Mebruka is a cute baby girl from Ethiopia who loves people and to play with others. She loves eating spaghetti. She has one older sister and she loves to play with her. Her mom is a house wife and her dad is a daily laborer. They live in a rented house and the dad’s income is very much limited for the expenses of the family. Mebruka was born with an anorectal malformation, a congenital abnormality that leads to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. She needs to undergo a series of procedures to eliminate bowel dysfunction. Mebruka is scheduled to undergo surgery to correct her condition on November 5th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Mebruka's procedure and care. After her recovery, Mebruka will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. Her mother said, “It is my hope that my baby will heal and that makes me happy even now.”

Maria is a beautiful four month old baby from Tanzania who came to our hospital when she just five days old. She is the last born child in a family of five children. Maria was born at home through the help of midwives. This was because the nearest clinic was a long distance from home and Maria’s father was not at home. Soon the midwives informed Maria’s mother that their daughter had a problem with her back and head. This brought panic to her mother and without money, they had to wait for her husband to return. When Maria’s father arrived and saw her condition he had some money with him from selling two of their goats. They depend solely on livestock keeping and small scale farming for their living.  The family took her to our ALMC hospital where she was diagnosed with Spina Bifida, hydrocephalus and encephalocele. She has received surgery for Spinal Bifida to save her from getting an infection on the spine that could lead her not to be able to walk or lead to death. She now needs another surgery to help correct the hydrocephalus condition. Her parents are asking for help. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,238 to cover the cost of surgery for Maria that will treat her hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on December 10th and will drain the excess fluid from Maria's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Maria will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl.

Dennis is a very shy and quiet boy from Kenya. Dennis was born with anal rectal malformation, where he lacked an anal opening. This caused trouble to his parents as he could not pass stool for an entire week when he was born. He had a colostomy created and was required to proceed with subsequent surgeries of the anal opening and colostomy closure. However, for the last 17 years, he has survived with the colostomy. His parents were not able to raise the funds needed for his surgeries. His area chief recently forced Dennis's parents to bring him to Bethany Kids Kijabe after much suffering. At Bethany Kids Kijabe, he was diagnosed and surgery recommended. He needs to undergo a series of procedures to eliminate bowel dysfunction. However, the family is still struggling financially. Dennis is the firstborn child in his family. Due to his condition, he has never been to school, being passed by all his 6 siblings who are schooling. Dennis is quite shy and prefers to be alone due to his condition. Successful surgery will allow Dennis to resume a relatively normal life like any other child and perhaps start schooling. His father is a security guard while his mother sells vegetables in their village.The family appeals for help. Dennis is scheduled to undergo surgery to correct his condition on October 22nd. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,327 to cover the total cost of Dennis's procedure and care. “If only I knew, I would have come here early. I feel like I have wasted his life,” says Dennis's father with regret.

Daniel is car wash attendant from Kenya. Daniel’s wife left with their two children in 2002 when he developed the leg ulcer and could barely provide for the family. He now stays alone in a one-room rental house in Central Kenya. In 2017, Daniel was diagnosed with venous leg ulcer at Kijabe hospital after struggling for over 15 years to find the cause for the leg swelling. Daniel walks with a limp and is in pain and discomfort. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Daniel receive treatment. On October 08, surgeons will perform a debridement and skin graft procedure to help him walk easily again. Now, Daniel needs help to fund this $1,129 procedure. “I at times wonder whether God forgot about me. Please help me get an admission,” says Daniel.

John is a student from Kenya. He is a form two student, aged 16 years from Zambezi in Kiambu County. He is a cheerful young man and the second last born in a family of six. John seems to be of a playful and easy going nature. John’s parents are both small scale farmers He fell from a tree and sustained a closed fracture of the left humerus on 20th August. He visited our facility and was reviewed by the surgeon who recommended ORIF. He is not able to use his left arm and is in chronic pain Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On September 05, John 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 Foundation, is requesting $998 to fund this procedure. “I am looking forward to the day when I will be able to use my left hand like I was used to.” said John with a glimmer of hope in his eyes.

Srey Nich is a 24-year-old university student from Cambodia. She likes to listen to music, read books, and hopes to become an electrician after completing her studies. When she was ten years old, Srey Nich had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in her right ear to perforate. For this reason, Srey Nich experiences hearing loss, discharge, tinnitus, and itchiness. She finds it difficult to participate in her normal activities and lacks focus at school. Srey Nich traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On August 1, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in her right ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $423 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. She says, "I hope that after my operation, I will be able to hear again and the ear infection will stop."

Mu is a 45-year-old woman from Burma. Mu and her husband are farmers who own land and harvest rice and beans. They use most of their crops to sustain their family, and sell any additional harvest for profit. March 2019, Mu has been experiencing pain and discomfort in her lower abdominal area. She has been diagnosed with an ovarian cyst. She has been advised to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy, the surgical removal of her uterus and cervix. If left untreated, Mu's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. Fortunately, Mu is scheduled to undergo her hysterectomy on June 10. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. “I really hope the mass is not cancerous. I am so grateful that I am able to have this surgery, but I am scared that I’ll need further treatment,” Mu says.

Ibrahim is a baby from Kenya. He is an only child who lives with his parents in the coastal region of Kenya. Ibrahim was born with spina bifida, a type of neural tube defect in which the spine does not properly close around the spinal cord. Without treatment, Ibrahim is at risk of lower-limb paralysis, infection of the exposed nervous tissue, development of tethered cord syndrome, and possible developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,097 to cover the cost of Ibrahim's spina bifida closure surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on May 2. This procedure will hopefully spare Ibrahim from the risks associated with his condition, instead allowing him to grow and develop along a healthy trajectory.

Sayuni is a girl from Tanzania. She is four years old and the youngest in a family of eight children. Sayuni was diagnosed with bilateral genu varus. Her legs are bowed outwards. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $940 to fund corrective surgery for Sayuni. The procedure is scheduled to take place on April 4. Treatment will hopefully restore Sayuni's mobility, allow her to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease her risk of future complications.

Prosper is a child from Tanzania. He is the second born in a family of three children. In 2017, Prosper sustained burns across his body. The burn contractures make it difficult for him to move. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Prosper receive treatment. On March 4, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help him walk easily again. Now, he needs help to fund this $832 procedure. Prosper’s mother says “Please help my son we can’t afford the surgery cost.”

Dieunika is a student from Haiti. She lives with her parents, two brothers, and one sister in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. She is in the seventh grade and likes studying math and science. Dieunika has a cardiac condition called atrial septal defect. A hole exists between the two upper chambers of her heart, leaving her sick and short of breath. On February 10, she will undergo cardiac surgery at St. Damien Hospital, our medical partner's care center. During surgery, surgeons will sew a patch over the hole in her heart so blood can no longer leak through it. Another organization, Gift of Life International, is contributing $5,000 to pay for surgery. Dieunika's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 requested by our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, covers cardiac exams and medications. She says, "I am excited to have my heart fixed and want to say thank you to everyone who is helping me!"

Yon is a farmer from Cambodia. She has one daughter, three sons, and four grandchildren. She likes to listen to news on the radio. A year ago, Yon developed a cataract in each eye, causing her blurry vision, irritation, itchiness, pain, clouded lenses, and photophobia. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Yon learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On January 9, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $398 procedure. She says, "I hope my eye surgery is successful so I can return to work."