Marvie is a happy 14-year-old girl from the Philippines. She is a student in the seventh grade, and she loves to go to school. She is the oldest of three siblings. Marvie has had clubfeet for eleven years, and she has difficulty walking. Her mother worries about her future, but they have not been able to afford treatment. Fortunately, after visiting our medical partner, International Care Ministries, Marvie began treatment on November 22. She will also receive special shoes for support and therapy to strengthen her limbs. Marvie's parents work on a sugarcane field, and they also gather and sell firewood. They need help to fund this $1,500 procedure. "We are so thankful for this opportunity that has come to us," says her mother. "We have been praying for this. We desire for Marvie to be well and be able to walk properly without any difficulty. We would love to see her fulfill her dreams without any hindrance. Thank you so much."

Edwin is a happy baby boy who lives with his mother and grandparents in central Tanzania. Edwin was born with a condition that causes his legs and feet to bend inward. At almost one year old, Edwin is eager to begin moving about to explore his surroundings but he has difficulty walking. To correct Edwin's condition and enable him to walk, he will need tendon surgery and a series of corrective leg braces. Unfortunately, the income Edwin's grandparents earn as small-scale farmers is already spread thin across their ten children and they cannot afford Edwin's treatment regimen. For $500, we can fund Edwin's surgery and follow-up care. This operation will ensure that Edwin learns to walk without pain so he can move about freely with his mother and loving family.

Erick is a charismatic little boy from a loving family. He was born with clubfoot, a common condition in which the foot is turned inwards, making walking or doing any physical activity difficult. Erick’s grandmother was worried about him right away. She took him to a local clinic in her village, where they applied the “ponseti method” (a non-invasive clubfoot treatment) improperly, which did little to fix Erick’s problem. Now, several years later, Erick is being seen at CURE’s hospital in Lusaka, Zambia’s capital. The surgery Erick needs to treat his condition costs $1,000. His family cannot afford that kind of expense, so we need to help CURE cover the cost of his procedure. This will be an incredibly impactful treatment, enabling Erick to use his legs like a normal little boy and go onto live a healthy, active life.

Samuel is a little boy who his doctors describe as “a bit shy but full of life.” He lives with his parents and his grandmother in a small village. Samuel’s family has big dreams for him. None of them were able to study past primary school due to lack of finances, so they talk nonstop about one day seeing Samuel in a graduation gown. Samuel is just about at the age where he should be starting school, but an injury threatens to stand in his way. Three years ago, when he was less than a year old, Samuel dipped his hand in a pot of boiling water and suffered severe burns. Since then, Samuel has developed scar contractures, which have resulted in the dislocation of his finger joints. He is now unable to use his right hand. Without treatment, it will be difficult for Samuel to do everyday tasks, including write in school. The surgery Samuel needs to repair his hand costs $1,050. His parents work hard to provide their son with the basic things he needs to live a happy life, but it would take them years to make enough money to pay for this specialized treatment. We hope to raise the money needed to enable African Mission Healthcare Foundation to cover the cost of his care and allow Samuel to thrive.