Annastasia is a very joyful lady. The 47-year-old is married and has five children. Two of her children have already finished school and are not yet financially stable. Her husband does not have a job but is sometimes able to get work as a bus driver when they need more help. Annastasia used to sell charcoal but she stopped the business three months ago when she fell ill and started her treatment process. In September of this year, she noticed a mass in her right breast. Three days later, she went to a facility near her home area, was examined, and told that she had mastitis. She was immediately admitted, put on medication and a few days later, she was discharged. While at home, she noticed that the swelling was getting bigger. She went back to the facility, was examined again, and referred to another nearby facility. In the facility scans and test were done and she was immediately referred to Kijabe Hospital for treatment. Upon arrival at Kijabe hospital, Annastasia was scheduled for urgent surgery. However, she is not in a financial position to cater for the surgery and is appealing for financial aid. Annastasia has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Without treatment, the cancer may spread to other organs. A mastectomy, a surgery to remove breast tissue, has been advised to rid her body of breast cancer and to prevent the cancer from metastasizing. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1110 to cover the cost of a mastectomy for Annastasia. The procedure is scheduled to take place on December 30th. After treatment, Annastasia will hopefully return to a cancer-free life. Annastasia says, "When I was told that the mass could be cancerous if not removed, I felt helpless and knew that it was over for me.”

Daudi is a sweet 6-month-old baby and the youngest in a family of five children. Daudi’s parents are subsistence farmers and they shared that their income will not begin to cover Daudi’s treatment. Daudi was born with clubfoot in both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which a foot is twisted out of shape, causing difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Daudi’s family traveled to the care center at our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), to receive treatment. On November 16th, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery, which will allow Daudi to walk easily when he grows up. AMH is requesting $935 to fund this procedure. Daudi’s mother shared, “I would like to see my child be able to walk without difficulty once he grows and starts to walk. Please help us get this treatment.”

Moses is a young boy and the third born in a family of four children. His parents separated when he was still small. More than two years ago, his mother went to visit one of his grandmothers with his siblings and abandoned them there. With four children to take care of at her age, it became impossible for the grandmother and so she reached out for help from other relatives who were willing to help financially. One of his grandmothers opted to take care of Moses and he has been living with her since then. A few months ago, Moses learnt from his friends that he did not have testes as the other boys his age did. He shared it with his grandmother who took him to the hospital for the doctor’s advice. Moses was examined and diagnosed with bilateral undescended testes and he was referred to another facility for treatment. His grandmother did not have enough funds at the time and so she gathered some funds and a few weeks later she took Moses to the facility. He was examined again, some tests were done but he was not booked for any surgery. Time went by and his grandmother became very concerned. She consulted from one of her children and she was referred to BethanyKids Hospital where Moses has now been booked for bilateral orchidopexy surgery. Moses’ grandmother cannot raise the required money for the surgery and is requesting financial help. Moses was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, Moses has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Moses will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on October 21st. AMHF is requesting $646 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Moses’ grandmother says, “As a child, Moses has gone through a lot and I would like to make his life as smooth as possible but the main hindrance is finances. Please help us.”

Dinah is a 46-year-old farmer from Western Uganda. She is a married mother of five children who are all in school. While she works as a farmer, her husband works as a builder. She enjoys singing in the choir in her free time, but unfortunately her voice has grown hoarse and it is difficult for her to sing due to her condition. Three years ago, Dinah began to experience troubling symptoms including neck swelling, shortness of breath and fatigue. She has been diagnosed with nodular goiter. She hoped that her condition would resolve itself on its own, but it hasn't. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Dinah to receive treatment. On September 14th, she is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy at AMH's care center where surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $252, and she and her family need help raising money. Dinah shared, "I am looking forward to resuming with a normal life after my surgery, getting back to my church service singing and continuing farming to sustain my family."

Vedastus is a two-year-old boy and the only child of his young parents. He's a friendly boy who is currently having a hard time walking because his legs bow outwards. Vedastus' mother works at a local food joint as a cook. Her income is not much, but enables her to support and care for her son. Vedastus' father is still in college studying, which leaves Vedastus' mother as the only parent with an income. Vedastus was diagnosed with fluorosis - genu varus, where his legs bowing outwards so that his knees do not touch. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, Vedastus cannot walk well and he is in pain. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Vedastus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on September 2nd. Treatment will hopefully restore Vedastus's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Vedastus’s mother says "I am the only person working to be able to provide for our son. The father of my son is still studying and my income is not enough to care for Vedastus and afford his treatment cost. Please help us, he needs treatment for his leg because he is struggling to walk.”

