Nyakek is a beautiful three-month-old baby from Sudan. She was born at home, and her mother immediately noticed a large, open swelling on the lower part of her back. The midwives recommended that Nyakek be brought to a nearby hospital, where she was diagnosed with spina bifida. This is a neural tube defect, where the spine and spinal cord don't fully form, leading to infection, lower limb paralysis, and developmental delays. A missionary doctor at the hospital immediately linked them to our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH), which was able to refer them to our partner hospital in Kenya. Plans were put together for how she would travel to Kenya for treatment. Where their family comes from in Sudan, the area has very poor roads and it would not have been possible for them to travel to Juba to be airlifted to Kenya. Instead, the doctor organized for them to board a helicopter that visits the area once a week to deliver supplies. They were taken to Juba where they boarded another flight to Kenya. Upon arrival at our partner's care center, Nyakek was examined and they have started planning for the urgent surgery she needs. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,151 to cover the cost of Nyakek's spina bifida closure surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on November 9th at BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital. This procedure will hopefully spare Nyakek from the risks associated with her condition, allowing her to grow and develop along a healthy trajectory. Nyakek’s mother said: “When I saw the swelling, I was very stressed as I had not seen such a thing before. I immediately got worried about my daughter.”

Brandon is a 9-year-old student who is an active and social boy in class 4. He likes playing football and socializing with others. He aspires to become a doctor in the future so that he can perform surgeries for children. He is the first born in a family of 3 children. His mother is a housewife, while his father is a businessman. Brandon was born with clubfoot of both feet. He underwent serial casting treatment at a young age, where he wore a series of casts to gradually move the feet to the correct position. The right foot was corrected, but the left foot reverted back to clubfoot. He has been having difficulties walking and playing football, his favorite sport. Fortunately, Brandon and his parents traveled to visit our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH). He has been being treated with serial casting for the left foot again to soften the tissues and is scheduled to undergo a clubfoot repair surgery on August 16th. AMH is requesting $1,286 to fund Brandon's clubfoot repair. The treatment will be impactful because he will be able to walk confidently and play football with his friends. Brandon’s mother shared, “I would love to see my son walking like other children and achieve his dream career of becoming a doctor.”

Rabecca is a small-scale farmer from Uganda. She is a mother to four children, all delivered via caesarean section. Three of her children attend primary and secondary school, while the youngest remains at home and hasn't started schooling yet. Rabecca has attended antenatal care at Nyakibale Hospital on six occasions during her pregnancy. Due to financial difficulties, Rebecca had to leave school after primary six grade. Consequently, she does not have a formal job. She is involved in cultivating food crops on a small piece of land which is the main means of sustenance. These crops are primarily intended for home consumption, but any surplus is sold to generate income for her family. Her husband works as a construction porter on various building sites. Despite their combined efforts, their incomes are insufficient to cover her medical expenses. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family. Rabecca is currently expecting her fifth child. Her doctors recommend that she deliver via a caesarean section because of four previous scars. This way, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Rabecca undergo a C-Section on August 8th. This procedure will cost $252, and Rabecca needs your support. Rebecca says, "We survive miraculously by God's mercy, due to our limited family income. This restriction even hinders us from providing basic necessities like medical care. However, I believe that with your support, I will be able to have a successful delivery."

Juan, an 11-month-old boy from Bolivia, lives with his mother and five older siblings in a neighborhood in the mountains above La Paz. Juan was born with a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect, in which a hole exists between the two lower chambers of his heart. Blood leaks through this hole without passing through his lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him weak and making it difficult for him to gain weight. To address Juan's condition, congenital heart surgery is the only viable treatment option. Skilled doctors at Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría will perform the surgery by closing the hole in his heart using a patch. However, due to Juan's low weight, the surgeons have determined that it is unsafe to proceed with the procedure. As a result, he will be hospitalized for several weeks before the surgery to receive proper nutritional support, enabling him to gain weight and prepare for the operation. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is actively seeking your generous support to raise $1,500 to support Juan's cardiac care. Your contribution will play a vital role in enabling Juan to receive the life-changing congenital heart surgery he urgently requires. By partnering with Haiti Cardiac Alliance and making a financial contribution, you can make a significant difference in Juan's life and overall well-being. Juan's mother shared, "I am very hopeful that after this surgery, my son will gain appetite and start growing and gaining weight more normally!"

Evania is a two-year-old toddler from Bolivia. She is the second child in her family who live in La Paz. Her father is a construction foreman and her mother is an administrative assistant for the construction company. Soon after she was born, her pediatrician detected a heart murmur, and a cardiologist diagnosed her with two cardiac conditions. One is a hole between the two lower chambers of the heart, and another hole between two major blood vessels near her heart. Evania also has Down syndrome. It is recommended to have surgery to repairs these holes in her heart. Our medical partner International Cardiac Alliance is requesting $1,500 to fund Evania's surgery. During surgery, doctors will sew both holes closed so that blood can no longer leak through them. After surgery Evania will have improved circulation and more ability to be active. Evania's mother shared: "Our family is so thankful that Evania has been chosen for this surgery and we are praying that all will go well!"

Hellen is a nine-year-old girl who is approaching grade one. She is one of nine siblings, three of whom share the same congenital condition of clubfoot. Both of her parents are farmers. They cultivate maize and millet for food and sell the surplus to earn money for other expenses. Unfortunately, Hellen’s father, who is advancing in age and has clubfoot, cannot work extended hours. Therefore, his mother toils diligently on the farm to ensure they yield sufficient harvests. Hellen has clubfoot on her left foot and, fortunately, Hellen's family visited our medical partner's care center, the Plaster House NGO. There, the team began clubfoot treatment on October 6th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $935 to fund Hellen's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will use night casts to aid in her full recovery and later be able to walk comfortably. She did not receive treatment as a baby because of her parents' lack of knowledge about the condition and financial barriers. However, one day, a glimmer of hope emerged when Hellen’s father crossed paths with a young boy who had once faced a similar challenge but had now fully recovered. Filled with renewed hope, he inquired about how this transformation had occurred. The boy’s story revealed the existence of our medical partner's care center to Hellen’s father. Filled with optimism, he hurried home and shared this life-altering discovery with his wife. Together, they decided to bring their precious daughter and three of her siblings to The Plaster House. Hellen’s mother says: “I am glad there is a chance for my daughter to get treatment, I hope she doesn't have to live with this disability for the rest of her life.”

Marina, who is four years old, lives in Takeo province with her mother and father. Her mother works in a garment factory, while her father is employed at a nearby construction site. A year ago, Marina tried to climb a two meter high "spirit house" in her front garden. Spirit houses are temple style shrines, which often have fruit and sweets placed on top of them as offerings. Marina fell from the structure, and fractured her left leg. She was taken to a nearby clinic, and treated for the fracture. Since then, her parents have noticed that she can only walk on her tip-toes. They are worried, as Marina is going to start kindergarten in the autumn, and they want her to be able to walk to school and to play with her friends. Marina and her family sought help from our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre. On July 10th, doctors at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre plan to perform a tendon release procedure on her left ankle. This procedure will increase the flexibility and function of Marina's leg and ankle. Once she has fully recovered, Marina will be able to walk more easily. Now her family needs your help to fund this $572 procedure. Marina's father said: "We hope Marina will have surgery and she won't feel afraid to start school."