Vuth is a 58-year-old farmer with four sons and one daughter, all of whom are married and living elsewhere. She and her husband work seasonally, so she is able to have time to visit her children and grandchildren. She loves to make special cakes to bring for her grandchildren to eat. In 2019, Vuth was in a motor vehicle accident that caused a fracture in her right leg. She visited a local NGO hospital, where doctors implanted hardware in her leg to heal the fracture. Due to complications from diabetes, her leg did not heal well and eventually became infected. Vuth is now experiencing difficulty walking, and the hardware may become exposed. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On June 25th, Vuth will undergo a hardware removal procedure, which will cost $230. This procedure will finally heal her fracture, remove the infected hardware, and help her walk with ease again. Vuth is excited for her treatment, "I hope this surgery will help me become strong again, so that I can keep traveling to see my children and grandchildren."

Alexa is a two-year-old girl that the only child in her family. Her mother is a housewife who has dedicated her time to raising her and taking care of their home and family. Her father is a casual laborer. The family lives in their three room ancestral home. Alexa was born with a facial condition that required medical and surgical attention. The reconstruction procedure she underwent exhausted the savings that her parents had and she is now prone to infections. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Alexa receive treatment. On March 31st, surgeons will perform a debridement and skin graft procedure to prevent further infection and help her heal. Now, Alexa needs help to fund this $1,185 procedure. Alexa’s mother shared, “Alexa is usually cheerful, but now she is dull and in pain. The infection is clearly making her uncomfortable and she needs this surgery. Sadly, we are unable to raise the required amount."

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

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.”

Shamra is a 3-year-old baby girl from Tanzania. She is the firstborn of two children in her family. Shamra has clubfoot of her left foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes her difficulty with walking and wearing shoes. She needs surgery to help re-position her foot correctly. Currently, Shamra and her sibling are being looked after by their grandmother because their mother has been sick for a long time and is unable to care for herself and her children. Given her age, their grandmother shared with us that she is really struggling to provide and care for both her daughter and and her grandchildren. Shamra’s grandmother sells boiled maize and groundnuts by the roadside in order to feed and care for her sick daughter and her grandchildren. Shamra's father has been absent for some time and does not provide support for their family. Their family appeals for financial support for the care that Shamra needs. Fortunately, Shamra traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery and ongoing treatment starting on January 19th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $935 to fund Shamra's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will be able to walk and play easily again. Shamra’s grandmother shared, “Please help my granddaughter as we are going through a very challenging situation and we have no means to raise the money we need. Thank you for any support you can provide.”

Jedidah was feeling very unwell while she met with our local Watsi representative. She is a 52-year-old woman from Machakos County in Kenya. Married with five children, she is a farmer along with her husband. Since 2018, Jedidah has had upper abdominal pains, a constant feeling fullness and heartburn, plus bitter saliva and regurgitation. Her symptoms make it hard for Jedidah to eat. She has visited many hospitals, but without help. They recently decided to come to Nazareth Hospital where our partner doctor ordered for an oesophagal-gastro-duodenoscopy, which finally showed that Jedidah has a hiatus hernia. The surgeon advised a laparotomy is needed to cure her condition, but Jedidah's family is not able to meet the cost. If not treated, Jedidah may have hernia strangulation, gastroesophageal reflux disease, or future lung problems as her stomach contents are moved up to the oesophagus. Jedidah said quietly, “This condition has made it difficult for me to work in our small farm, to interact with friends and even take care of my children. I plead for help and God will bless you.”

Kech Heang is a 72-year-old retired school teacher from Cambodia. She lives with her son as her husband passed away 13 years ago. Now that Kech Heang is retired, she spends her time at home with her family. She enjoys watching Thai dramas on TV. One year ago, Kech Heang developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her blurry vision, photophobia, and tearing. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going outside on her own. When Kech Heang learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for one hour by tuk tuk with her nephew seeking treatment. On November 17th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and place an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $229 procedure. Kech Heang shared, "At this age, vision is the only asset I preciously need."

Song Heu is a 28-year-old man from Cambodia. He has three older sisters and to support their family, Song Heu's mother sells vegetables in the market and his father is a tuk tuk driver. In his free time, Song Heu enjoys exercising, listening to music, playing games on his phone, meeting with friends to discuss problems, and doing house work. Last month, Song Heu was attacked by someone trying to steal his motorbike. The thief cut Song Heu's left arm and neck with a knife, causing paralysis. He has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his left arm 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. Now, Song Heu has a scar on his left neck and has no control of his left shoulder, elbow, or hand. He cannot lift his arm at all and therefore is unable to work. Fortunately, Song Heu traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On November 17th, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, Song Heu will regain use of his left arm. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $696 to fund this procedure. Song Heu shared, "I hope I can use my arm again with full function so I can resume my normal life activities."

