Benjamin is a farmer from a small village in Kenya where most of his neighbors also farm for a living. He plants maize and potatoes in communal land. He feels blessed to have six children with his wife. Their family lives in a house made of mud on the farm given by their parents. Benjamin shared that his employment options are limited because his family was only able to send him to school until grade eight, at which point he left school and became married. Over a week ago, Benjamin suffered an injury on his right knee after he fell on the way home from the farm. Benjamin is unable to stand on his right foot nor to flex his knee. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On June 30th, Benjamin is scheduled to undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. After the surgery, Benjamin will be able to walk and farm to provide for his family. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMH), is requesting $1,016 to fund this procedure. Benjamin has a strong protectiveness and sense of responsibility for his family. Smiling, he states, “My hope is to receive treatment, be well, and continue supporting my family."

Rachael is a 21-year-old mother with two young children, who are 4 years old and 9 months. Rachael is a homemaker and also does farming in their small piece of land. Her husband has not been able to find other work, so her family has limited income. Rachael’s medical condition started in January 2020, when she was pregnant. She started experiencing pain in the right upper chest region, which sometimes became severe. Rachael has visited many health facilities without seeing much improvement. Eventually, after one of her scans, she was diagnosed with cholelithiasis, also known as gallstones. Upon being examined at Nazareth Hospital, the doctor recommended she undergo a laparotomy. If this condition is not treated, Rachael may have complications like obstruction of the gall bladder, inflammation, obstruction of the bile duct or she may have gall bladder cancer. However, Rachael cannot afford to pay for the surgery and appeals for financial support. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Rachael receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a laparotomy to remove her gallstones on May 27th at our medical partner's care center. This procedure will cost $788, and she and her family need help raising money. Racheal shared, "I have small babies and this condition is making it hard for me to care for them. I kindly ask for assistance so that soon I can be able to give all my time to them.”

Edward is a 10-year-old student and a bright boy who loves to play. He's the third child of four in his family. On April 13th, Edward was out playing with his friends. He climbed a tree and unfortunately, he fell and fractured his right hand. He was brought to a local hospital and the surgeon recommended surgery to make sure he heals. If not treated, Edward may not be able to use his hand. Fortunately, surgeons at African Mission Healthcare (AMH) can help. On April 29th, Edward will undergo a fracture repair procedure called an open reduction and internal fixation. After surgery, Edward will be able to use his hand and resume his normal daily activities. Now, AMH is requesting $1,049 to fund this procedure. Edward's brother shared, “we don’t want our brother to have a deformity of the hand. Unfortunately, we can't afford to pay for his surgery as we do casual jobs for our daily meals. Please help us so that Edward can be well before the schools open.”

Meet Fidelis, a 5-year-old beautiful girl. Her mother told us that she likes playing and singing, “Fidelis likes singing in church and reciting bible memory verses." Fidelis's mother is a single mum working as a vendor selling vegetables within their home area. Fidelis was born with clubfoot deformity, she has tried many treatments at a government hospital and at Cure Hospital. Her condition has continued to recur and has greatly affected her mobility. Her mother is concerned and worried for her as Fidelis is not able to walk, run with her friends, and sometimes stays lonely at home because her friends focus on her disability. Fidelis has clubfoot of of both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. Fortunately, Fidelis traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on April 16th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,224 to fund Fidelis's clubfoot repair. After treatment, the hope is that Fidelis will finally be able to wear shoes well, run, walk, and play with her friends at home and at school. Her mother also hopes her self-esteem will improve. “I would like my daughter to undergo surgery so she can walk well without any hardship and continue with her education uninterrupted,” Fidelis’s mother told us.

Nehimia is a 1-year-old from Ethiopia. He is a sweet, playful boy and the first child to his parents. Nehimia loves listening to music, and watching animation movies. His dad is a gym trainer, but his income was affected as a result of the closure of gyms during the pandemic. His mom is a housewife and also has been unable to work during the pandemic, though she used to work in a small boutique. His family lives together in a government house and they pay a small fee for rent. Nehimia 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, Nehimia is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on March 4th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,293 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Nehimia's mother shared, “I hope my child will heal and grow and become a minister in the house of God.”

