Noeun is a 41-year-old construction worker. He works alongside his wife; they have been married for fifteen years and have two children together. He takes his children to school everyday, and in his free time he loves to play soccer or exercise. Three years ago, Noeun fell from the roof of a construction site and suffered a traumatic injury to his left hip. He has taken medicine to help with the pain, but lately the pain has gotten worse, and he has difficulty walking and sleeping. He came to Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) on recommendation from a neighbor. An x-ray found that Noeun had a fracture in his left hip so doctors now plan to perform a hemiarthroplasty, a surgical procedure that involves replacing half of the hip joint. Once he recovers his hip pain will be gone and he will be able to walk easily and return to work. Now he needs your help to fund this $539 procedure.

Thomas is a 45-year-old laborer from Uganda who came to Kenya in search of a livelihood. He is the oldest child in a family of 5 children. His mother passed in 2005, and his father left the family, which forced him to come to Kenya to search for a job. Thomas has four children aged between 4 and 17 years of age. They currently live with their mother. In November, Thomas suffered right tibia and humerus fractures after being knocked by a hit and run vehicle. While crossing the road along the Nakuru-Nairobi highway, he was hit by a vehicle that took off immediately. Left unconscious, he could not remember subsequent events, but he was rushed to the hospital and admitted. As a result of the accident, Thomas cannot move nor use his hand and leg, and is in constant pain. He cannot move on his own and needs a wheelchair to move around. For the last three weeks, Thomas has been bedridden, and has had no visitors because none of his family can be reached. Doctors recommended a humerus ORIF surgery to correct the fracture. Though he was scheduled for surgery, it was cancelled because he was unable to raise money. Thomas normally works as a casual laborer, loading and off-loading building stones, at a construction site along the highway. His daily income is about $USD3 a day and generally inconsistent, depending on the availability of work. Thomas is still financially supporting his children, and he does not have medical insurance coverage. He appeals for financial help for his cost of care. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On December 8th, Thomas will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. The surgery will allow him to walk with ease and also use his hand with ease. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to fund his life-changing procedure. Thomas shared, “I am unable to move nor use my arm since the accident. Doctors recommended this surgery but I have not been able to get it because I don’t have money. I have been unable to contact my family or friends back at home, and I am all alone with no one to turn to.”

Thol is a 64-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She has two sons, two daughters, and eight grandchildren. She likes to watch Khmer dramas on TV. Six months ago, Thol developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her blurry vision, tearing, and inability to go anywhere outside on her own. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Thol learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On April 23rd, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $229 procedure. "I am anxious about my mother's eye irritation, I hope that she can see everything better, so she can recognize her grandchildren well," Thol's daughter said.

Peresia is a seven-month-old baby girl from Tanzania. She is the first born child to her young parents. Peresia's parents have a small business together selling sardines, called "dagaa" locally. They work hard, but they have little income and barely enough to get by. Peresia 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, Peresia has been experiencing an increasing head circumference. Without treatment, she will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $765 to cover the cost of surgery for Peresia that will treat her hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on November 6th and will drain the excess fluid from her brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Peresia will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. Peresia’s mother shared, “Our daughter is getting worse every day and we cannot afford her treatment as it is too expensive. Please help save our daughter.”

Tra is a 20-year-old rubber tree farmer from Cambodia. He is the youngest of four siblings, and enjoys playing soccer, listening to music, and watching television. Six months ago, Tra was in a traffic accident and fractured his lower left leg. After initial treatment at a nearby hospital, Tra's bone is now exposed, and he is unable to walk without support and is in constant pain. When Tra learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for four hours seeking treatment. On January 9th, surgeons at CSC will perform a skin flap and debridement procedure, as well as an external frame to help his wounds to heal properly and allow him to walk comfortably again. Now, he needs help to fund this $657 procedure. "I hope that my injuries will be able to heal and that I will no longer be in pain and can walk again," he shared.

