Monicah is a shy four year old girl who loves being with her grandmother. She is the first born in a family of two. She hails from a village in Machakos county, Kenya. Monicah was diagnosed to have hemiplegic cerebral palsy, a condition that paralyses one side of the body. She also has clubfoot of her right foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Monicah's family traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on October 25th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,286 to fund Monicah's clubfoot repair. The surgery will be impactful to her since she will be able to walk without pain and finally she will be able to step on the ground with her right foot. “I am pleading support for my daughter to undergo surgery. I would love to see her stepping on the ground confidently,” Monicah’s mother told us.

Htun is a four year old boy living with 12 other children and a pastor and his wife who are helping to raise them in Tak Province, Thailand. Htun enjoys riding bicycles, watching cartoons, and playing with action figures. Towards the beginning of April, Htun began experiencing discomfort while walking and when he was sitting down. According to his guardian, whenever Htun begins to feel pain, he will point to where the pain is coming from and cry. Htun has been diagnosed with an inguinal hernia, which will need to be treated with surgery. Fortunately, he was brought to our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, and he is now scheduled for hernia repair surgery on May 31st, at Mae Sot General Hospital. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund Htun's hernia repair surgery, after which Htun will be able to live a full and healthy life ahead. "I want to support him as if he were my own child, and I want him to feel like we are his family," shared the pastor.

Taraja is a charming five-year-old girl from Southwestern Tanzania and the oldest child in her family. Taraja has not started school yet, but her parents hope that once her condition is treated, she can enroll in kindergarten. Taraja’s parents grow maize, vegetables, and sorghum for a living. They get most of their food from their farm and her father also takes casual laboring jobs, like working on other peoples’ farms and carrying luggage, to supplement the family's income. Taraja has clubfoot of both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape causing difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Taraja receive treatment. On October 8th, Taraja will undergo clubfoot repair surgery at AMH's care center. After treatment, she will be able to walk easily and wear shoes. Now, AMH is requesting $935 to fund Taraja's procedure and care. Taraja’s mother shared, "it was very strange to see our daughter’s feet in this position. We tried to find treatment for her but we were advised to go to a big hospital, something we couldn’t afford to do. Please help us if it’s possible."

Joseph is a two-year-old boy and the youngest child in a family of four children. The family lives in a small timber house and his father sells vegetables to provide for the family. His mother often does laundry work for their neighbors, however, sometimes work is difficult to find and she works on neighbors' farms to supplement the family's income. Joseph was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended after birth. If not treated, Joseph will have an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Fortunately, Joseph will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH). He is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on July 5th and now, AMH is requesting $569 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Joseph’s father shared, “since we visited the last facility, I have never had peace in my heart after the doctor told us what will happen if the testes did not descend and he was not treated. Now, I’m more troubled that I cannot do anything for his surgery as we cannot raise any amount close to what is required. I really need support for my child's surgery."

Clementina is a ten-year-old student and the youngest in a family of four children. She is a loving girl who enjoys playing with babies, especially her neighbours'. Her mother says she would wake up in the morning and ask right away for permission to go see her neighbour’s baby. She is also a hard-working girl. She helps her mother clean the house and cleaning dishes. She cleans her own clothes too sometimes. Clementina was born with spina bifida, a type of neural tube defect in which the spine does not properly close around the spinal cord. Without treatment, Clementina is at risk of lower-limb paralysis, infection of the exposed nervous tissue, development of tethered cord syndrome, and possible developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMH), is requesting $1,015 to cover the cost of Clementina's spina bifida closure surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on August 9th. This procedure will hopefully spare Clementina from the risks associated with her condition, instead allowing her to grow and develop along a healthy trajectory. Clementina’s mother says, "We never knew the condition needed treatment all these years. But we are thankful that she is able to stand and walk. She has been scheduled for surgery but the cost is too high for us to afford please help."

