Oscar is a 13 year old student from Kenya. Oscar is the 2nd born child in a family of four. He was born and raised in a small village called Kapkeny where most of the inhabitants work in farms or other small, irregular jobs. His family gets its food from their small farm, consisting mostly of millet, sorghum, and seasonal fruits like mango. Oscar likes to spend his days climbing trees, especially mango trees. The family lives in small mud hut with grass as a roof. Their socioeconomic status and financial struggles has limited their options for helping their son. Oscar was well until Monday around noon when he fell from a tree while he was in the grazing cattle in the field. He sustained multiple severe injuries on his left hand. He cannot use his left hand and is in severe pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On June 8th, Oscar will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help him heal properly and he will no longer be in pain. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,065 to fund this procedure. Oscar’s father says, “I just want my child not to be in pain anymore. He cried all the way to the hospital, I felt sorry for him I hope to see him healthy and happy again.”

Meet Sharon, a 5-year-old girl from Kenya. She is the second born in a family of four children. Sharon was brought to Medical Partner's clinic by her grandmother. Her mother has stayed at home and according to Sharon’s grandmother, she is mentally impaired. Both Sharon's mother and grandmother do not work and only depend on farm products and well-wishers. Their family hails from Makengi village in Embu county. Sharon has a burn scar deformity that she sustained at home when paraffin poured on her and unfortunately, she caught fire, severely burning her feet. She healed with contractures on her hands and feet as well. She currently cannot walk or hold things on her hand and she is in great pain at the moment. Surgery will be of great impact to her as she will be able to stand, walk, and hold things. Her family is not able to raise the estimated cost of surgery and thus requested for support. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Sharon receive treatment. On May 20th, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery to better allow her to use her hands easily. Now, she needs help to fund this $799 procedure. “We cannot be able to raise the estimated cost of surgery and if there are any means that you can support us, we will be grateful.” Sharon’s grandmother told us.

Muslim is a 2-year-old child from Ethiopia. He is a beautiful baby boy who loves sweets and rice. He also loves to play with a ball. Muslim has one brother and one sister. He loves to play with his mom and siblings. His father is a farmer and his income is very limited and insufficient for the family’s daily needs. He also does hard labor work to support the family. His mom is a housewife and she raises her children full time. Muslim was born with an anorectal malformation, a congenital abnormality that leads to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. He needs to undergo a series of procedures to eliminate bowel dysfunction. Muslim is scheduled to undergo surgery to correct his condition on May 5th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Muslim's procedure and care. After his recovery, Muslim will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. Muslim’s mom said, “I hope he will be operated and heal completely.”

Saitabau is a 4-month-old baby from Tanzania. He is the only child to his parents who depend on livestock keeping for their living and their income is very little to get them by. Saitabau has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of his condition, Saitabau has been experiencing an increasing head circumference and irritability. Without treatment, Saitabau will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,238 to cover the cost of surgery for Saitabau that will treat his hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on March 2nd and will drain the excess fluid from Saitabau's brain and replace the previous insertion that is blocked. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, Saitabau will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. Saitabau’s mother says, “My son had gotten better but now he is sick again please help him get another surgery.”

Ian is a class one pupil who is struggling with his hearing. He relies on lip-reading to communicate and though shy, he is learning sign language in school. When he was three years old, his mother noted his struggle with talking and hearing. She was advised to wait until he was five years old but unfortunately, at five, Ian could only say a few words. His mom delayed enrolling him in a special school due to financial struggle. Ian was referred to our facility whereupon review, he had hearing aids recommended. With the aids, his hearing will improve along with his social performance. Ian comes from a humble background. His mother used to sell charcoal to make ends meet but with a poor business environment, she has resorted to laundry labor where she makes about $2 daily. To get to our facility, she got a loan for bus fare. Ian’s father committed suicide in 2014, making life frustrating for his mother. Ian’s mother appeal for help. Ian’s mother says, “My prayer is to have Ian grow as a normal child. Please help him.”

