfoot repair. This procedure is the first step of Emmanuel's treatment, and will ultimately help him run, walk, and play like other children. Emmanuel’s mother says: “I hope my son's treatment will go smoothly, and his legs won't have a permanent condition.”

Witneyla is an 11 month old infant from Haiti. She is cared for by her single mother, who loves her very much. She has no brothers or sisters. Witneyla has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of her condition, Witneyla has been experiencing increasing head circumference. Without treatment, Witneyla will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, Project Medishare, is requesting $957 to cover the surgery for Witneyla at Hospital Bernard Mevs, which will treat her hydrocephalus. This is the only site in the country where this care is currently available, and the procedure is scheduled for September 18th. This critical treatment will place a shunt to drain the excess fluid from Witneyla's brain to reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Witneyla will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. Her mother is hopeful that this surgery will allow her child to grow up healthy.

Moringe is a 13-year-old boy from a Maasai family in Tanzania. Moringe is the seventh child of his mother and comes from a large family. His father, a livestock keeper, works hard to support his children and family. The Maasai community in Kiteto primarily relies on livestock farming, and Moringe’s father is a respected cattle breeder. Unfortunately, Moringe is currently facing a debilitating physical condition that severely affects his mobility and hampers his ability to walk long distances. In 2022, Moringe began to experience pain in his feet. Shortly after, his knees began to bow inward, leading to the development of a condition commonly known as knee knocking or Genu Valgus. This condition often stems from an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often occurs because of contaminated drinking water. Morinfe's condition affects his daily activities and restricts his participation in important community events and educational opportunities. Due to limited financial resources and the high cost of medical care, Moringe's family hasn't been able to get Moringe the support he needs. Thankfully, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, can help. African Mission Healthcare is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Moringe. The procedure is scheduled for June 6th, and treatment will hopefully restore Moringe's mobility, allow him to participate in the activities he's missed out on, and decrease his risk of future complications. Moringe says, "I hope this chance I got will help change my life for the better. I hope when I go home, I will be able to do most of my activities without feeling any pain in my leg."

Reach is a five-year-old pre-schooler who lives in Kampong Speu with his parents and older brother. His mother works in a hair salon, and his dad is a security guard. At home, Reach loves watching YouTube and playing with toy cars. In 2020, he accidentally pulled the boiling rice pot down and burned multiple areas on the left side of his body. He received initial treatment at a nearby pediatric hospital, including skin grafts and wound care. However, burn scar contractures have developed, tightening the skin around his burns, especially around his wrist and hand. The contractures make it difficult to hold objects and perform everyday tasks. When his family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, they traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On June 15th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to improve the function of his hand. Now, his family needs help to fund this $495 procedure. His mother shared, "I hope Reach can use his hand like before and feel good about himself like before the accident."

Sospeter is a toddler from Kenya. He is the youngest in a family of three children. He is being raised by a single mother who is the breadwinner. His mother makes and sells readymade food at construction sites. Income from this venture is inconsistent and their family does not have medical coverage. In December 2022, Sospeter sustained hot water burns on his stomach and thigh. He was taken to the nearest district hospital after the accident, where he was treated for burns and later discharged back home. Burn contractures and a massive keloid have developed on his abdomen. He often itches the area and feels very uncomfortable. His mother has been unable to take him to a hospital due to a lack of funds. In September 2023, a mobile team visited their area; they reviewed him and advised them to visit Kijabe Hospital for review. His mother pooled resources and visited the plastic surgery clinic. Surgery was recommended, but the family is financially constrained and unable to afford the proposed cost of the treatment. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Sospeter receive treatment. On October 13th, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery to relieve him of the itchiness and discomfort associated with the wound; thus, he will be able to live a normal and quality life. Now, their family needs help to fund his procedure and care. Sospeter's mother says, “My child is in pain. Look at the way he cannot stop crying and scratching himself. It hurts to see him this uncomfortable. Please help.”

Meng Lik lives in Kandal province with his parents and younger brother. His father works in construction, and his mom works in a nearby handbag factory. He enjoys running around with his little brother and watching cartoons. Two months ago, he was playing at home and fell with is left arm outstretched and dislocated his elbow. His family went to a traditional healer but Meng Lik is still in pain. They then brought him to a nearby clinic, where they were told he needed surgery. He's lost some function in his arm and hand, and is still in pain. A surgery can restore function in his arm and hand, and the Children's Surgical Centre is requesting $469 to cover his procedure, physiotherapy, and follow-up care. His mom shared, "I hope he can move his arm again and be able to play and start school next year."

Phillip, a charming 3-year-old, lives with his parents and eight siblings in a remote village in Tanzania. His parents work as farmers; their daily life revolves around the cultivation of maize and finger millet, which sustains their meals and provides a modest income for their family’s necessities. Phillip was born with clubfoot in his right foot, and three of his siblings and his father were also born with this condition. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape, which causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Phillips’s father, who is aging and experiences clubfoot like Phillip, cannot work extended hours, so Phillip’s mother works diligently on the farm to ensure abundant harvests. Due to limited knowledge about this condition, his family did not previously seek treatment; however, one day, a glimmer of hope emerged when Phillip’s father met a boy who had the same condition but has now fully recovered. Upon learning about our medical partner’s care center, Phillip’s father was filled with hope and optimism and hurried home to share the information with his wife. Together, they decided to bring their son, Phillip, and three of his siblings to our medical partner’s care center. Happily, on October 6th, Phillip will begin clubfoot treatment. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $935 to fund Phillip’s surgery. After treatment, Phillip will experience improved mobility now and in the future. Phillip’s mother said, “I am glad there is a chance for my child to get treatment. I hope he doesn’t get to live with this disability for the rest of his life.”

Alvin is a 1-year-old boy and the firstborn child of his mother and father. Both of Alvin's parents are still relatively young themselves and are reliant on the support of the boy's grandparents. Their family tries to engage in day-to-day jobs to earn income for themselves. Together they reside in a modest village named Mamire. Alvin's mother primarily takes care of him while depending on sporadic day jobs for financial support. Regrettably, the earnings fall short of providing for both the mother and child, prompting the grandfather to assist them when needed. Alvin has clubfoot of his left foot, a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes as he grows. They have never sought treatment for Alvin's condition due to financial barriers. However, their situation changed when they attended one of our medical partner's outreach visits. This visit directed them to a partner centre, offering a ray of hope for Alvin's health. Alvin's parents are now seeking assistance to cover the costs of their son's treatment. Fortunately, Alvin and his family traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, The Plaster House NGO. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on August 11th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $935 to fund Alvin's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk easily and grow up to lead a high quality life without disability. Alvin’s grandfather says: “We wish for Alvin to experience well-being and not to bear the burden of constant worry about his future due to his untreated condition.”

Meet Chanty, a happy 7th grader from Cambodia who hopes to become a teacher when she's older! Her favorite subject in school is Cambodian literature. Chanty has an older brother, and her parents are rice farmers. As part of their farming, they work long hours most days, especially in the harvesting season. In 2011, when Chanty was two years old, she fell near her house and burned her left hand on firewood. Now, burn scar contractures have developed, tightening the skin around her burn and limiting her hand function. When Chanty's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), they traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On November 1st, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to improve the function of her hand. CSC is requesting $495 to fund this procedure. Chanty's family contributed $100 to her care. Chanty said, "I hope I can grip with my hand and be able to do things more easily at school and with my friends."

Song Heng is an 8-year-old student who lives with his parents and three siblings in Kampot province. His father works in construction and his mother is a homemaker. Song Heng is currently in grade two and enjoys going to school with his older siblings. He likes to eat Khmer soup and is learning to read books about Khmer history in school. At home, he plays basketball with his friends and wants to be a policeman when he grows up. For the past two years, Song Heng has been experiencing sore throats and difficulty swallowing. He has had fevers and a sore throat at least four times a year; medication purchased from the local pharmacy has not helped. Frequent illnesses cause him to miss school. In the past two weeks, he has had a bad sore throat and has not able to eat solid food. Song Heng was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, which, if not treated, will cause his symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. His family is able to contribute $100, and our medical partner Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) is requesting $265 to fund a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for Song Heng, which is scheduled to take place on July 25th. Surgeons will remove his tonsils and adenoids, hopefully relieving Song Heng of his symptoms and helping him live much more comfortably. His mother said, "I hope my son will get better after he has surgery, so he can eat food and grow strong."

Abraham is a 15-year-old, social and shy boy. He is the firstborn in a family of two and hails from Konyao village in Kenya. We met Abraham at our Kacheliba mobile clinic accompanied by his auntie who is raising him. His mother passed away while he was at a tender age, and the auntie decided to take care of her two children since their father married another wife. Abraham's auntie works as a vendor selling vegetables at the local shopping centre. Abraham does not attend school because his left leg is bent inside, he cannot walk for long distances and constantly complains of pain while walking. He is scheduled to undergo left leg orthopedic surgery to correct the deformity. The treatment will be impactful to him because he will be able to walk confidently and continue with his daily duties uninterrupted. Their family is in need of support from well-wishers. “I am seeking for support to help this young boy undergo surgery so that he can walk like other children,” Abraham’s auntie told us.

Thaw is a 5-year-old boy who lives with a large family in Burma. His whole family works as agricultural day labourers. He has not yet started his schooling because he is young and because of his health condition. Thaw enjoys playing with other children in their neighborhood. He also enjoys practicing writing the Burmese alphabet, which his brother has taught him. Thaw was born with a congenital condition affecting his lower digestive tract. He underwent surgery a few days after he was born and again when he was two years old. Now the doctor wants to perform a reverse colostomy, an operation to improve the function of his lower digestive tract. Our medical partner Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF) is requesting $1,500 to cover the cost of Thaw's surgery scheduled for June 12th. Thaw's father said, "Both us [my wife and I], have to watch him constantly because we are worried that he will get an infection... Currently, half of our income goes towards his medical expenses, which makes it difficult for our family to survive."

Meet Collins, a 12-year-old calm boy, the second born in a family of 3 children and a student at a special school. Their family hails from Shamata village in Nyandarua county. His mother is a single mother and is a small farmer. She shared how devastated she was upon receiving the news of her son's spine deformity. In her mind, she thought that her child could not survive until she was referred to a specialist, who explained the condition and how it could be corrected. Collins was born with a condition known as severe scoliosis, a spine deformity and a sideway curvature of the spine. This condition has greatly affected his mobility. He cannot bend and gets tired quickly while walking. Apart from the spine deformity, he is also mentally impaired, which has delayed his education. He is scheduled to undergo surgery to help heal his spine. The treatment will be impactful to him because he will be able to walk upright and continue with his education uninterrupted. "I am kindly requesting you to support my son, who is undergoing surgery and we are unable to pay for it. Your help will be highly appreciated as you help me put a smile on my son's face. Thank you so much for considering my request," shared Collin's mother.

Shashi is a 15-year-old student and the second-born child in a family of five children. His parents are farmers who depend on small-scale agriculture for sustenance and to generate some income to cover their daily expenses. Shashi was diagnosed with bilateral genu valgus, a condition characterized by bilateral knocking of the knees that is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones. He first experienced this condition when he was 5 years old. Despite trying various traditional treatment methods, they were all unsuccessful. Due to the fear of being unable to afford the medical expenses, they did not initially seek help from a hospital. As a result, as Shashi grew older, his condition continued to deteriorate. What initially began as a slight bowing of his legs progressively worsened over time, causing immense concern for his parents. It became increasingly challenging for him to walk and engage in activities that required long distances of walking. He was forced to stop attending school because of its distance from home and the lack of transportation options available in his area. His condition has made it difficult for him to connect with his peers. Fortunately, our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH) can help. Shashi is scheduled for corrective surgery on August 1st, and AMH is requesting $880 to fund the procedure. Treatment will hopefully restore Shashi's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Shashi says, “It is painful living like this. My legs hurt when I walk. I can’t play and socialize with my friends. I hope the treatment I get will make my life better.”

Soktheang is a six-year-old preschooler. He and his family live in Kampong Speu province, about four hours away from the capital of Phnom Penh. His father is a construction worker, and his mother works in a local clothes factory. He has one older brother who is a student. Soktheng likes to learn about Khmer history and listen to stories told by the teachers. At home, he loves to eat fried eggs and drink orange juice, and he tries very hard to keep up with his older brother. About three days ago, Soktheng's mother noticed him pulling at his ear and not sleeping well. She took him to the local health center, where they saw a small foreign object in his ear. Due to his agitation, they were unable to retrieve it. He complained of pain and hearing loss and was very unhappy. If the object stays in his ear, it could lead to infection and long-term hearing loss. Soktheang and his mother traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On November 17, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) surgeons will do a procedure to remove the object under anesthesia. Now, Soktheang's family needs help to raise $273 to fund this procedure. His mother said: "I hope my son will not have pain anymore. I am worried Soktheang will not hear from that ear."

Lucia is a six-month-old baby, living with her parents and older sibling in Orboma in Tanzania. Her parents make their living farming and livestock keeping. Their primary focus is on farming for sustenance, and they also sell any surplus harvest to generate additional income to meet their expenses. Lucia was born with the birth condition of bilateral clubfoot. Both of her feet are twisted out of shape, making it difficult for her to walk or to wear shoes as she grows. When her mother discovered this, she immediately began searching for treatment options. The family was initially referred to a nearby hospital, but they couldn’t find the necessary treatment there. It was at the hospital, however, that they learned about our medical partner's specialized care center, which is dedicated to treating children with similar conditions. Lucia's family traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, The Plaster House NGO. There, the team will begin the clubfoot repair process on October 6th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $935 to fund Lucia's care. After treatment, Lucia will have improved alignment of her feet so that as she grows, her feet will develop correctly, enabling her to walk easily. Lucia’s mother says: “I wish my daughter to have normal legs like other babies. This will help reduce the stress we feel towards her future.”

Imani is a 4-year-old boy from Tanzania. His family resides in Karatu, a small district located in the Arusha region. He is the second born among three children. His mother, a farmer, takes care of him and his siblings with the invaluable assistance of his grandfather. He has recently started school and enjoys spending time with his new friends there. His fmaily hopes that he can continue with school and do well there as he grows. One of his favorite activities is his art class, where he already likes to draw and paint. Imani was diagnosed with genu varus, also known as bow legs. This condition may present from infancy through adulthood and has a wide variety of causes including excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. It causes lateral knee thrusting and a waddling gait. It can also impact his hips and ankles as the condition continues to worsen. As a result, he cannot walk and play like his friends and other students. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), was able to create a treatment plan for Imani. The procedure is scheduled to take place on August 1st. Treatment will hopefully restore Imani's mobility, allowing him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. AMH is requesting $880 to help fund corrective surgery for Imani. Imani’s mother says: “I wish for my son to be able to walk and play without falling repeatedly. I have high hopes that this treatment will significantly improve his life and bring about positive changes for him.”