Mo is a 22-year-old student from Thailand. He lives along with his father in a refugee camp on the Thai-Burma border. While living in the camp, Mo finished high school and is now completing post-high school education. Their household receives 480 baht (approx. $16 USD) each month as part of their food support from an organization called The Border Consortium. However, this amount is not enough to cover their daily needs. Therefore, Mo's father works as a seasonal agricultural day laborer in a nearby village. He is able to earn an extra 350 baht (approx. $12 USD) in a month but this amount is still not enough and they shared that they struggle to make ends meet despite having free basic health care and education in the camp. In early September, Mo started to feel dizzy frequently, especially whenever he stood up. At first, he thought he would feel better after he rested and slept. However, he was unable to sleep well for about a week and was suffering from insomnia. After a medic examined him he was referred to the local hospital for treatment. The doctor at the local hospital referred him to Chiang Mai Hospital (CMH) to see a neurologist. After he returned to the camp, Mo rapidly started to lose his vision in both of his eyes. An NGO called Malteser International Thailand (MI) was able to arrange Moses’ travel documents, he was brought to CMH on October 5th, 2020. The next day, he received a CT scan which showed that he has a mass in his brain and a build-up of cerebrospinal fluid in his brain due to the mass. Because of the severity of his condition, the doctor scheduled him to receive surgery right away on October 9th. The mass will be removed and sent for biopsy. He will also undergo a procedure to receive a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt to drain the excess fluid from his brain. Currently, Mo has a headache, and he is not able to move his eyes from side to side. He needs his father to accompany him wherever he goes because he can no longer see far. He spends most of his time lying down in bed and needs to be pushed in a wheelchair to get around due to his new vision problems. Mo sought treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund. He is now scheduled to undergo a brain mass removal surgery on October 9th. He is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. “Life suddenly become darker without me knowing why," said Mo. "It is extremely difficult for me to even go to the toilet [by myself]. I cry while I lay in bed for many hours. I really miss seeing colors."

Sarah is a maize farmer from Uganda. She has been blessed with three children, ranging from 25 to 4 years old. Sarah shared with us that her husband died in 2008 due to HIV/AIDS. Since then, Sarah has been taking care of her children and providing them with basic needs and education through the farming she does. Since eight years ago, Sarah has been experiencing pain and abdominal bleeding. She has now been diagnosed with Uterine Leiomyomas and needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $662 to fund Sarah's surgery. On September 8th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center. Once recovered, Sarah will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Sarah shared with us, “I am optimistic and hopeful that my surgery will be successful, I have spoken to a few people who have had a hysterectomy and they have all said they are glad they have had it done.”

Kham is a 14-year-old student from Burma. She lives with her father, paternal grandparents, four paternal uncles, an aunt-in-law, and a cousin in Kachin State. Kham is in the ninth grade and her cousin also goes to school. Her grandmother is a seamstress. Her grandfather is retired, and her father is unemployed and looks after her. All of her uncles are mechanics in an automobile repair shop, but they do not share their income with the rest of the family. During her free time, she helps her cousin with his homework, and she loves teaching. Kham was born with ventricular septal defect, a cardiac condition in which a hole exists between the two lower chambers of the heart. Blood leaks through this hole without first passing through his lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving her sick and short of breath. Kham is scheduled to undergo heart surgery on August 9th to correct her condition and improve her quality of life. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Kham's procedure and care. “I would like to become a teacher because I feel happy teaching children that I know,” Kham shared with us.

Noah is a casual laborer from Kenya and a father of five. His wife passed away in December of 2019 but he is still grieving for her. He usually sells flowers in the streets of Nairobi with his sons, but because of the COVID-19 lockdown they have been at home struggling to even put food on the table. Noah fell and fractured his right femur on the 5th of July. He is in a lot of pain and cannot walk on his own. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On July 7th, Noah will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help him walk again and heal well. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,049 to fund this procedure. Noah shared, “I don’t know how I fell and I have no money or anyone to turn to for this treatment. My children depend on me. I plead for help so that I can be able to walk again and resume selling flowers to sustain my family.”

Rorhimas is a 46-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She is one of seven siblings. She lives with her husband and her mother, who needs a great deal of care. She farms with her husband when she can, and often her siblings come to help out. In her free time she watches TV or visits the mosque. In February 2020, Rorhimas fell from her roof, landing on her side. The fall resulted in a dislocated left elbow. She immediately went to a traditional Khmer healer, but the pain and swelling became worse over the course of a month. Now she cannot use her hand or bend her arm. She has a difficult time doing any housework or taking care of her mother. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On June 8th, Rorhimas will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $465. After the procedure, she will no longer experience pain and will regain use of her arm and hand. Rorhimas said, "I hope that this surgery heals me quickly and I can go back to working to help support my family and taking care of my mom."

Everheart is a primary school student from central Kenya. His hearing has always been low since he was young. His family thought it was his tonsils that had problems and, after he received a tonsillectomy when he was 4 years old, they thought he would recover. Unfortunately, he did not improve as expected. The family has been going from one hospital to another seeking assistance before a friend recommended they visit Watsi's Medical Partner Care Center Kijabe Hospital. When he came to Kijabe, Everheart had an ABR test done, and hearing aids were recommended. He struggles to hear in class but hopes that hearing aids will improve his hearing and learning. Everheart is the youngest child in his family. He had two siblings, but unfortunately, he lost his eldest brother. He lives with his sister’s family since he lost his mother and his father has neglected them. His sister is a general worker in a tea plantation with limited income to meet the cost of treatment as well as their family's basic needs. Everheart’s sister says, “Please help my brother with the aids. I am confident that they will assist him greatly.”