Chheng is a 50-year-old clothes seller from Cambodia. She enjoys cooking for her family, including one son and one daughter, and likes to watch television in her free time. For the last ten years, Chheng has suffered from swelling and pain in her left knee. She was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in her left knee and cannot stand for a long period of time, and now has difficulty walking comfortably. Fortunately, Chheng learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. At CSC, surgeons can perform a total knee replacement to relieve Chheng of her pain and allow her to walk easily. Treatment is scheduled for January 6th, and Chheng needs help raising $1,087 to pay for this procedure. I hope that I will no longer be in any pain, and I will be able to walk well again and return to my work," Chheng said.

Arobo is a student from Ethiopia with three siblings who are also students. He is a nice boy who is outgoing and playful. Arobo loves to play football with his friends and loves to read books. Arobo’s mother is a widower and their family lives in a remote area. Her income is very limited even to sustain the basic need of the family. Arobo was born with hypospadias, a congenital abnormality that causes urinary dysfunction. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and will be at risk of infertility. Fortunately, Arobo is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on December 12. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,231 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Arobo's brother said “We hope he will be healed from his condition after this surgery. And if he heals our mother, I and our sisters will be relived from worry. And he will also be well psychologically.”

Yared is a child from Ethiopia. Heis a cute baby who loves to play with other kids. He has one sister and one brother who love to play with him. His mom is a single parent. She takes care of her kids alone but has not been working after she gave birth to Yared. She had a small restaurant that she operated to meet the family’s needs. Now she is supporting her family on the little savings she had from that business while their father helps by educating the kids For some time now, Yared has had an inguinal hernia. If not treated, the hernia may result in intestinal tissue damage or death. Fortunately, on September 25th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $562 to fund Yared's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Yared’s mom said, “I am so afraid of the operation but I trust this in God’s hand. What God plans for us is going to happen. I brought him here when people kept telling me to take him to monasteries for a holy water baptism.”

Myint a 53-year-old woman from Burma. She sells items made from amber in the market. Over 10 years ago, Myint started to feel tired often and would frequently have a fever. She was also unable to sleep well at night because her back would hurt a lot. After she went for a check-up at a hospital, she was told she has a heart condition that needs to be fixed with surgery. Because she could not afford to pursue surgery, Myint lived on medications. A few months ago, Myint went to another hospital in Mandalay because she was not feeling very well. There, the doctor again told her that she needs surgery. When she told the doctor that she does not have money, the doctor connected her with a former patient of Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), and she was later referred to BCMF. She will have surgery on October 6th. Myint said, “I went to send my son to school so he can graduate and I hope my son will become an engineer.”

Soy is a 56-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She has four children and four grandchildren, and she enjoys looking after her grandchildren, cooking for her family, and watching television in her free time. Seven years ago, Soy started experiencing hip pain on her left side. She cannot extend her leg normally, and also experiences pain in her neck as well. Fortunately, Soy learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. At CSC, surgeons can perform a total hip replacement to relieve Soy of her pain and allow her to walk easily. Treatment is scheduled for July 2, and Soy needs help raising $1,025 to pay for this procedure. She says, "I hope that after my operation I will be able to walk normally and return to my work without any difficulty."

Farkia is a baby from Tanzania. Farkia is a second born child in a family of two children, her mother says she is a happy and very active baby. Farkia’s father works as a casual labor looking for day jobs and her mother is a stay home mother. Farkia has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of her condition, Farkia has been experiencing an increasing head circumference. Without treatment, Farkia will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,238 to cover the cost of surgery for Farkia that will treat her hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on September 2nd and will drain the excess fluid from Farkia's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Farkia will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. Farkia’s mother says, “I got so worried once I heard that I could not deliver normal, I knew then that something is wrong. I know that my child needs this surgery but I cannot afford to give her that, please help me be able to save my daughter’s life."

Chan is a mother of five from Thailand. She is a homemaker while her husband works as a daily laborer. For the past three months, Chan has been experiencing pain and discomfort in her abdomen and back. She has been diagnosed with ovarian cyst. She has been advised to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy, the surgical removal of her uterus and cervix. If left untreated, Chan's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. Fortunately, Chan is scheduled to undergo her hysterectomy on August 6. 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 and discomfort. Chan says, “I am always thinking and worrying about my condition. I hope I will get better one day.”