Charles is a 6-year-old boy and the third-born child in a family of five. He has a twin sibling with whom he enjoys playing with and has an undeniable bond. The mother is a stay-at-home wife, while the father is a farmer who relies on agriculture for sustenance and income to cover their day-to-day expenses. However, due to the current climate changes, the returns from his farming activities have been quite minimal. Consequently, he has had to find another day job to earn some extra money. Charles was recently diagnosed with bilateral genu varus. A condition where both of his legs are bowed outward. It began when he was 2 years old and has continued to worsen over the years. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, the bowing of his legs has made him walk with a side-to-side gait. Charles quickly becomes tired when engaging in activities that require mobility. Despite the parents’ efforts to seek treatment for his condition, living in a remote area has made it difficult for them to access the appropriate treatment. To address his condition, Charles requires corrective surgery, known as bilateral Sofield-Miller osteotomy to improve the alignment and functionality of his legs. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), has been able to diagnose Charles and create a treatment plan. The procedure is scheduled to take place on August 1st. Treatment will hopefully restore Charles's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. AMH is now requesting $880 to help fund the corrective surgery for Charles. Charles says: “I wish to get better and for my legs to look normal. Hopefully, after this treatment, my legs will be fine.”

Ly Huor is an inquisitive 18-month-old toddler from Cambodia. He lives with his parents and three older brothers in Phnom Penh province. His father is a taxi driver and his mother is a homemaker. His brother are all in public school and he stays home with his mother - they hope he can start school as he grows too. Ly Huor enjoys eating rice soup, playing with toys, watching cartoons, and playing with his siblings. In February, Ly Huor's right hand was burned when he placed it in a fire. His mother took him to a local clinic for wound care, but the dressing was soon removed by his mother because it irritated him. Normally, during the healing process, the body attempts to repair the damaged skin by forming new collagen fibers, which are the building blocks of scar tissue. Collagen is laid down in a somewhat disorganized manner, and it doesn't have the same elasticity and flexibility as normal skin. Therefore, when Ly Huor's finger developed scar tissue, it caused the skin on his index finger to contract and tighten. Burn scar contractures have developed on his index finger. He is unable to straighten his finger, which makes it difficult for him to grasp objects. When his mother tries to stretch his finger, he cries out in pain. On July 28th, surgeons at our medical partner Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) will perform a burn contracture release surgery to to release the scar tissue and restore mobility to his fingers. Ly Huor's family is able to contribute $25 to the cost of the surgery and they are asking for help to raise $495 to fully fund the procedure. His mother said, "We are worried that Ly Huor will not be able to use his hand like his brothers. We hope the doctors can fix his fingers so he can attend school with the other children when he is older."

Levina is a charming 4-year-old girl and the youngest child of three in her family. Sadly, Levina had a twin brother who suffered from a high fever when they were about nine months old and tragically passed away. Levina, too, faced challenges during her early years, as her overall health showed many challenges. However, she managed to survive and gradually saw improvements in her general well-being as she grew older. Levina has been diagnosed with right valgus, meaning that her right leg bows inward. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, she experiences difficulty in walking. In April 2022, Levina visited our partner's care center and began receiving treatment to correct her leg deformity, as her legs were severely bowed. However, given the severity of her condition, her initial surgery proved insufficient to fully heal her condition. Consequently, she has returned for another surgery in order to progress further with her treatment plan. Levina’s parents are once again seeking assistance to cover the costs of the treatment she began when she was three years old. Our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH) is requesting $880 to fund her treatment, which will hopefully restore Levina's mobility, allow her to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease her risk of future complications. Levina’s mother says, "Thank you so much; the first treatment has helped my daughter so much. We have hope that when she completes her treatment, she is going to be able to walk freely."

Menghong and his family live in Kampong Cham province, approximately a three-hour ride to the capital of Phnom Penh city. Both of his parents are rice farmers, and he has a younger sister. In school, he likes mathematics and would like to be a policeman when he is older. As a nine-year-old who is rapidly growing, he enjoys playing with his little sister and eating duck eggs with rice. Several years ago, Menghong slipped on some water and badly bruised his left wrist. At first, his parents dismissed it, thinking it was just a minor discomfort that would fade away. However, the pain has intensified and he cannot use his wrist. He has a hard lump, and when touched, he experiences a sensation similar to a painful electric shock. Menghong's parents took him to the local clinic, where they suggested they take him to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. Specialty doctors examined him and determined he may have a calcified neuroma in his wrist—a condition that requires surgery to alleviate the pain and prevent further complications. On December 14th, surgeons will explore his ulnar nerve near his left wrist and remove the neuroma. Now his parents need your help to pay for the $572 cost of the procedure, which includes surgery, hospitalization, medications, post-op care, and rehabilitation. Menghong's mother said: "We are very worried about my son and hope that after surgery he will have no more pain and can use his hand again."

Celeste is a 3 month-old infant from Colombia. She was born in Medellín, lives with her parents, grand parents and great grandparents in a little house full of 4 generations. Even though she is so young she is a lovely girl who already smiles and laughs with everyone that comes and tells her she is cute. Celeste 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, Celeste's family traveled to visit our Medical Partner Clínica Noel. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on December 18th. Our medical partner, Clínica Noel, is requesting $1500 to fund Celeste's bilateral clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will be able to learn how to walk properly and without pain as she grows up. Her mother said, "I hope you can help my little princess, since I found out at my pregnancy I have tried to learn about her condition so I can help her not to suffer and recover properly."

Giovani is a one-year-old boy who lives with his parents and one older sibling. His mother works as a local roadside vendor, selling fruits, and his father, who is unemployed, is making dedicated efforts to secure a job to support his family. In addition to his job search, he has taken up poultry farming, involving the production and sale of chickens and eggs, so that he can contribute to the family's income. In April 2023, Giovani, while exploring alone in the kitchen, came upon a pot of hot soup. He immersed both of his arms in the pot, and sustained severe burns on his hands. His parents rushed him to the local hospital, where Giovani stayed for the next two months, while he received treatment for his wounds. Although he was eventually discharged after his wounds had healed, Giovani's hands had sustained significant skin damage. Despite facing financial constraints, Giovani’s father remained determined to find a solution for his child’s condition. While inquiring about a suitable location to receive treatment for his son, he encountered the parents of one of our former patients, who directed him to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare and the Plaster House. Following a thorough evaluation, the medical team diagnosed Giovani with burn scar contractures, affecting both of his hands. Four months later, Giovani was evaluated by a plastic surgeon, who devised a surgical treatment plan to address Giovani's inability to use his fingers to grasp objects - a result of the burn contractures. Giovani's parents are reaching out to you for assistance, to ensure that their son receives the appropriate medical care he requires. Fortunately, African Mission Healthcare is helping Giovani receive the care that he needs. On August 16th, surgeons will perform a burn contracture release surgery, to improve his hands’ functionality and appearance. Now, their family needs help to fund this $874 procedure. Giovani’s father says: “I wish to see my son enjoying playing with his toys. We hope this treatment will be a big change from his current situation.”

Chambi is a one-year-old baby. Her parents are hardworking farmers, working day in and day out to provide for their family in Tanzania. Chambi was born with clubfoot of the left foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Concerned for their daughter’s well-being, her parents took her to the local referral hospital, hoping for a solution but it was beyond the hospital's scope of care. Chambi’s mother reached out to our medical partner Plaster House NGO, an organization renowned for helping children like Chambi. Chambi’s mother went on a 2-day journey to our partner centre. There, the team will begin clubfoot treatment on September 15. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $935 to fund Chambi's clubfoot repair. After treatment, Chambi will be able to walk comfortably and wear shoes with ease when the time comes. Chambi's mother says, “It is my wish for my daughter to be healthy and okay, free from any kind of disability, I wish she gets the best treatment that will make her have a normal childhood.”

Daniel is a handsome 4-year-old boy. He is the third born in a family of three children. His father does not work because he has been sick, while the mother is a hawker of fruits, and her income is the sole income to sustain their family. Daniel is in pre-school and they hope he can feel better soon. Daniel’s mother has been struggling with him for three years, taking him to different hospitals without much relief. He has been having chronic tonsillitis and adenoiditis with symptoms like pain, fever, difficulty breathing and eating, sometimes coughing and vomiting with swollen tonsils. This has even affected his schooling. The mother decided to bring him to Nazareth Hospital where the Ear Nose Throat Surgeon ordered an Adenotonsillectomy to remove the tonsils and adenoids. Due to the socio-economic status of Daniel's family, they cannot meet the cost of this critical treatment. If not treated, Daniel will continue to have the pains and other symptoms and may develop complications like tonsillar abscess, middle ear infection, or rheumatic fever. “I am the sole breadwinner from my little income. At the same time, I feel bad to see my child suffering. I plead for help so that he can be treated and be well to grow up normally,” shared Daniel's mother.

Dada is a newborn baby girl, entered the world last week on December 2nd in Lobosiret, Simanjiro district in Tanzania. As the youngest member of the family, her parents were filled with joy to welcome her into the world. Her father works as a livestock keeper, while her mother is a dedicated homemaker. Upon observation, Dada’s mother noticed that her daughter’s legs seemed different from those of other babies. Concerned, her mother sought advice from the doctor at the hospital, who reassured her that both conditions were well-known and treatable. After spending a few days at home, Dada’s parents decided not to delay seeking treatment for their daughter. Dada was born with 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, Dada's family traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Kafika House. There, the team will begin clubfoot treatment on December 12th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $935 to fund Dada's clubfoot repair. After treatment, her crawling and walking abilities will be enhanced even as she grows. With this treatment, Dada will eventually be able to wear shoes without experiencing any discomfort. Her parents were comforted after they were provided with information about Dada’s condition, seeing it as a significant step towards ensuring their daughter could lead a life free from disability. Dada’s mother says: “I am hopeful that my daughter will have normal legs and grow up to be like her older siblings.”

Mekides is a 2-year-old toddler and the youngest of four who lives with her family in Ethiopia. Her father is a traditional farmer, while her mother is a homemaker. She loves milk, playing ball, and laughing with her mom and dad. She feels so happy when her dad brings home a new pair of shoes and a dress for her. Mekides was born with a birth defect called Hirschprung disease. She has an abnormally functioning segment of her bowel. This condition has been a struggle for the family to cope with. Mekides previously underwent a colostomy creation and now needs a colonic pull-through, where the diseased section of her intestine will be removed and the healthy portion will be pulled down. Doctors with our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH) will perform this surgery on July 25th and are requesting $1,500 to fully fund the procedure. This surgery will help Mekides thrive with the other children in her village. Mekides' dad said “After her treatment, I believe she will heal. I will not give her the duty to do labour work as other girls have in my area. But I will educate her. I will work hard to upgrade her life and give her a quality life. I gave her to God, believing God will lead her to a better future.”

Theara is a clever four-year-old boy from Cambodia. He lives with his parents and younger brother in Prey Veng province. His mom and dad work in construction, while his grandmother cares for him during the day. Theara's favorite things are playing with toy cars and eating fried eggs. Three weeks ago, Theara's grandma noticed he put something from the garden in his nose. She was not able to find the object and assumed he would be fine. Unfortunately, since then Theara has been complaining of pain and has difficulty breathing through his nose. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), can help. Theara and his family traveled to CSC's care center to receive treatment. On August 16th, surgeons at our CSC's care center will remove the mass from his nose. Theara is able to contribute $37.50 to his care, and CSC is requesting the remaining $273 to fund this procedure. His grandmother shared, "I hope my grandson can not be in pain anymore. I want him to go home and be happy to play with his friends and family."

Nicol lives with her mother in a city in central Bolivia. She is in kindergarten and loves to paint and watch cartoons. Her mother bakes and sells desserts for a living. Nicol was born with a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus, in which a hole exists between two major blood vessels near the heart. Blood leaks through this hole, leaving her weak and short of breath. Our partner facility International Cardiac Alliance is requesting $1,500 to fund cardiac surgery for Nicol. During surgery, doctors will tie the hole closed so that blood no longer leaks through it. Once recovered, Nicol will have improved strength and breathing. If left untreated, it could leave to heart failure. Nicol's mother shared: "Our family was so afraid that our daughter might never be able to have this surgery. We are very happy to know it will happen soon!"

Gregon is struggling to hear. He has severe bilateral hearing loss that requires attention. He needs hearing aids for both ears. He attends school, but his mother plans to send him to a special school to learn sign language. With the hearing aids, he will be able to hear well and join the special school where he will learn to speak and study hard. Gregon is an only child raised by a single mother who lives in an urban area in the country's capital, Nairobi. Gregon's Mother says, "He enjoys schooling but cannot recognize voices. My child needs to hear to go to school."

Lightness is a sweet, seven-month-old baby girl from Tanzania. She is the youngest of five children in her family. Her parents are small-scale farmers who depend on what they grow for the family's daily food. Her father also does casual laboring day jobs to help supplement their income. Lightness was born with a bend at her ankles and has been diagnosed with clubfoot of both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape, which causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Her family needs financial assistance with her medical care and brought her to our medical partner's hospital. On July 5th, surgeons perform clubfoot repair surgery to help her walk easily as she grows. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $935 to fund this surgery. Lightness's mother said: "I was told through this program my baby's feet could be treated. Kindly help us if it is possible."

Meng Lang is a clever first grader. She is five years old and has two younger sisters. Her parents and sisters live two hours away in a rural village, where her parents work as rice farmers. Meng Lang lives with her grandmother in the capital city of Phnom Penh so that she has access to a better education. Meng Lang loves dolls and playing with her friends. Meng Lang was born with syndactyly of both feet. This means that both of her pinky toes are fused to the toe next to it. She feels embarrassed to wear sandals like her friends, and her grandmother doesn't want her to miss any more school or playing with friends due to feeling shy and having less balance. Fortunately, on December 4, surgeons will perform a syndactyly repair procedure to separate and release the fused toes. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $444 to fund this procedure. After surgery, Ming Lang will feel more confident. Her grandmother shared, "I just want Meng Lang to feel good and go to school happy."

Ratha lives in Phnom Penh with her parents and two siblings. Her mom stays at home to care for the kids, and her dad works in a printing shop. Her favorite things are eating pizza and riding her bike with her 10 year-old brother. Ratha has been diagnosed with bilateral genu varum, also known as bow legs. Ratha's condition is severe, with her legs turned inwards, which makes it difficult for her to walk and play. Fortunately, doctors at our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, can help improve her mobility. Small plates are used to correct a deformity affecting the angle of the bone. They are inserted into one side of the growth plate, guiding growth of the limbs until they are straight. On September 13th, she will undergo surgery at Kien Khleang Rehabilitation Centre to help resolve her condition. Now she and her family need your help to fund the $521 cost of the surgery. Her mother hopes she is healthy soon and shared that she hopes surgery can help her daughter play with her friends and ride her bike more easily.

