Meet Babu, a 13-month-old boy from Tanzania. “Babu is a beautiful little boy and the only child to his mother, who is a single parent," says our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). “Babu was delivered by C-section in a bridged position, and has had trouble passing stool since birth," AMHF shares. His mother tried to feed him and provide Babu with the best care, but her son’s condition worsened. At six-weeks-old, Babu received an immediate colostomy, the removal of his colon. Babu was then diagnosed with Hirschsprung's disease, a condition characterized by a blockage in the large intestine. As a single mother working on the farm, Babu’s mother cannot afford another hospital visit. AMHF says, “Despite all her hardships, Babu’s mother is a strong and hopeful woman. She dreams of raising her son and later going back to school. Her dream was to become a vet, and she still wants to have such a career.” With $1,500, Babu can undergo a two step procedure to first resection his paralyzed colon, then re-attach it and close the colostomy. AMHF states that with this surgery, “Babu will be able to pass stool normally and continue with normal growth.” “I pray for my baby to get well, live a normal life, go to school, and later on have a good career,” says Babu’s mother.

Cleopatra is an energetic and talkative nine-year-old girl. Our hospital partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation tells us, "Cleopatra is the second born in a family of five children. She is in class three and likes the science classes. While in school she enjoys skipping rope with other pupils, playing hide and seek and running." Cleopatra suffered a burn injury to her neck three years ago when she went to help her mother set up the charcoal stove. AMHF reports, "after a long treatment period, Cleopatra's wound healed and unfortunately she developed contracture of the neck. She has had a few surgeries done, but she still cannot freely move her neck sideways. Her parents who are small scale business people have used up a lot of money for her treatment that they can no longer pay the cost of operation which she needs." This is where we come in! For $550 a contracture release surgery will be performed. The doctors are optimistic that Cleopatra will be able to freely move her neck sideways without feeling pain, and chances of developing a stiff neck will diminish. Her family is also excited about her surgery. "We have truly struggled to help our daughter and it has been difficult. We hope that this time she will get the help she needs so that she can continue with school without interruptions and be able to pursue her future career,” says Cleopatra’s mother. Let's help Cleopatra get the treatment she needs.