Seraphin is a 36-year-old woman from Kenya who has two children—one in nursery school and the other in high school. In July 2015, Seraphin started complaining of diminishing eyesight in both eyes. She sought medical care that month, and doctors recommended a CT scan. Because she was not able to raise the amount of money needed for the scan, she did not obtain the scan until May 2016, when her nephew took her to the hospital. After the CT scan, she was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor. As a result of the tumor, Seraphin has lost completely lost her vision in one eye and has partial vision in the other. She complains of migraines and loss of balance. A former domestic worker, Seraphin has been unable to work to provide for her children. Since January 2016, she and her children have lived with her parents. To remove the tumor from Seraphin's brain, doctors plan to perform a craniotomy to remove a portion of her skull to access the tumor. Seraphin cannot afford to pay for the surgery, but if not treated, she may become completely blind and unable to take care of her children. $1,205 pays for surgery for Seraphin as well as six days of hospital care—two days in intensive care and four days in the general ward—after surgery. Funding also covers the costs of medicine, blood work, and pathology. Seraphin's family and friends are contributing $313 to pay for additional costs associated with her care. “My hope is to have my eyesight restored to be able to provide for my children," shares Seraphin. "I want the best for them."

“When I grow up, I would like to become a primary school teacher,” shares Ramadhani, a happy, hard-working, 13-year-old boy who lives with his grandparents in Tanzania. He loves going to school, where he is in class three and enjoys mathematics and science. Ramadhani was born with talipes equinovarus, a condition commonly known as congenital clubfoot. His right foot is twisted out of position due to short tendons in the foot and ankle, preventing him from stepping on the sole of his right foot as he walks. Even with his deformed right foot, Ramadhani likes to run and jump around with other children. Ramadhani’s parents are small-scale farmers who grow potatoes and cassava. They look after Ramadhani and his two younger siblings as well as their parents. For many years, they have not been able to get proper treatment for their son. It is through word of mouth that Ramadhani’s grandfather heard about The Plaster House and what it does and collected enough cash to transport Ramadhani to Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre for treatment. For $1,160, Ramadhani will undergo surgery to release the tendons in his foot and ankle. Doctors will then move his foot into the proper position and place it in a cast for up to two months. Funding also covers the costs of cast changes, braces, and a four-month stay at The Plaster House for recovery and rehabilitation after surgery. After receiving care, Ramadhani will be able to properly step on his right foot and wear shoes.

Antony is a 44-year-old man who has been diagnosed with osteomyelitis, a bone infection, after a road accident in 2007. He is a father to two children, and separated from his wife in 2009. He has since moved back to his rural home in Kenya. In January of 2007, Antony was in a road accident and suffered multiple injuries. Since then, he had been to various hospitals, and had several surgeries, all in an attempt to improve his health. In our hospital partner's facility, Antony has had several surgeries on his left leg. He has used all his savings, as he has not had any meaningful source of income since his accident. Antony has even conducted several harambees, which are events held to raise funds, to help clear his medical bills. Antony's last surgery was in January of 2016, and he is in need of financial assistance to access further medical treatment. If not treated Antony may not be able to walk well again. There is possibility of severe infection that may result in amputation. $1,500 will cover the cost of of bone transport surgery to cure Antony's osteomyelitis. Portions of the bone that are infected will be removed, with the empty space being filled by bone or tissue from a different area to restore blood flow. After recovery, Antony will be able to continue working and live his life without the possibility of amputation. “I want to be well to earn a living for myself," he shares. "[I want to] write a book on experiences with broken limbs."

76-year-old Ruth is a mother of five from Tanzania. Her husband passed away and she currently lives with one of her children. She is a farmer in her small land, providing for her daily upkeep. Ruth began losing her hearing in 2014, but has not had any treatment yet. She was advised to get hearing aids for her case but is unable to raise the amount needed. Ruth recently had hip replacement surgery, which has further constrained her finances. She also has regular hospital visits for diabetes. For $712, we can provide Ruth with hearing aids, allowing her to interact with her children more fully. “I want to have improved hearing to be able to communicate well," Ruth shares.

Chantha is 31-years-old, and married with one son and one daughter. She works selling vegetables at the market and enjoys staying at home and looking after her children. Chantha fell down stairs on March 31, 2016 and fractured her left forearm. She is in pain and can't use her left arm. She received Khmer traditional medicine treatment for three months, but her fracture has not healed. She traveled three hours with her brother to reach Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) for treatment. For $405, surgeons at CSC will perform an open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) procedure to realign the fractured bones in her forearm. After the surgery, she will regain the ability to move her arm. "When I am better, I will go home and continue to work at my business," shares Chantha.

