Ronald is a 13-year-old boy who lives in Kenya with his mother, father, and two younger siblings. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF) describes Ronald as, “shy, calm, and quiet.” Ronald was born with hypospadias, a congenital condition in which the urethra does not grow to its full length. As a result, the urethral opening is located on the underside of the penis, which in turn causes an irregular stream. If left untreated, hypospadias can lead to frequent urinary tract infections, infertility, and social stigma. When Ronald’s parents first noticed his hypospadias when he was a baby, they took him to the nearest hospital. At the time, however, it seemed like a minor problem that may later improve. AMHF tells us, “It wasn’t until Ronald had reached the age at which many young boys in his culture transition into manhood—through a rite of passage commonly known as circumcision—that they noticed nothing had changed.” At this point, Ronald’s parents decided to, “aggressively seek treatment.” However, Ronald’s father works at a mini-market and his mother tends to their home, so they are in need of financial support. For $655 Ronald will receive hypospadias repair and 10 days of recovery in the hospital. This surgery will provide a long-term solution to Ronald’s condition by extending the length of the urethra. Ronald shares, “I can’t pass urine near my friends because I am quite sure they will laugh at me. I hope to get treated soon because I don’t want to carry that feeling with me into high school.” Ronald, who will be starting high school soon, plans to work hard, get good grades, and pursue his dream of becoming an engineer.

This is Clinton, a 30-year-old husband and father of two children from Kenya. His family lives on a one acre farm where they grow maize and beans. Clinton broke his right tibia in a motorcycle accident. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), shares: “Early this year, Clinton was riding his motorcycle when he was involved in an accident with another motorcyclist. Clinton suffered multiple injuries including internal bleeding, a chest injury, and his broken leg.” AMHF continues, “Clinton is not able to walk on his own, which has prevented him from working on his farm. If not treated, Clinton may suffer severe infection, which could result in amputation of his leg.” Clinton's family and friends have already joined together to pay for the many hospital bills that have incurred, but Clinton is now struggling to pay for his next procedure. With $1,500, Clinton can undergo surgery to fill in the gap in his tibia and restore the bony tissue. AMHF reports, “We expect that after the surgery and recovery, Clinton will be able to walk on his own again and go back to working on his farm with his wife.” "I have not been able to work and support my family for a while now. My friends and relatives stepped up and made sure that my family had meals and my children stayed in school," Clinton shares. "I am very grateful for the support that I have received thus far and hope that I will get the next treatment so that I will be well again."

Lorvenson is a 20-month-old Haitian boy who lives with his parents. According to our medical partner, Project Medishare (PM), Lorvenson has a collection of pus in his lungs called an empyema. "Lorvenson started having trouble breathing, has a fever and severe abdominal pain, cries a lots during the nights and he has lost his appetite." His father took him to the hospital where CT scans revealed Lorevenson's empyema. Both of Lorvenson’s parents are unemployed and the family cannot pay for the surgery themselves. PM adds that, "his father says he is excited to find a job after the surgery of his baby in order to provide him a healthier life." With $1,500, Lorvenson will be admitted to the pediatric critical care unit where doctors will drain the pus from his lungs, and treat his infection with antibiotics. PM expects that after surgery, “Lorvenson will be healthy again and go back home with his family."

Meet Louise, a 75-year-old grandmother from Kenya! When she was younger, Louise worked very hard to save enough money to purchase a small plot of farmland. According to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), Louise now uses this land “to plant potatoes for her own consumption and sell any surplus at the local market.” However, due to breast cancer, Louise is no longer able to farm as much as she would like to. After discovering a growing lump in her right breast, Louise visited AMHF’s clinic and was diagnosed with breast cancer. Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women, although the exact causes of the disease are not known. This cancer—which usually originates in the innermost part of the breast (where milk is produced)—may present itself in the form of a lump, a rash, redness or other unusual changes in the breast area. In addition to her cancer, Louise is also experiencing shoulder pain that “makes it difficult for Louise to work on the farm,” AMHF states. “Luckily, tests have shown that the cancer has not progressed aggressively over the last few years,” AMHF reports. “If treated soon, there is a very high chance that all of the cancer can be removed and Louise will not be at risk of the cancer spreading to her other organs.” With $740, Louise will receive a mastectomy to remove her right breast. As Louise has locally advanced breast cancer, this is an effective treatment to remove the cancerous tissue and prevent the problem from returning. Included as part of her treatment, Louise will receive six days of intensive hospital care to ease her into a safe recovery. Following her treatment and recovery, “We expect that Louise will be able to work on her farm again,” states AMHF. Indeed, after regaining her strength, Louise fully plans to return to farming her land once again. She shares, “I like being able to take care of myself. However, with this increasing shoulder pain, I can no longer work on my farm.”

“Thu Thu is a very smart girl,” says her father. “She puts efforts into studies but her current health condition prevents her from going to school.” At two years old, doctors discovered that Thu Thu had a hole in her heart, a condition called patent ductus arteriosus. They expected that it would heal itself, however, now at 16 years old, Thu Thu requires surgery to close the hole. “Thu Thu lives in Burma with her parents and two older sisters,” explains our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP). “Her father works as a tailor while her mother takes care of the house and children. Thu Thu’s father’s income is just barely enough to cover daily expenses so they do not have money saved to pay for healthcare.” While untreated, Thu Thu suffers with the symptoms of her condition. “Thu Thu has severe fatigue and gets sick with colds frequently,” continues BBP. “Her breathing and pulse are irregular. Her condition has forced her to drop out of school even though she has excelled in her classes until now.” For $1,500, Thu Thu will receive cardiac surgery to help her regain energy and attend school again. Once she recovers, she plans to go back to class, pass her exam, and move on to a university. “I really want to pass my matriculation exam,” shares Thu Thu. “I cannot wait to be as healthy as other people.”

Anne is a one-year-old girl from Haiti. Our medical partner, Project Medishare (PM), reports that “when Anne was born, her mother noticed that her baby’s head was too soft and she cried a lot,” so she brought Anne in for testing. CT scan results revealed that Anne has hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus is a condition in which cerebrospinal fluid builds up in the brain, causing the head to enlarge. This can result in brain damage, and can be fatal if left untreated. Anne’s mother is young and still attending school. Anne and her mother live with her grandmother “who is old and unable to help her with the needs to raise Anne," adds PM. Anne's father is also young and is still in school. Anne’s treatment will cost $1,260, and consists of a hydrocephalus shunt placement to drain out the fluids that have accumulated in her head. This treatment will save Anne’s life, and give her the chance to grow and develop normally. Anne’s mother shares, “my wish is that the surgery happens successfully, I am looking forward to good results of the treatment that will prevent my baby’s head from getting much larger. I love Anne very much because she is my first baby, I will always love her.”