Ester is a seven-year-old girl from Tanzania and last born of six children in her family. She walks with difficulties due to genu varus, a condition where the legs curve outwards by the knees. She complains of pain and exhaustion after long walks, especially to school. Her parents noted the curving two years ago which has gradually increased. One of her teachers advised Ester's family to visit our hospital. Upon review, Ester was diagnosed with the condition and requires surgery. With successful surgery, she will be able to walk with ease, less pain and exhaustion. Ester's parents are peasants, relying on casual labour in other people's farms to make a living. Providing for their six children is hard for them. They are not able to afford the cost of surgery for their child and appeal for help. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $838 to fund corrective surgery for Ester. The procedure is scheduled to take place on December 5th. Treatment will hopefully restore Ester's mobility, allow her to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease her risk of future complications. Ester’s mother says, “Our daughter has been suffering due to her leg’s condition but due to financial challenges we haven’t been able to treat her please help our daughter.”

Modesta is a beautiful and playful 5-year-old girl from Tanzania who struggles to walk due to genu varum, a condition where the legs curve outward at the knees. She falls often when she tries to run. The curving has increased as she has grown. Her parents did not think its a treatable condition, but during an outreach program, her father learnt of the treatment option and hopes to have Modesta treated. With successful surgery, Modesta will be able to walk with ease and less pain. She will also walk to school easily when she joins. Modesta's parents are peasant farmers relying on maize, sorghum and vegetable plantations to meet their daily needs. They have limited income to pay for the cost of surgery. Modesta lives with her parents and 8 siblings. The family appeals for financial assistance.  Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $838 to fund corrective surgery for Modesta. Treatment will hopefully restore Modesta's mobility, allow her to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease her risk of future complications. Modesta’s father says, “The treatment cost is too expensive for us to afford please help.”

Rithea is a 39-year-old craftswoman from Cambodia. She enjoys spending time with her three children and doing the housework in her free time. One year ago, Rithea had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in her right ear to perforate. For this reason, Rithea experiences ear discharge, pain, itchiness, and headaches. She is unable to hear clearly and suffers from chronic ear infections. Rithea traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On October 09, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in her right ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $423 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Rithea said, "I hope that after surgery, my ear will be able to heal and I will be able to hear clearly again."

Joseph hails from Juhudi in Lamu county. He is married and had two children who passed away 2 years ago due to heart disease. His wife left home on losing the two children and due to the hardship they were experiencing in the family. Joseph is a farmer and a house attendant in one of the farms in Lamu. He lives in a one-roomed mud-house. Joseph has a condition called Blount disease causing bow legged. This condition has affected his normal life like walking; he complains of pain. He cannot walk for a long distance or work for many hours. Joseph is scheduled to undergo high tibial osteotomy, a surgery that will help him walk without difficulty as well as alleviate pain on her. . He cannot afford the estimated bill and thus requests support.

Gerald is a man from Kenya. Three months ago, Gerald fell into a construction ditch. He sustained a traumatic left tibia fibula fracture. He is not able to walk without support and is in pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On August 3, Gerald will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help him walk easily again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $968 to fund this procedure. Gerald says, “If I could be walking now I could be looking for work. I have faith that I will walk again."

Sieng is a first grade student from Cambodia. She likes to watch television and play with her toys, and her favorite subject in school is painting and reading. When Sieng was one year old, she received a poorly administered injection, which resulted in the contracture of her left knee. She is unable to fully straighten her leg. When Sieng learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On May 9, surgeons at CSC will perform a quadricepsplasty procedure of her left leg to help release the contracture and allow her to walk and bend her leg without difficulty. Now, Sieng needs help to fund this $413 procedure. Her mother says, "I hope that after surgery, my daughter will be able to move her leg normally."

Sovan is a 37-year-old hairdresser from Cambodia. He is the youngest of nine children, and enjoys watching television in his free time. When he was fifteen years old, Sovan 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, Sovan experiences ear discharge, headaches, tinnitus, itchiness, and hearing loss. He has a difficult time understanding and communicating with others. Sovan traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On May 6, he will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure in his right ear. During this procedure, ENT surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $842 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. He says, "I hope that after my surgery, I will be able to hear clearly and my ear infection will heal."

Oeun is a 68-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He has three grandchildren and enjoys listening to the radio and reading scripts from the pagoda. Five months ago, Oeun developed a cataract in each eye, causing him blurry vision and irritation. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Oeun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for four hours seeking treatment. On March 6, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $398 procedure. He says, "I hope that after my surgery, I am able to go back to work on the rice farm and go outside independently."

Faimu is a baby from Kenya. She 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, Faimu has been experiencing an increasing head circumference. Without treatment, Faimu will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $685 to cover the cost of surgery for Faimu that will treat her hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on March 21 and will drain the excess fluid from Faimu's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Faimu will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl.

Winda is a student from Haiti. She lives on an island off the west coast of Haiti with her parents and three siblings. Her father is a fisherman. She is in seventh grade and hopes to attend university one day. Winda has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral and aortic regurgitation. Two of the four valves in her heart were severely damaged due to an infection earlier in childhood. As a result, her heart cannot adequately pump blood through her body. Winda will fly to India to receive treatment. On February 25, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will either repair the damaged valves in her heart, or replace them with artificial implants. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is contributing $5,000 to pay for surgery. Winda'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 Winda's family overseas. She says, "I am very excited to be able to get my heart fixed so I can start feeling better!"

Maria is a student from Tanzania. She is the fourth in a family of six children. Maria 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, Maria traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on January 4. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $890 to fund Maria's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will be able to walk to school. Maria says, “I wish to be able to walk well like my school friends, please help me get this treatment.”

Aye Chan is a five-year-old preschool girl from Thailand. She lives with her family in a village in Mae Sot Township. In October, Aye Chan slipped and fell, breaking her right forearm. Currently, she cannot sleep at night, and she is on painkillers to manage the pain. She cannot lift her left arm. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Aye Chan will undergo surgery to reset her fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for November 1 and will cost $1,500. The treatment will help her to use her left hand again. She will be able to go to school, allowing her mother, who is currently caring for her, to return to work. Her mother says, "I'm looking forward to seeing her recover...I would like to thank your organization for helping my daughter. I will never forget what you have done for my daughter. When she recovers, I will continue to send her to school no matter how difficult it is."