Victor is a five-year-old boy from Kenya. He is the firstborn child in a family of three aged between 5 months and 1 year. He is a kindergartener and a happy boy. On November 24th, Victor was playing with his friends when he accidentally fell down and sustained an injury on his right hand. His father found him on the road crying, and brought him to the hospital. Doctors conducted an x-ray, which revealed a fracture on his right supracondylar. Because he was in pain, and could not move nor lift his hand, Victor was admitted to the pediatrics ward awaiting surgery. Unfortunately, the procedure Victor needs is costly for his family, who lacks a stable income. His father is a casual labourer who looks after people’s cattle, and his mother is a housewife. Victor's family has been able to raise some money, but needs additional support to raise the amount needed for his treatment. On November 27th, Victor will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. Now, Victor's family needs $801 to fund the cost of his care. Victor’s father shared, “I want to see him happy, not in pain, be healthy and have a good life."

Abdallah is a student from Tanzania. He loves school and enjoys teaching his friends how to read. Abdala lives with his parents in a small house in northern Tanzania. Abdala was burned on his right hand in August 2016 when he had an accident with a cooking fire. Now he cannot use his right hand at all. He was unable to keep up with his classmates at school and had to drop out. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Abdallah receive treatment. On March 4, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help him use his hand freely again. Now, he needs help to fund this $832 procedure. Abdallah says, “Kindly help me have my remaining finger released.”

Domingo is a retired carpenter originally from Mozambique who lives in Malawi. He tends to his farm with his friends from his village. With his wife, he has eight children and 15 grandchildren. Since March 2018, Domingo has had an inguinal hernia. This hernia has cause swelling and pain and prevents him from working fully. Fortunately, on January 17, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at Nkhoma Hospital, our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, World Altering Medicine, is requesting $334 to fund Domingo's surgery. The requested money pays for supplies, medications, and six nights of hospital stay. Domingo is very excited to be better and to go home and watch his crops grow so he can eat them. He says, “This program is wonderful...Thank you.”

Sopheak is a 39-year-old construction worker from Cambodia. In his free time, he likes reading the news, listening to the radio, watching TV, and helping his wife with the house work. One year ago, Sopheak slipped and fell, dislocating his left hip bone. He first went to Ke Tukmealea Hospital but was then referred to Lim Taing private clinic where the hardware was implanted. Now, the exposed hardware is infected, making it painful and difficult to walk. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On February 13, Sopheak will undergo a hardware removal procedure, which will cost $214. This treatment will help him walk again and not experience any discomfort. He says, "After surgery, I hope that I can walk well without any pain and go back to work."

Rutandikire is a small-scale farmer from Uganda. He is married with five children. Rutandekire has had a swelling on his left cheek for four years. He finds it hard to open his mouth or chew. Rutandikire traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On March 12, surgeons will remove the mass. Now, Rutandikire needs help to raise $187 to fund this procedure. Rutandekire says, “I hope to be well after surgery and I continue with farming.”

Em is a young man from Cambodia. He traveled two hours from Kampong Speu province to receive treatment for his injury. One year ago, Em suffered injuries to his wrist from an electrical burn. This condition has meant that Em cannot work as he is unable to use his hands. Fortunately, he is now scheduled to undergo contracture release surgery on February 12. He needs help raising $417 to fund this procedure. He hopes that after surgery he can go back to work and help around the house. He says, "I hope that after surgery I can use both my hands again and go back to work."

Akandinda is a child from Uganda. He is the youngest in a family of three children. Akandinda's parents are both primary school teachers and their combined income is just enough to meet their family's needs. Since birth, Akandinda has had a supra umbilical hernia. This causes him discomfort and pain. Fortunately, on January 31, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $219 to fund Akandinda's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Akandinda’s mother says, “I will have peace of mind when my son is relieved of this condition and I continue to teach to build a foundation for my family.”

Natanaeli is a baby from Tanzania. He is the youngest in a family six children. For six months, Natanaeli has been experiencing difficulty breathing. He was recently diagnosed with enlarged adenoids, which are the soft tissue behind the nasal cavity. Without treatment, this condition will cause Natanaeli's symptoms to persist and possibly even intensify. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $609 to fund an adenoidectomy for Natanaeli, which is scheduled to take place on March 22. Surgeons will remove his adenoids, hopefully relieving Natanaeli of his symptoms and helping him live more comfortably. Natanaeli’s father says, “Our son is suffering due to this condition he needs a surgery to remove the over grown adenoids but we are unable to afford the cost please help us.”

Rachael is a teenage girl from Kenya. She completed her primary education last year. Rachael’s grandmother, her guardian, is a subsistence farmer. At six months of age, Rachael began to lose her hearing. Now, she cannot hear. She has learned to read lips, but her hearing affected her education. Now, Rachael is scheduled to receive hearing aids from our medical partner on February 15. These devices will cost $929. Rachael’s grandmother says, “I hope my grandchild can have her hearing restored or better still get anything to enhance her hearing."

Pendo is a five-month-old girl from Tanzania. She is the firstborn child in her family. Pendo and her mother live with her mother's father and brother while Pendo's father is away working. Pendo was born with spina bifida, a dangerous malformation of the spinal cord. She is also now beginning to develop hydrocephalus, a buildup of cranial fluid surrounding the brain. Her head is 30% larger than it should be. “Please help my daughter get better,” says Pendo’s mother. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,369 to fund Pendo's operations. She is scheduled to undergo surgery on May 15 at our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. After treatment, Pendo will be able grow and develop normally.

Kimsour is a 42-year-old man from Cambodia who works as a driver. He has two older sisters and one younger sister. In his free time, Kimsour likes to listen to the news, watch boxing on TV, and read the newspaper. About four months ago, Kimsour developed a cataract in each eye, which has caused him to experience blurred vision, extreme sensitivity to light, and cloudy lenses. As a result, it is difficult for him to see things clearly, recognize faces, work, or go anywhere on his own. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $398 to fund a phaco procedure and an intraocular lens implant for each of Kimsour's eyes. The surgery is scheduled to take place on July 5 and, once completed, will hopefully restore Kimsour's vision to its former state and allow him to live more comfortably.

Bulakison is a farmer from Malawi. He recently traveled to our medical partner’s care center, Kabudula Community Hospital. Kabudula is a rural community outside of the capital city of Lilongwe. The health catchment area serves roughly 350,000 people, but the health centers and the hospital are often poorly stocked and staffed.  One of Bulakison’s teeth has been causing him bothersome symptoms. Diet is an issue for dental health in Malawi, where sugarcane is prevalent. Also, there is little to no oral health education in Malawi and limited access to a dental professional. In fact, there are fewer than 20 dentists across the country. Fortunately, a visiting dentist will perform a dental extraction. A dental extraction is a simple procedure with few risks, and it will result in a significant reduction in his symptoms. Bulakison is scheduled to undergo treatment on July 18. Our medical partner, World Altering Medicine, is requesting just $28 to fund the procedure.