Innocent is an eight-day-old child from Tanzania. He is the youngest in a family of two children. Innocent's parents keep livestock for a living. Innocent 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, Innocent 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 Innocent's spina bifida closure surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on August 13. This procedure will hopefully spare Innocent from the risks associated with his condition, instead allowing him to grow and develop along a healthy trajectory. Innocent's mother says, “Please help us we have no means of affording the needed surgery.”

David is a baby from Kenya. He is very active. His father is a street vendor, while his mother is housewife. David has clubfoot of both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, David traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on April 26. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,224 to fund David's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk easily. David's father says, “I will be happy to receive help. God Bless you.”

“I just want to be able to walk properly without feeling pain so that I can keep up with other pupils when playing at school,” shares Kijana, a 10-year-old student from Tanzania. The fifth of seven children, Kijana is friendly and very talkative. He enjoys singing and learning how to read and write at school. Kijana’s parents are small scale farmers who work additional odd jobs to earn enough money to support their large family. Even so, they are unable to afford surgery to treat Kijana’s genu valgum, or knocked knees, caused by fluorosis. “Kijana walks with difficulties due to the condition of his legs,” explains our medical partner African Mission Healthcare Foundation. “He sometimes complains of pain on his knees and ankles. If not treated, Kijana’s ability to perform various tasks effectively will be poor and he will also be at high risk of developing early osteoarthritis.” For $940, we can fund a series of casting and surgical procedures that will help to realign Kijana’s legs. Following surgery, Kijana’s gait will improve, his risk for early osteoarthritis will decrease, and he will be able to walk properly to school without feeling pain. Let’s help Kijana return to school well enough to join in the games with his fellow pupils!