Kimleang is an 11-year-old student. She looks up to her older sister who is 15 years old and is in 9th grade. She enjoys learning English at school and her favorite subject is Khmer literature. At home, after she has done her homework, she likes to watch TV, listen to music, and eat ice cream. Eight years ago, when Kimleang was only three, she was in a motor vehicle accident and fractured her right tibia. Her parents took her to a Khmer traditional healer, where she received a bamboo splint and medication. Unfortunately, her leg became infected, so her parents took her to a local hospital for debridement and a cast. Although her infection resolved, her ankle and toe have become deformed over the past several years due to her previous fracture. It is difficult for her to walk, and she struggles to match the pace of her friends, who enjoy running and playing. When Kimleang's family learned about our medical partner Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), they traveled over 4 hours seeking treatment. Surgeons at CSC have determined that she needs a tendon procedure on the upper surface of her foot, where extensor muscles are located. An external frame will be placed to stabilize the incision and assist in healing. Kimleang's parents are able to contribute $100 to the cost of the procedure and need help with the full cost to fund the procedure that which is scheduled for August 11th. This will cover the surgery, hospitalization, medications, and rehabilitation. After surgery, Kimleang should be able to walk normally and no longer be in pain. Kimleang shared, "After surgery I hope that my leg will be straight and I won’t have pain when walking."

Joseph is a bright-eyed, 4-month-old boy. He has a loving family that spans across borders. His mother resides in Kenya and works in a catering company, while his father is based in Arusha, working as a videographer. Joseph is the youngest member of this close-knit family of three children, and his parents have always dreamt of a bright future for their little one. However, he was born facing a formidable challenge. He was diagnosed with club foot. Joseph’s journey towards a brighter future began at Huruma Hospital in Rombo district, where he received initial treatment. He has undergone four cast changes, showcasing his incredible resilience at a tender age. The medical team at Huruma Hospital has recognized Joseph's potential for a full and happy life, but they know that more specialized care is needed. That’s why his family is now turning to us for support. Fortunately, Joseph's family visited our medical partner's care center, The Plaster House NGO. There, the team began clubfoot treatment on October 6th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $935 to fund Joseph's clubfoot surgery. Joseph’s mother says: “I wish for my son to be okay. I hope when he starts crawling, this condition won’t limit him and make it uncomfortable for him.”

Pendo, a baby girl, resides in the Ngorongoro region of Tanzania. Her family follows the Maasai tradition and sustains themselves primarily through subsistence farming and livestock rearing. Pendo was born with clubfoot, a congenital condition that causes her foot to be twisted inward and downward, which causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Unfortunately, due to limited medical facilities and awareness in her village, the condition went unnoticed by doctors at birth. Pendo's mother noticed her bent leg a few days later. Despite the concern of the village grandmothers, her father initially believed it was part of God's plan and resisted any intervention. However, during an outreach program conducted by our medical team in her village, Pendo's mother learned about the treatment options available for her daughter. Realizing the potential for improved quality of life for Pendo, she sought medical assistance and brought her to our partner's center. Fortunately, Pendo is now being seen by our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on June 16th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, requests $935 to fund Pendo's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she'll be able to walk easily as she grows and live a full life ahead. Pendo's mother says, "Thank you for the chance to receive the treatment for my daughter. I hope her future will be good."

Lekere is a joyful 7-year-old from Kenya who is in the second grade. She is the firstborn in a family of five children. Lekere's favorite activities are playing with other kids and writing. Her father is a herder, and her mother is a homemaker. Lekere was born with clubfoot of her left foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape, which causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Currently, Lekere tiptoes as she walks and often falls while walking, making it difficult for her to engage with her peers fully. Lekere has been undergoing serial casting for five weeks as part of her healing process. The purpose of serial casting is to soften the tissue to achieve better results after surgery. Lekere is scheduled for clubfoot repair surgery on November 28th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $1,286 to fund Lekere's clubfoot repair surgery. After treatment, she will be able to walk well, play with her peers at home and in school, and continue growing into a strong, healthy young girl. Lekere's mother said, "My joy is seeing my girl walking normally like other children."

Ra is a bright and cheerful eight-year-old. His parents are divorced and married to other partners, so he resides in Phnom Penh province under the same roof with his grandmother, two aunts, and a younger brother. Ra is in grade two at the public school, where his favorite subject is mathematics. At home, he likes to play with toys with his younger brother but dreams of being able to run and play with his friends. His favorite meal is fried meat, a dish skillfully prepared by his grandmother's loving hands. It is unknown how he developed quadriceps fibrosis in his left leg, which is a progressive loss of knee flexion due to fibrosis within the muscle developed in early childhood. His grandmother said he had treatment when he was one year old at a pediatric hospital. His condition makes walking very difficult and painful when he tries to flex his leg. Despite his desire to run and jump like other little boys, he is often left alone because he cannot keep up with others. When Ra's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he and his grandmother traveled there to seek treatment. On December 12th, surgeons at CSC will perform a quadricepsplasty procedure to improve his knee flexion and help him walk normally. Now, Ra's family needs help to fund this $482 procedure. His grandmother said: "My heart breaks when I see Ra try to keep up with other children. I hope he can walk soon after his operation and have a good childhood."

Yesica is an 8-year-old girl who lives with her parents and 2 younger brothers in a mining city high in the mountains of central Bolivia. Her father works in construction, and her mother is a homemaker. Yesica is in second grade and loves attending school and learning about science. Yesica was born with a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus, in which a hole exists between two major blood vessels near the heart. Blood leaks through this hole, leaving her weak and short of breath. Yesica needs surgery to heal this condition. Fortunately, our medical partner International Cardiac Alliance (ICA) can help. Yesica is scheduled for cardiac surgery on October 11th, during which doctors will sew the hole closed so that blood can no longer leak through it. After surgery, she will be able to be more active and grow up to be a strong young woman. Yesica's family and ICA need help raising $1,500 to fund the procedure and her follow-up medical care. Her mother shared, "Our family is very hopeful that Yesica will be stronger and healthier after her surgery."

Joyce is a sweet 5-year-old girl from Kenya. Joyce's father lost his first wife, leaving him with seven children from their marriage to care for. He later remarried Joyce's mother, and together they have five children, so Joyce's full family consists of her mother, father, and eleven siblings. The two oldest children have moved out and started their own families. Joyce's parents take on various work, like working on their neighbors' farms, to provide for their family. However, they shared that their earnings are barely enough to provide food for the family, and they also receive some support from well-wishers. Joyce has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of her condition, Joyce has been experiencing severe headaches accompanied by loss of speech and inability to walk over the last three weeks. Without treatment, Joyce will experience severe physical and developmental delays. On October 27th, Joyce will undergo surgery to drain the excess fluid from her brain, thus reducing the intracranial pressure and significantly improving her quality of life. With proper treatment, Joyce will develop into a strong, healthy young girl. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $720 to cover the surgery cost. Joyce's mother said, "I am worried for my daughter's health. I want her to be treated and go back to her good health again."

Samuel is a toddler from Ethiopia. He is the second child and loves playing with his older brother. He also loves to take milk and Plumpy Nuts, a nutritional treatment donated by the government for malnourishment, as many children in Samuel’s area experience malnutrition. Samuel’s parents separated, and he, along with his siblings, is being cared for by his mother. She works in the community market, which is a community-organized venture that operates one day a week. On the other days, his mother buys and sells bread from bread makers for a profit. Due to the area’s high poverty levels and rocky topography, drought and water shortages limit food production, so many families receive food donations of maize and wheat from the government, which also helps Samuel’s mom support her family. Samuel was born with hypospadias, a congenital abnormality that causes urinary dysfunction. His mom brought him to a local health center, where he was referred to the hospital. Unfortunately, before treatment could begin, war broke out and forced Samuel and his mother to return home without any treatment. Samuel’s mom has been deeply concerned about his health. However, she was filled with hope after meeting with a social worker from our medical partner’s care center and learning that Samuel’s condition is treatable. With that hope, she traveled three days to the care center for Samuel's surgery. Samuel is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on December 12th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $1,293 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and will be at risk of infertility. Samuel’s mom said, “I hope I will see my child healed and pass urine just like other children.”

Alice is a 2 year-old toddler from Kenya. Her family hails from a village in Bungoma county. Alice is the only child in the family and is loved deeply by her parents. Her mother sells chips and samosa in a small kiosk within the village while her father sells shoes. Alice entered the world with a unique trait – she was born with bilateral club hands. Her parents were surprised by the condition. They had not heard or witnessed a condition of that kind, and they were unsure of what this meant for their precious daughter’s future. However, the parents were determined to give all the love and support she needed to continue with a full life. Immediately after Alice was born, her parents started seeking guidance from medical professionals who specialized in limb conditions, they went to different hospitals within the county until they were referred to Cure hospital. She is now in the hospital to undergo bilateral hand centralization surgery. The treatment will be impactful to her because her hands will be straightened, and she will be able to use them fully. Our medical partner African Mission Healthcare is requesting $1,224 to fund surgery for Alice. Alice's mother shared, “I will appreciate any kind of support to help my daughter undergo surgery, so that she can resume her life like other children.”

Mark is a cheerful and social 4-year-old boy from Kenya who is in preschool. He is the second to last born in his family. Mark's mother is a businesswoman, selling rice and cereals within the village, and his father is a teacher. Mark's mother shared that he is an independent kid who likes playing with his friends and helping with household duties at home. Mark was diagnosed with a condition known as Left Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy, a type of cerebral palsy that causes paralysis only on one side of the body. After going through a series of consultations in different hospitals without any improvements, Mark's mother heard about our medical partner's care center. Mark has clubfoot of his left foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Mark's mother brought him to the care center, and upon review, the doctors recommended surgery. On November 28th, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $1,286 to fund Mark's procedure. After treatment, he will be able to stand upright, walk confidently, and continue with his education without any difficulty. "I will be happy to see my son walking well like other children." Mark's mother told us.

Meet Reacheany Kuch, who lives with her parents in Phnom Penh province. In their daily lives, her parents operate as food vendors in a local market. When not in kindergarten, Reacheany delights in accompanying her parents to the market, observing the hustle and bustle of the vibrant surroundings. She has a fondness for the duck eggs her parents bring home from their market, and she has decided she would like to become a teacher when she is older. Reacheany Kuch has faced a challenge from a young age – torticollis, which causes her neck to tilt to one side. Her head tilts to one side, and her chin tilts to the other side - she feels pain when she tries to correct it. This makes it difficult for her to move her head or neck. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), offers surgery to correct congenital torticollis. Her parents traveled to CSC, where, after a thorough examination, the doctor recommended a procedure called sternocleidomastoid (SCM) release to correct Reacheany Kuch's torticollis. Now, her parents need help to cover the costs of the $572 procedure, which will include surgery, hospitalization, medications, and rehabilitation. Your assistance will play a crucial role in ensuring that Reacheany Kuch receives the care she needs to overcome the challenges posed by her condition and continue pursuing her dreams of becoming a teacher. Her mother said: "We are hopeful the operation will correct Reacheany Kuch's neck, and she will look like other children. She is timid, so this will help her when she attends a new school next year."

Stallone is a bright and bold-looking 12-year-old boy residing in Kangemi in Nairobi County. He is the firstborn in a family of 3 children, and he proudly said he is in class seven and going to class eight. At school, Stallone also likes to play football. His mother is a community health volunteer, while his father works as a travel guide. Their income is sufficient for their modest upkeep. Stallone’s condition may have started years back, but being her first child, his mother shared that she could not tell if there was a problem. It was not until December 2022 when he was undergoing medical care that his parents were informed that he has a condition called cryptorchidism. His family then brought him to Nazareth Hospital, and an ultrasound confirmed the diagnosis. If not treated, Stallone may have complications like strangulation, and infection and, in the future, may have infertility or be at risk of cancer. Stallone will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on November 6th. AMH is requesting $483 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. “I am worried about the future of my son. Kindly support us so that he can be well and grow up like a normal man. We hope in the future he can have his own family,” said Stallone’s mother.

Amilaku is a 2-year-old boy from Ethiopia who loves to play football with his mom. His mom is raising him on her own and spends her days caring for him, collecting firewood from the woods, and fetching water from springs. This work requires her to travel long distances and carry the wood and water on her back. She also sells traditional beer to earn a living; however, income from this venture is limited, so her parents support her by giving her some grains from their farm at harvest time. Since birth, Amilaku has had an inguinal hernia that causes him to have a reduced appetite, burning or aching sensations at the bulge, and experience pain and discomfort. Amilaku's mom desperately wanted to seek medical attention for her child, but the nearest health facility was three days away, and she did not have the resources to facilitate their transport. Her hopes of finding treatment for her child diminished. A social worker heard her story and communicated with BethanyKids, our medical partner's care center, who facilitated their travel and accommodation to the hospital. Happily, on December 5th, Amilaku will undergo hernia repair surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $512 to fund Amilaku's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Amilaku's mom said, "I hope with this surgery, the bulge will disappear, and he will get normal and free of any complications."

Veasna lives in Kampong Cham, Cambodia, with his single mom and younger brother. His mom sells spices from home to support her sons to attend school. In his free time, Veasna likes to play basketball with his friends. Currently, his best grades are in math, and he enjoys all subjects at school. At the age of two, Veasna had a seizure and was taken to a nearby hospital. Since then, his mom noticed a foot deformity getting progressively worse. He visited a nearby clinic to have splinting, but the condition has not improved, and it has become difficult to walk, play with his friends, and wear shoes. Veasna and his mom traveled one and a half hours to Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). Doctors will perform an achilles tendon lengthening surgery. This will allow him to distribute weight across his whole foot, giving him greater balance and ease of walking. After a physiotherapy program, Veasna will be able to walk like any other kid. He told us, "I would be happy if I can walk more normally and be able to walk to school and play basketball without it hurting."

Godlove is a 2-week-old baby boy and the youngest of 4 children. Godlove’s father, who works diligently as a car mechanic, is the main breadwinner for their family. Despite his efforts, his income is insufficient to cover all their expenses. In response to this financial gap, Godlove’s mother has established a small charcoal-selling business within their community to contribute to their family’s financial stability. Godlove was born with clubfoot of his left foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This will cause difficulty walking and even wearing shoes as he grows. Fortunately, Godlove's family traveled to visit our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH) and The Plaster House NGO where he is scheduled to undergo clubfoot treatment on August 11th. After treatment, he eventually will walk independently and comfortably, even allowing him to wear regular shoes. His legs will not be a hindrance to his participation in everyday activities as he matures. AMH is requesting $935 to fund Godlove's clubfoot repair. Godlove’s mother said, “I wish for my son’s legs to be okay. I hope this won’t be a problem in his future.”

Tola is a three-year-old who needs burn treatment so he can grow up active and healthy. He lives in Kandal province with his parents and two siblings. His mom sells rice and his dad is a fisherman. Tola loves playing with his siblings, toy cars, and eating mangos. When he was eight months old, Tola burned his right hand in a pot of rice. Burn scar contractures have developed, tightening the skin around the burns. He has limited function in his fingers, and his parents are worried it will affect him starting school next year. When Tola's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), they traveled there hoping for treatment. On October 23, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to to improve function in his hand. Now, his family needs help to fund this $495 procedure. Tola's mother says "I hope he can use his hand better for eating, and playing, and learning to write when he starts school."

