Meet Kunihira, a three-year-old girl from Uganda. For her whole life, Kunihira has had painful swelling because of an umbilical hernia that causes her occasional abdominal pain and poses serious long term health risks. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), shares that unless Kunihira receives proper care, she is “at risk of getting intestinal obstruction or strangulation of the hernia.” Kunihira's mother brought her daughter to the hospital, but was unable to afford the surgery that she needs. Because of Kunihira's condition, her mother is unable to leave her for extended periods of time or find steady employment. $220 covers the cost of a hernia repair surgery that will ease Kunihira's immediate discomfort and minimize the risk of future health complications, AMHF details. "We expect that after the surgery, Kunihira will no longer be in pain and the risk or intestinal obstruction, incarceration and strangulation would be eliminated." “Thank you in advance for the assistance you are going to give my child and me," Kunihira's mother shares. "God bless you.”

Ramila is a two-year-old girl from Nepal who recently started kindergarten. “She likes sharing the stories she learned in school at home," our medical partner, Possible, shares. "Her favorite game is gatta, played by balancing five stones on one's hand." “She was returning from school when she slipped and fractured her right elbow,” explains Possible. “She has been in a lot of pain and it has considerably swollen too." Her broken elbow has understandably made it difficult to live her normal life and keep up with school. Ramila’s family brought her to the hospital, but are unable to afford the proper care that Ramila needs. "Ramila is so young, she's just started school. I worry what will happen if her elbow is not fixed," says her mother. $579 will allow Ramila to undergo open reduction and internal fixation surgery. In this procedure, surgeons place the bones in the correct position and fix them in place with metal pins. Ramila's elbow will then be placed in a cast so the bones can heal properly, and after four to six weeks, the cast will be removed and Ramila will begin to recover use of her arm and get back to being a normal kindergartener.

Meet Fadhili, a two-year-old boy from Kenya who enjoys drawing with the help of his five-year-old sister. Fadhili’s mother is a homemaker and his father deals in scrap metal. “When he turned two, his mother noticed swelling near his groin,” explains our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Fadhili was diagnosed with an inguinal hernia, which occurs when a weak part of the abdomen allows part of the intestine to protrude through the muscle. “He becomes irritable when it is touched,” says AMHF. “If not treated early, he is likely to suffer intestinal obstruction, incarceration and strangulation.” Fadhili is no stranger to the medical system. “Most of Fadhili’s life has been spent in and out of hospital,” shares AMHF. “At two weeks old, Fadhili was discovered to have a heart defect known as pulmonary valve stenosis.” Fortunately, the condition does not yet require surgery, only evaluation every six months to monitor its status. However, this has put such a strain on the family’s finances that they are unable to afford treatment for his hernia. $430 funds the surgery Fadhili needs to return his herniated intestine to its proper position and repair the defect in the wall of his abdomen. After the procedure, Fadhili should be in much less pain and at a lower risk of future health complications. “Fadhili is a very delicate boy,” says his mother. “He has been through a lot and I don’t want him to grow in pain.”

“I earnestly wish for her to have no complications because of this in the future,” shares the father of Manisha, a 13-year-old girl living in Nepal. While playing at school, Manisha was hit with a rock and was left with an open wound and a fracture in her right leg. Right now, it is too painful for Manisha to use her right leg and she needs help completing even basic tasks. As a result, Manisha had to be carried on her father’s back for two hours to reach our medical partner, Possible. While Manisha’s parents work in the field, Manisha helps out around the house by looking after cattle and babysitting her younger brother. Although Manisha’s parents work hard, they cannot afford the $579 that would pay for Manisha’s treatment. With your help, Manisha’s bones will be “aligned correctly and secured with the help of pins. Her open wound will also be stitched close,” Possible shares.

At three years of age, Brian's parents realized that something was not okay; he cried when passing urine. When swelling appeared on his groin, he was rushed to the nearest hospital and treated for an inguinal hernia. The swelling did not disappear, but the pain was gone. Brian is now 11 years old and lives with his family in Kenya. He still has the inguinal hernia, which is again causing pain and discomfort, especially when bending over, coughing or lifting anything. According to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), "if Brian is not treated, it can result in painful restriction of blood supply to his intestinal tissues that could be life-threatening." Weeks ago, Brian felt a sharp pain and his doctors determined that the hernia had re-occurred. Brian’s parents were distraught as they pondered where to get the funds they would need for his surgery - they work as casual laborers and cannot afford his care. They tell AMHF, "we will do anything to see to it that our son gets treated and fulfills his future dreams of becoming a pilot." For $430, Brian can have surgery to correct his hernia. This operation will prevent the hernia from growing and obstructing Brian's blood supply, interfering with his intestinal tract, and causing pain. Brian's mother says, "I am in need of your help because raising such an amount is completely out of reach for us. We want our son to grow normally and have a bright future.” Let's support Brian and his family achieve the future they desire.

Kriscous is a jolly, four-year-old boy from the Philippines with cleft palate. Kriscous loves playing with his grandmother and other children. However, he become very shy because other children make fun of his appearance and altered speech. The attention from other children, and the frustration he experiences when his community can't understand him constantly puts him on edge, and he often gets into fights with other children and neighbors. In addition to worrying about his health, his family worries that Kriscous will continue to be unhappy if his condition persists. With $1,464, Kriscous will receive cleft palate repair surgery and follow-up care that will help him speak with less difficulty and give him the confidence to connect with other children. According to his grandmother, "Kriscous is very excited to be treated so he can have self-confidence and fulfill his dreams."