David is a small scale farmer from Nazareth, Kenya. He is married, with six children. David does not work as much as he used to but does farming on his small piece of land. However he hasn't been able to do this since his fall. David was referred to our medical partner's care center, Nazareth Hospital, by his neighbor, who is one of the support staff there. The staff reported that David had fallen and broken his leg, to which the doctor advised an ORIF repair surgery to heal his leg. David says that bad luck is following him. In 2018, he had also fallen and sustained a closed fracture on his femur. On May 21st of this year, he fell again and sustained a closed fracture tibia on the same leg. David is experiencing pain and is unable to use his right leg. If not treated, he may develop malunion or healing with deformity. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), can help. On June 17th, David will undergo a fracture repair procedure (ORIF), so that David can be relieved of the pain, walk with ease, and farm. Now, AMH is requesting $1,049 to fund this procedure. “If my neighbor did not help me come to Nazareth and access this help, I don’t know what would have happened to my leg. My family still depends on me so I humbly request for help, to see myself walking again. I will appreciate,” said David.

Rexa is a 47-year-old mother from Malawi. She has four children, and her sister lives together with their family. Rexa has been selling second-hand clothes called kaunjika locally, but had to pause her business last December due to her health condition. Rexa’s husband is an electrician and is currently unemployed. Two of their children are in college, and they shared that their family is struggling to pay their school fees. Rexa also cares for her mom, who lives in the village. Last December, Rexa started having sharp pains in her abdomen radiating to the back and both legs. Her husband has taken her to many hospitals to figure out the cause of her pain, and it has cost their family a significant amount of money. After being evaluated for peptic ulcers, heart, liver, and kidney problems to no avail, she finally was diagnosed in April with uterine fibroids. Fibroids are abnormal growths that develop in or on a woman's uterus. These growths may become quite large and cause severe abdominal pain and heavy bleeding. If left untreated, fibroids can continue to grow, both in size and number, and could result in increased heavy bleeding or a fatal case of anemia. Rexa was referred to Partners in Hope Medical Center for further review and the gynecologist recommended that she undergo a hysterectomy, which will remove her uterus and cervix and hopefully cure her of this pain. However, she has no insurance and is unable to pay for the cost of her care due to her family's earnings. Rexa will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare. She is scheduled to undergo a hysterectomy on May 28th, and African Mission Healthcare is requesting $1,363 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. After the surgery, Rexa is hopeful that she will stop having abdominal pains and can return to normal life, which can help her resume her business and support her family members again. Rexa's husband shared, “I am excited that finally there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel. When my wife feels pain, I also feel pain and I fail to go and look for work to support the family. I strongly believe that this surgery will bring an end to our misery and sleepless nights. Now we will stop begging relatives for support with even transport money to the hospital, I am very grateful to the donors!”

Claire is an eight-month-old baby girl and the youngest of three children in her family. Claire’s mother is a farmer and her father is a preacher at gospel churches in Kenya. Claire was born with clubfoot of both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. As she grows, this causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Claire to receive treatment. Claire traveled to visit AMH's center where surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on May 9th. Now, AMH is requesting $1,286 to fund Claire's surgery. After treatment, she will be able to walk like other children without any difficulty. Claire's mother shared, “I would request support for my daughter to undergo surgery so that she can walk like other children."

Peter is a third grade student from Kenya. Peter is very active and playful like many kids his age. He is the seventh son in a family of eight children. Peter's father repairs household items including basins and jerricans, and his mother is a casual laborer who washes clothes for a living. Their family currently lives together in a two-room mud house. About 10 weeks ago, Peter fell from a tall tree and he sustained a femur shaft fracture and hip dislocation. He currently walks and gets around using crutches, and there is the risk that he may not able to walk on his own again unless he receives surgical intervention. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On March 17th, Peter will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help him walk easily again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,500 to fund his surgery. Peter's father shared, “[Peter] has been unable to go to school since the accident. He can’t walk without the help of crutches and if he doesn’t go for surgery he might be unable to walk normally.”

Htun is a 50-year-old man from Thailand. He lives with his wife, son, and two daughters in Thailand. Htun and his wife work as agricultural day laborers, but Htun had to stop working after he injured his eye. Currently, Htun can only perceive light with both of his eyes, but he cannot clearly see objects. Although he is not in pain, he needs someone to assist him when he walks or eats. He also cannot work nor do any household chores as a result of losing his vision. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund lens replacement surgery for Htun. On March 2nd, doctors will perform the lens replacement surgery, and they will remove Htun's natural lenses and replace them with an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After his surgery, Htun will be able to see clearly and get back to all that he needs to do in the day. Htun said, “I am sad and depressed that I cannot see nor do anything. I feel sorry that my wife has had to accompany me everywhere and do every little thing for me such as helping me eat and go to the bathroom. I want to regain my vision quickly and I want to go back to work.”

Jonah is a 9-year-old student from Kenya. He is a jovial and high-spirited boy. Jonah is the seventh born in a family of eight children. Under the sponsorship of a well-wisher, he is a second grade student at Mwiteria Vision Academy. Jonah's family hails from Iteria Village in Meru County. His mother is a single parent who used to be a farmer, but now stays at home to take care of her children. She recently underwent an amputation on her leg after suffering from diabetes. Jonah has clubfoot, a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even with wearing shoes. His mother, sister, and elder brother brought him to AIC Hospital's mobile clinic in Meru to seek treatment. Watsi donors supported surgery for his left foot and now his family has returned to help heal is right foot as well. Jonah will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation. Fortunately, he is scheduled to under go a clubfoot repair surgery on January 25th. African Mission Healthcare Foundation is requesting $1,286 to fund Jonah's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk and play easily again. Rosaria, Jonah's mother shared, “We are grateful for helping my two sons undergo surgery. We have seen a lot of impact on their feet. Previously, they used to complain of pain while walking and they like playing a lot. We plead for more support to ensure that their feet can be able to step on the ground and walk like other children. God bless you."

