Kassim is a one-year-old boy from Tanzania who has an inguinal hernia. He was born healthy until two months ago when his mother got bothered by his excessive cry while holding his pelvis area. She noted the swelling and took him to the hospital. Kassim is not able to eat well and experiences difficulties sleeping due to the pain. Kassim was referred to our facility for care and funding due to limited income. After 10 hours’ drive, he had surgery recommended to correct the defect. Kassim's father is the sole provider for the family. He cooks at a local restaurant with little income to sustain his family. He would require several months of saving to accumulate sufficient fee for his son's treatment. Upon successful surgery, Kassim will be free from persistent pain in his pelvis area. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $539 to fund Kassim's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Kassim’s mother says, “Please save my son from the pain he is going through.”

Victor is a child from Kenya. Victor is the second born in a family of two. His mother is a stay-at-home mom while his father is a motorbike taxi rider. Victor was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, Victor has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Victor will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on November 28. AMHF is requesting $542 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care.

Phanny is a 55-year-old construction worker from Cambodia. She has seven children, six grandchildren, and enjoys watching Khmer dramas on television in his free time. Five years ago, Phanny developed a pterygium in right, causing her irritation and tearing. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Phanny learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. Phanny needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. The total cost of her procedure is $201. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for September 30. Phanny says, "I hope that after my surgery, I am able to see clearly and can return to my work in construction."

Pov is a 31-year-old gas seller from Cambodia. He likes to take care of the children and help out around the house, and in his free time he likes to watch TV and listen to music. Two years ago, Pov fell off his motorcycle and injured his left shoulder. He has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his left side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. He is unable to lift his arm and has to stop working at the rice field. Pov traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On March 18, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, he will be able to regain full range of motion in his arm. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $637 to fund this procedure. He says, "I hope that after my surgery I will be able to use my arm again and go back to work."

Tushemerirwe is a woman from Uganda. She is married with two children. Tushemerirwe has had severe lower abdominal pain for three years. She has been diagnosed with uterine fibroids and needs to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy. The procedure is scheduled for February 18 and will cost $208. Tushemerirwe says, “I will be grateful when my condition is treated.”

Godsgift is a baby from Kenya. To earn money, his father works on construction sites and his mother mends clothes. They have six other children as well. When Godsgift was born, he was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition that causes cerebrospinal fluid to accumulate in the brain. He was referred to our medical partner's care center for treatment. Without treatment, he will experience developmental delays. Fortunately, Godsgift is scheduled to undergo brain surgery on January 29. The procedure will cost $634.

Hol is a rice farmer with six children from Cambodia. He likes to listen to the radio and social news. Two years ago, Hol developed a cataract in each eye, causing him tearing, itchiness, and cloudy lenses. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Hol learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for five hours seeking treatment. On January 22, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $398 procedure. He says, "I hope my eye surgery is successful so that I can see everything clearly and so that I can help my family to do some work at the farm field. I want to plant some crops like melon, cucumber, and corn for selling."

Faraja is a baby from Tanzania. He was diagnosed with bilateral genu valgus. His legs bow inward so that his knees touch. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, he has a difficult time walking. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $940 to fund corrective surgery for Faraja. The procedure is scheduled to take place on February 14. Treatment will hopefully restore Faraja's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications.

Elvin is a baby from Tanzania. He is the first born child in a family of two children. Elvin is a playful and talkative boy. Elvin was diagnosed with bilateral genu varus. His legs bow outward so that his knees do not touch. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, he experiences pain when walking. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $940 to fund corrective surgery for Elvin. The procedure is scheduled to take place on February 7. Treatment will hopefully restore Elvin's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Elvin’s father says, “You are the only hope we have. Please help our son. His condition is worsening each day.”

Muth is a rice farmer from Cambodia. He has a sister and two brothers. He likes to listen to classical music and do chores around the house. Two months ago, he was in a motor vehicle accident that caused a fracture in his right leg. He cannot walk and is in chronic pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On November 2, Muth will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $430. This procedure will help him walk again. He says, "After the operation I hope I can walk and return to work so I can support my family."

Catherine is a housewife from Kenya. She is a mother of four children. Catherine has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Without treatment, the cancer may spread to other organs. A mastectomy, a surgery to remove breast tissue, has been suggested to rid her body of breast cancer and to prevent the cancer from metastasizing. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $816 to cover the cost of a mastectomy for Catherine. The procedure is scheduled to take place on November 26. After treatment, Catherine will hopefully return to a cancer-free life. Catherine says, “My prayer is to be treated, to go back and raise my family and fight off the cancer.”

Joseph is a baby from Kenya. He is the youngest child in his family. Joseph 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, Joseph has been experiencing an increasing head circumference. Without treatment, Joseph will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $685 to cover the cost of surgery for Joseph that will treat his hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on December 13 and will drain the excess fluid from Joseph's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, Joseph will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. Joseph’s mother says, “My prayer is to have my son grow as a normal child with fewer health-related problems."