Rabira is a 20-month-old toddler from Ethiopia, who loves playing with his toy cars and laughing with his parents. Rabira's mother and father have separated, and his father has taken it upon himself to raise Rabira and his one sibling. Rabira's father, who had to leave school when he was young, is starting to attend night classes, so that he can gain more education, and find work that will provide for his family. Soon after he was born, Rabira's father noticed that Rabira suffered from problems going to the bathroom. He brought Rabira to the nearby health center for evaluation, where it was determined that he had been born with hypospadias. If his condition is left untreated, Rabira would continue to experience urinary dysfunction, and might develop cancer or fertility issues later on. Due to financial constraints, Rabira's parents were unable to access care for him at the local hospital. Fortunately, the family was referred to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, and now Rabira is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on October 24th, at BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre. African Mission Healthcare Foundation is requesting $1,293 to cover the total cost of Rabira's procedure and care. Rabira's mother said: “After the surgery, I hope he will be normal and pass urine normally as other children. And if he gets better I want him to go to school and graduate school. Become a person who earns well and supports himself. And when I get old I hope he will be able to support me.”

Ly Heng wants to be able to write in school and play sports with his friends. He is a 7-year-old first-grader from Cambodia who lives in Prey Veng province with his parents, who work as rice farmers. Ly Heng loves soccer, cartoons, and Cambodian-style pork fried rice. At around age 4, his parents noticed that he was unable to grip objects, which has gotten progressively worse over time. He is unable to lift his arm and has limited hand function. He feels embarrassed at school and is unable to do everyday tasks. Ly Heng's family traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. This is the only center in the country where this speciality treatment is available. On November 1, he will undergo surgery. After recovery, he'll be able to use his arm and hand. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Center, requests $709 to fund this procedure.

Nan Ei is a sweet 2-year-old toddler from Burma who loves playing with toys. Her father works as a delivery man, serving as the family's breadwinner, while her mother is a homemaker. In February 2023, Nan Ei developed a fever and a painful mass appeared in her neck. The mass has been increasing in size. With the help of Watsi, Nan Ei underwent a CT scan of her neck, which revealed a suspected thyroid cyst or infected branchial cleft cyst. Nan experiences painful swelling in her neck, accompanied by frequent fevers, making her mother concerned for her wellbeing. Nan Ei sought treatment through our medical partner Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), and she is now scheduled to undergo a mass removal surgery on October 11th. She and our medical partner BCMF need help raising $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Nan Ei's mother said, “I am thankful to you for assisting my baby’s treatment. I am hoping for the best. I would like to see my daughter grow up to become a doctor.”

Jarso is is a talkative and lively boy from Kenya. He is an aspiring soldier who has a severe wound on the right leg. He has not been able to go to school for more than two years now because of his condition. He is the youngest of two children. His mother passed away in 2015 and his father is a casual laborer in a dense urban part of the city that has a lot of poverty. He does not have medical coverage and already has a bill that his family is unable to pay. The stress on his family has also lead his father to seek psychological therapy in the facility. Jarso's father shared that two years ago, Jarso was pricked by a sharp object on his right leg but never reported it. He started experiencing extreme pain and abnormal swelling and was taken to a health facility in their hometown where he was treated for pain and swelling. His condition did not improve and his father opted to take him to his grandfather in Ethiopia where he was put under herbal and traditional treatments. The wound only worsened to the extent that he was constantly bedridden. He returned to Kenya where his neighbors advised him to visit Kijabe Hospital for care. On June 13th, Jarso was reviewed by the plastic surgery team and urgent care was recommended. He has so far undergone two major surgeries (Sequestrectomy and a debridement). He still needs another debridement and flap cover procedure to heal. His father cannot afford the surgery, he is appealing for financial support. Jarso is unable to walk without support and risks an amputation if the wound is not well treated. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Jarso receive treatment. On July 13th, surgeons will perform a debridement and skin graft procedure to heal his chronic wound and the risk for amputation will be significantly reduced. After complete healing, he will be able to return to school. Now, Jarso's family needs your help to fund this $1,185 procedure. Jarso's father says, “I am almost giving up! I thought it is a simple wound but it has taken over two years to heal. He has been through a lot of treatment including herbal and traditional remedies. They have all failed. The bone is so infected that he cannot even walk. He has missed school for two years now. I hope the treatment now enables him to walk and go back to school.”

Six year old John is active and jovial. His father passed away two years ago, and now John lives with his mother in an urban area in Kenya. When John entered first grade, his teacher noticed that he had difficulty hearing him in class. He contacted John's mother, and advised her to take John in for an evaluation. However, John's mother struggles to support herself and her son with her work washing clothes, so she was not able to take John to the doctor. A benefactor offered to pay for John to be evaluated, but when it was determined that he would benefit from having hearing aids, the benefactor could not afford to pay for John to have them. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is seeking $1,171 to cover the costs of John's hearing aids and care, which he will receive from AIC Kijabe Hospital. With your help, John will be able to participate fully in school, and in the life around him. John’s mother says: “All I want is for my son (John) to be able to hear well. I have struggled with hearing loss since birth too, and I know how it feels.”

Three year old Tilian is the youngest of the 12 children in his family. They all live in a remote village in the Kiteto Manyara region of Tanzania. The family resides in a communal boma, consisting of small mud houses, which are just enough to accommodate them all. Tilian's parents are small farmers who depend on agriculture and livestock for sustenance and income. However, their region has been plagued by prolonged dry seasons, leading to the death of cattle and reduced harvests. As the sole provider for the family, the father has been compelled to seek day jobs to support them. Unfortunately, his income falls short of meeting the most basic necessities for their family. In September 2022, while Tilian was playing with his friends, he inadvertently came into contact with a stove, and accidentally knocked over a container of hot water. This resulted in Tilian sustaining severe burns to his arms and chest. His injuries were extensive, and Tilian was brought to the nearest dispensary for immediate first aid and wound care. After the initial treatment, Tilian was discharged and sent home with instructions for caring for the wounds, because the dispensary lacked the resources to continue caring for him. The burns on Tilian's hands took more than two months to heal, while the one on his chest required even more time for proper recovery. In March 2023, Tilian was brought to our medical partner's center. The medical team thoroughly assessed his condition, and told his parents about the availability of visiting doctors who specialize in treating similar cases. Initiating a daily wound care regimen, the medical team began to attend to Tilian’s needs. However, Tilian's father struggled to afford the transportation for multiple trips to the center. As a result, the family had to make the difficult decision to leave Tilian at the facility as a resident, while he underwent his wound care, and awaited treatment at the plastic surgery clinic. During a plastic surgery clinic this month, Tilian was evaluated by visiting surgeons. The proposed course of action is surgery to facilitate the healing of the wound on his chest. Additionally, the doctors will need to address the burn scar contractures that have developed, tightening the skin around his arm. His parents are appealing for help to ensure their son receives the proper and necessary treatment for his wounds. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Tilian receive treatment. On August 15th, surgeons will perform a burn contracture release surgery to enable him to use his hand with ease. With continued care, the wound on his chest will heal completely, preventing any further risk of infection, and allowing Tilian to lead a normal life as he grows. Now, his family needs your help to fund this $874 procedure. Tilian’s father says: “We hope for his improvement, which would reduce the concerns about the risk of infection in his wound and allow him to play freely with his friends.”

Kiberian is a 3-year-old boy from Kajiado County who needs surgery to help him walk well. He comes from a large pastoralist family with many siblings. His father is a farmer/herder, while his mother takes care of their family and home. Kiberian was born with a deformity in his legs that has greatly affected his mobility. His knees bend inward, while his ankles remain apart. He cannot walk long distances and often falls while walking. Kiberian's father took him to a satellite clinic for treatment and the doctors recommend procedures that will reposition the femur and tibia of each leg into alignment. Our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH) is requesting $1,224 to cover the cost of the surgery, scheduled for June 20th. This treatment will be impactful to Kiberian because he will be able to walk well, play with other children, and continue with his education. Kiberian’s father shared, “The joy of a father is to see his children growing well without any challenge or deformity and I would love to see my boy walking well.”

Nana is an adorable 18-month-old baby. Her father works as a farmer, and her mother works selling food. Nana is the only child in her family. She enjoys playing with toys, and her favorite meal is fried noodles with fresh milk! Ten months ago, Nana's left-hand fingers were severely burned from a pan of boiling oil. Her mother took her to a local clinic for medications, but her fingers did not heal. She has since developed scar contracture on three of her fingers. This means the scar from the accident is pulling together and tightening the skin surrounding it, leaving Nana unable to hold objects. In order to help her condition, she will need to undergo a contracture release surgery, as well as a skin graft surgery to repair the scar tissues. When Nana and her family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), they traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On July 4th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help Nana use her fingers again. Now, she needs help to fund this $495 procedure. Her mother expressed, "I hope after this surgery my daughter can use her hand like other children."

Ivan is an 11-month-old baby who is very energetic. He is now at the crawling stage, and from the moment he arrived at our medical partner's care centre, Ivan has not stopped crawling from one point to another. Ivan lives with both his parents. His father is a small-scale farmer, and the sole provider for the family, while his mother stays at home taking care of household chores. He is very close to his mother, but also not afraid to meet new people. His mother enjoys watching him move around. She has struggled to find treatment for him since he was a newborn baby. When Ivan was born, his parents tried their best to pay for his treatment, but halfway through the treatment plan, they could not afford to pay anymore. Ivan has clubfoot of his right foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and wearing shoes as he grows. Fortunately, Ivan's family came to our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on November 8th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $935 to fund Ivan's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk easily when he grows up. Ivan’s mother says, “my biggest wish is to see my son learn how to stand and eventually start walking.”

Martin is a playful and friendly young boy and the last-born in a family of six children. Martin has not started going to school yet, but his father plans to enroll him in two years. Martin's father says life has been tough for him and his family since he fell sick for most of 2020, something that he says made life for his family tough. Prior to falling ill, Martin's father was a hardworking man practicing small-scale farming to provide food for his family and was also a catechist at their local catholic church. For over a year Martin's father was moved from one hospital to another seeking treatment. Martin's parents were forced to sell most of their property to cover the resulting medical bills. In 2021, Martin's father's health returned and he was able to grow his strength back. Martin's father moved their family to another village for a fresh start. They are now slowly rebuilding their life with the hope of restoring their livelihood once more. Since then, Martin has been diagnosed with Left Genu Varus meaning his leg is bent at the knee so that they do not 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, it is difficult for him to walk. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is raising $880 to fund corrective surgery for Martin. The procedure is scheduled to take place on July 5th. Treatment will hopefully restore Martin's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Martin’s father says, “Because of the long period I was sick I was not able to provide for my family. My son now needs treatment, but I still can’t afford the cost.”

Laurencia is a 9-year-old girl and the seventh born in a family of nine siblings. She is a student at the nearby primary school. Her parents are small-scale farmers who plant vegetables for sale and for the family's needs. Some of her siblings are in high school, so her father uses his small income to pay for their school fees and to provide for other family needs. They are from a semi-arid area which faces drought and most of their crops are sorghum and millet. There is a food and water shortage in the area, and they shared that bandits often attack them. Life has been quite challenging, but they have persevered. Laurencia came to AIC Kapsowar Hospital with a bandaged right arm. She had an x-ray from another facility, which showed that she had broken both the ulna and the radius after falling from a mango tree while harvesting mangoes. She is in pain and unable to use her hand. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On November 1st, Laurencia will undergo an open reduction and internal fixation surgical procedure to put the broken bones back in place. Her hand will be able to heal well and she will be able to use it again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $941 to fund this procedure. Laurencias’ father says, “This incident happened just when I was paying my other children's school fees. I am worried now that I cannot help my daughter when she is in need. Please help her so that she can be able to grow in a normal way.”

Bizuayehu is a beautiful and cheerful girl from Ethiopia who loves to talk and play with her mother. She asks a lot of questions and she is eager to learn about things. She especially loves dolls. Her mother washes clothes and makes injera (a traditional Ethiopian food) for a living. Bizuayehu's father abandoned her mother when she was pregnant. She shared that there was a time when she couldn’t pay for her rent and was out in the streets for several months. This led to malnutrition for both of them but they were able to recover with help from the hospital's nutrition program. She is now living on her very limited income from making injera and washing people’s clothes in the neighborhood, and with support from another organization. Since birth, Bizuayehu has had a bilateral inguinal hernia. The bulge is usually visible when she cries, coughs or strains. She also gets irritable and has reduced appetite. Fortunately there is a cure and on October 6th, she will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $591 to fund Bizuayehu's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably and confidently. Bizuayehu's mother says, “Once my child gets better and cured she can join a daycare and I can do a better job to earn a better income. And I hope she will do well at school. I would like to thank BKMCM for all the support I got. I would also like also to thank our donors for this surgery. I don’t know what I could do if it was not for you and all the people at different times who supported me and encouraged me. I have been supported and gone through so many challenges, but I have had people by my side. I am thankful to God for this blessing.”

Adonai is a one-month-old baby boy and the last-born child in a family of five children. Adonai's parents are small-scale farmers of maize, vegetables, beans, and a bit of tobacco. Through farming, they can get their food while the tobacco is usually sold to get money to pay for daily necessities. Adonai was diagnosed at birth with a congenital disability of the left clubfoot, a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape causing difficulty in walking and wearing shoes. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre, will perform clubfoot repair surgery on July 5th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is raising $935 to fund Adonai's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk easily and wear shoes when he grows up. Adonai’s father shared, “Things are really tough, and money has become hard to get. I depend on farming which has been very poor this season. Please help treat my son.”

Anjelina is a beautiful two-year-old baby from Tanzania. She is the youngest of three children in her family. Both of her parents do small-scale farming of maize, beans, and other vegetables, which they grow to feed their family. To help earn money, her father sometimes works as a casual laborer. Anjelina was born at a local hospital where her parents were informed that their daughter has clubfoot of both feet. Clubfoot is a condition where the foot is twisted out of shape, causing difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Although the doctor notified them that their daughter's condition could be corrected at a referral hospital, the hospital was over an eight-hour bus ride away, and they could not fund the transportation due to financial constraints. Fortunately, Anjelina's family was able to travel to our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on July 15th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $935 to fund Anjelina's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will be able to walk easily. Anjelina’s mother shares, “We tried to correct her feet using a local doctor, but there was not much improvement, and we couldn't afford to go to the referral hospital.”