Zawadi is an eleven-year-old girl and the firstborn child in a family of three children in Tanzania. She is a friendly and cheerful girl. Zawadi was born healthy but when she was six years old, she was involved in a fire accident that left her with severe burns on her arms, hands, and fingers. On the fateful day, Zawadi and other children were playing cooking games behind their hut. One of the children went and picked a burning piece of wood from the kitchen and was trying to make a fire for them so that they could cook. Zawadi was the one blowing the fire and while doing this her clothes caught fire. She was wearing a sweater and had wrapped herself in Maasai clothing. She was severely burned resulting in five months of hospitalization during her initial treatment. Her wounds healed but have left her unable to straighten her left arm due to the contractures on her axilla. Zawadi has been scheduled for surgery to help release the contracture on her arm so that she is able to wear clothes and make her life a bit easier when trying to use her hands. Her parents are small-scale farmers who have a few cattle that they depend on for milk. Their income is not enough for them to afford Zawadi’s treatment cost and they are asking for help. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Zawadi receive treatment. On October 13th, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery and skin graft so she will be able to utilize her hand with greater ease. Now, her family needs help to fund this $874 procedure. Zawadi’s father told us, “If my daughter is able to have this surgery she will be able to have more range of motion on her arm making her life easier than now. Please help because we can’t afford the treatment cost.”

Our local Watsi rep shared that Monica strains to hear and requests to pull down my mask so that she can read my lips and follow the conversation. She is 33 years old and has had hearing loss for 8 years now. This condition has given her torment, pain, and driven her to near depression. She is unable to hear properly and occasionally gets irritating buzzing noises. She requires bilateral hearing aids that will help her to regain her sense of hearing and boost her self-esteem. In August 2012, it was all blissful and love was in the air for Monica, she shared. She had just settled down into marriage with the love of her life. She remembers vividly on the 23rd day of that month, Monica was doing her daily chores when she felt a billow of wind blowing through her ears. This marked the beginning of her hearing problem and an end to a normal life. At first, Monica thought it was just wind but she started getting nervous when her ears began producing endless buzzing noises that caused her discomfort. She visited a health center in her home town in Mwea where she was reviewed and treated. However, due to the severity of the condition, doctors referred her to a facility with ENT specialists. She has since visited several facilities but the condition keeps recurring. At one point, Monica felt that medical interventions were not working and opted to abandon seeking health care and try prayers. In 2016, she even tried to assembled elders from both sides of the family to help break what they believed was a curse. Nothing worked. Seeing their frustration, a friend of the family referred them to Watsi's Medical Partner Care Center Kijabe Hospital earlier this year. They were unable to visit the facility because they didn’t have money. But in the first week of September, a friend volunteered to give her fare and a little money for a consultation. She was reviewed by the ENT team at the hospital and hearing aids are recommended. Monica is married to a supportive husband who has always stood by her, even at moments when her marriage was going through turmoil. Together, they have three children aged between 4-9 years. They currently live in Ruai in a single room rental house that costs $20 a month. She is a manual laborer who earns daily wages depending on the availability of work. She told us that her income is unpredictable and at times, she goes for days without earning. Her husband works in building sites. On a good day, he makes an average of $4. They depend on this income to pay rent, upkeep for their kids, and medical trips for Monica. They are requesting assistance to make this treatment possible. Monica says, “This condition has frustrated me to a point of threatening my marriage. I know the aids will help to restore my hearing. The buzzing noises are so irritating and uncomfortable. At some point, I felt so low and disappointed that I wanted doctors to shut down my hearing so that I cannot hear the noises.”

Zakayo is a one-year-old baby from Tanzania. He is the last born child in a family of three children. He is playful, smiley, and a very friendly boy. His parents are small-scale farmers of maize, bean, and vegetable. They depend entirely on what they harvest for their survival and supporting their children. Zakayo has 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. Fortunately, Zakayo traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre, and receive care. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on August 18th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $890 to fund Zakayo's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk easily and wear shoes. Zakayo’s mother says, “Please help correct my son’s foot so that he is able to walk like his siblings and lead a normal life. The cost is too high for us to afford it.”

Edwin is a fifteen year old boy from Kenya. He was brought by his mother to a medical camp organized by our partner hospital, Cure International. He is in the eighth grade and very bright. His mother is a housewife while the father is a mason. Edwin was born with a condition known as hemiplegia, a weakness that results from damage to the part of the brain that controls muscle movements. This damage may occur before, during or shortly after birth. Therefore, the entire left side of his body is weak and he cannot see with his left eye. He is currently not able to walk and he keeps falling. The condition is worsening and lowering his self-esteem which is affecting his schoolwork. He is an aspiring engineer but is worried that the condition will hinder him from achieving his goals. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, can help. They are now requesting your help to fund this $1,224 surgery that will repair a congenital foot deformity. “My prayer is for my son to receive help, undergo the surgery, and continue with his life like other children. I would love to see him healthy and able to pursue his dream. I would greatly appreciate any kind of help,” Edwin’s mother shared.