Mary is a middle aged woman from Uganda. Mary came to our facility with complaints of general body malaise, headache, and chest pains. She has a palpable solid neck mass on her anterior tracheal area secondary to goitre. This has given her poor daily living and if not treated, she will be at risk of further complications. Mary had not been to any hospital seeking treatment for the condition. However, she came to our facility and upon review, was diagnosed with goitre and a thyroidectomy was recommended. Mary operates a small catering business from where she has managed to educate her four children. The business provides her with daily needs but not sufficient enough to cater to her medical needs. Mary was also not able to proceed with her education due to lack of school fees and has been forced to practice subsistence farming for a long time. She appeals for help to get the thyroidectomy surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Mary receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on November 12th at our medical partner's care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $240, and she and her family need help raising money. Mary says, “Hopefully, I will get fine and continue with my business after surgery.”

Mary is a girl from Kenya. She is the only child in the family. In 2017, Mary sustained severe burns on her right hand and stomach. She developed a burn contracture on her hand, which limits her range of motion and use of her hand. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Mary receive treatment. On February 21, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help her use her hand easily again. Now, she needs help to fund this $799 procedure. Her father says, “We are humbly requesting support. Any help will be highly appreciated.”

Mary is a two-week-old infant from Kenya. She is the only child to her 19-year-old mother, who is a high school student. Mary 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, Mary has been experiencing an increasing head circumference. Without treatment, Mary will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $685 to cover the cost of surgery for Mary that will treat her hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on December 21 and will drain the excess fluid from Mary's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Mary will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. Mary’s mother says, “I wish to see my child treated and lead a normal life."

Samnang is ten years old and in the fourth grade. He has three sisters and one brother. He likes to play games and watch animated movies on TV. Samnang had a laceration on his left heel, which made it difficult for him to flex his foot downward. Though his tendon was still intact, he felt pain when he walked on his left foot. When Samnang's parents learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), the family traveled for four hours to seek treatment. On December 13, surgeons at CSC performed an achilles tendon repair surgery to help Samnang walk easily again. CSC is requesting $450 to fund this procedure. "I hope that my son can walk better and without pain," says Samnang's mother.

Meet Rebecca, a three-year-old girl from Haiti. Rebecca lives with her mother and father, and she likes to play dress-up and play with dolls. She is very outgoing and likes to sing and dance, according to our medical partner, the Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA). “Rebecca was born with a congenital heart condition called tetralogy of fallot, which involves several related defects, including a hole between two chambers of the heart and a muscular blockage of one of the heart's valves," explains HCA. "As a result, Rebecca's heart cannot deliver enough oxygen to her body, and she is sickly and weak. If untreated, the condition would be fatal." For $1,500, we can fund a treatment that will restore normal blood flow to Rebecca’s heart and allow her to live a normal life. This amount provides funding for overseas prep and transport, as HCA secures overseas heart surgeries for procedures that are not easily accessible in Haiti. The treatment is subsidized by a $10,000 donation from Safra Children’s Hospital. "We were very happy to find out that Rebecca could have surgery for her heart problem," her mother shares. "We are praying that all will go well!"

68-year-old Mukitaba, who lives in Uganda with his family, sells firewood and charcoal to support his family. His children are all married and have families of their own. “About six months ago, Mukitaba developed a swelling in his right inguinal region,” our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), tells us. “He went to the hospital where he was diagnosed with a hernia. The hernia pains him when he is carrying heavy items, and he currently cannot work as fast as he used to.” “He was advised to go for surgery but couldn’t afford to pay for it,” AMHF explains. “As Mukitaba was looking for ways of saving money, he heard about the Watsi program at Virika Hospital.” Hernia repair for Mukitaba costs $220. “We expect that after surgery, Mukitaba will no longer be at risk of obstruction, incarceration, or strangulation,” AMHF continues. “I wish to get my treatment so that I can be well again and have good health in my old age,” shares Mukitaba. “Thank you in advance for your help.”

Say hello to Piseth, a 22-year-old student from Cambodia! According to our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), “Piseth is in his second year at university. In his free time, he really likes playing soccer with his friends." Unfortunately, “Piseth has had chronic discharge in his right ear for the last twelve years, and reduced hearing in the same year. His studies are disrupted because of the discomfort,” explains CSC. If this chronic ear infection is left untreated, Piseth will continue to have discomfort in his ear affect his studies and well-being. For $400, Piseth will receive the necessary surgery to repair damaged tissue in his ear, preventing future discharge and possibly restoring his hearing. Let’s help Piseth live pain-free again!