Thay is a one-year-old girl from Burma. She lives with her parents, grandfather, three sisters and a brother in a village. Thay's mother looks after her and her brother at home, her grandfather is retired, and her sisters go to school. Thay's father works as a porter, but has has difficulty finding work for over a month. With the increasing number of internally displaced people settling in their village due to the humanitarian crisis, there are now many individuals competing for the same work. When Thay was around eight months old, her parents noticed that her head was increasing in size. As a result, Thay cannot yet sit up or crawl. She is only able to turn her head, and will cry if she cannot see her parents. Thay was recently diagnosed with hydrocephalus, which has causes fluid to build up in her brain. Without immediate surgery to alleviate the intracranial pressure, Thay is at risk of developing severe, potentially fatal medical complications. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund the insertion of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt for Thay, which will drain the fluid that has accumulated in her brain. The procedure is scheduled to take place on May 20th and, once completed, will greatly improve Thay's quality of life as she grows up. Thay's father said, "I am thankful to every organisation and everyone for supporting my daughter’s treatment cost. Because of you, I believe that my daughter will receive surgery and be healthy and live a normal life after treatment."

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."

Hezron is a talkative 26-year-old and hard working man. He gets work where ever he can and rents a small house in someone else's compound. When he doesn't have work to do, he helps care for the cattle on the farm or runs errands for his landlord. In August of last year, Hezron was attacked while transporting farm equipment. His leg was cut badly and his lower fibula was broken in the attack. He is at risk of infection and cannot walk like he used to. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), can help. On January 31st, Hezron will undergo a fracture repair procedure called an open reduction and internal fixation. After treatment, Hezron will hopefully be able to return to his normal life. Now, AMH is requesting $1,500 to fund his procedure and care. Hezron shared, "I’m really looking forward to this surgery as it might be the last one in my treatment."

Lesina is a married mother of two. Her firstborn was born in 1995 and has special needs that require a lot of support from Lesina. Lesina likes spending a lot of time with her and ensures her safety all the time. Her other child is 13 and is a 5th grade student. Lesina sells tomatoes at a nearby market while her husband is a driver. They own a three-bedroom iron sheet-roofed house for shelter. She also raises some local chickens with free-range farming, but shared that most of them were stolen. Currently, her family has no land where they can do farming and usually has to buy food from the market. Lesina was well until 2019 when she started having a lot of abdominal pains and other symptoms. She went to a clinic and was given medication which helped for while. But, her condition kept recurring. In 2020, she started feeling a hard mass on the left side of her abdomen and when she came to the hospital again the clinician ordered a cancer screening for her. During the procedure, the nurse felt a mass that is suggestive of uterine fibroids. She was referred to a gynecologist who after scanning and examination confirmed the diagnosis of uterine fibroids and ordered surgical intervention of a procedure called total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH) which is the full removal of the uterus. Fibroids are abnormal growths that develop in or on a woman's uterus. Sometimes these growths 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 the symptoms will become worse. The fibroids' pain may increase and the heavy bleeding may become worse leading to anemia which may be fatal. After the surgery, it is expected that Lesina will stop having abdominal pains and heavy bleedings and will lead a full, healthy life. She is scheduled for surgery on January 3rd and is appealing for financial support. Lesina says, “I have heard that some uterine fibroids can burst and cause serious problems, I don’t want that to happen to me. My handicapped firstborn needs me in sound health to continue caring for her. Kindly support my surgery.”

Eneti is a 49-year-old woman with one son. She is a part-time nursery teacher while her husband is a carpenter. Their family has a rented house and does not own land for farming, which means the income from their jobs is very important for their family. For the last year, Eneti has been experiencing very difficult abdominal pains. She visited a clinic in her home area where she was referred for an ultrasound scan. The scan showed that she had fibroids and a cystic mass in her uterus. Uterine fibroids are growths in the uterus often made up of muscular and connective tissues. They are often non-cancerous but can cause uncomfortable symptoms. Eneti came to Partners in Hope Hospital to request a review as the abdominal pains and bleeding are significantly affecting the quality of her life. After consultation with the gynecologist, he confirmed the diagnosis and recommended a total abdominal hysterectomy. A total abdominal hysterectomy is the removal of the whole uterus and cervix as a treatment for the condition. Eneti hopes to have a safe surgery that will enable her to return to her normal activities. However, she is requesting financial assistance as she is not in a financial position to afford the surgery. Luckily, our partner African Mission Healthcare can help. Eneti is scheduled to undergo surgery on November 20th. The medical center is requesting $1,363 to cover Eneti's treatment and care. "I hope after the surgery I will be able to work and do the things that I haven’t been able to do because of the pain,” says Eneti.

Hak is a 53-year-old farmer with one son, four daughters, and four grandchildren. Hak lives with his wife and their son. His wife and his son are also rice farmers. Hak likes to listen to the radio news and watch Khmer boxing on TV. One year ago, the retina of Hak's right eye detached, causing him blurred vision. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Hak learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. On November 2nd, eye surgeons will perform a retinal detachment repair procedure in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $648 procedure. Hak says, “I hope my eye can see well after surgery so I can go back to the rice field.”