Nancy is a bright and social 12-year-old student from Tanzania. She is the youngest in a family of three children. Her and her siblings are being raised by their grandparents with the help of amazing well-wishers, since their grandparents are older and appreciate the extra help. Nancy currently attends primary school, and her favorite subjects include Swahili, mathematics, and social studies! She is very friendly and loves to play netball with her schoolmates. However, playing is becoming increasingly difficult due to her condition. Nancy has clubfoot of the left foot. Clubfoot is a condition where the foot is twisted out of shape, which causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Nancy and her family traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on July 15th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $935 to fund Nancy's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will be able to walk easily. Her grandmother says, "Nancy and her siblings have been in my care since they were babies. We struggle to raise them. That's why well-wishers help. Unfortunately, they can’t help her with her treatment. Please help us."

Davith is a toddler who is not yet old enough to start school, so stays home with relatives while his parents work in a flower factory close to their home. Since birth, Davith has had clinodactyly of his right thumb. This means he was born with a finger that curves to one side. It is typically caused by abnormal growth and development of the small bones of the finger. He cannot flex the joint in his thumb, which makes it difficult to hold or carry objects and hinders his development. His parents took him to a hospital for children and were referred to our medical partner Children's Surgical Centre. His parents would like Davith's hand to be fully functional, and fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre can correct his condition. Now his parents need help with the $487 cost of a contracture release and skin graft of his thumb. With surgery, Davith will be able to hold objects and improve his range of motion with his thumb. The parents shared: "We also hope our son's thumb will look normal after surgery and other children will not make fun of him."

Elia is a playful 17-month-old baby from Tanzania who loves to smile. He is the youngest in his family of four children. Elia's father is a small-scale farmer and primarily grows food for the family's sustenance, while his mother cares for children. They shared that their income is limited to cover their basic needs. Elia's mother noticed that his leg was twisted downward and inward, affecting his ability to begin walking. She took him to a local clinic, but there were no improvements in his physical condition. When Elia's mother learned about our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), she brought him to AMH's care center. As soon as he arrived, Eila's charming personality emerged, and he made friends with the other children and played many games. Upon examination, the doctors at AMH diagnosed the condition as clubfoot of the right foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape, which causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. On November 18th, Elia will undergo clubfoot repair surgery at AMH's care center. After treatment, he will be able to walk easily and start wearing shoes. AMH is requesting $935 to fund Elia's procedure. Elia’s mother says: "I appeal for your financial support, and I will be glad to see my son start walking normally."

Nevid is a curious and playful two year old boy, living with his parents in Tanzania. His father is a motorcycle taxi driver, while his mother is a homemaker. Earlier this year, Nevid was outside the house playing with his friends, when he fell on a pot of hot water. His right arm was badly burned, leaving him with contractures when the wound healed. He has pain when he tries to straighten the affected arm. He has also developed a fear of doctors, because of the many times he had to go for injections, and it is difficult for him to allow anyone to examine his arm. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Nevid receive treatment. On October 17th, surgeons at Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help Nevid straighten his hand easily without causing any pain. Now, his family needs your help to fund this $639 procedure. Nevid’s mother says: “The entire treatment period has been so traumatizing to my son. I hope this will be the last time his arm has a problem.”

Reach is an inquisitive two-year-old toddler from Cambodia who loves playing with toy cars and eating his favorite meal: fried meat with milk! He has an older sister, who is in primary school. His father works as a policeman, and his mother works as a seller at the local market. When Reach grows up, he wants to be a policeman just like his father! For about a year, Reach has been experiencing fevers, snoring, a sore throat, and difficulty swallowing and drinking. Despite his mother taking him to multiple medical clinics, his condition has not improved. Reach was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils and adenoids. If not treated, his symptoms will persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $265 to fund a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for Reach. On August 8th, surgeons will remove his tonsils and adenoids, hopefully relieving him of his symptoms and helping him live much more comfortably. Reach's parents share that they hope he will feel better soon and sleep easily at night.

Chhanun is a playful five-year-old preschool student from Cambodia who has four older sisters. He currently lives with his grandmother because his parents are migrant workers in Thailand. They have not been able to visit him in two years. At home, Chhanun loves to play football and with his toys. When he was three-years-old, Chhanun had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in his left ear to perforate. He now experiences ear pain, discharge, and hearing loss. His condition also makes it difficult to communicate clearly with others. Fortunately, Chhanun and his family traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On July 13th, he will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in his left ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $487 to fund this procedure. This covers supplies, treatment, and inpatient care. Chhanun's grandmother says, "I hope his hearing improves and his pain goes away after this surgery."

Meet Glory, a three year old girl living with her parents and one sibling in Tanzania. Her parents work hard at jobs that limit the time that they can spend with their children, but which enable them to provide for the family's basic needs. In 2021, Glory was enjoying tea with her sister, when the hot liquid spilled onto her arm, burning her. Glory's parents brought her to the nearest hospital, where she was treated and sent home. The burns healed, but contractures formed, making it impossible for Glory to straighten her arm. After a second evaluation, Glory's parents were told that she would need surgery. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is here to help. On October 13th, surgeons at Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre will perform burn contracture release surgery, which will enable Glory to straighten her arm. Now, the family needs help to fund this $639 procedure. Glory’s mother says: “I am hopeful now that my daughter is going to get better.”

Sineth is an active 19-month-old toddler. He has an older brother and older sister and enjoys playing with toys and singing along with videos of children's songs. His favorite activity is taking naps on his mother's lap. His parents are rice farmers in Kampong Speu Province in southern Cambodia. Sineth was born with congenital stenosing tenosynovitis - also known as trigger finger - in both of his thumbs. It is a condition in which the finger gets stuck in a bent position. The tendons - tough bands of tissue that connect muscles and bones in the thumb - have an abnormal flexion. Sineth is not able to grasp objects and it is painful when his mother tries to straighten his thumbs. Fortunately, a villager told his parents that our partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can fix Sineth's fingers, so they traveled two and half hours for diagnosis and treatment. Now, his parents need help to pay the $572 cost of surgery. This includes surgical costs, medications, and post-operative care. Sineth's mother said: "I hope that the doctors can fix my baby's fingers so he can hold things, and will grow up to have normal hands."

Jovin is an adorable three-year-old boy. He's the only child of a single mother whom he loves very dearly. Jovin’s mother is a small-scale farmer of maize and vegetables. Jovin and his mother live with her parents who help watch Jovin while his mother is working. Jovin was diagnosed with Bilateral Genu Valgus that cause his legs to bow inward making it difficult for Jovin to walk. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, often a result of contaminated drinking water. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Jovin's mother raise $880 to fund corrective surgery for Jovin. The procedure is scheduled to take place on February 10th and will hopefully restore Jovin's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Jovin’s mother says, “I have given him calcium medication, but it hasn’t helped. The cost of surgery is too high for me to afford.”

Heavenlight is a 14-year-old girl and the second-born child in a family of seven children. Heavenlight was going to join advance grades in school this January, but she had to stop attending school because she is having difficulty walking to and from school every day. Heavenlight loves biology, physics, and chemistry and wishes to be a doctor when she grows up. She is worried this dream might be lost if she does not have her leg treated. Heavenlight was diagnosed with genu valgus. This condition causes her legs to bow inward so that her knees 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, Heavenlight has difficulty walking. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Heavenlight. The procedure is scheduled to take place on January 13th. Treatment will hopefully restore Heavenlight's mobility, allowing him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Heavenlight shared, “I am ready to miss a few months of class just to have my leg corrected because it is painful and I struggle a lot walking to school."

Sixbeth is a friendly nine-year-old boy. He is the only child to his single mother, with whom he spends most of his time, especially since he has not yet been able to start school. Sixbeth's mother farms vegetables, which she sells at a local market in order to care and provide for her son. She works hard to make ends meet. When Sixbeth was one year old, he accidentally dipped his left hand into a pot of hot porridge and sustained extensive burns. Overtime, contractures have formed, tightening the skin around his burn. This has caused Sixbeth to have limited use of his hand, and an inability to move his fingers freely. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Sixbeth receive the life-changing treatment he need. On March 4th, surgeons at their care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre, will perform a burn contracture release surgery, which will help Sixbeth to better use his hand and fingers. African Mission Healthcare is asking for $874 to help Sixbeth and his mother fund his procedure. Sixbeth’s mother says, “It’s been difficult to seek treatment for my son due to my financial constraints. Please help my son.”

Glory lives with her grandmother in the village to attend school, while her four younger siblings live with her parents in the city. She is currently in form four and would like to be newscaster when she completes her studies. Last December, Glory developed an infection on her right hand. This affected her studies to some extent, but she was determined to go to school to complete her final year. However, the wound has now contracted as it healed, making her unable to straighten her fingers. This injury has made it difficult to hold a pen well enough to write, but she has continued her studies as best as she can. Glory's family learned that she needs surgery to heal her condition and to be able to fully use her hand in the future. Her father could not afford the cost of the surgery out of his wages earned in his construction job. But, when he heard about the visiting plastic surgery team over the radio, he decided to seek help. Now, African Mission Healthcare is seeking support to fund her surgery, which will allow her better mobility in her hand. Glory says, “It was hard for me to accept that my finger would need to be amputated but the surgeons have assured me that it will help me use my other fingers better making carrying out daily activities easier than now. Especially in my studies.”

Agai is a nine-month-old baby boy and the youngest child of his mother's five children. Agai's father lives in a remote village where most people are Maasai and keep livestock for a living. His parents sell milk and cattle to support the family. Agai has clubfoot of his left foot, a condition in which his foot is twisted out of shape. His condition may cause him difficulty walking and even wearing shoes in the future. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Agai receive treatment. On March 1st, he will undergo clubfoot repair surgery at AMH's care center. A successful treatment will ensure that he is able to walk easily when he gets older. Now, he and his family need help raising $935 to fund Agai's procedure and care. Agai’s mother shared, "when my stepdaughter told me there is a place where my son can have his foot corrected it was hard to believe. But after seeing other children with a similar condition, I realized it is not just my son."

Elizabeth is a 10-year-old student. She is a hard-working, oldest sibling of 4 children, who likes to help her mother with daily household chores. She is currently in class two at school and her best subject is Swahili. Elizabeth’s parents are small scale farmers, who grow maize, beans and vegetables. Their income is very modest, which makes it out of reach to cover Elizabeth's $874 medical treatment and care. In November 2021, Elizabeth had a fire accident that left her with burns on her body. She healed but was left with contracting scars, which make walking difficult. She has a hard time carrying out her daily life activities due to this lasting complication from the burn accident. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Elizabeth receive treatment. On March 3rd surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery. Now, she and her family needs help to fund this procedure. Elizabeth’s mother says, “After the fire accident my daughter now struggles to walk and even carry out her daily life activities.”

Debora is an eight-year-old student in the second grade. She wants to be a teacher when she grows up. Deborah is the youngest of six children in her family, and has a twin sister. The children live with their grandmother and their uncle, while their mother lives in the city. Since she was two years old, Debora has had a swollen area on her neck. Because of this, she has difficulty talking and moving her neck easily. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Debora receive treatment. On March 2nd, surgeons at AMH will remove the mass. Now, Debora's family needs help raising $724 to fund her procedure and care. Debora shared, "I wish the swelling would disappear. I don’t like it."

Langeda is a charming 23-month-old boy and the only child to his mother. Langeda’s parents work as livestock keepers who sell cattle to provide for their family. When he was five months old, Langeda was in bed while his mother was outside doing chores. He woke up and rolled off the bed, and his hand went into a bedside fire. He sustained severe burns and was treated at home using traditional medicine, however, he now has limited use of his hand. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Langeda receive treatment. On March 2nd, surgeons will perform a burn contracture release surgery so that he can use his hand freely. Now, he and his family need help raising $874 to fund his procedure and care. Langeda’s mother was grateful that support for her son was now possible and shared, "we have never sought treatment for our son due to lack of money."

Barnaba is four-year-old boy and the second-oldest of four children. His father plans to enroll him in school next year, when he turns five. Both his parents depend on small-scale farming for a living, growing maize and vegetables for their family. Due to financial challenges, they are not able to afford medical treatment for Barnaba. In 2021, Barnaba was out playing with his sibling and friends when he fell, and his right hand went into hot ashes. His parents rushed him to the hospital where he had the burns dressed. His wounds healed but he was left hand has been permanently impacted, which limits his motor function and affects daily life. The doctors at the local hospital advised his parents to seek treatment at a bigger hospital to have his hand surgically corrected. Fortunately, our medical partner at African Mission Healthcare shared Barnaba's story and are helping him get the care he needs. Now his family is seeking financial assistance to fund the $1,088 procedure. Barnaba’s father says, “He now needs this treatment most because next year he is going to start school. He will struggle a lot if his fingers are not corrected.”

Naipasoi is an adorable three-year-old girl and the firstborn child in a family of two. Naipasoi’s father lives across the border in Kenya selling Maasai herbal medication and honey, while her mother stays at home looking after her children. Naipasoi’s mother has a few cattle from which she is able to sell the milk of to get money for food and other necessities, however overall it is challenging for them to make financial ends meet. This is made more difficult since they don’t farm, so they must buy all their food to eat, which is hard when finances are so tight. In 2019, Naipasoi was involved in a fire accident, from which she sustained severe burns. Naipasoi’s mother made porridge for lunch and took the pot off the fire and placed it in a corner to cool down, so that she could feed Naipasoi. As she went out to clean plates Naipasoi took a cup and tried to fetch porridge for herself in the pot, however dipped her hand directly into the hot porridge. Her mother ran to her rescue, but Naipasoi had already sustained incredible burns. Over time, burn scar contractures have developed, which tighten the skin around her burn. As a result, she cannot use her hand. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Naipasoi receive the life changing treatment she needs. On March 2nd, surgeons at their care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre, will perform a burn contracture release surgery so that Naiposoi can regain some use of her hand. Naipasoi and her family need help to fund this $874 procedure. Naipasoi’s mother says, “Please help my daughter her hand needs treatment she cannot use it.”

Kiliani is the last-born in a large family of seven children. He was born prematurely along with a twin brother, who sadly did not survive. Kiliani works hard and is now in class three in school. His best subject is mathematics. Currently, he walks to school every day on his crutches because he cannot use his right leg. Kilani was born with a condition impacting his leg and was further made challenging when he had a fracture when learning to crawl. When he was young, his parents tried to seek treatment for him but due to financial challenges, they were not able to continue with treatment. Unfortunately, Kiliani has lived with this condition until now, enduring a lot of pain. Their family depends on small-scale farming where they raise their food for daily use. They are working hard to make ends meet due to the change weather where they live, which is affecting the amount of harvest each year. Our medical partner met Kiliani through a community outreach program. After a medical team reviewed his condition, he has been scheduled to have amputation below his knee which will enable him to use a prosthetic leg. This will make walking for him easier and relieve him from the challenges he is going through. Kiliani’s father says “If this treatment can help my son have ease in walking, please help make it possible, we cannot afford the cost of treatment.”

