Benina is a cheerful woman with an infectious smile, she is married and has been blessed with five children, all boys. The first two children have completed their high school education; the other two are still in high school, while the youngest is in primary school. Benina and her husband own a piece of land where they primarily cultivate potatoes for their family's consumption and sell the surplus in the market. They also sporadically work on the farms of their neighbors to supplement their little income. This year, rainfall was very inconsistent, and the couple did not have any potato produce, thereby earning no income from their land. For the past 6 years, Benina has been experiencing severe abdominal pains, bleeding, and a persistent headache. She sought medical services from a clinician, who referred her to the obstetrics and gynecology department for further review. In 2019, the symptoms became severe, and she decided to visit a nearby health facility where she was given medication and sent back home. She experienced temporary relief from the condition, but it later reappeared. Benina made the decision to come to our partner's care center, AIC Kapsowar Hospital, because the situation did not get any better. After learning about her medical history, medical test were recommended which revealed that she had a hemoglobin level below 6, which is extremely low and dangerous. She was hospitalised and underwent a blood transfusion to boost hemoglobin levels and enhance blood quality. To help her heal she needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $918 to fund Benina's surgery. On November 29th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center. Once recovered, Benina will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Benina says, "I have endured a lot while holding out hope that I may soon recover. Day by day, the symptoms are getting worse, and I've lost a lot of blood. I'm in a terrible situation, please support me to get this operation."

Oo is a 52-year-old man from Burma, living with his wife and daughter. Oo's wife is a day laborer, while his daughter works as a salesperson in a store. Oo is unemployed because of health issues, but he enjoys growing vegetables, and guarding the entrance gate of the village. In the midst of the rainy season in July, Oo placed his belongings on a friend's bullock cart, and went to climb on top of the cart to ride. As he was preparing to climb onto the cart, it suddenly jerked forward, throwing Oo to the ground, and injuring his right arm. After a week had gone by, Oo, who was experiencing significant pain in his arm, traveled to a local free clinic, where he was given a shot to ease the discomfort. He was told that he would need to have the injury investigated further at a hospital in Yangon. In October, Oo's arm was X-rayed at the Karen Baptist Convention Hospital in Yangon, and it was determined that the bone in his arm had been broken, and had never healed properly. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Oo will undergo surgery to reset his fractured bones on October 25th, at Karen Baptist Convention Hospital. This surgery will promote the complete and correct healing of the fracture, enabling Oo to lift his arm without pain, and to return to work. Oo needs your help to raise the $885 for this procedure. Oo said: “I am very worried that the doctor will not be able to treat me because I sought treatment so late. It is so difficult to go to Yangon because I live in a conflict area and there are a lot of travel restrictions."

Kay is 43-year-old woman and garment factory worker. She lives alone on the border of Thailand and Burma. Kay supports her parents in Burma by sending them money every month. In her free time, she enjoys reading books about Buddhism. In the middle of 2021, Kay began experiencing pain and abnormal bleeding. By September of 2022, the pain and symptoms had worsened. Kay has been diagnosed with myoma, or a noncancerous growth in the uterus. She has been advised to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy, which would surgically remove her uterus and cervix. If left untreated, Kay's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. Fortunately, Kay is scheduled to undergo her hysterectomy on September 19th. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Once recovered, she will no longer experience pain or abnormal bleeding. She will be able to go back to work, and to continue supporting her family. “When I recover fully, I will continue to work in the garment factory. I will save my money and I will pay back my debt. I will try to continue supporting my parents,” said Kay.

Dennis is a hardworking student and the firstborn in a family of two. He is in class eight and at the end of the year, he will be sitting for his national exams. He enjoys playing football with his friends. He lives with his single mother who works as a casual laborer getting work whenever she can. His mother describes Dennis as the only hope in their family. On 11th August, as he was playing with his friends, Dennis fell and sustained a closed fracture of the left arm. He is unable to use his hand which is in severe pain. His education is also affected. Dennis' mother does laundry for the neighbors to support her family's basic needs. With what she earns, she is unable to pay for her son's surgery. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On September 2nd, Dennis will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. He will be able to use his hand, experience no pain and he will go back to school. He will also continue enjoying playing football with his friends. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,049 to fund this procedure. Dennis mother says, “I struggle a lot providing for my family. I am not in a position to pay my son's hospital bill. I plead for help so that he gets the required treatment and he may continue with his education. He is the hope of our family.”

Hosea is a hardworking 18-year-old man from a small village in rural Kenya. He currently lives with his mother, who became a single mother after his father unfortunately passed away a few years ago. To help his sick mother support their family, Hosea works as a shopkeeper in the nearby center and earns a small amount of money. One day, while he was riding his motorbike on his way home from work, Hosea was involved in a road traffic accident. He was rushed to a nearby facility by well-wishers where his lower limb was stabilized with plaster. After this emergency procedure, he was seen by an orthopedic specialist, and an X-ray was done. This scan showed that Hosea has a fracture of his mid-shaft femur and that it is displaced. Because of his injuries, he is currently unable to walk without support. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, can help. On July 6th, Hosea will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. The treatment will help him walk without difficulty again. Now, our medical partner is requesting $1,145 to fund this procedure. Hosea says, "Our family is in a hard state, and I am not able to raise the money. Please help me get back on my feet so that I can be able to work and earn a living.”