Phearin is a 24-year-old from Cambodia. He has three older brothers who are all married. When he is not working, Phearin enjoys playing football, listening to music, playing games on his phone, and meeting up with his friends in the evening. In August, Phearin was in a motor vehicle accident that caused a clavicle fracture and paralysis of his right arm. His family took him to a private clinic where the fracture was treated. He has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his right side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. He is unable to lift his arm and he cannot work. Phearin traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On December 9th, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, he will be able to use his arm again. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $696 to fund this procedure. Phearin said, "I really hope I can regain use of my arm so I can return to working as soon as possible."

Jackline is a 13-year-old girl from Kenya and the fifth born in a family of six children. Her father works as a farmer, while her mother is a housewife. In school, Jackline is a humble and hardworking Class 8 student. She aspires to be a doctor in the future so that she can be of help to her village, where the community feels they are marginalized and lack facilities like hospitals and schools. Jackline was born with a condition known as bilateral genu valgum, or knock knees. This condition has severely affected her mobility. She cannot walk for a long distance or play with her friends, and this has greatly affected her self-esteem. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner's care center can help. On December 1st, Jackline is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on her left leg, and then will subsequently undergo surgery on her right leg. The surgery will be of great impact because, once recovered, she will be able to walk well without pain and discomfort. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,224 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Jackline shared, "I will be very happy if my legs are corrected and I can walk to school like my friends." Hellen, Jackline's mother, added, “We are appealing for help from well-wishers so that our daughter can walk normally.”

Myint is a 52-year-old father from Burma. He lives with his wife, two sons and daughter. Myint used to work as a construction manager, and his wife is a homemaker. In his free time, Myint likes to search for building design ideas on Facebook and likes to read books. He also enjoys helping a charity group that drives patients to hospitals in an ambulance. Myint was diagnosed with a heart condition that involves a malformation of the mitral valve, which is the valve between the left atrium and left ventricle that controls the flow of blood. Malformations of this sort may cause blood to flow backward, or cause the valve to narrow. Currently, Myint has difficulty breathing and chest pains. He cannot sleep well at night and has to take medication to help him fall asleep. He also feels tired when he talks for a long time. Myint needs a mitral valve replacement surgery to improve his quality of life. Since April 2020, he has been unable to work due to his poor health. When his eldest son's university classes did not resume this year, his son found work as a truck driver to make additional money. However, due to government imposed COVID-19 restrictions, his work ceased around August. Myint's family now lives off of their savings and borrow money when needed. They are appealing for financial help for Myint's health. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Myint. The treatment is scheduled to take place on October 25th and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. Myint shared, “After I have recovered fully, I will go back to work. But if I cannot do that same job anymore, I will look for something else that I can do. I will save money for my family’s future. I want my daughter and my sons to successfully complete their studies.”

Meet Britney, a 14-year-old girl from a village in Meru County. Britney likes socializing and playing handball. She aspires to become a doctor in future to help patients who are going through tough times in the hospital. Britney is the second born in a family of three children. Her father is a small businessman while her mother is a farmer. While playing with a few other girls, Britney slipped in the field and injured her left foot. She has been to different hospitals for x-rays and seeking treatment, but her condition has been worsening. It affects her mobility and is causing her to feel pain anytime she walks. Britney cannot stand for long and doing household duties is also a challenge for her now. Surgery will be of great impact as she will be able to walk without any challenge and the pain which she has been feeling whenever she walks, will be alleviated. “I want my foot to be corrected so that I can walk well like other girls,” Britney told us.

Martha is a hardworking 54-year-old mother from Kenya. She is a single mother of two, who are now adults. She used to run a small green grocery along the road in Ruaraka, but she is now jobless. One month ago, the structure where she used to sell her produce was brought down to pave way for the expansion of the road. She therefore has no source of income. Her oldest daughter used to work as a hotelier in Mombasa but lost her job due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which greatly affected the hospitality industry. Her son used to help Martha with the grocery shop but he is also jobless after the demolition. Their family is struggling to meet their daily needs and pay their $35 rent for their two-room home. Martha has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Without treatment, the cancer may spread to other organs. A mastectomy, a surgery to remove breast tissue, has been suggested to rid her body of breast cancer and to prevent the cancer from metastasizing. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $857 to cover the cost of a mastectomy for Martha. The procedure is scheduled to take place on August 25th. After treatment, Martha will hopefully return to a cancer-free life. Martha says, “I am confident that I will be able to fight this disease and have a normal life. However, I don’t have means to cover for the cost of this surgery since my business went down. If I get assistance, I will greatly appreciate it.”

Loeum is a 44-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She has four sons, and her favorite activities include growing vegetables, feeding the farm animals, and taking care of her family. In January 2020, Loeum was in a motorcycle accident and fractured her left knee. She is unable to walk without support, and cannot stand for long periods of time without pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On February 26th, Loeum will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $465. This operation will help Loeum's knee injury to heal and allow her to walk independently again. "I hope that after my surgery, I will feel much better and I will be able to walk and stand like before without any pain and can return to work," she shared.