Touch is a 68-year-old retired farmer with two daughters and two sons. Her husband passed away ten years ago, so she currently lives with her oldest daughter. Touch enjoys keeping a garden behind her house. She is a caring grandmother and loves to cook for her grandchildren and watch them play outside. Besides taking care of her grandchildren, Touch likes listening to the monks pray on the radio. Five years ago, Touch developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her to have photophobia, blurry vision, and occasional tearing. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Touch learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled there with her daughter seeking treatment. On June 15th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $229 procedure. Touch is hopeful: "I hope I can see well after my surgery, so I can do more to help my family. I want to take my grandchildren to the pagoda too."

Angel is a funny and jovial boy. Like his brother, Gilbert, he has a condition known as Bilateral Genu Valgus, or knock knees, that makes it difficult for him to walk. Angel is the second youngest of four siblings and is in the first grade at a local primary school. His mother works part-time cleaning houses, washing clothes, and performing other household work she may find. Gibert’s father is a street pastor and also works as a street vendor. The family lives in a one-bedroom rental house in Nairobi and they shared with us that they feel life is hard because they do not have the resources to buy everything they need. Angel's condition began when he was just two years old. He experienced pain and could not walk long distances. Since then, his condition has worsened and he cannot run or play with his friends at school. In June of 2019, he and his brother underwent a Derotational Femoral Osteotom, a surgery that realigns their bones so that they can resume walking comfortably. The surgery was successful for both brothers and Angel has been walking well with his right leg. He now needs support for the surgery on his left knee. With both knees healed, Angel will be able to walk comfortably. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,282 to fund this procedure. Angel's mother shared, “I am pleading for more support for their second surgery. God bless you."

Zakayo is a baby from Tanzania. He 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, Zakayo's family traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on August 16. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $890 to fund Zakayo's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk easily. Zakayo’s mother says, “My son and I are being discriminated due to this condition please help treat my son so he can lead a normal life.”

Bryson is a young student from Tanzania. He is a very friendly boy. Unfortunately, he 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, Bryson traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on July 9. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $890 to fund Bryson's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk easily. His guardian says, “Bryson is such lovely boy and I wish I could help him more with his condition but I don’t have the power."

Raksmey is a kindergartener from Cambodia. She has one younger brother. She likes to do puzzles and drink green tea. She wants to be a teacher when she grows up. Four months ago, Raksmey developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Raksmey learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On July 18, doctors will perform lens aspiration and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $211 procedure. Her aunt says, "I am worried about her vision and how it affects her education. I hope she can return to school soon."

Eh is a one-year-old boy from Burma. He lives with his mother, father, and grandmother. His parents work as farmers on a villager’s farm, and receive a share of the crop as payment. When he was one month old, Eh’s mother noticed his left eye was tearing up more than usual. At ten months old, both his pupils became white. Eh suffers from severe discomfort from bright lights and when the wind blows into his eye. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund lens replacement surgery for Eh. On March 23, doctors will perform a lens replacement, during which they will remove Eh's natural lenses and replace them with an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $1,500 procedure. "I want him to become a medic as there are many patients in my village and I want him to return home to help them when he is grow up," says his mother.

Rosemarie is a 38-year-old woman with two children. She enjoys cooking and spending time with her children. Eleven years ago, Rosemarie began to experience uncomfortable symptoms. She had difficulty swallowing and felt tightness around her neck. When she worked, she experienced shortness of breath and extreme fatigue. Over time, her symptoms have worsened and grown more frequent. There are times when she cannot perform simple household chores. Rosemarie's husband is a construction worker. Recently, her oldest son left school to begin working. Despite his help, they do not earn enough to support the family. Though Rosemarie wanted to seek medical treatment, the family could not afford hospital expenses. Finally, Rosemarie visited our medical partner, International Care Ministries. She underwent a series of laboratory tests and was diagnosed with a thyroid condition. She will undergo a thyroidectomy surgery on December 9. Now, Rosemarie needs help to fund this $1,500 procedure. She looks forward to recovery. She will return to work and spend time with her family. "I was praying fervently that I will be healed from this condition," says Rosemarie. "Now, it will be answered. Thank you, because you will help me for this surgery. My family and myself are grateful for this wonderful early Christmas gift to us. After the treatment, I will cook a very nice meal for my family and friends. Though we are not rich, we are thankful still that this life is worth living. Thank you so much."