Teresia is a 48-year-old mother who lives in Kenya. She practices small scale rain-fed farming on her family land. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), shares, “She speaks animatedly of her three children who are the source of her joy.” After three years of heavy bleeding, Teresia learned that she has uterine fibroids. AMHF recommends that Teresia receive a total abdominal hysterectomy, which is the removal of her uterus. Following surgery, her heavy bleeding should stop, reducing her pain and risk for anemia. The procedure costs $790, and Teresia is not in a financial position to cover that cost right now. AMHF explains, “the bleeding has made it difficult for Teresia to do her farming which she and her children depend on.” Teresia is grateful to finally have a diagnosis. After the surgery, AMHF expects that will be able to return to her work on her farm. “I hope this surgery will treat this condition,” says Teresia, “so that I can have some peace of mind and continue working on our farm to sustain my family.”

Francisco is a three-month-old baby from Guatemala. His parents "believe he is the largest gift they have ever received," says our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq (WK). "His mother had lost their last baby during the third trimester of her pregnancy, so when she got pregnant again with Francisco, it was a wonderful surprise." "Shortly after giving birth, Francisco's mother realized that she could not produce enough breast milk to feed her baby," WK explains. Soon after, doctors at WK diagnosed Francisco's mother with a condition called lactation failure. Due to the lack of nutritious breast milk from his mother, "Francisco started to lose weight and now he is below the average height and average weight for his age," says WK. Without access to maternal milk, he is at risk of dehydration and starvation, which will quickly begin to impact his development. Francisco's parents are very concerned that their baby will continue to lose weight. "They do not have a lot of money and formula is out of their budget," WK tells us. $1,220 covers the cost of a 12-month program that will provide Francisco with infant formula in order to replenish his calories and nutrition. This funding will also provide his mother with intensive counseling on how to properly prepare and mix infant formula, as well has one-on-one health education to prepare her for transitioning Francisco's diet to solid food and watching out for other signs of illness. Francisco's parents are very dedicated to their son's health and hopeful for his future. "Their dream for their child is that he will grow up to become a young professional, and have the dream to be a doctor and help his people like we do," says WK.

Jao is a lively 11-month-old baby from the Philippines who "loves to smile at the people around him," shares our medical partner, International Care Ministries (ICM). “When Jao was born, it was found that he did not pass stool at all," ICM shares. Jao was born with an imperforate anus, and one day after birth, Jao received a colostomy as a temporary solution. Jao’s parents tell ICM, “We have given up farming and started to do weaving so that we can stay at home and take care of Jao.” However, their combined earnings of $55 a month from bag weaving is not enough to support the family’s daily needs, much less the colostomy bags Jao requires. $965 will fund corrective surgery to create an anal opening for Jao. ICM expects that after a few months, Jao will be able to have his colostomy closed and, “With this, he is one step closer to becoming a normal child with lots of things to look forward to as he grows." Jao’s parents share, “We would really love to see him well just like any other kid."

Meet Maria, a 25-year-old woman who lives in Guatemala. Two years ago, Maria was studying at a university and working in a factory to support herself. "One day when she was cleaning a machine, the machine grabbed the rag she was holding and quickly pulled in her arm. Her right arm was so badly injured, they had to amputate it just below her shoulder," explains our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq (WK). She now lives with her mother and is working hard to re-learn how to perform tasks like writing and feeding herself with her left hand. “Since her accident, work has been limited,” shares WK. “Her confidence and spirits are low and she feels as though all of her long term plans evaporated overnight.” With all of the changes in her life from the accident, Maria stopped attending her university. For $1,255, Maria will receive a prosthetic arm. With a prosthetic arm, Maria will be able to focus on her plans for the future again. It will make her every day tasks easier, allow her more independence, and help her return to school again. “I want to keep studying,” Maria tells us. “I want to be able to overcome this, but everything is more difficult now. Only with the help of God have I been able to keep moving forward.”

"It has been difficult for my wife to support our family alone over the past year,” says Julius, a 37-year-old man who lives with his wife and two young children in Kenya. “Julius first began having back problems in 2009,” our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), tells us. “His limbs often become numb, and he cannot bend or lift anything. If not treated, Julius could suffer permanent nerve damage, and this might render him disabled.” Julius has a condition known as spinal disc prolapse, commonly known as a slipped disc or herniated disc. Spinal discs sit between adjacent bones (vertebrae) of the spine. When the fibrous outer covering of the disc weakens, the gel-like core expands and contacts a nerve from the spinal cord, causing pain, weakness, numbness, and tingling in the legs. Julius has not been able to work as a driver since last year because of his condition. To support the family, his wife farms arrowroot to sell and use at home and also works on other farms for additional income. Doctors recommend surgery—laminectomy, discectomy, and spinal fusion—to cut away a portion of the vertebrae and the prolapsed disc and join the adjacent vertebrae. With $1,500, Julius can undergo back surgery and receive 10 days of hospital care and physiotherapy. “We expect that after treatment and recovery,” says AMHF, “Julius will no longer be in pain or suffer numbness. He will be able work again.” “I hope to get well soon so that I can work again and provide for my family," says Julius.