Kyaw is a one-year-old boy from Thailand. He lives with his father, grandmother, uncle and brother in a village in Tak Province, Thailand. His father and uncle are day laborers while his grandmother is a homemaker. Kyaw’s 13-year-old brother also helps out with household chores. In the middle of November 2020, Kyaw developed a fever, cough and difficulty breathing. His grandmother treated him with traditional medicine but Kyaw did not get better. His grandmother then took him to a clinic in the village, where he received oral medication for a week. Once he completed the medication, Kyaw still was not better. His grandmother then took him to another clinic where he received a blood test, fluid through an intravenous (IV) infusion, and oxygen. After the doctor checked his results, Kyaw was diagnosed with anemia and he was admitted. He received a blood transfusion, but Kyaw still did not get better. The medic then referred him to another hospital where he was also admitted and received tests and treatment. When Kyaw did not get better, the doctor referred him to Mae Sot Hospital (MSH). After Kyaw arrived at MSH in an ambulance in early December, he was admitted. At the hospital, Kyaw received an x-ray, oxygen and antibiotics. After checking his x-ray result, the doctor diagnosed Kyaw with congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM), where a mass forms during pregnancy in one of the lungs of the fetus. The doctor told Kyaw’s grandmother that Kyaw could have a mass or cyst in his right lung in addition to a build-up of fluid in that lung. The doctor then inserted a tube into his right lung which was connected to a bag to drain the fluid. After the procedure, the doctor told Kyaw’s grandmother that they would remove the tube when no more fluid would drain from his lungs. When Kyaw did not get better, the doctor referred him to Chiang Mai Hospital for further treatment. Doctors want Kyaw to undergo a CT scan, a procedure in which x-ray images taken from several angles are combined to produce cross-sectional images of the body. After a long journey and many treatments, this scan will hopefully help doctors diagnose his condition and formulate an appropriate treatment plan. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $693 to cover the cost of Kyaw's CT scan and hospital care, scheduled for February 1st. “I want to see him free from this suffering,” said Kyaw’s grandmother. “Once Kyaw recovers and is older, I will send him to school. I want him to become an educated person because I do not want him to work as a day labourer and work under the hot sun like his father.”

Naw Mar is a 35-year-old woman from Thailand. She lives with her husband, two daughters and two sons in a refugee camp on the Thai-Burma border. Four years ago, Naw Mar started to suffer from pain in the right side of her abdomen. At first, she thought the pain would disappear after she rested. When it did not, she went to the hospital in the camp run by Malteser International Thailand (MI). She received medications which helped for a bit. Two years later, the pain became severe and the right side of her abdomen also became swollen. After more medication and follow-up appointments, she was eventually admitted to Mae Sariang Hospital and received an ultrasound. The ultrasound showed that she had multiple gallstones, and she was given more medication. However, the medication did not help her much. In early June 2020, the pain in Naw Mar’s right abdomen increased. After she went to the camp’s hospital, the doctor referred her to Mae Sariang Hospital again, where the doctor told her that she would need to have surgery to remove the gallstones. Since Mae Sariang Hospital doctors could not perform this surgery, she was again referred her to Chiang Mai Hospital. However, the high cost of surgery proved difficult, so she was referred to our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), for assistance with accessing treatment. Currently, Naw Mar has constant pain in her right abdomen that is only manageable through pain medication. Her right abdomen is also swollen, and she suffers from back pain as well. When the pain in her abdomen is excruciating, she develops a headache and high blood pressure. Naw Mar is a homemaker, while her two daughters and her youngest son go to school. Her oldest son helps her with household chores. Her husband works as an agricultural day laborer, but has been unable to find work for the past month. While their family does receive a cash card each month for food support, it is not enough to cover their daily expenses and they struggle to make ends meet despite receiving free health care and education in the refugee camp. Their family is appealing for financial support. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund Naw Mar's surgery. On October 25th, she will undergo a cholecystectomy at our medical partner’s care center. Once recovered, Naw Mar will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain and her quality of life will improve. Naw Mar shared, "After I receive treatment, I want to work for an organisation [NGO] in the camp so that we [my family] can have an income. Right now, I have no pocket money and I cannot borrow money from any one because we have no way of paying them back. I appreciate any support you can provide.”