Ret is a 66-year-old grandmother who is married and has two sons, five daughters, and 11 grandchildren. Ret lives with her husband, who is a religious leader. Four years ago, Ret developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her sensitivity to light and blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Ret learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled there with her husband seeking treatment. On June 4th, 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. Ret shared, "I hope I can see well again so I can go outside on my own, see my family better to take care of my grandchildren, and help my daughter with cooking."

Jackline is a nine-year-old student who does well in school and enjoys helping with household chores. Her favorite subject in school is Kiswahili. Jackline's mother is a housewife, while her father is a casual laborer who works at construction sites. Three years ago, Jackline was playing at home with friends when she fell and injured her left leg. She was taken to a nearby hospital where her leg was casted, but since then, she has been limping and experiences pain in her hip. She is unable to walk well or play with her friends, and the pain has affected her schooling. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Jackline to receive treatment. She visited AMH's care center for an orthopedic consultation and is scheduled to undergo an osteotomy on July 15th. The procedure will improve Jackline's mobility. Now, AMH is requesting $1,224 to fund Jackline's procedure. Jackline's mother shared, “I would like to see my daughter walking and continue with her normal life."

Lem is a 43-year-old delivery driver. He's married and has one son and one daughter. Lem's wife sells vegetables at the market and their children are both in school. Five years ago, Lem developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him blurry vision, sensitivity to light, and tearing. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Lem learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled with his wife seeking treatment. On June 3rd, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $229 procedure. Lem shared, "I cannot see anything so it is hard for me to work right now. I hope I can see again so I can work, be independent, and help my wife sell vegetables at the market."

Beatrice is a three-year-old girl and the youngest in a family of five children. She is an outgoing and friendly girl who loves to play with other children. Beatrice and her siblings are being raised by their mother, who sells vegetables and fruits to make a living. She also practices small scale farming and the family grows most of the food they need at home. Beatrice went to play with a neighbor's child who is around the same age. While at her neighbor’s house, a fire had been started to prepare food. As the children were playing, Beatrice accidentally fell onto the fire. She has open wounds and a contracture behind her knee. She is at risk of infection and is not able to move her leg freely. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Beatrice receive treatment. On May 4th, surgeons at AMH's care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help her walk easily again. Now, her family needs help to fund this $874 procedure. Beatrice’s mother shared, "my daughter cannot stand nor walk due to the contracture. She used to walk and go out playing with other children which is something she can’t do any more. Please help my daughter."

Vincent is a six-year-old boy and the oldest of three children. Vincent and his siblings live with their grandmother in Southern Kenya. Vincent has bilateral equinus deformity, which means he has difficulty walking and often tiptoes as he walks, or even crawls. He has visited clinics in the past and undergone casting, but there has been no significant improvement. To correct his condition, Vincent is scheduled to undergo Achilles Tendon Lengthening (ATL) surgery on April 14th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,224 to fund Vincent's life-changing procedure. Vincent's grandmother shared, "I would love to see my grandson walk on his own. Any help will be highly appreciated.”

Htun is a 50-year-old man from Thailand. He lives with his wife, son, and two daughters in Thailand. Htun and his wife work as agricultural day laborers, but Htun had to stop working after he injured his eye. Currently, Htun can only perceive light with both of his eyes, but he cannot clearly see objects. Although he is not in pain, he needs someone to assist him when he walks or eats. He also cannot work nor do any household chores as a result of losing his vision. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund lens replacement surgery for Htun. On March 2nd, doctors will perform the lens replacement surgery, and they will remove Htun's natural lenses and replace them with an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After his surgery, Htun will be able to see clearly and get back to all that he needs to do in the day. Htun said, “I am sad and depressed that I cannot see nor do anything. I feel sorry that my wife has had to accompany me everywhere and do every little thing for me such as helping me eat and go to the bathroom. I want to regain my vision quickly and I want to go back to work.”

Navy is a 49-year-old rice seller. She's been married for 15 years and has 2 daughters who are in school. Navy sells rice in front of a factory, but has been unable to work for over a year. Her husband is currently unemployed. Four years ago, Navy started to have pain in her back and on both hips, and she was given steroids to ease the pain. Doctors have diagnosed her with avascular necrosis in both hips. Avascular necrosis, or osteonecrosis, is the death of bone tissue due to a lack of blood supply. Navy cannot walk and is confined to a wheelchair. She is in constant pain, and is depressed because she cannot work to support her family. Fortunately, Navy learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). At CSC, surgeons will perform a total hip replacement to relieve Navy of her pain and allow her to walk easily. Treatment is scheduled for February 5th, and Navy needs help raising $1,087 to pay for this procedure. Navy shared, "I hope that I'll feel better soon, and will be able to walk again without pain. I am anxious to return to work to help my family."