James is a beautiful newborn baby from Tanzania. He is the youngest in a family of three children. To support their family, his father practices small-scale farming, and his mother is a homemaker. His parents share that their income is only enough to meet their day-to-day needs. James has clubfoot of both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape, meaning both of James's legs are twisted downward and inward. Without treatment, he will grow up and have difficulty walking and wearing shoes. Fortunately, James's family traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on August 9th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $935 to fund James's clubfoot repair. This procedure will allow him to grow in good health and walk with ease when he grows up. James's mother says, "It has been rough for the past two weeks, moving with my baby from one health centre to another without any success. I am glad that he will get the treatment required."

Nchambi is a bright and creative 8-year-old student. She is the fifth born in a family of seven children from her mother. She is currently in class six, but she unfortunately had to stop her studies to seek treatment for her condition. Some of her favorite subjects in school are arts and crafts, social studies, and mathematics. Nchambi was diagnosed with left genu varus, meaning her left leg is bent at the knee, making it difficult to walk. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, she struggles with walking to school and carrying out her daily life activities, such as helping her mother with small home chores like cleaning cloths, washing plates, and sweeping. They shared that fetching water is now something she cannot do at all due to her leg condition. Recently, every morning before school, Nchambi has had to wake up extra early to prepare because it takes her a long time to make the one-kilometer walk to her school. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Nchambi. The procedure is scheduled to take place on July 5th. Treatment will hopefully restore Nchambi's mobility, allowing her to participate in a variety of activities and greatly decrease her risk of future complications. Nchambi shares, “I can’t catch up with my friends when walking to school because I am slow. I can’t walk as fast as them because of my leg.”

Maureen is a small-business owner and a single mom to three children. She moved near the capital city of Nairobi to start her business as a food hawker, cooking and selling Asian, Islamic, and local cuisines. For about ten years, Maureen has been experiencing abdominal pain, headaches, dizziness, and other worrisome symptoms. This condition has made it challenging for her to operate her business. She visited our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), and doctors diagnosed her condition as cystic adenomyosis. To heal she needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Fortunately, AMH can help Maureen finally heal. On April 29th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at the care center, so she can resume her daily activities free of pain once she recovers. AMH is requesting $755 to fund Maureen’s surgery. Maureen shared, “This condition has affected my normal life, even taking care of my children is a problem, and the doctor told me surgery should be done soon. I am humbly requesting help so that I can be back to my normal self to continue caring for them.”

Meet Boaz, a 5th-grade student and the middle child in his family of three. His mother is a farmer, growing maize and beans to provide income for their family's needs. Boaz was involved in a car accident that injured his right hand. He was initially treated at a local clinic, where he received a cast. However, his condition worsened, so Boaz visited Kapsowar Hospital, our medical partner's facility, for further review. Doctors performed an X-ray, which revealed a fracture in his right radius and ulna - the bones in his forearm. Boaz's wound was also infected, so he received treatment and antibiotics to help heal. Currently, Boaz cannot use his right hand, and he is in severe pain and unable to sleep well. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), can help. On May 10th, Boaz will undergo a fracture repair procedure called an open reduction and internal fixation. Upon recovery, Boaz will be able to use his hand, allowing him to participate in school and help out at home again AMH is requesting $1,145 to fund this procedure. Boaz's family was also able to gather $100 to contribute to his care. Boaz's mother shared, "I feel like carrying this burden for him. He has so much pain. My hope is to see my son well again and be in good spirits."

Xyrie is an adorable 18-month-old girl from the Philippines. She loves to watch educational videos and is learning the alphabet. Her mother, who works as a public school teacher, is the sole breadwinner of their family. With her mother's income, Xyrie's family has tried hard to access care for her medical needs. Xyrie was born with an anorectal malformation, a congenital abnormality that leads to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. She needs to undergo a series of procedures to eliminate bowel dysfunction. Xyrie is scheduled to undergo surgery to correct her condition on April 6th. Our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines, is requesting $1,279 to cover the total cost of Xyrie's procedure and care. After her recovery, Xyrie will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. “It will be so much more convenient for Xyrie to move without the colostomy bag, and we don’t have to buy her colostomy supplies anymore. I also won’t have to worry that she’ll be bullied when she grows up,” Neriza, her mother shared. “The help provided by WSFP and Watsi are really of big help to our family,” added Neriza.

Joseph is a 17-year-old student who likes music and playing table tennis. He's the youngest of four children in his family. Joseph's father passed away when Joseph was only two years old and his mother currently works with physically impaired children at a local Catholic institution. Joseph was born with bilateral club feet, a condition that causes him discomfort and pain when he walks. Joseph previously underwent corrective surgery on his left foot at our medical partner's care center, Cure International Hospital. Joseph is now in need of corrective surgery on his right foot. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare is helping Joseph's family raise the $1,224 needed to cover this corrective surgery so that can walk pain free and do all the things he wants to enjoy like playing football with his friends. Our medical partners shared that this surgery will be very impactful for Joseph allowing him to walk more easily and continue with his education. Joseph says, "I'd like to have my foot corrected so that I can keep going to school without difficulties."

