Banobi is a 57-year-old mother of seven: her two sons both operate small-scale retail shops and her five daughters are all married and are small-scale farmers. She earns a living from her banana and coffee plantation which she operates with her husband. She lives with her husband and two grand children in a semi-permanent house. Banobi has been experiencing lower abdominal pain, abnormal vaginal bleeding, and severe backaches. She has been diagnosed with a uterine prolapse. She also has an anterior and posterior cystocele and her doctors recommend her for colporrhaphy treatment as well. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, can help. Now, they are requesting $220 to fund Banobi's surgical care. Banobi shared, “I hope to recover from this painful condition I have had for a long time and be able to resume with farming after I have fully recovered."

Yoem is a 57-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. Yoem is married and has three daughters and one son. Her husband is also a rice farmer. Yoem enjoys listening to the monks praying on the radio and at the pagoda. Three years ago, Yoem developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her blurred vision, tearing, and photophobia. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Yoem learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for five hours with her daughter seeking treatment. On October 15th, doctors will perform phacoemulsification 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. Yoem said, "I hope I can see clearly after my surgery so I can go back to my work at the rice farm and travel outside on my own without help."

Brian is a very sharp and confident young boy. He lives with his parents and siblings in Nairobi. Brian’s father is a construction worker, while his mother is a stay-at-home mom. Around April of last year, Brian began suffering seizures. Over time, they have increased in frequency. He has been diagnosed with a brain tumor. Brian visited our medical partner's care center, where surgery was recommended. If not treated, he is at risk of brain damage or loss of vision. Fortunately, he will undergo brain surgery on February 5. Now, his family needs help raising $1,500 to fund surgery. “I want to be a policeman when I grow up,” says Brian.

Riziki is an adorable, happy, and active 7 month old little girl. Born with spina bifida and clubfoot, Riziki will not be able to stand or walk properly without surgery. Riziki's parents hope that she will be able to walk, but without our assistance they will not be able to afford the surgery. They are farmers, and Riziki is the second-born of their children. For $500, Riziki will receive posteromedial tendon release and lengthing of the Achille's tendon. She will also have a cast fitted to her foot after the surgery. Our assistance will give her the ability to walk.

Grace is 28 and pregnant with her fourth child. She and her husband are saving and preparing for the birth as best they can, but Grace is nervous. She told Lwala “I am worried that when the labor happens, it will happen too fast before I can make it to hospital.” Only 44% of births in Kenya are attended by a skilled health professional even though medical care can avoid and treat many of the risks associated with maternal mortality and morbidity. Lwala Community Alliance and their maternal health program want this to change. They provide maternal care and community education services for women like Grace. Grace is hoping, “to deliver a baby well without any problems.” The $215 can help with that. Grace will receive essential pre- and post-natal care and will be able to deliver her baby in a hospital. Let’s give Grace and her baby the gift of healthcare.

Everlyn is a 17 year-old senior at Kameju High School. She is also pregnant with her first child, who is due in June. A good student, Everyln is quickly learning how to care for herself and the baby from Umama Salema, Lwala Community Alliance’s maternal health program. She told us, “I learned to come to the ANC [antenatal care] visits every month or at least four times while I am pregnant. They told me not to do heavy work and how to prepare for the birth with some small money and clothes. I also learned about hygiene and nutrition.” Young girls are at higher risk of complications during pregnancy and childbirth, but for $215 Everyln can receive essential healthcare services to keep her healthy. Lwala Community Alliance will provide: 4 prenatal visits at the clinic, 6 home visits from a community health care worker, delivery at a hospital facility and a postnatal checkup. Everlyn recently said, “I hope to have a better life; a healthy life, that my baby can be educated, and to finished secondary school.” The first step in helping Everlyn achieve this is a healthy pregnancy and childbirth.

Violet is a teacher pregnant with her second child. She told Lwala, "My husband has a small business selling eggs," but their income is small. Violet is nervous because she had complications with her first child. She hopes she will have a safe delivery, and is grateful for Lwala's help. Complications during pregnancy and childbirth are a leading cause of death for women aged 15-44. Lwala Community Alliance is helping to ensure that Violet stays healthy and is prepared for her baby. The $215 will fund prenatal care, hospital delivery and a post-natal check-up.

Emiliana is a 52-year-old mother of three young school children fighting non-Hodgkins lymphoma. She has powered through most of her chemotherapy like a champ, and has just three more rounds to go before she is finished with treatment. Emiliana has a large and devoted family that has been able to scrape together enough cash to pay for her medical expenses so far, but their financial resources are now exhausted. Without medical insurance or a safety net to catch her, Emiliana is out of options. If Emiliana gets these last three rounds of treatment, she will have a fair shot at getting back to being the strong and healthy mother that her young children need. It’s up to us to make sure Emiliana makes it to the finish line. Let’s help her kick cancer’s butt!