Joseph is an eight-year-old boy from Ethiopia. His father is a small plot farmer and owns several goats, and tends to a garden to help support their family. Joseph has one brother and one sister at home. About 15 days ago, Joseph was electrocuted when he accidentally stepped on an open, live wire. “He received multiple burns, but the worst were on his feet and left arm,” our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), tells us. “The family took him to a local clinic where his wounds were cleaned, but no thorough debridement (of dead tissue) was performed.” Joseph was diagnosed with osteomyelitis -- an infection of his left radius, which is protruding through his skin. If this continues to go untreated, “the bone will continue to be destroyed and the wound will remain infected.” “Eventually, Joseph will be unable to use the arm and it will become deformed if he does not receive treatment soon,” AMHF explains. “Untreated infection could possibly threaten his life.” For $535, we can fund surgery to help clean his wound and his bone, and to treat it with antibiotics to remove any infection. Joseph hopes to return to school again in the fall if he becomes well.

Meet Edmer, a hard working 14-year-old boy from the Philippines. Edmer has an inguinal hernia through his abdomen. “Edmer’s activity is very limited due to his condition," says our medical partner, International Care Ministries (ICM). "Whenever he exerts much effort on any activity, he feels pain. Due to this, he cannot do the things he wants to do." Edmer has always been very focused on his academics. “He is very eager at school and diligent in his studies," ICM continues. "He is excited to participate in different school activities which he currently cannot do, due to his condition." Edmer’s family earns only $80 per month, which is not enough to meet the family’s needs. For $465, we can fund the operation to heal Edmer’s hernia. “After the operation, Edmer can live a normal young man’s life. He can pursue his dream of helping his parents by studying really hard and someday helping them financially,” adds ICM.