Musiimenta is a 17-year-old student. She is the third-born in a family of six children, of which she is the only girl and has five brothers. Musiimenta initially arrived at the hospital complaining of chest and epigastric pain associated with vomiting. She expressed that she has felt a mass in her lower abdominal region for the past three years. Musiimenta also reported that she always felt as though she has a full abdomen, headache, abdominal discomfort. These symptoms have hindered her appetite, and she often felt congestion in her chest, causing shortness of breath. Though she had been experiencing symptoms for a while, Musiimenta had never been to the hospital for medical treatment before because her parents could not afford care. However, when her condition worsened, her father brought her to hospital, where she was referred to the gynaecologist for further assessment. A scan indicated a solid mass and a normal uterus with some fluid accumulation, which caused her abdominal swelling. Musiimenta was diagnosed with a large bilateral tubo ovarian mass and was recommended for curative laparotomy treatment. However, this procedure is costly for Musiimenta and her family. Her father is a small-scale farmer with a banana plantation, where he is able to grow food and sell plantains to earn an income. He sometimes brews locally made alcohol called tonto to sustain his family and pay school fees for his children. Her family does not have enough extra income to pay for her treatment and they are appealing for financial support. On November 3rd, Musiimenta will undergo a curative laparotomy procedure to treat her condition. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $242 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. This procedure will hopefully reduce the swelling in her abdomen and halt the discomfort she has been enduring. Musiimenta's father shared, “I hope that once my daughter undergoes surgery, she will be able to live well once again in good health. She will continue with school after she has recovered and when schools are re-opened.”

Meet Bwanakei, a three-month-old baby boy from Kenya. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), tells us, “Bwanakei has an abnormal head size due to accumulation of cerebral spinal fluid in the brain.” Bwanakei’s swelling is caused by a condition called hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus is a condition in which an excess of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) builds up, creating heavily pressurized areas in the brain. As Bwanakei grows and develops throughout his childhood, this condition could pose serious health complications, including vision loss and limited physical mobility. AMHF tells us, if Bwanakei “is not treated, the accumulation of cerebral spinal fluid may cause brain damage.” Bwanakei’s Parents are subsistence farmers who not only provide for their eight children, but also for Bwanakei’s grandparents. AMHF explains that, Bwanakei’s parents have a hard time “harvesting crops from their small piece of land because there are wild animals nearby that destroy their crops.” AMHF adds, “They are therefore not able to raise funds for Bwanakei’s treatment.” With $980 in funding Bwanakei will receive a surgery where a stunt will be put in his head to reroute the cerebral spinal fluid to the abdomen, where it can be more easily absorbed. AMHF believes this surgery will prevent brain damage. Bwanakei’s father shares, “I came here in faith with nothing but bus fare for my wife and child. I am hopeful that Bwanakei will get treated.”