Gabriel is a 46-year-old refugee from South Sudan. He is a father of six children aged between 2-19 years old. Currently, Gabriel and his family are staying in the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya fleeing civil conflict in their home country. In June 2020, Gabriel had an accident and broke his arm. He underwent surgery in his hometown of Juba in the same month and was discharged home from the hospital. However, his left arm started developing further complications, and he was forced to seek treatment in Kenya after his family left Sudan. Gabriel has chronic osteomyelitis of the left humerus and infected hardware in his arm. Gabriel has undergone 3 surgeries, including humeral debridement, hardware removal, and bone cementing. Doctors recommend another urgent sequestrectomy surgery on his left humerus to remove the infected hardware. If left untreated, he risks impediment of blood circulation within the bone leading to bone death and even amputation. Unfortunately, this procedure is costly for Gabriel and his family. He does not currently have a job, nor any medical coverage. Due to the support of well-wishers, friends, and family, Gabriel has been able to raise some money for his earlier medical and surgical concerns. However, he was forced to postpone his surgery due to lack of funds. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Gabriel receive treatment. He is scheduled to undergo a sequestrectomy on December 2nd at our medical partner's care center. This procedure will cost $1,500, and he appeals for financial help to fund the cost of his care. Gabriel shared, “I am in so much pain and there have been so many surgeries for me. I need assistance on this one.”

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.”

Chhorn is a 36-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. Chhorn was married 18 years ago and together that have three daughters and one son. Chhorn's husband is also a farmer. Chhorn enjoys taking care of her grandchild, cooking, and watching Thai movies on TV. In October 2018, Chhorn slipped and fell causing her hip pain. She sought treatment at a Khmer traditional healer but it did not help with the pain. Four months after the accident she went to a provincial hospital and had an x-ray that showed a fracture of the left hip. After that Chhorn went home and took pain relievers because she had no money for the surgery to treat her hip. Her neighbor told her to come to Watsi's Medical Partner Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), so she traveled five hours to reach us. Chhorn presented at CSC unable to walk without crutches, with limited range of motion, and in pain. Fortunately, at CSC, surgeons can perform a total hip replacement to relieve Chhorn of her pain and allow her to walk easily. Treatment is scheduled for October 1st, and Chhorn needs help raising $1,087 to pay for this procedure. Chhorn said, "my condition makes me feel very bad because I can not walk well and I'm in pain. I hope this hip replacement operation will help me."

Israel is a baby boy from Tanzania and the last-born in a family of two children. His mother delivered him at home with the help of midwives and soon noticed her son's left foot was not straight. She was scared to tell her husband or her parents-in-law as she was scared they might accuse her of bringing disability into their family. It took her almost two months to be able to summon up the courage and inform her husband about their son's condition. Her husband was understanding and they decide to seek a doctor's advice at a local hospital near their village. They were informed that the condition was treatable but they would have to be referred to the district hospital. They inquired on the cost of the treatment but the cost turned out to be too expensive for them to afford. Thus they were forced to return home hoping they would be able to raise the money one day and have their son's foot corrected. Both parents depend on small-scale farming for their living, which they shared is barely enough to meet their basic needs. They heard about the Plaster House from a relative and decide to try seeking help. The medical team shared that Israel has clubfoot of his left foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre, will perform clubfoot repair surgery on September 2nd. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $935 to fund Israel's clubfoot repair. After treatment, when he grows up, he will be able to walk easily. Israel’s mother says, “I am scared my son would be discriminated if he does not have this condition corrected. Please help us.”

Ha is a nineteen-year-old worker in a rubber factory. His lives with his parents and four siblings. His parents are farmers. When he is not working, he meets with a big group of friends who play regular soccer matches, or helps his parents with their farm. In May 2020, Ha was accidentally injured by a machine while working at the factory. He suffered fractures in both his legs resulting in nerve damage. His family took him to a local hospital where they used hardware to repair his fractures, but caused nerve damage in the process. Now, he cannot feel his feet or move either of his legs and must use a wheelchair. Luckily, surgeons at Children's Surgical Centre will be able to perform a repair procedure in order to restore normal nerve function and help him heal his legs. Now, they are asking for your help to fund the $541 procedure. His father shared, "I am worried that my son will not be able to walk again, so I pray that the doctors can find the best way to help him walk and be strong like before."