Emmanuel is a jovial boy who lives with his mother who is a housewife, and his stepfather who works as is a taxi motorbike rider. Emmanuel was brought to the our Medical Partner's Care Center Cure International Outreach Clinic by a social worker who found him under a tree, where he had been left after his step-father mistreated him. The social worker who helped Emmanuel works with a USAID-supported program that promotes better health by rescuing children who are physically impaired and mistreated by their parents, mostly in the Maasai area of Kenya and northern Tanzania. Emmanuel was born with clubfoot on both feet. Clubfoot is a congenital musculoskeletal malformation in which the foot is twisted out of shape. As a result, Emmanuel has difficulty walking and wearing shoes. Fortunately, Emmanuel has now come to AIC Cure International Hospital for treatment. On February 28th, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,286 to fund Emmanuel's clubfoot repair. After treatment, Emmanuel will be able to walk, put on shoes, and hopefully live a happier life. Emmanuel's social worker says, “Our desire is to see Emmanuel lively and happy, walking on his feet and joining school like other children.”

Srey Nang is a quiet six-year-old girl. Srey Nang is in kindergarten and lives with her grandmother. Her father works in construction and her mother is a farmer in a different province. She has a two-year-old brother who she adores. She enjoys playing with her friends, painting, and watching cartoons on TV. She loves to eat fried noodles and fresh orange juice. Ten months ago, Srey Nang was burned by hot water. She has developed skin contractures from the burn scars, and cannot bend her knees to sit or straighten them to stand. She is unable to walk well and is in constant pain. Her family shared that she no longer plays with her friends because she feels ashamed of her condition and afraid they will make fun of her. When Srey Nang's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, they traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On January 6th, surgeons at CSC will perform a skin graft procedure to replace the scar tissue from the burns with healthy skin from her opposite leg. Now, Srey Nang's family needs help to fund this $474 procedure. Her grandmother said: "we are hopeful Srey Nang's scars will be better, and she will be able to attend school with the other children."

Naomi is an energetic but shy 4-year-old She is the fifth born in a family of six children. Naomi's parents do farm work growing some maize, beans, and cassava for food. When the harvest is good they sell the extra for an income. Her mother also sells some vegetables in the market. What they earn is not enough to cover the cost of treatment that their daughter needs. Naomi was diagnosed with genu valgus, where her legs bow inwards. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, She cannot walk easily and without pain. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Naomi. The procedure is scheduled to take place on December 3rd. Treatment will hopefully restore Naomi's mobility, allow her to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease her risk of future complications. Naomi’s mother says, “I would really like for my daughter to walk without having pain. Please help us be able to get her this surgery.”

Samuel is a shy and cautious 18-month-old boy. He is the youngest child in a family of two children. His older sibling is 13 years old and a student in primary school. His mother is a housewife, while his father is a teacher at a local primary school. In April 2020, immediately after he was born, Samuel was unable to pass stool and was admitted to a local health facility for further evaluation. Since then, he has visited the hospital often for follow-up and has had several procedures to improve his condition. However, he is still unable to pass stool and needs ileostomy surgery to treat his condition. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Samuel to receive treatment. On November 4th, doctors will perform a colostomy procedure and bring Samuel's intestine through his abdomen to form a stoma. This will allow Samuel to pass stool. Now, Samuel's family needs help raising $1,152 to fund his procedure and care. Samuel father shared, "our kid is straining a lot. His life is in danger if not attended to."

Allen is a 33-year-old mother of two children. Allen sells vegetables for a living, while her husband operates a motorcycle taxi. Their family lives in a single rental room. For two years, Allen has had an umbilical hernia. The hernia causes swelling near her abdomen, that gets especially painful when she strains. She has visited hospitals in the capital city, but could not afford the surgery costs. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH) is helping Allen to receive treatment. On September 15th, she will undergo hernia repair surgery at AMH's care center. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably and confidently. Now, she needs help raising $230 to fund her procedure and care. Allen shared, "I will really be blessed to benefit from the support and will live to testify the goodness of God after am supported to undergo my surgery."

Selinah is a 31-year-old nun from Uganda. She serves as a nun under Our Lady of Fatima Rushoroza and is currently posted to the formation house of the Missionaries of Africa. She does not receive salary for her services apart from a small allowance for personal use. She is the fifth born in a family of 10 and her parents are small-scale farmers. For three years, Selinah has been experiencing lower abdominal pains. She was treated for a bacterial infection with no change in symptoms. She has also had several medications from different medical centers. None of them helped, and in the last year her condition has worsened. She can no longer stand comfortably for long because she has pains extending to her lower body. Selinah has challenges getting out of bed due to this pain. Selinah has been diagnosed with leiomyoma and endometrial hyperplasia. If not treated, she is at a risk of endometrial carcinoma and other severe complications like anaemia. Selinah has sought financial support from her congregation, but shared that they are unable to meet the surgery cost because of the number of congregants affected by COVID-19. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $319 to fund Selinah's surgery. On September 4th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center. Once recovered, Selinah will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Sister Selinah says, “My condition has generally affected my duties and life as a nun. Given treatment, I will be able to do all my day to day duties and be able to develop my congregation. I will continue serving the Lord by helping others where I can.”