Loisi is a mother of three children between the ages of 2 and 12 years old. She separated from her husband around the time when her youngest child was seven months old. Loisi lives with her children and her mother, and she owns a small business selling vegetables to support her family. One of the locations where she sells is at our medical partner's care center and she learned that treatment may be possible to help her finally heal. In 2019, Loisi had a Cesarean section during the birth of her youngest child. It took up to four months for her wound to heal and, six months later, her abdomen never decreased and continued to grow. Loisi's business has suffered as a result. She has difficulty carrying large baskets of vegetables and walking long distances, and she has had to spend parts of her income on new clothing. She also shared that mockery from the community regarding her appearance has affected her self-esteem. Loisi visited the hospital where she received a C-Section but was not able to receive help. However, when selling vegetables at the care center, a nurse referred her to a surgeon. Loisi was diagnosed with a hernia, a condition where part of the abdominal wall is damaged or weakened, causing parts of the small intestine or abdomen to bulge outward. If not treated, hernias may cause pain and discomfort and, in rare cases, cause life-threatening strangulation of blood flow to part of the intestines. On October 5th, surgeons will perform a hernia repair surgery. AMH is requesting $575 to help fund this procedure. Loisi is hopeful that this surgery will improve her ability to sell vegetables and provide for her family's well-being, as well as restore her position in her community. She shared, "This condition has caused me a lot of mockeries, and it even cost me my marriage. I believe, after the surgery, I will regain the size of my normal tummy. I will live an improved life."

Barkot is a nine-month-old baby boy from Ethiopia who loves to play with his parents and with toys. He is his parents' first child. Barkot's father is a salesperson in an electronics shop. The family lives in a rented house, and other relatives help support the family's needs. Barkot underwent a colostomy, where a piece of the colon was diverted to an opening in the abdominal wall. This surgery is often performed to bypass bowel malformations, but colostomies are usually temporary and may require closure. Barkot's colostomy will require closure in order to restore his bowel function and to prevent future complications. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $1,009 to cover the cost of a colostomy closure for Barkot. The surgery is scheduled to take place on September 14th and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Barkot’s father shared, “Barkot’s mother is not working now. When Barkot finishes the surgery and when he can make a stool normally, we hope she will start working. We hope psychologically we will be stable just like before. We hope he can socialize now. We feared socializing with Barkot because of facing stigma and discrimination. We feared people might pick on him when he grows up and we hid him from others to protect him.”

Ra is a married 32-year-old metal worker from Cambodia. Ra's wife works in a factory, and they have two school-aged daughters. Eight months ago Ra fell and developed severe lower back and left hip pain, leading to difficulty walking. Ra was diagnosed with avascular necrosis, which is the death of bone tissue due to lack of blood supply. Fortunately, Ra learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. At CSC, surgeons can perform a total hip replacement to relieve Ra of his pain and allow him to walk easily. Treatment is scheduled for June 24th, and Ra needs help raising $1,087 to pay for this procedure. Ra looks forward to his recovery, "I am happy that I can get an operation here. After surgery I hope I heal and can return to work without pain."

Jackline is a nine-year-old student who does well in school and enjoys helping with household chores. Her favorite subject in school is Kiswahili. Jackline's mother is a housewife, while her father is a casual laborer who works at construction sites. Three years ago, Jackline was playing at home with friends when she fell and injured her left leg. She was taken to a nearby hospital where her leg was casted, but since then, she has been limping and experiences pain in her hip. She is unable to walk well or play with her friends, and the pain has affected her schooling. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Jackline to receive treatment. She visited AMH's care center for an orthopedic consultation and is scheduled to undergo an osteotomy on July 15th. The procedure will improve Jackline's mobility. Now, AMH is requesting $1,224 to fund Jackline's procedure. Jackline's mother shared, “I would like to see my daughter walking and continue with her normal life."

Kennedy is a 23-year-old high school graduate and the second born of four children in his family. Kennedy shared that his father sadly passed away in 2006, and his mother works as a house helper in Nairobi. His older brother works as a watchman in the city and his younger siblings are still in school. He is not working currently, and he lives alone in his family home on a quarter-acre of land. On May 22nd, while training to drive a motorbike so that he may be able to do this for an income, he was hit by a speeding vehicle and lost control. He fell along the roadside and fractured his right leg. It is difficult for him to walk and he is in chronic pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), can help. On June 2nd, Kennedy will undergo a fracture repair procedure called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help him walk easily again. Now, AMH is requesting $1,500 to fund this procedure. Kennedy shared, “I recently finished my form four and I have my future to think of. I need to be able to walk well but first I need the surgery to help me.”

Tambwe is a 17-year-old and the oldest in his family of five children. Since childhood, Tambwe has had a right inguinal hernia. Over the years, without treatment, his condition became a lot more severe. Eventually, Tambwe stopped attending school in Form Two because the pain made him unable to concentrate on his studies. Unable to study or work jobs to earn money, Tambwe is unable to afford the cost of his care and appeals for financial support. Fortunately, on May 3rd, Tambwe will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $566 to fund Tambwe's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Tabwe shared, "I wish to have this condition treated so that I could at least be able to work and make a living for myself. I appreciate any support you can provide."