Abegaelle is a five-year-old girl from Haiti. She lives in the capital city of Port-au-Prince with her parents and older brother. Some of her favorite activities include going to preschool and attending church with her family. Abegaelle was born with a cardiac condition called atrial septal defect, which means a hole exists between the two upper chambers of her heart. As a result, blood leaks through, leaving her weak and short of breath. The care she needs is not available in Haiti, but fortunately, our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA), is helping Abegaelle receive treatment. She will travel to the Dominican Republic to undergo surgery on July 26th, during which surgeons will insert a catheter to plug the hole in her heart and restore a healthy blood flow. Abegaelle's family is raising $1,500 to cover the costs of her surgery prep, which includes all labs, medication, check-up and follow-up appointments, and the passports needed for HCA's social workers to accompany Abegaelle and her family overseas. Abegaelle's mother shared, "Our family is all very thankful that Abegaelle will have this chance to have her heart fixed!"

Helena is a teenage girl and the fourth of six children. She is a friendly and social girl who loves sports and helping with home chores. Helena is in class two and her best subjects are writing skills and mathematics. Most children around Helena's age have finished their primary school education, but Helena's delay in her studies is caused by a foot disability she was born. Helena has clubfoot of both feet and her parents could not afford any form of medical treatment as small-scale farmers and livestock keepers. Learning to walk was very difficult for Helena. She can only stand or walk with crutches at this time, but it is still very painful. Therefore, Helena relies on a wheelchair to move from one place to another. Fortunately, Helena traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on May 20th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $935 to fund Helena's life-altering surgery. After treatment, she will be able to stand unassisted, walk and wear shoes like the other kids she knows. Helena shared, “I will be very happy if my feet can be treated and help me to stand and walk."

Augostino is a playful boy in kindergarten, who hails from Samor village in Western Kenya. One year ago, Augostino suffered severe burns to the left side of his face when he was trying to fetch food. As a result of his injury, Augostino developed scar contractures, which have tightened the skin around the burns. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Augostino receive treatment. On May 1st, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help him heal. Now, his family needs help to fund this procedure, which will cost $1,478. Augostino's father says, “I want my child to have a good look just like other children. I always ask myself why this happened to him."

Eyohas is three-year-old from Ethiopia. He is a sweet and loving boy who likes to play football and play with cars. His guardian Lishan is his mom’s aunt and she is the one who is raising Eyohas. Lishan has one child of her own and she also adopted and raises a girl who is her niece. Her husband is a driver and the breadwinner for their family. His income is all goes directly to meeting their basic needs. Together they live in a rented house with one room. Lishan discovered about Eyohas's condition a year ago but they could not get him the necessary treatment due to financial constraints. Eyohas has an inguinal hernia, which results from a weakness in the abdominal wall. Fortunately, on March 15th, Eyohas will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $512 to fund Eyohas's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently as he grows. Lishan shared, “I hope with this surgery, he will heal and he will go to school. In the future I believe he will be a successful adult. I wish him to have a good life in the future.”

Victor is a 9-year old boy and the oldest of two children in his family. Victor's mother is a single parent working as a housekeeper. While his mother is at work, Victor often spends time with his grandmother who is a farmer. Victor was born with cerebral palsy and his grandmother shared that he has a lot of energy! Victor was brought to Cure International Hospital's outreach clinic by his grandmother. His condition makes it challenging for Victor to walk without falling. Now he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on February 28th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Victor and his family raise the $1,224 necessary to fund this surgery so that Victor will be able to live a full, healthy live as he grows up. Victor's grandmother said, "I would love to see my grandson’s feet fully corrected and walking well like other children."

Patience is a baby and the last born in a family of two children. Her mother is not employed and relies on her sisters to help provide for them. Currently Patience and her mother are living at her Aunt’s place in Kibera, Kenya as she undergoes treatment before moving back to upcountry. Patience has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. Patience was diagnosed with spina bifida at birth. She was then referred to another facility where she was admitted in the nursery and stayed there for a while without the treatment she needed. Her mother decided to take her to another facility in Nairobi, where she was able to have surgery for spina bifida. She recovered fully and was discharged home. While at home, Patience started experiencing fevers more often which raised concern for her mother. Her mother shared it with a friend who referred her to our medical partner's care center BethanyKids Hospital for treatment. Upon arrival, Patience was diagnosed with hydrocephalus. She is now scheduled for a surgery. Without treatment, Patience will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $720 to cover the cost of surgery for Patience that will treat her hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on February 2nd and will drain the excess fluid from Patience's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Patience will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. Patience’s mother says, “I never knew that her condition would be this big that it needs urgent intervention. We put our trust in God and hope that she will be well.”

Chambani is a boy from a large family in Tanzania. His father shared that he likes to keep to himself and is quite shy. Chambani’s parents are small-scale farmers and they do not earn enough to cover the day-to-day needs of their family and fund the medical treatment that Chambani needs. Chambani has clubfoot of both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Chambani's family traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on January 3rd. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $935 to fund Chambani's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be healthy and able to wear shoes and walk easily. Chambani’s father says, “I believe that it is by luck that I have found this place. I want the best for my child. I do not have any money but I have been fortunate enough to find people who have contributed to my traveling expenses and now his treatment. Please help me accomplish my dream of having my son treated.”