Five-year-old Travis lives in Kenya and is primarily cared for by his grandmother. His grandmother took over guardianship four years ago when Travis’s mother left the family. Travis’s father works long hours as a construction worker, and his earnings are supplemented with what Travis’s grandmother can provide as a subsistence farmer. “Travis is the son to one of my sons,” she says. “I try to offer the best I can.” Travis’s grandmother has many children and grandchildren, and knows what to watch for in developing children. That is why she was quick to catch Travis’s undescended testicle three years ago, and was very keen on getting treatment. An undescended testicle requires surgery to avoid risk of developing a painful hernia or testicular cancer. At such a young age, Travis’s doctor told his family he could not undergo treatment, and for the past three years he has been using painkillers daily to alleviate pain in his groin. Travis is finally old enough to have the surgery, however Travis’s family is unable to afford the treatment, despite their attempt to save. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, tells us that for $540, Travis can receive the single orchidopexy procedure he needs to stop regular use of painkillers and avoid serious complications. The total cost includes the procedure, supplies, and three days of inpatient care and meals. Travis and his grandmother are excited for this procedure, and look forward to the many pain-free years ahead.

Myint, a 52-year-old mother of four, runs a small flower shop. Our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP), tells us she lives with her youngest daughter and son-in-law in Burma. Three years ago, Myint was carrying a heavy object when she felt her uterus prolapse. This condition occurs when the muscles surrounding the uterus weaken, causing the uterus to shift out if its normal position. Over time, these muscles continue to weaken. “Gradually Myint’s prolapsed uterus became bigger and she also experiences pain in her abdomen,” her doctor says. Due to this, Myint finds it hard to work and support her family financially. For $1,500, Myint will receive a total abdominal hysterectomy. This operation will remove both her uterus and cervix, preventing the problem from returning in the future. Once she undergoes surgery, Myint looks forward to returning to work, sharing, “I want to earn more money, be happy and healthy.”

Two-year-old Waldy was abandoned as a baby in a hospital in Haiti. Waldy has hydrocephalus -- a congenital neurological condition in which cerebrospinal fluid builds up in the brain, causing the head to swell. A group of doctors found Waldy and brought him to our medical partner, Project Medishare (PM), after they'd heard Waldy could receive treatment at no cost. “Waldy's head is swollen,” shares PM. "He cries a lot during nights and he is not able to carry his head.” With $1,260, Waldy can receive a hydrocephalus shunt replacement to remove the excess fluid in his brain. "The treatment and the surgery will positively change his health condition," PM shares. "Waldy will have a healthier life and his head won't get much bigger abnormally. We will be able to save his life." "After Wadly gets the surgery he needs to develop and survive, we plan to return him to his family with help and advocacy," PM adds. "He was in a terrible condition, but being returned with this surgery, he will not only be a miracle of hope but a testimony to everyone that these children are valued."

Twijukye is a 35-year-old woman living in Uganda. A mother of three, she used to work in her garden and do other household chores to help support her husband and children. According to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), Twijukye began feeling pain around her neck twenty years ago. “After a year, a friend told Twijukye that she looked like she had goiter and she needed surgery for treatment,” explains AMHF. “However, Twijukye did not have the money to undergo the surgery.” Thyroid goiters are often caused by iodine deficiency. Now, nineteen years later, Twijukye is experiencing palpitations; if her thyroid is not treated, it may advance to cancer. $170 will fund a thyroidectomy, an operation where Twijukye’s thyroid gland will be removed. After surgery, she will recover fully and be free of pain and palpitations. “After this surgery, I will be able to return to my gardens and dig so that I can provide food for my children,” Twijukye says.

“Wema is a shy, ten-year-old girl,” shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). “She is in class three, but has stopped going to school because it is impossible for her to sit.” AMHF explains, “Wema has a cystic mass on her lower back, which causes her severe pain and impairs her ability to walk properly, sit, or sleep on her back. If the mass goes untreated, Wema could contract a fatal infection.” Before it became too painful for her to attend schools, Wema’s favorite subjects were mathematics, English, and Swahili. Wema also enjoys playing games with her classmates. AMHF tells us, “Wema’s father grows vegetables and her mother sells them at an open market. Both parents work very hard to take care of their four children all of whom are going to school. With the pressure of keeping four children in school, it is difficult for the family to raise extra funds to get treatment for Wema’s condition.” With $920 in funding, we can help Wema and her family travel to a treatment center where doctors will remove the mass. With this surgery, Wema will be pain free and able to return to school. Wema tells us, “My hope is to one day become a primary school teacher.”

“Akanyijuka is very grateful for any help you can give him and looks forward to getting well and helping others as you have helped him,” shares our medical partner, The Kellermann Foundation (KF). Akanyijuka is a 27-year-old man from Uganda. KF tells us, “Akanyijuka and his sister were orphaned at a very young age and have been on their own since then. Because they were orphaned, they were unable to afford school fees to obtain an education. Akanyijuka has been supporting his sister as a laborer but has been unable to work for a while.” Akanyijuka was sidelined by a hernia—a condition in which an organ or fatty tissue squeezes through a weak spot in a surrounding muscle or connective tissue. Untreated for a long period of time, Akanyijuka’s hernia led to a blockage in his intestine. This blockage prevents the passage of fluid or digested food through his intestine, causing severe bloating, abdominal pain, decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. After living with the blockage for a period of time, Akanyijuka has become severely malnourished. KF explains, “Akanyijuka has been unable to absorb nutrients properly and is unable to work.” With $227 in funding, Akanyijuka will receive surgery to repair the tear in his tissue, thus treating his hernia. The funding will cover surgery, medication, and Akanyijuka’s 14-day hospital stay. Following surgery, Akanyijuka will be able to return to work and continue to support himself and his sister.