Lawai is a newborn baby from Tanzania. His parents work on a small-scale maize and bean farm to support the family. "Lawai was born with a lesion on his lower back -- a myelomeningocele, which can easily get infected, causing bigger health problems if not treated," shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Lawai's parents adore their son but cannot afford the cost of his necessary treatment. For $1,200, Lawai will undergo life-saving surgery to close the lesion on his back. This surgery will prevent further health complications, including the risk of infection, and allow him to reach his developmental milestones. His mother tells AMHF, “we have been blessed with another son and we hope that he will get better so that he can grow up like his brother, and have the opportunity to go to school and later on live an independent life."

Natnael is a four-year-old boy from Ethiopia. Although he is at the age where he should join school, his hypospadias prevents him from doing so. Hypospadias is a congenital condition where the urethra is not properly developed. After birth, it presents as a misplaced urethra opening either on the underside or towards the middle of their penis. “Natnael cannot pass urine while standing,” shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). "If not treated, Natnael is at risk of urinary tract infection and infertility in future." For $1155, surgeons will move the opening of the urethra to its correct position. This repair significantly lowers Natnael's risk of getting urinary tract infections or becoming infertile later in life. Natnael’s father is a teacher, and hopes to send his son to school once his condition is treated.

Meet Florence, a 28-year-old woman from Kenya. A few days ago, Florence was visiting her sister who is sick in the hospital, and just as she left to walk home she was hit by a car. Florence sustained multiple fractures to her right leg and is eager to receive treatment with our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation. Florence shares, "my sister is very sick and now I got this accident. I feel very devastated because I am the one who brought her from home to the city to get treatment. I hope I can get help and have a successful surgery so that I can go back and support my sister.” Florence was already working hard as a cleaner to support her family and sister, but now that she is out of work and in need of surgery, she is concerned about how she will heal and meet her financial demands. Without treatment, she will live in constant pain and may not regain full use of her right leg. For $1,125, Florence will undergo surgery to realign her tibia and fibula and set the multiple fractures. This operation will ensure that her leg heals properly so that she regains full mobility and can once again work, earn money, and care for herself and her large family.

12-month-old Abduli is a happy baby boy from Tanzania who enjoys playing with cars and with other children his age. He has just started walking and holds onto things along his path to maintain his balance. Abduli’s mother brought him to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), seeking treatment for clubfoot. In babies with clubfoot, the foot is twisted out of position due to short tendons in the foot and ankle. “Abduli is using the lateral aspect of his left foot for walking, which is painful and has affected his gait,” AMHF tells us. “If not treated, Abduli will be at risk of developing osteoarthritis at a young age.” To walk normally, Abduli needs surgery to release the tendons in his foot and ankle. Doctors then move his foot into the proper position and place it in a cast for up to two months. After the cast is removed, Abduli will wear a brace for a year or more to maintain the proper position of his foot. Abduli’s mother sells onions and spices at an open market to support the two of them, but she does not earn enough money to pay for the surgery that he needs. With $1,160 in funding, Abduli can undergo surgery and also receive cast changes, braces, and four months of accommodations at The Plaster House, a home where children can recover after surgery. “I will be so happy to see my boy walking like other children,” says Abduli’s mother. “I will work hard to take him to school so that later on he can live a better life.”

"Lensley was born with a heart condition called tetralogy of fallot, which involves several related defects and holes in the heart that together prevent blood from adequately flowing to his lungs and throughout his body," our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA), writes about this baby boy from Haiti. "Lensley has been very sick since birth, and although he is 12 months old he only weighs nine pounds." Clinicians will be able to perform surgery to address Lensley's heart defects thanks to the generosity of the International Children's Heart Foundation. $5000 will cover a majority of the cost of the procedure, but things like the cost for Lensley's overseas transport remain unfunded. With $1500 we can fund the rest of Lensley's care and get him back on track. "We have been so worried because Lensley won't grow no matter what we try to do," says Lensley's mother. "We are excited to see him start to get bigger after surgery!"

A few months ago, Ralph's mom started noticing that his head was swelling. She took him to the hospital, and after doctors performed a CT scan, they learned that Ralph has excess fluid in his brain, a condition called hydrocephalus. The excess fluid in Ralph's brain places extra pressure on his nerves and blood vessels. As a result, he is at increased risk of a stroke or vision loss. Because his head is heavy, it is difficult for Ralph to sit up. Ralph also has frequent seizures and flu-like symptoms because of his condition. Ralph is his mom's first child. She sells goods from her home, and her husband takes care of Ralph full-time. They need help raising $1,260 so that Ralph can receive surgery to drain the excess fluid from his skull and reduce his risk of paralysis or nerve damage. Let's work together to help improve Ralph's health!