Twesigye is a child from Uganda. He is 22 months old and the youngest in his family. His older brother is in nursery school. His mother is a secretary, and his father has just completed a course in information technology and is looking for a job. Twesigye developed a swelling in his right scrotum when he was two months old. He has been diagnosed with a hydrocele and a hernia. He is experiencing pain. Fortunately, on April 18, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $249 to fund Twesigye's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. Twesigye's mother says, "My son’s health has been disturbed a lot with this condition. We need your assistance.’’

Nkizayaha is a farmer from Uganda. He is married and a father of four children. For four years, Nkizayaha has had an inguinal hernia. This causes him pain and discomfort, and if not treated, Nkizayaha may suffer intestinal tissue blockage and damage. Fortunately, on May 9, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $249 to fund Nkizayaha's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. He says, "After surgery I will go for a thanksgiving mass in church and resume my farming."

Joseph is a student from Tanzania. He is the fourth born in a family of eight kids. Joseph’s father passed when Joseph was ten years old. He now lives with his uncle, a domestic poultry farmer. Joseph was diagnosed with genu valgus. His legs bow inward so that his knees 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, he is not able to walk, especially for long distances. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $940 to fund corrective surgery for Joseph. The procedure is scheduled to take place on February 15. Treatment will hopefully restore Joseph's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Joseph says, “Please help me get better, I want to continue with school. I started saving money from the different jobs I do so I can go back to school but used it up on medication. When I get better I will work so hard and save to go back to school.”

Catherine is a three-year-old girl from Tanzania. She is very active, and she always has a big smile on her face. Catherine has not started school yet, and she lives with her parents in a rented house located in Eastern Tanzania. Catherine’s father is a vegetables vendor, selling mostly carrots at the marketplace, and her mother is a grain seller. Catherine was diagnosed with acquired genu varus. Her legs are bent inward at the knees. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. The condition prevents her from playing and enrolling in school. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $940 to fund corrective surgery for Catherine. The procedure is scheduled to take place on February 23. Treatment will hopefully restore Catherine's mobility, allow her to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease her risk of future complications. Catherine’s mother says, “I will be very happy to see Catherine receiving treatment and enrolling in school."

Martha is a young student from Kenya. She is the third born in a family of five children. Martha has clubfoot of her left foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Martha traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on February 27. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,224 to fund Martha's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will be able to walk easily.

Milien is a young man from Haiti. He lives with his parents, brothers and sisters in Port-au-Prince. He has not yet finished high school because of his heart condition. He enjoys going to church and spending time with his family and neighbors. Milien has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation. One of the four valves of his heart does not function properly because it was severely damaged by a rheumatic fever he suffered several years ago. As a result, his heart cannot adequately circulate blood through his body, and he is weak and in heart failure. Milien will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On March 27, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will either repair or replace his damaged mitral valve.. Another organization, The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano, is contributing $60,000 to pay for surgery. Milien's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Milien's family overseas. He says, "I pray for God's blessings on everyone who is helping me to have this surgery."

Billkiss is a baby from Kenya. She is the youngest in a family of two. Her mother is a single mother. Billkiss 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, Billkiss 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 $1,097 to cover the cost of Billkiss's spina bifida closure surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on March 14. This procedure will hopefully spare Billkiss from the risks associated with her condition, instead allowing her to grow and develop along a healthy trajectory. Billkiss’s mother says, “My hope is to see my child treated and lead a normal life."