Samchai is a 36-year-old farmer. He is married and spends his time at home cooking and planting vegetables. He traveled three hours with his wife to reach Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) for treatment. Samchai was in a moto accident two years ago. He didn't receive any treatment, he just took pain killers and steroids at home. Recently his hip has become so painful that he has had to stop working because it is difficult for him to walk. Children's Surgical Centre diagnosed him with necrosis of the right femoral neck bone. He requires a total hip replacement on the right side so he can walk again without pain. For $430, surgeons will perform a right side hip replacement surgery. "When I am healed I will go home and go back to working again," shares Samchai.

Three weeks ago, Saviour, a beautiful little girl, was born. She had a leaking cystic mass on her lower spinal region. Due to the risks associated with Saviour’s condition, her mother was advised to seek for specialized treatment immediately. According to her mother, Saviour sleeps a lot and feeds fairly well. Saviour’s mother is a college student while her father neglected the responsibility of taking care of their baby. Saviour and her mother solely depend on Saviour's grandparents who are subsistence farmers. The family lives in a three roomed house in the Western region of Kenya. Saviour's mother is worried that she cannot raise funds for her daughter's treatment. If not treated, Saviour is at a risk of getting infection and developing tethered cord that can lead to either Scoliosis and/or Kyphosis. She is also at a risk of lower limbs paralysis. Fortunately, we can help prevent these complications and fund the treatment Saviour needs - a spina bifida closure, which will cost $805. Saviour’s treatment will reduce the risk of infection as well as development of tethered cord and risk of lower limbs paralysis. “I feel sad that my daughter has this condition," her mother shares. "Any help accorded towards her treatment will be a great blessing to us.”

Meet Sokhom, a 75-year-old grandpa from Cambodia with three sons, three daughters, and 19 grandchildren. Sokhom, a patient with our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), enjoys visiting the pagoda and listening to the monks pray. “Sokhom developed a cataract in each eye six months ago. This causes him blurred vision, irritation, and tearing. He can't see everything clearly, do work well, and go anywhere outside,” explains CSC. $225 funds cataract surgery that will remove the cloudy lenses from both of his eyes and replace them with artificial lenses. Funding for his surgery includes post-operative care, and after the surgery, he will be able to see clearly again. With restored vision, Sokhom looks forward to going to his farm with ease, planting vegetables, and going outside without assistance.

"It's difficult for me to see Susmita in so much pain. I wish for her treatment to happen as early as possible so that she is free of pain," her father tells our medical partner, Possible. Susmita is a nine-year-old girl who lives in Nepal with her parents and 11 siblings. Recently, an incident caused a fracture in her left hand. "Susmita was grazing her cattle when a dog chased after her. While running from the dog, she slipped and broke her left hand. Her hand has swollen and it's been painful since," Possible says. Susmita is usually a great help to her family, but lately she has "needed assistance to do basic day to day chores like bathing, dressing, and so on; she's been missing school and cannot help with chores." For $579, Susmita will undergo surgery to have her fractured bone surgically reset so that her hand can heal properly. This operation will ensure that she will regain full use of her hand, and once again be able to take care of herself and return to school.

Avila, a two-year-old girl from Tanzania, loves to walk and play with other children. Beloved by her family and older sibling, she is a happy and friendly girl. Last year, Avila had heart surgery. She is doing well, but some excess nose tissue has grown on the bridge of her nose and changed her appearance. Avila’s parents are concerned about the swelling and hope that the nose tissue can be removed, so their daughter can live a comfortable and normal life with confidence. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), shares, “If untreated, the abnormal appearance will reduce Avila’s self-confidence as she continues to grow due to criticism from her peers.” Avila’s mother works as a tailor, and her father works as a motorcycle driver. Her parents work hard to take care of both of their children. Last year, Avila’s parents spent a large portion of their income on treatment for Avila’s heart condition and cannot afford the $920 it will cost to have Avila’s excess nose tissue removed. AMHF explains, “Avila will have better facial aesthetics and better quality of life.” “My daughter has come a long way and I will be happy to see her without the excess tissue on her nose," Avila's mother shares. "Normal facial appearance will boost her self-confidence as a teenager and an adult as well."

Brysoni is a two-year-old boy from Tanzania. In September of 2015, Brysoni sustained severe burns after surviving a fire in his home. Neighbors rescued Brysoni and his brother and took them to the hospital. “Brysoni’s wounds healed but the fire left him with deformed muscles in his left hand,” states our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). “If not treated, Brysoni will be left with a non-functional hand.” Brysoni’s mother is raising her children on her own. She owned a small fruit and vegetable stand but was forced to close it down after the fire. She is currently unemployed and relies on family for support. $550 will cover the cost of surgery to remove scar tissue from the joints in Brysoni’s hand, promoting muscle growth and movement. This surgery will restore movement in Brysoni’s hand, giving him far more opportunity to go to school and work in the future. “I pray my son will get well and later on get good education,” says Brysoni’s mother.