Elias is a two-year-old boy who is already playful and curious. He loves to ask questions about anything he doesn’t understand. He wants to know about almost everything around him. Elias and his older brother live with their mother after their parents separated about one year ago due to family conflicts. His mother earns a living by selling vegetables, while his father works as a mechanic, and sends money on occasion for care and support. When Elias was about one year old, he was outside playing with his older brother when he accidentally stepped into hot charcoal and sustained burns. Burn scar contractures have developed as he healed, which entails the tightening of the skin around his burns. As a result, Elias feels a lot of pain when he wears shoes on his left foot. Fortunately, on February 10th, surgeons at our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre, will perform a burn contracture release surgery. With treatment, Elias will no longer be in pain, and will be able to wear shoes comfortably. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is asking for $639 to help fund Elias's procedure. Elias’s mother says, “He now does not enjoy wearing closed shoes due to the pain he goes through. Please help my son.”

Sioni is a 17-month old girl and the only child to her young mother. Sioni's mom never had a chance to go to school herself, and is the second wife to her husband, who has two wives and seven children. Sioni's father is a livestock keeper and a small-scale farmer. They come from a Maasai community where health facilities are a long distance away, and frequently are unable to go to hospitals due to financial challenges. Due to this reality, Sioni was born at home through the help of midwives. Sioni was born with clubfoot on both feet. Clubfoot is a congenital musculoskeletal condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes patients to have a great deal of difficulty walking and wearing shoes. Fortunately, Sioni's family traveled to our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre, where she will receive treatment for her condition. There, on February 18th, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on both of Sioni's feet. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $935 to fund Sioni's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will be able to walk easily, and grow up to run and play like other children. Sioni’s mother says, “I would like my daughter to be like other children.”

Prince is a friendly and playful three-year-old boy. He is the only child to his single mother who is currently in a different town selling fruit in order to make money to support her son. While his mother is away working, Prince lives with his maternal grandparents. Prince has been diagnosed with bilateral genu valgus causing his legs to bow inward making it difficult for Prince to walk. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Prince's mother raise $880 to fund corrective surgery for Prince. The procedure is scheduled to take place on February 10th and will hopefully restore Prince's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Prince’s grandmother says, “His legs keep worsening but his mother has not been able to find the money to take him to hospital.”

Mathayo is a nine-year-old boy and the fourth born of his mother who has seven children. Their family is dependent on livestock keeping to make a living and support their large family. In the Fall of 2013, Mathayo was left in the hut sleeping, while his mother was out in the field herding goats. The bed he was sleeping in was close to an open fire place, which was unknowingly still hot from remnants of hot coals underneath the ash. Upon waking up from his afternoon nap, Mathayo got out of bed, however, as he crawled across the floor, he ran his left leg through the hot ashes, sustaining severe burns. As a result of his burns, he cannot walk long distances, herd livestock, fetch water, or go to school. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Mathayo receive the life-changing treatment he needs. On March 4th, surgeons at their care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre, will perform a burn contracture release surgery, which will allow Mathayo to walk without pain, and live out a higher-quality life. African Mission Healthcare is asking for $874 to help fund Mathayo's procedure. Mathayo says, “I will be so happy if my foot is treated because it will help me wear shoes and walk without feeling pain.”

Baraka is a beautiful, charming 3-month-old baby boy and the youngest in a family of three children. Baraka’s father works for a construction company. His mother was selling vegetables by the roadside until the government forced her to close her stall. Baraka has clubfoot on both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted, causing difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Baraka's family traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons performed clubfoot repair surgery on March 11th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $935 to fund Baraka's surgery. After treatment, he will be able to walk and play just like other kids as he gets older. Baraka’s mother says, “I want my baby to grow up a normal child without a disability. Please help us so that he can have his feet corrected.”

Joseph is a friendly and playful six-year-old boy and the eldest in a family of four children. Joseph is currently in kindergarten, and he loves counting numbers. In his free time, he enjoys playing football. Joseph's parents raise livestock to make a living. When Joseph was three years old, he burned his left hand in a fire. Now, he has limited use of his left hand, because his fingers have contracted and he is unable to move them freely. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Joseph receive treatment. On March 2nd, surgeons at AMH's care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help him regain use of his hand. Now, he and his family need help raising $874 to fund his procedure and care. Joseph’s father shared, "it has been a bad season for livestock keepers and I am not able to afford the cost."

Roy is a charming and energetic toddler from Tanzania. He is playful and full of smiles. He is the youngest of his single mother's three children. His mother sells cassava root at the local bus station to support their family. Roy was diagnosed with bilateral genu varus. This means Roy has difficulty walking due to his legs bowing outwards. 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 walks with an abnormal gait and complains of pain and exhaustion after playing or taking a short walk. His surgery is scheduled for February 18th and our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is raising $880 to fund Roy's surgery. Treatment will hopefully restore Roy's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Roy’s mother says, “My income is very little, I want my son to have his legs corrected but there is no way I can afford the cost.”

Goodluck is a three-year-old boy and is the youngest of two children in his family. Both of his parents work as small scale farmers. He loves playing with toy cars and having fun with his friends. Goodluck was diagnosed with genu varus, a condition caused by an accumulation of fluoride in the bones. This condition is often comes from contaminated drinking water. He experiences pain and exhaustion after short distance walks. Fortunately, has the opportunity to receive treatment through our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH). After his procedure on February 4th, Goodluck will begin regaining his mobility and allow him to play and be active with his friends again. This treatment will also greatly reduce his risk of future complications. AMH is requesting $880 for Goodluck's knee procedure. Goodluck’s mother shared: “It was through one of your employees who saw how much my son was struggling to walk and advised me to try seeking treatment help here.”

Pascalina is a beautiful five-year-old girl. She's is the second-born in a family of three children, and is always notably friendly to those around her. Both of Pascalina's parents are small scale farmers, while her father also seeks out casual laboring jobs to further help earn a living. Pascalina was born as a healthy child, however when she reached one and a half her parents became concerned. At that age they had expected her to be able to stand up and walk, yet she could not. Pascalina was diagnosed with bilateral genu valgus. This is a condition typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, Pascalina couldn't stand or walk, as her legs were too weak. Her parents tried seeking treatment for her and used medication, but nothing seemed to help. By the time Pascalina had turned three, despite her feeble ability to stand and walk for a short distances at a time, her parents began to notice that her legs were bent inward forming knocking knees. Last year they visited a local hospital in their village seeking treatment, however were then advised to go to a referral hospital that her parents could not afford. A year later, having not received any treatment, Pascalina’s legs had become so impacted that she was unable to walk or stand without crying due to the pain she felt. A local priest advised her parents to seek care at The Plaster House, in Arusha, Tanzania. There, through internal funding, Pascalina was able to have surgery on both legs to help correct them. However, given the severity of her condition, the first surgery was not enough to fully correct her legs. As a result, she needs another surgery to complete her treatment and her parents are asking for help to fund her care. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $880 for corrective surgery for Pascalina. The procedure is scheduled to take place on February 11th. With treatment, Pascalina's mobility will hopefully be restored, which will allow her to walk without pain, and play with her siblings and friends like normal. Her risk of having future complications will decrease as well. Pascalina's mother says, "We could not afford treatment for a long time, but since the first surgery, she has improved. We wish to see her continue improving and be like any other normal child."

Sayanga is a 14-year-old boy and the fourth born child of his mother's seven children. He is a bright and hard working student in the sixth grade, and his best subjects are Swahili and Mathematics. When he was three years old, Sayanga was outside playing with his siblings when he tripped and his hand went into an open fireplace. He sustained burns which were treated at home with traditional medicine. His wounds healed, but he developed a contracture on his finger, which limits his ability to use his right hand. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Sayanga receive treatment. On March 2nd, surgeons at AMH's care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help him regain use of his hand. Now, his family needs help raising $874 to fund his procedure and care. Sayanga’s priest, who accompanied him to the hospital, shared, "his parents are struggling financially they can’t afford the treatment cost."

Ijumaa is a social and friendly 11-year-old student and the fourth born child in a family of five children. He is in fifth grade and his best subjects in school are mathematics and science. His parents are small-scale farmers who grow maize and vegetables for the family's consumption. When he was a baby, Ijumaa accidentally put his hand into an open cooking fireplace while crawling. Now he has burn contractures, which limit the use of his hand. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Ijumaa receive treatment. On March 2nd, surgeons at AMH's care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery so that Ijumaa will be able to use his hand again. Now, he and his family need help raising $874 to fund his procedure and care. Ijumaa shared, "I will be happy and thankful if my hand could be treated so that I can use it to hold things with."

Jackson is a 2-month-old baby boy and the youngest in his family of four. He was born in December to the joy of his grandmother and parents. During his initial examination after birth, Jackson was found to have a swelling in a private area. The nurse advised Jackson’s mother that the condition did not require any urgent attention. While at home, his mother noticed that whenever she was bathing him and touched the area, Jackson experienced a lot of pain and would cry a lot. A few days later, Jackson’s mother took him to the nearest hospital to their home. During the examination, the doctor diagnosed Jackson with a bilateral inguinal hernia. Jackson was prescribed some pain medication and scheduled for follow-up visits at the clinic, but his condition did not improve. A friend of his mother heard about Jackson’s condition and referred them to Watsi's Medical Partner Care Center BethanyKids Hospital. There, the doctor recommended hernia repair surgery to relieve Jackson of his pain and reduce the chances of him having any future complications. However, Jackson's parents cannot afford the cost of his care. His mother is a small-scale farmer, while his father does casual jobs at a construction site. They make a humble living and sometimes rely on Jackson’s grandparents for food. The family does not have National Health Insurance Fund coverage, and appeals for financial support for Jackson's surgery. Fortunately, on February 22nd, Jackson will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $554 to fund Jackson's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and grow up to be a happy, healthy boy. Jackson’s grandmother shared, “It feels very sad for a parent when their newly born baby is experiencing some pain. It is more painful to the parents if they cannot raise the required amount to cater for the baby’s treatment. My prayer is for Jackson to receive treatment.”

Halhadad is a 3-year-old boy from Tanzania. Halhadad is the last born child in a family of three children. His mother works hard to support and care for the three children by herself. She started a small business of selling doughnuts called “mandazi” and roasted cassava in order to be able to pay for rent and provide for her children. Halhadad was diagnosed with bilateral genu valgus, or knock knees. His legs bow inward so that his knees 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, Halhadad is unable to run, and it is painful for him to walk for a long distance. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Halhadad. The procedure is scheduled to take place on February 9th. Treatment will hopefully restore Halhadad's mobility, enable to return to playing with his siblings, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Halhadad’s mother shared, “I would love to see my son walk without challenges, but the cost of treatment is too high for me to afford, kindly help my son.”

James is a 14-year-old boy and the second-born in a family of five children. James is a hard-working boy who helps to look after his father’s cattle, requiring him to walk a long distance in search of green pasture. James has not had a chance to join school due to his parent’s financial challenges. His parents are small-scale farmers and livestock keepers. They work hard to make ends meet, and are living in a very difficult environment. James was diagnosed with left genu varus, also known as bowleggedness. This condition causes his left leg to bow inwards so that his knees touch when walking. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. James is having difficulty walking because his left leg curves as we walks, affecting his gait. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for James. The procedure is scheduled to take place on January 5th. This treatment will hopefully restore James's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. James shared, "Please help correct my leg because I can’t walk well anymore and am even unable to go out and graze my father’s cattle. I appreciate any support you can provide.”

Yohannes is a 13-month-old toddler from Ethiopia who loves eating noodles and playing with his mom and with other children. Yohannes’ only family is his mother, who lives in Addis Ababa. She used to work as a domestic worker, but after experiencing labor abuse she is temporarily staying at a charity organization. Yohannes was born with hypospadias, a congenital abnormality that causes urinary dysfunction. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and will be at risk of infertility. Fortunately, Yohannes is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on February 22nd. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,293 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Yohannes' mother is excited for him to undergo the surgery, saying “I pray for my child to grow healthy and become somebody.”

Saw Ki is a 10-year-old boy living with his parents, sister and a brother in Mae Ra Ma Luang Refugee Camp in Thailand. Saw Ki is in grade two and his siblings also attend school in the camp. At school, Saw Ki’s favorite subject is Koraen literature. In the future, he would like to become an agricultural day laborer and work hard like his father. On the morning of January 30, 2021, Saw Ki was playing with his friends when he slipped on some rocks and fell onto his left arm. Right away, his left arm became extremely painful and his left arm looked deformed. Saw Ki was brought to the refugee camp’s hospital run by Malteser International (MI) Thailand. After a medic completed a physical examination, the medic told him that they thought his left forearm was broken. Saw Ki was referred to Mae Sariang Hospital to receive an x-ray. There, the doctor confirmed that his left forearm was broken and referred him to Chiang Mai Hospital for surgery right away. Currently, Saw Ki cannot move his left hand and he is in a lot of pain. He has been receiving pain medication while waiting for surgery. This surgery is costly for Saw Ki and his family. Saw Ki's father used to work as an agricultural day laborer in nearby villages, but he can no longer work since the refugee camp went into lockdown following the outbreak of Covid-19. His mother is a homemaker. Although their household receives a cash card with 2,200 baht (approx. 74 USD) every month to purchase rations, this amount is not enough. Their family struggles to make ends meet without Saw Ki’s father’s income, and they appeal for financial support. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Saw Ki will undergo surgery to reset his fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for February 2nd and will cost $1,500. After surgery, Saw Ki will no longer be in pain and he will be able to return home, play with his friends and also continue his studies. Saw Ki shared, "I want to play a lot of games with both of my hands, like before. I am not scared of receiving surgery."

Nehimia is a 1-year-old from Ethiopia. He is a sweet, playful boy and the first child to his parents. Nehimia loves listening to music, and watching animation movies. His dad is a gym trainer, but his income was affected as a result of the closure of gyms during the pandemic. His mom is a housewife and also has been unable to work during the pandemic, though she used to work in a small boutique. His family lives together in a government house and they pay a small fee for rent. Nehimia was born with hypospadias, a congenital abnormality that causes urinary dysfunction. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and will be at risk of infertility. Fortunately, Nehimia is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on March 4th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,293 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Nehimia's mother shared, “I hope my child will heal and grow and become a minister in the house of God.”

Doto is a 10-year-old boy who is a very social and cheerful child. Doto has a twin brother by the name of Kurwa. His parents are small scale farmers who grow maize and vegetables to make a living. Doto's father also seeks day labouring jobs to supplement his income and provide for their family. Doto was diagnosed with left genu varus, or bow-leggedness. 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 cannot walk to school comfortably or for long periods of time. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Doto. His treatment is scheduled to begin on February 11th. Treatment will hopefully restore Doto's mobility, return to walking and playing normally, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Doto’s father shared, “I would love my son to lead a normal life like his twin without his leg being a challenge. Please help correct his leg.”

