Koem is a vegetable seller from Cambodia. She has two sons and four daughters. She likes to read and spend time with her children. Three years ago, she developed knee pain due to arthritis. She must rely on others to help her walk, and she is in chronic pain. Fortunately, Koem learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. At CSC, surgeons can perform a total knee replacement to relieve Koem of her pain and allow her to walk easily. Treatment is scheduled for October 18, and Koem needs help raising $1,025 to pay for this procedure. She says, "After surgery, I hope the pain will go away and I hope I can walk again soon."

Samson is a student from Tanzania. He is the youngest in a family of four. Samson sustained burns from touching an electrical wire when he was younger. He has very little functional mobility due to extensive contractures. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Samson receive treatment. On November 5, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help him use two of his fingers. Now, he needs help to fund this $608 procedure.

Jonenskia is a student from Haiti. She lives with her parents and three siblings on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince. She likes dancing and attending church with her family. Jonenskia has a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect. A hole exists between the two lower chambers of her heart. Blood flows through this hole without first passing through her lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving her weak and short of breath. On October 8, she will undergo cardiac surgery at St. Damien Hospital, our medical partner's care center. During surgery, surgeons will close the hole in her heart with a patch. Another organization, Gift of Life International, is contributing $5,000 to pay for surgery. Jonenskia's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 requested by our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, covers cardiac exams and medications. She says, "I am excited to have surgery so I won't be sick so often."

Joy is an infant from Kenya. Joy’s mother is a full-time mother, while her father is a subsistence farmer. Both Joy and her twin sister were born with spina bifida and hydrocephalus. Luckily, the National Health Insurance supported their spina bifida closure and her sister's hydrocephalus treatment. Joy has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of her condition, Joy has been experiencing an increasing head circumference. Without treatment, Joy will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $685 to cover the cost of surgery for Joy that will treat her hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on September 6 and will drain the excess fluid from Joy's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Joy will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. “We are kindly seeking help to have Joy treated,” says Joy’s mother.