Meet Mwanakombo, a six-year-old girl from Kenya. Mwanakombo lives with her parents and is “the firstborn child in a family of three children,” shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). “Mwanakombo is now at a school-going age,” AMHF continues. However, Mwanakombo has been unable to pass stool on her own due to an anorectal malformation, and she “often misses school because of discomfort and irritation.” A congenital anorectal malformation is a condition whereby the anal region fails to properly develop in utero. Although cases vary and some patients are born with anal openings smaller than usual, AMHF reports, “Mwanakombo was born without an anal opening.” When she was just one month old, Mwanakombo received a colostomy to allow her to pass stool. However, this procedure is far from sustainable and puts Mwanakombo at risk of exposure to various infections as she continues to grow. In addition, “The colostomy makes it difficult for Mwanakombo to interact with other children freely,” explains AMHF. A two-stage complete anal malformation corrective surgery is required to allow Mwanakombo to pass stool independently. $1,260 will fund the entire procedure. First, she will receive an anorectoplasty to move her bowel to its correct position. Following that procedure, Mwanakombo will undergo a colostomy, which will enable her to pass stool without any assistance. In addition to freeing her from discomfort, this correction will give Mwanakombo independence and confidence. “The treatment will enable Mwanakombo to pass stool normally,” AMHF predicts. “She will be able to go back to school and interact freely with others.” Mwanakombo’s mother shares, “My wish is to see my daughter treated so that she can continue with her schooling. She loves going to school but is finding it difficult to adjust.”

This happy boy is Tobias! He’s six-years-old and lives in Tanzania with his grandparents. Tobias is shy, but loves playing with cars and being around other children his age. His grandfather is unable to work due to an accident several years ago, so his grandmother supports the family as a casual laborer. Tobias was born with a clubfoot which makes it difficult for him to walk. If left untreated, he will be at high risk for developing early arthritis in his right foot. “We are happy to have Tobias around and he is a blessing to us," says his grandmother. "We hope the defect on his foot can be corrected so that he can walk like other children and continue with his education well." Tobias needs a procedure to lengthen his Achilles tendon and correct his clubfoot, allowing him to walk normally. The treatment costs $715 which his grandparents are unable to afford. With treatment, Tobias will be able to start nursery school next year!

Just looking at his picture, you can tell that Wood is going to blossom with personality as he grows up. Wood is a 12-month-old boy from Haiti who was born with syndactyly, a condition where two or more of his fingers are fused together. Wood's mother explained to our medical partners, Project Medishare, that she was "very scared when she delivered and saw her baby in that condition." Wood's mother takes care of her four children and is also the sole breadwinner for the family, as their father does not currently have a job. This makes money tight. Wood's parents have been unable to afford surgery for their child. For $1,500, we can help fund surgical intervention for Wood. This will allow skilled doctors to operate on Wood and free him from a life of disability. Let's work together to allow Wood to grow up and use his hands like the other children around him!

John is a bright five-year-old boy who lives in the Philippines. John has two older siblings and two hardworking parents. He attends preschool where he enjoys playing with his friends, but due to his condition this is becoming increasingly difficult. John’s condition is known as umbilical polyp and fistula - an infected lump on his stomach that has been growing in size since he was born and is now getting in the way of his happiness at school. His classmates have begun teasing him. John’s mom wants him to be able to have the surgery but their family cannot afford it. She says, "I am in need of support for my child, John. I try to earn extra money as a laundry woman but I can't finance the surgery. I hope you understand." The doctors believe that the polyp and fistula should be removed, and for $440 we can make this treatment a reality for John and his family. Let's help John, because we do understand!

Juan was born with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid builds up in the brain causing life-threatening pressure on the brain. He needs immediate treatment to avoid severe cognitive delays and potential death. Fortunately, the surgery Juan needs can be provided for free at a national hospital! However, there are many associated costs, such as radiology, lab studies, post-surgery stimulation, physical therapy, and transportation, that Juan's family can't afford. Juan’s family told his doctors that they may not be able to pursue the surgery simply because they can’t afford bus fare to and from the hospital. For $1,050, we can put Juan’s family’s worries to rest! This will cover all logistical costs and provide Juan with the surgery, physical therapy, and stimulation necessary to get him healthy!

Aye Aye is a 30-year-old woman who lives near the Thai-Burma border. She has supported herself since she was very young because her parents passed away when she was just a child. Most recently, Aye Aye worked in a sewing factory. A few months ago, Aye Aye began having severe pain in her lower abdomen so she went to a clinic for help. That's when the doctors discovered that she had a myoma, a benign tumor, in her uterus. The mass is so large that it is pressing on her bladder, making it difficult for Aye Aye to pass urine. To counteract this, her doctor inserted a catheter. Unfortunately, she's now unable to continue working. Aye Aye's pain has now become almost unbearable and she is having difficulty performing day-to-day tasks. Without the ability to work in the sewing factory, Aye Aye cannot afford the operation she needs to remove the tumor. For $880, we can fund Aye Aye's surgery and enable her to live comfortably again. After the operation, Aye Aye will be able to return to work.

Jorge is a delightful 6-year-old boy who was brought to the Wuqu’ Kawoq clinic by his parents because he has never talked. The doctors at WK diagnosed him with severe sensorineural hearing loss. If left untreated, Jorge’s condition will prevent him from hearing anything except for loud noises and will continue to impede the development of his language abilities. Luckily, Jorge’s hearing loss can be easily treated with hearing aids and therapy. Jorge has three brothers and sisters. His mother and father are very supportive but do not have the financial resources to get him medical help. We need to cover the cost of fitting Jorge with hearing aids and giving him speech therapy to help him develop some language ability. He’ll also begin learning to sign, which will allow him to interact in a more meaningful way with his family and friends and enable him to go to school.

Faith has a case of dropfoot and needs the tibia ligament transferred on her right foot for proper movement and flexibility. Without surgery, Faith will have a great deal of trouble walking, and running is out of the question. This affects her ability to play with her friends and attend school. Luckily, the doctors at CURE Malawi can change that. Faith comes from a low-income family in Malawi. Her parents have the same hopes for her that each us of would for our own children – to get an education and have a bright future – but without the ability to walk, those dreams won’t be possible. After surgery, getting an education, having a normal childhood free from discrimination, and even finding a meaningful job someday will all be possible for Faith.

Madeline is a 6-year-old indigenous girl from Guatemala who has never seen a doctor in her life. Her parents brought her to Wuqu’ Kawoq because she had difficulty breathing. After providing an ultrasound, the doctors in Guatemala diagnosed Madeline with congenital heart disease. She has a large hole in the membrane of her heart (known as an atrial septal defect) which will require open heart surgery to correct. Fortunately, the doctors believe that surgery should “completely correct her symptoms and allow her to lead a normal life.” Madeline said she can't wait to go home, see her friends, and return to school. Let’s get this young girl the medical care she deserves, and make her first trip to see the doctor a successful one!