“Habonju is the fourth born in a family of ten children. He was among the lucky children who went to school because out of all the children only three went to school,” shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Habonju is a 23-year-old young man from Tanzania. He was diagnosed with fluorosis, a chronic condition caused by excessive intake of fluorine compounds. “Habonju walks with difficulty. He cannot run and he sometimes feels pain on his knees,” AMHF shares. Prior to his diagnosis, Habonju enjoyed playing soccer and running around with other boys. When he reached class three, his legs began to bend sideways, and this gradually made him bedridden. A good samaritan intervened and helped Habonju receive medical intervention and return to school. "Habonju just recently completed his diploma in community development. He hopes to get a job, but he is afraid it may be difficult to find a job given his disability," AMHF shares. "Habonju’s mother is a homemaker and has another disabled baby." $940 will fund the treatment Habonju needs to correct his gait. A surgeon will realign and cast Habonju's bone, and Habonju will recover in a rehabilitation centre and receive regular physical therapy. Without this intervention, Habonju is at high risk of developing osteoarthritis at a young age. Habonju says, “I am lucky to be where I am now. When my legs are straight and I can walk properly again, I will continue to work hard. I will get a job and help my mom, siblings, and support my community at large.”

Meet Tapesh, a 16-year-old boy from Nepal. When not cutting wood to support his family, Tapesh can be found studying or reading Nepali stories and poems. He lives with his mother and his three older brothers, and his father works in India to help support the family. "Tapesh was swinging on the branch of a tree when the branch snapped and he fell on the ground," our medical partner, Possible, shares. "He has been in constant pain since then." “We will have to take loans on interest if we are to fix my brother’s hand without any donations,” Tapesh’s brother tells Possible. If left untreated, Tapesh’s fracture could heal unaligned, leading to lifelong wrist pain and limited mobility around the joint. $224 will cover the cost to fix Tapesh's left hand, including x-rays, the operation, and all costs of the hospital stay. With this operation and about a month of healing and physical therapy, Tapesh’s bones will have aligned correctly and he can return to his daily life.

Meet Anslot, a 12-month-old boy from Haiti who was born with hydrocephalus. “After Anslot was born his mother noticed that he cried a lot during the night," our medical partner, Project Medishare (PM), explains, "so she took him to the hospital where he spent 20 days receiving care. Three months later Anslot’s head became much bigger and so he went back to the hospital where his mother was referred to our hospital.” PM continues, “Anslot is facing symptoms such as fever, seizure, and sometimes flu. He also cannot sit up or carry his head.” If Anslot does not receive treatment, his symptoms will worsen and he will be at risk for brain damage, decreased physical and mental capabilities, and even death. However, paying for care is very difficult for Anslot’s family. “Anslot is one of four children," PM says, "and lives in the countryside with his three sisters and mother. His father lives in the city doing random jobs to support his family, but they are poor and cannot pay for the surgery to save Anslot’s life.” Anslot’s mother adds, “His sickness causes a lot of problems because I cannot sleep at all during the night and I have to move and hold him.” With $1,260 in funding, Anslot will receive a hydrocephalus shunt placement. During this procedure, the excess fluid will be drained from Anslot’s head and, as the surgery’s name suggests, a shunt will be placed in the area to prevent future cerebrospinal fluid buildup. According to PM, “Treatment will have a very positive impact on Anslot's life; after the surgical intervention the other issues caused by the hydrocephalus will be eliminated Anslot will have access to a safer and healthier life.”

Brian, a 35-year-old Kenyan man, came to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), seeking treatment for a leg injury sustained earlier this year in a hit-and-run accident involving a motorcycle. “Since then,” explains AMHF, “he is unable to work and relies solely on his family.” Brian’s condition, chronic osteomyelitis of the right tibia, is an infection of his lower leg bone resulting from his injury. Typical symptoms include recurring pain, redness, swelling, and bone loss. Currently, “Brian is experiencing pain and inability to use his right leg,” AMHF tells us. “If not treated, Brian is at risk of pathological fracture of the tibia.” Treatment of osteomyelitis is a surgical technique to regenerate bone lost as a result of the infection. In this technique—known as bone transport—an orthopedic surgeon breaks the involved bone and attaches the bone fragments to an external fixation device. As the fracture begins to heal, the external fixator is adjusted to pull the healing fracture apart approximately one millimeter per day. Separating the fragments in this manner promotes bone growth and results in the restoration of the lost bone over time. After the accident, Brian was treated surgically, but the procedure was unsuccessful, and he cannot pay for the additional surgery that he needs. $1,500 in funding pays for the bone transport surgery as well as 12 days of hospital care, antibiotic therapy, and physiotherapy. Brian’s family has saved $110 to cover additional costs associated with his care. “We expect after a bone transport, Brian's leg will heal,” shares AMHF. “He will be able to use his leg again. Brian will be able to work.” "I had planned to marry and provide for my family before this accident,” says Brian. “I really hope I will be able to do that after this surgery.”