Sanchez is a 3-year-old boy from Haiti. He is an only child who lives with his mother and father in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. He likes drawing pictures and playing with toy cars. Sanchez has a heart condition called ventricular septal defect, which means that there is a hole between the two lower chambers of his heart. He will fly to the United States to receive life-saving treatment. On February 17th, Sanchez will undergo cardiac surgery, during which doctors will close the hole in his heart by sewing a patch over it. Another organization, HeartGift Foundation, is contributing $17,000 to pay for the surgery. Sanchez's family also needs help funding the costs of surgery prep and travel. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, check-up and follow-up appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social worker from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Sanchez's family overseas. Sanchez's mother shared, "our family has been praying for years that our child would be able to have this surgery. We are nervous but very glad it is happening!"

Twahiru is an 8-month-old baby boy from Tanzania. He is the youngest in a family of five children. About four months ago, Twahiru developed a bilateral inguinal hernia. The hernia causes him a lot of pain due to the swelling, so he is very irritable. Twahiru is not feeding well and gets very little sleep at night. His mother first noticed the swelling when he was six months old, but when they brought him to the local hospital, they were told the swelling would disappears as he grew up. As time went on, the swelling increased in size significantly, continuing to cause Twahiru more discomfort. However, Twahiru's parents are unable to afford the cost of his care. Since they do not have a stable income, they are forced to go out every morning seeking day jobs on other people's farms in order to support their family. Getting treatment for Twahiru has been challenging, and they have had to borrow money at different points or seek out herbal treatment for him. Twahiru's parents appeal for financial support for their son. Fortunately, on February 15th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $566 to fund Twahiru's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Twahiru’s mother shared, "Our baby does not feed well, and he is always crying due to the pain caused by this condition. Please help him have this surgery as we can’t afford the cost.”

Adere is a 14-year-old boy from Ethiopia. He is a grade seven student who loves to go to school and study. Adere also loves music and spends his free time listening to country music and dancing with his friends. Adere's parents are farmers of teff and maize, but they have a limited harvest each year due to the hot and dry landscape. The local community is mostly supported by government and NGOs for food and other basic need. His parents have 12 children, most of whom they are still supporting financially. As a result, Adere's parents need assistance with the upcoming medical bill for their son's surgery. Adere was born with a congenital anomaly called bladder exstrophy, and last year he received surgery to treat this condition in BethanyKids Hospital funded through Watsi donor support. Now, he is scheduled to undergo another surgery for his epispadias condition. Epispadias is an abnormal defect in a sensitive area that prevents him from using the bathroom comfortably. His condition may also cause future infertility problems. Adere will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare. Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo an epispadias repair procedure on February 11th. African Mission Healthcare is requesting $1,040 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. This procedure will enable him to use the bathroom comfortably and prevent risk of future complications. Adere's brother shared, “I hope he can be relieved of this condition soon. That would be a great blessing for him and for our family. I hope he will be a doctor and treat children in need.”

Vanneth is a 9-year-old, third-grade student from Cambodia. He goes to school every day, likes Khmer literature, and wants to be a policeman when he grows up. Six years ago, he was burned by fire on his left foot. After the accident, his family took him to a health center for wound repair. He has since developed a left foot burn scar contracture, which makes it difficult for him to wear his left shoe due to the tightening of the skin around the burn. On February 18th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help him bend his toes and walk normally again. Now, he needs help to fund this $477 procedure. Vanneth shared, "I hope that my foot will look normal and that I will be able to walk correctly again."

Anam is a 9-year-old from Cambodia. She is in the fourth grade and shared that her favorite subject in school is math. She enjoys eating fried meat and drinking fresh milk. Her mother is a farmer, and her father works in Thailand to earn a living for their family. Five years ago, she received multiple injections at a medical clinic for unknown reasons. Since then she has had problems and infections on her right thigh. Her knee is stiff, and she is unable to fully straighten her leg. She cannot walk well, or run like her friends. When Anam's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, they traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On February 17th, surgeons at CSC will perform a quadricepsplasty procedure of right thigh and knee to help her walk again. Now, Anam's family needs help to fund this $430 procedure. She is hopeful to have full function of her leg and keep up with her friends when they play in the future!

Yesuf is a 2-year-old boy from Ethiopia. He is a sweet child who loves people and being with other kids. He also loves eating sweets and fruits. Yesuf is the second child to his parents. His mom used to work as a domestic worker in people’s house before, but she is now sick herself and unable to work. His dad is a shoeshiner and earns a humble income to help support their family's needs. Yesuf was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, Yesuf has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Yesuf will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on March 4th. AMHF is requesting $561 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Yesuf's mom shared, “It is my hope that my child heals and goes to school and learns the holy Quran. ”

Rebecca is a 1-year-old girl from Tanzania. She is the last born in a family of two children and has started to grow into a strong and beautiful girl. Both of her parents depend on small scale farming to support their family. Rebecca was initially brought to the hospital by her parents seeking treatment to help correct her spina bifida condition. Spina bifida is a birth defect that occurs when the spine and spinal cord fail to form properly. This puts a child in danger of limb paralyses or death in case of a severe infection. At the time, Rebecca's parents could not afford the proposed surgery. Luckily, one of their friends advised them to seek help at our medical partner's care center, ALMC Plaster House. Through Watsi funding, Rebecca’s life was saved and she has been growing well since then. However, a few weeks ago, Rebecca's mother noticed her daughter's head was increasing in size at a very fast rate and she was complaining of headaches. Her parents had worked hard to save some money and got a health insurance card for their baby, so they decided to take her to the hospital to seek treatment. There, Rebecca was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. She needs to have an ETV surgery that will help relieve her of the pressure build-up, which would otherwise lead to brain damage. Unfortunately, their insurance has not matured enough to cover this kind of major surgery, so Rebecca's parents are appealing for financial support to help her. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,300 to cover the cost of surgery for Rebecca that will treat her hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on January 25th and will drain the excess fluid from Rebecca's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Rebecca will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. Rebecca’s mother shared, “My daughter’s head is increasing in size and it is making her sick. She needs surgery but the insurance we got for her cannot cover the cost. Please help once more if it is possible because we don’t know where to run to for help besides all of you.”

Vumilia is a 2-year-old girl from Tanzania. She has a beautiful smile and is very charming. Vumilia is the third born in a family of four children. Her parents come from the northern part of Tanzania known as Serengeti, which is close to the Serengeti National Park. Most of the people living in this region depend on small-scale farming for a living. Vumilia's parents grow mostly maize, sorghum, and vegetables, selling part of their harvest to make a humble income to support the family. Vumilia was diagnosed with bilateral genu valgus, or bowleggedness. Her legs bow inward so that her knees 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, Vumilia has a difficult time walking and often feels pain after walking for a while. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Vumilia. The procedure is scheduled to take place on January 22nd. Treatment will hopefully restore Vumilia's mobility, allow her to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease her risk of future complications. Vumilia’s mother shared, “My daughter is struggling so much that she can no longer play well with her siblings and is forced to sit by herself most times which saddens me as her mother. Please help correct her legs."

Uzima is a two-year-old boy from Tanzania and the second born in a family of three children. Uzima comes from a family that is living in hardship. His father has had health issues and is not strong enough to work on a farm, but he takes cattle out to graze, and through this, he is able to get milk or a bit of maize as payment. Uzima's mother works on farms to support her family. Uzima 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, Uzima traveled to our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on February 16th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $935 to fund Uzima's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk easily and wear shoes well. Uzima’s uncle shared, “my nephew suffers from this condition, and life is hard at their home. His parents have no means of treating him and I am afraid life is going to be really hard for him if he lives with this disability. Please help treat him so that he is able to grow up and take care of himself.”

Baby of Stumai is a 27-day-old old baby boy from Tanzania. He is the last born child in a family of three children. His father sells fruits by the roadside in order to support his family, while his mother takes care of their home. Baby of Stumai 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, Baby of Stumai 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 Baby of Stumai's spina bifida closure surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on February 3rd. This procedure will hopefully spare Baby of Stumai from the risks associated with his condition, instead allowing him to grow and develop along a healthy trajectory. Baby of Stumai's mother shared, “We have been informed that our son needs surgery to correct his condition, which is putting his life at risk but we can’t afford the cost. Please help us.”

Collins is a young boy from the northeastern slopes of Mt Kenya in Meru County, Kenya. He is 5 years old and is the firstborn in a family of two children. His mother is a housewife, while his father is a mason. Collins was born with clubfoot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. Since birth, he has had serial casting treatment, but his condition has yet to improve. Both his mother and his sibling also have neglected clubfoot conditions. Collins has difficulty with walking and wearing shoes, and is unable to play with other kids. In January 2020, he was able to undergo a left posterior medial release (PMR) with Watsi support, and his foot has corrected well. As a result of the surgery, he is able to wear his left shoe and his walking has improved. However, his right foot is still deformed and requires surgery for him to be able to walk comfortably and confidently on both feet. Fortunately, Collins' family traveled back to our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on his right foot on January 11th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,286 to fund Collins's clubfoot repair. This surgery will be very impactful for Collins because he will be able to walk, play, and enjoy life like other children. His mother is grateful for the support for his first surgery, and again appeals for support for this procedure as their income level is not high enough to afford his needed care. Collins' mother shared, “I would like to thank CURE Hospital and AMH-Watsi who made possible my son’s first surgery. May the almighty God bless you. I continue to plead for support for the planned surgery on his right foot so that he can fully walk without any difficulty.”

Leon is a 20-month-old boy from Kenya. His mother, who is raising Leon on her own, does not have a stable job but works hard to make ends meet. She does laundry work and sells groceries to provide for their family. From the work she does, she is unable to afford a rented house and stays with her mother (Leon’s grandmother). Leon was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, Leon has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Leon will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on January 21st. AMHF is requesting $561 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Leon’s mother says, “As a parent, I would like my child to have a family of his own but his condition is hindering that if untreated. I am requesting for the financial support for Leon to be treated.”

Lonyori is a 6-year-old child from Tanzania. He is the first born child of two in his family. Lonyori has a young sister, Mengori, who also has a similar health condition. Lonyori's parents are small scale farmers of maize and vegetables. They make extra income by selling these crops and also working casual laboring jobs when they can. Lonyori was diagnosed with bilateral genu valgus, or knock knees. His legs bow inward so that his knees 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 is unable to walk for a long distance and he complains of pain after a long day. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Lonyori. The procedure is scheduled to take place on February 9th. Treatment will hopefully restore Lonyori's mobility and allow him to walk comfortably again. It will also prevent his risk of future complications with his legs. Lonyori’s uncle shared, "My nephew is struggling a lot and his parents can’t afford this treatment cost. They are struggling to make ends meet, and they did not have enough to travel to this hospital with Lonyori, so I helped to bring him. Please help my nephew get this treatment.”

George is an 11-year-old boy and the third child in his family. George is in grade six and loves playing football a lot. Both of his parents are farmers. To earn a living, his mother sells the farm produce, which makes them some income. To supplement these earnings, his father completes any informal jobs he can find. George was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, George has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. George will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on March 3rd. AMHF is requesting $561 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. George’s father shared, “It is very difficult for us as a family to raise the required amount for his surgery. We are grateful and appreciative of any help offered to us."

Evans is a 14-year-old student from Kenya who wants to be a ship captain when he grows up. He says that the idea of sailing through the waters and commanding the vessels excites him. Evans is the youngest in a family of four children born to a single mother who passed away in 2007. He and his siblings rely on relatives for school fees and everyday needs. In 2017, Evans was diagnosed with a condition called pelviureteric junction obstruction which restricts the flow of urine from the renal pelvis to the ureter and causes infections. Evans' pain has fluctuated over time, but has become persistent since the beginning of this year. He visited our medical partner's care center for examination and doctors recommended that he undergo pyeloplasty surgery to get rid of the kidney obstruction. If left untreated, his condition could lead to progressive renal deterioration. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $616 to fund Evans' surgery, scheduled for February 25th. Evans' aunt shared, "This consistent illness is really draining him. At times, the pain is so bad that he is unable to go to school. This surgery will be really helpful."

Guyo is a 2-year-old boy from Ethiopia. He has three siblings. Guyo's parents are from a rural area and make a humble living. His uncle, who brought Guyo to Watsi's Partner Care Center BethanyKids Hospital, helps to raise Guyo. Guyo is a sweet, outgoing boy who loves to play with his friends and siblings. He also loves playing with dogs. Guyo was born with hypospadias, a congenital abnormality that causes urinary dysfunction. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and will be at risk of infertility. Fortunately, Guyo is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on February 9th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,293 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Once recovered, he will no longer have any pain or discomfort and can return to happily playing with his friends. His uncle shared, “I believe if he is treated well, he will be good psychologically in the future. And all the family will be happy. I hope he will be a doctor in the future and help his community.”

Precious is a 3-year-old girl with a contagious smile. She is the youngest of four children in her family. Precious’ father is a bus driver and her mother is a housewife. Since Precious was born, she has had difficulty breathing and difficulty sleeping. Over the last three years, she has had treatments at various hospitals, but Precious' condition has not improved. She has tried taking antibiotics and using nasal spray steroids, but there has been no improvement. A church pastor gave information to Precious' family about a hospital, and they decided to visit to see if Precious would be a candidate for surgery. Accompanied by her parents, Precious traveled for several hours from her hometown to get to the care center for consultation. She was diagnosed with hypertrophy of the tonsils and adenoids and deemed fit for surgery. On March 3rd, Precious will undergo a tonsillectomy. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $420 to fund Precious' surgery. Precious' mother shared, “I hope for my child to get treated so that she can breathe well and sleep well."

Yohana is a baby boy from Tanzania. Yohana is the only child to his parents who are small-scale farmers and livestock keepers. Yohana was out playing while his father was attending to the cattle, collecting cow dung from their cattle shed and burning it to keep the compound clean. His mother was cleaning dishes. Both parents were focused on their chores while Yohana went over to where the cow dung was burning. Unfortunately, he fell into it, sustaining burns on his hands and legs. Burn scar contractures have developed, tightening the skin around his burn. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Yohana receive treatment. On February 16th, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery so he will be able to use his fingers freely. Now, their family needs help to fund this $874 procedure. Yohana’s father shared, “my son’s hands have been deformed. We would love for him to have both of his hands corrected, but the cost is too high for us to afford. Please help us.”

Ryan is a playful and happy two-year-old from Kenya. In their small family of three, he is his parent’s source of joy and their only child. When Ryan was around nine months old, his parents realized that he had a condition affecting his testes. They shared that initially to them, the condition was not alarming. His parents decided to wait and see if his testicles would descend on their own. After waiting for around two months, Ryan’s parents took him to a nearby facility for a checkup. Ryan was diagnosed with bilateral undescended testicles. The physician advised them to wait for at least one year before taking any action in the hope that they would heal naturally. When no change took place, a friend recommended their family come to Watsi's Medical Partner Care Center BethanyKids Hospital for the surgery Ryan needed. At BethanyKids, Ryan was examined and has been scheduled for surgery. If his condition is left untreated, the testicles may be damaged hence leading to other diseases and later affecting his fertility limiting his ability to have a family of his own. Ryan’s father delivers milk to a local milk factory as a truck driver and in his line of work, the income is very little. To add on their family's earnings, Ryan’s mother works in a nearby salon. Ryan's family is not able to raise the required amount for his surgery and are appealing for financial help. Ryan has been diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which both of the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, Ryan has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Ryan will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on December 31st. AMHF is requesting $569 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Ryan’s mother says, “As a parent, I want the best for my child in future but the finances required for his surgery are unavailable. We are requesting for any available financial help we can get so that our son can get the required treatment.”

