Leng is a 33-year-old mother of four from Cambodia. She has two sons and two daughters, and enjoys cooking for her family and watching television in her free time. Five years ago, Leng started to develop a cancerous-like bump on her nose, and has been diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma. She experiences pain near the bump, along with discharge and bleeding. Leng learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, and on December 23rd, surgeons at CSC will perform an excision and bilobed flap procedure to remove the cancerous tissue and help her feel comfortable again. Now, she needs help to fund this $606 procedure. "I hope that my wife's operation will go well and remove the cancer from her nose so that I won't have to worry about her condition anymore."-Leng's Husband

Amri is an elderly man who operates a small shop to earn a living. In the 80s, he was injured at a football match on his left knee. He was treated and able to walk with ease three months later. However, as years progressed, the knee became painful making it hard for him to walk. Over the years, the pain has been persistent. He has tried different ointments which relieves pain temporarily. He came to our facility and upon review, he had surgery recommended. He managed to get medical insurance. Unfortunately, the card does not cover the full cost of surgery. With successful surgery, Amri will be able to walk with ease. Amri relies on his small business to meet daily needs. His children have assisted him to get medical coverage but are not able to raise the remaining funds. He appeals for help. Fortunately, Amri learned about our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). At AMHF's care center, surgeons can perform a total knee replacement to relieve Amri of his pain and allow him to walk easily. Treatment is scheduled for December 10th, and Amri needs help raising $822 to pay for this procedure. Amri says, “I am unable to come up with all the surgery cost. Please help me so that I can have my knee corrected and walk again.”

Said is an infant from Tanzania. Said is a handsome and cheerful infant. He has been in the hospital for some time being treated off bilateral club foot. He was diagnosed with the condition upon birth and treatment commenced a few weeks later. However, the mother and grandmother could not keep up with the cost of casting and manipulation. They were referred to ALMC where manipulation and casting were recommended. If not treated, Said will be at risk of permanent disability. Said's grandmother is the only provider in the family through subsistence farming. She further has the responsibility of caring for her other children. She is afraid that treatment for her grandson might be halted due to their finances. Fortunately, Said traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on October 11. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $890 to fund Said's clubfoot repair. After treatment, Said will be able to walk with ease and free from permanent disability. Said’s mother says, “I don’t want my son to grow up disabled but we are unable to afford the treatment cost, please help.”

Judith is a middle-aged woman with lower back pain problem that has persisted for over 8 years. Judith has tried managing the condition with injections, medical pills and physiotherapy sessions. The interventions have not been fruitful as she recently started using a walking stick to attain balance. Judith was referred to our facility by a neighbour and upon MRI imaging, she had spinal fusion surgery recommended. If not treated, the pain will persist which might weaken her walking gait further. Judith is a mother of three children and used to work on their farm for subsistence farming but has since stopped. Her husband is employed as a timber yard operator. The family is not able to raise the total funds needed for her surgery and they appeal for financial assistance.

Guivens is a student from Haiti. He lives with his parents and older sister in a small town on the western coast of Haiti. His father is a fisherman and his mother is a vendor in the local market. Guivens has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation. One of the four valves in his heart was severely damaged due to a fever he suffered earlier in childhood, and cannot adequately pump blood through his body. Guivens will fly to Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On September 2, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will first attempt to repair his damaged valve; if this is not possible, they will implant an artificial replacement. Another organization, Mitral Foundation, is contributing $6,000 to pay for surgery. Guivens's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Guivens's family overseas. His mother says, "I am very thankful that God is answering our family's prayers and allowing our son to have surgery!"