Thomas is an artist from Kenya. In early March, he was hit by a bus and sustained an ankle fracture. He is not able to walk and experiences pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On March 12, Thomas will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help him to walk again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $998 to fund this procedure. “The uncouth behavior of bus drivers may lead to my hospitalization but it will not deter me taking up my hustle from where I left after I am healed,” Thomas said.

Winda is a student from Haiti. She lives on an island off the west coast of Haiti with her parents and three siblings. Her father is a fisherman. She is in seventh grade and hopes to attend university one day. Winda has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral and aortic regurgitation. Two of the four valves in her heart were severely damaged due to an infection earlier in childhood. As a result, her heart cannot adequately pump blood through her body. Winda will fly to India to receive treatment. On February 25, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will either repair the damaged valves in her heart, or replace them with artificial implants. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is contributing $5,000 to pay for surgery. Winda's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Winda's family overseas. She says, "I am very excited to be able to get my heart fixed so I can start feeling better!"

Loserian is a one-week-old baby from Tanzania. He is the youngest in family of three children. Loserian 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, Loserian 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, is requesting $966 to cover the cost of Loserian's spina bifida closure surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on January 3. This procedure will hopefully spare Loserian from the risks associated with his condition, instead allowing him to grow and develop along a healthy trajectory. Loserian’s mother says, “Please help our son, we have no money to pay for the needed surgery which he needs urgently."

Upendo is a child from Tanzania. She is the youngest in a family of ten children. Upendo has bilateral clubfoot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Upendo traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on December 5. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $890 to fund Upendo's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will be able to walk normally. Upendo says, “We tried to treat our daughter but due to financial challenges we were unable to complete it. Please help our daughter.”

Sokkong is a coffee vendor from Cambodia. She has one son and one daughter. She likes to watch TV and take care of her kids. Three years ago, she developed hip pain on her right side. She was diagnosed with spondyloarthritis of both of her hips. Fortunately, Sokkong learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. At CSC, surgeons can perform a total hip replacement to relieve Sokkong of her pain and allow her to walk easily. Treatment is scheduled for November 8, and Sokkong needs help raising $1,025 to pay for this procedure. She says, "After surgery I hope I can walk well and return to work."

Susan is a woman from Kenya. She is a mother of three who used to be a nursery school teacher until delivering her third child. Her husband is a casual laborer, often planting trees for pay. Susan has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Without treatment, the cancer may spread to other organs. A mastectomy, a surgery to remove breast tissue, has been suggested to rid her body of breast cancer and to prevent the cancer from metastasizing. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $816 to cover the cost of a mastectomy for Susan. The procedure is scheduled to take place on October 31. After treatment, Susan will hopefully return to a cancer-free life. Susan says, “My prayer is that God will give me the strength to undertake the treatment and complete it. I want to be there for my children."