Anitha is a beautiful six-year-old child from Tanzania. She is the only child to her mother, who is a single parent. Her mother shared that Anitha's father left their family when Anitha was a baby and Anitha herself has never met him. Her mother helps her aunt in a small vegetable garden, where they grow tomatoes and sell them an open market. Whatever they can earn is what they use for their basic needs. Anitha has clubfoot of both her feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty with walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Anitha traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on January 5th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $935 to fund Anitha's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will be able to walk more easily and play with her friends. Anitha’s mother shared, “All I wish for my daughter is to see her walk normally so that she can pursue her studies and have a better life.”

Panha is a 5-year-old pre-school student from Cambodia. Her parents are both hairdressers. She has two older sisters who attend elementary school. She and her sisters all play together at home and, she told us, like to share toys with each other. At school, Panha most enjoys listening to stories and drawing pictures. Three days ago, Panha developed a fever, and her mother noticed swelling and redness on her right ear. This swollen area has become painful, and pus has started to discharge. Panha traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On January 5th, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), will remove the mass in her ear and treat her infection. Now, Panha's family needs help to raise $231 to fund this procedure. Panha's mother said, "I am worried that this problem happened so quickly. I hope that the doctors can help my daughter soon and that she will be happy and healthy, so that she can go back to school."

Jayden is 2-year-old baby boy from Kiambu County, Kenya. He is the second born in a family of two children. His mother is a housewife, while his father does casual work as a mason. Jayden was born with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. When he was a few months old, his mother noticed that she could not feel his testes, but ultimately the family did not bring him in to a doctor. Recently, his grandmother also noticed this, which led to Jayden being brought to the hospital. There, doctors ordered a scan that showed bilateral undescended testicles, and they recommend Jayden has an orchidopexy surgery to correct the condition. If left untreated, Jayden has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. However, this procedure is costly for Jayden and his family. Jayden's father earns just enough income to support his family's basic needs. He is not able to afford Jayden's surgery, and appeals for financial support. Jayden will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on January 5th. AMHF is requesting $483 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Jayden's mother shared, “Although we don’t go to church, I pray to God that our son may have this support and get successful treatment so that he may have a normal future like other boys.”

Shabani is a 3-year-old child from Tanzania. Shabani is the youngest in a family of three children. He is a cheerful and happy boy despite his leg condition, which makes things difficult for him. Shabani’s father is a local fisherman who makes a small amount of income to support their family. Shabani was diagnosed with left genu varus, or bowleggedness. This condition causes his leg to be bowed inward at the knee. It is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, he has a difficult time walking around normally. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Shabani. The procedure is scheduled to take place on January 5th. Treatment will hopefully restore Shabani's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Shabani’s father shared, “We are not happy to see our son suffer this way. Hospitals have become very expensive and we are unable to afford the cost. Please help support our child.”

Stephen is a 3-year-old boy from Kenya. He's a playful boy and runs to grab a seat with his mother’s phone in his hand while meeting with our local Watsi rep. A week after his mother gave birth to him at home, she took him to a nearby clinic for the general examination. The physician diagnosed him with a birth malformation and referred them to BethanyKids Hospital for treatment. Upon arrival, Stephen was reviewed, some tests were done and he had a first surgery to rectify the condition through a hypospadias repair surgery. Later on, additional surgeries and tests were completed as a follow up. In the process, Stephen has developed a right inguinal hernia that the doctor noticed during his follow-up clinical visit. Stephen does not complain of any pain, but the swelling is very evident. The surgery will stop the swelling and any complications that Stephen may experience in the future. Stephen’s mother is a tailor and his father fetches water for neighbors to earn a living. The few surgeries and expensive tests that were done on Stephen have depleted their family of money to fund the surgery. With no extra source of income, their family of three struggles to sustain themselves and Stephen’s mother is appealing for financial help. Fortunately, on September 24th, he will undergo repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $554 to fund Stephen's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. Stephen’s mother says, “It is hard for us to raise any money for the surgery. Any financial help to us will be appreciated.”

Celina is a young girl from Tanzania. She is the firstborn in her family who already loves school and has made so many friends. She does not know how to read and write yet, but she is very excited to be in school learning new songs and games. When she was one year old, Celina got into a fire accident. Her mother was preparing a traditional beans and maize dish, and during the process Celina fell with her left hand landing in the cooking pot. She was rushed to the hospital to receive treatment, but after the wound healed she had severe contractures on her left hand. When she was almost two years old, Celina received a contracture release surgery on her wrist. However, she still has contractures on her fingers and now needs surgery to release her fingers so that she can use her hand. Currently, she is not able to hold things or do many other things on her own. Celina's parents are not able to pay for her needed surgery. To make a living, her mother sells second-hand clothes, while her father trades in vegetables in the local market. The family appeals for financial support for her cost of care. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Celina receive treatment. On December 11th, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery to allow Celina to be able to utilize her hand with ease, and become more independent especially now that she has started school. Now, she needs help to fund this $874 procedure. Celina’s mother shared, "Please help my daughter be able to get this treatment. She is growing up now and I really would like for her to learn to do a lot of things on her own."

Menghuor is a six-year-old boy in 1st grade from Cambodia. In school, his favorite subjects are Khmer and English. Menghuor has one younger sister, and his parents are farmers. When he has free time, he enjoys playing with toys and watching TV. Menghuor's favorite food is fried eggs and vegetables and his favorite drink is soy milk. In the future, he wants to join the military when he grows up. Since 2018, Menghuor has experienced recurrent infections in his tonsils. He experiences pain when swallowing, difficulty breathing, nasal obstruction, and snoring at night. Due to his swallowing difficulties, Menghuor has lost weight, and the family has spent a lot of money on medicine to manage his symptoms. On December 2nd, ENT surgeons at our medical partner's care center will perform a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy to alleviate these problems. Once healed, he will be able to breathe and sleep more comfortably and his quality of life will significantly improve. Now, he needs $241 to fund his procedure. Menghuor shared, "I hope I can breathe easily and stop snoring."

Periya is a baby boy from Tanzania. He is the youngest in a family of three children. Periya was born at home because the hospital is very far from where they live. His mother had no problems when giving birth, but she was caught by surprise when she saw that her baby's right foot was not normal. At first, she thought that massaging Periya's foot would bring it back to normal, but as time went by, there was still no change. Though her husband did not think it necessary, Periya's mother kept asking relatives where she could get her son treated, and she was eventually directed to Watsi's Medical Partner Care Center ALMC-The Plaster House. There, Periya was diagnosed with clubfoot of his right foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. However, the treatment he needs is costly for their family. Periya's father sells traditional herbal medicines, while his mother is a homemaker and mostly herds cattle. They are not able to afford the treatment and appeal for financial help. On December 15th, surgeons at our medical partner's care center will perform clubfoot repair surgery on Periya. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $935 to fund Periya's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk more easily and his quality of life will significantly improve. Periya’s mother shared, “I would like for my baby's foot to be straightened so that he can stand and walk properly when the time comes.”

Kevin is a very playful 5-year-old from Kiambu County, Kenya. He is the only child to his mother, and was born when she was 17 years old so they decided to give him his grandmother's surname. His mother has been able to find casual jobs like working in neighbors farms and washing clothes. They also depend on Kevins’ grandmother who is a small scale farmer. Last week, while playing, Kevin slipped and fell. He sustained a closed fracture of his left hand (radius and ulna) and is unable to move his hand. He was brought to the hospital and the doctor advised he needs an ORIF procedure to correct the fractures. Kevin’s mother and grandmother could not raise the fee required and need help. If not treated Kevins’ hand may heal with a deformity or may have delayed healing or malunion. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On December 17th, Kevin will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This surgery will help him move his hand easily, reduce the pain and be free from future complications. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,049 to fund this procedure. “My child had just started school and I had high hopes of seeing him grow up like other children. I kindly ask for help so that he can be well again and continue to play as he enjoys. We are desperate and can’t get the money required,” said Kevin’s mother.

Jael is a young girl who arrived at the hospital seeming nervous and afraid. Her aunt also looked disturbed and was filled with emotion as she shared more about Jael with us. Jael's mother passed when she was one year and six months old and her sister was six months old. The father took the responsibility of looking after them but every time they would visit their aunt they looked distressed. In 2019, Jael's aunt was going to her business when she heard somebody calling from behind. On looking back it was Jael and her sister with bags. Their dad had sent them away and was frustrate that they have never been able to have a clear conversation. Jael is currently in school but her aunt shared that this has been a struggle for her due to her hearing condition. Jael's aunt noted her hearing challenges during a visit when she was 5 years old. Jael's performance at school has since deteriorated. Early this year her aunt took her to Eldoret referral hospital where upon examination she was referred to Watsi's Medical Partner Care Center AIC Kijabe Hospital to received treatment for hearing loss. Jael's aunt is a farmer and also sells her farm produced directly to others in the evenings. She is married and blessed with three children. They are in need of support to fund this care and help Jael hear. "We would be very happy if she can hear clear like other children,’ shared Jael's aunt.

Anthony is a young infant from Kenya. A few days after he was born, Anthony started experiencing pain in his lower abdominal area. Being a newborn baby, his mother did not have an idea of what was happening apart from him crying. One day while bathing him, Anthony’s mother noticed some swelling in his scrotum and it was causing him to cry with pain. The following day, Anthony’s mother rushed him to a nearby facility for examination. The doctor prescribed him some medication, which did not prove effective. Later, Anthony developed a fever and was admitted at a different facility. While there, his mother was advised to take him to BethanyKids Hospital for review of the swollen area. There, Anthony was diagnosed with an inguinal hernia that needs surgical repair. At BethanyKids, the family requested for financial support. Since Anthony was a pre-term baby, the family had exhausted their finances covering the cost of his delivery and nursery care. Anthony's mother cleans clothes in an estate to support her two children. She has separated with Anthony's father, which she shared makes it hard for her to comfortably care for their family. Fortunately, on December 28th, Anthony will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $444 to fund Anthony's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to grow up healthy and live more comfortably. Anthony’s mother shared, “Before Anthony was born, we were expecting his father’s coverage through the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to cater for his care. Now that we are separated, it is difficult for me to raise enough funds to even enroll for NHIF. As a single mother with no reliable source of income, I am not able to raise the required amount for the surgery.”

16-year-old James is an active boy, he likes looking after his father’s cattle, digging, and playing football in his free time. He is the fourth born in a family of six children. His father has two wives and they live in a traditional grass-thatched mud house in West Pokot County in Kenya. James's father is a farmer while his mother is a housewife. At the age of four, while playing football, James fell and sustained a patella dislocation - a knee injury in which the knee cap slips out of its normal position. The condition has greatly affected his mobility to the point that he is not able to walk because of pain. He now limps as he walks, a situation which has affected his education. Fortunately, James is scheduled to undergo an open reduction surgery (with possible DFO) to return his knee's position and realign his bones so he can walk without any difficulty in the future. Their family cannot afford the treatment's bill and have requested for help meeting the cost of $1,224. "I desire to walk normally like my friends and so that I can continue helping my parents at home," James told us.

Brian is a nine-year-old boy from Kenya. He is the only child in his family. Brian was born with bilateral clubfoot, which due to lack of resources, ended up being neglected. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. In May 2020, with support from Watsi donors, Brian had a successful postmedial release on his right foot. He now requires surgery to correct his left foot as well so that he can walk easily and with better balance. His family is not able to raise funds needed for the cost of his care. Brian's father is a carpenter and his mother is a farmer. Their combined income is not enough to meet the required cost of surgery. Brian's father is grateful for the support they received for his first surgery. Now, the family once again appeals for help.  Fortunately, Brian traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. Surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on January 11th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,286 to fund Brian's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk easily again. Brian's father shared, “I lack words to express my sincere gratitude to God, CURE and Watsi for the great support they have rendered to us, indeed you have been of great help to us. We were in despair because of our son, but you have restored hope to our family. We are witnessing to people of what you have done to us. Be blessed."

Phol is a five-year-old preschool student from Cambodia. He has one older sister and one older brother. Phol's parents work in a factory. When he is not at school Phol enjoys playing football, playing with toys, and dancing and singing. Three days ago Phol accidentally swallowed a small fish bone while eating. The bone is lodged in his throat and needs to be extracted. He is in pain and at risk for an infection. Phol's family traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On December 22nd, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), will remove the mass. Now, Phol needs help to raise $231 to fund this procedure. Phol's mother said, "We are so happy you can help remove the bone so he can feel well again."

Sonita is a four-year-old preschool student from Cambodia. She is the only child in her family, her parents are Khmer teachers. In her free time she enjoys playing with toys and reading books. One year ago, Sonita had an ear infection. This infection caused a cholesteatoma, or an abnormal skin growth, to develop in the middle ear behind the ear drum. For this reason, Sonita experiences hearing loss, ear discharge, bad odor, and pain. It is difficult for her to communicate with others, and she often misses school due to the ear discharge. Sonita traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On December 9th, 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 medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Sonita's mother said, "I hope after surgery her ear pain will be gone, the discharge will finally stop, and her hearing will improve."

Thu is a 11-year-old student from Burma. He lives with his mother, sister, brother-in-law, twin brother and an older brother. He and his family moved to Thailand from Burma five months ago in search of better job opportunities. Thu’s mother and older brother are agricultural day laborers. Thu and his twin brother are fourth graders at a Burmese migrant school. In his free time, Thu likes to play football with his friends. On July 12th Thu, his twin, and his friends were climbing guava trees near their school to pick up guavas. He fell out of the tree and onto his left arm. An x-ray revealed that he had broken his left elbow. Currently, his left arm is swollen, painful, and cannot be bent. He feels uncomfortable when he lays down and he cannot sleep at night. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Thu will undergo surgery to reset his fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for July 15th and will cost $1,500. Thu’s mother shared, “I’m very worried and sad that I don’t have enough money to pay for my son’s treatment.” Thu also said, “I’m sad that I broke my hand and that I won’t be able to climb trees again. I don’t want to carry my hand in a sling.”

Diana is a baby from Tanzania. She is the firstborn to her young parents and her mother delivered her at home by the help of a midwife. Diana's parents are small-scale farmers of basic food crops like maize and vegetables. Diana was born with 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, Diana's family traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on December 4th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $935 to fund Diana's clubfoot treatment. After treatment, she will be able to walk well, run, and play when she grows up. Diana’s mother says, “Please help my firstborn child get this treatment, I had never seen a child born with clubfoot before, I was scared when I first saw her legs until I was assured that this can be treated.”