“I hope to become an architect in the future,” shares Baraka. Say hello to Baraka, a friendly eight-year-old boy from Tanzania! “Baraka likes to play soccer and run around with his friends,” our medical partner, African Medical Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), tells us. Unfortunately, after a recent accident, Baraka is not able to be as active as he once was. While climbing fruit trees at his grandparents’ house, an activity frequently enjoys, Baraka fell and broke his right arm. “He was treated locally/traditionally and in the end, he developed terrible contractures of his right hand fingers,” AMHF continues. “He tried therapy and wearing a splint but it is too late now.” Baraka is now unable to use his right hand. Baraka is the second born in a family of four children. To support their family, Baraka’s mother sells snacks and fruits and sometimes works part-time at a grocery store and his father is a religion teacher at a primary school in their village. “They both work hard to take care of their children, but their income is not enough to cover their daily expenses and afford to pay the cost of surgery for their son, Baraka,” explains AMHF. Together we can fund the $550 single contracture release treatment that Baraka needs to repair his right hand. According to AMHF, with treatment “Baraka will have a functional hand, he will be able to use his fingers and easily perform various activities.” Let’s support Baraka and get him back to his active childhood!

When Neema was just ten years old, she developed a swelling mass on her neck which continued to grow in size until she had to seek medical attention. Although doctors identified the mass as a benign tumor, she underwent surgery to remove the tumor because it was causing her pain and difficulty swallowing. Since then, Neema has had several small surgeries to slow the growth of the mass, but it has continued to grow in size. Neema still lives with her family and her health issues have put a great strain on their wellbeing. Her father earns money as a day laborer while her mother cares for Neema's siblings. Neema can no longer attend school, or speak and eat easily because of the painful tumor but she cannot afford any more treatments. For $1500, Neema will receive an operation to remove the entire tumor. This surgery will allow Neema to eat and speak without pain and finally return to school. She says that once she is better, she wants to become a teacher and give back to her family for supporting her so much.

Kiran is a 12-year-old boy from Nepal with rheumatic heart disease. His condition causes severe chest pain and limits his ability to live a normal life. Luckily, Kiran’s heart can be repaired with valve replacement surgery. Kiran is the second of five children. He is in the fifth grade and his favorite subject is Nepali. During his free time Kiran likes to play soccer and cricket with his friends, but he has to refrain from too much physical activity because of the severe chest pain he experiences when he plays. Kiran wants to become a driver when he grows up because he loves cars. He hopes to one day earn enough money to support his mother. Let’s help Kiran get the surgery he needs to live a normal, healthy, 12-year-old boy life!

Nilesh is a 14-month-old boy who was born with a diaphragmatic hernia, an opening in the diaphragm that allows the intestines to move up into the chest cavity and crowd the lungs. Because of his condition, Nilesh can hardly breathe. He also has difficulty eating, making audible sounds, and regulating his own body temperature because EVERYTHING is harder when your lungs are being squished by your intestines. We need to raise $290 so Nilesh can have surgery to move his intestines away from his lungs and down to his abdomen where they belong. Without surgery, Nilesh will never grow normally. He will suffer severe respiratory and gastrointestinal problems for the rest of, what will likely be, a short life. Nilesh is a playful little guy who loves to scoot and crawl. He has not yet taken his first steps because his condition has left him too weak to stand on his feet. As Sally (our team Doctor) puts it, “this is a RIDICULOUSLY inexpensive procedure that will greatly benefit the child and enable him to live a lot longer.” Let’s get Nilesh the surgery he needs to breathe!