Rhophence is struggling to speak when we meet her. She cannot pronounce words clearly or eat regularly due to a mandibular mass. She was diagnosed with Mandibular Fibrous Dysplasia, which is also causing her teeth to loosen on the affected area. She is scheduled for a 10-hour surgery at our Medical Partner's Care Center Kijabe Hospital. Her chronic mandibular swelling started back in October 2020 as a small swelling and has gradually increased in size, so Rhophence was forced to visit the hospital. She was treated for pain in their local health centre and discharged home. But, the swelling worsened and Rhophence opted to visit Kijabe in May 2021. Several tests revealed the Mandibular Fibrous Dysplasia diagnosis and surgery was recommended. She does not have the funds for the various procedures to relieve her pain. She is a single mother of four children aged between 30 and 18 years. She comes from a remote village along the Kenyan coast. She is currently jobless with no source of income and stays with her younger brother who she depends on for survival. The surgery is estimated to cost about $4,500. She has active national health insurance coverage that has only approved $2,000. She is unable to raise the remaining amount. She fundraised money for travel fare to come to Kijabe and she is now being hosted in the local centre by a relative. Rhophence shared, "This swelling is so painful. My mouth is deformed and I cannot even speak clearly. It’s sadly starting to give a bad odour making people close to me uncomfortable. This is affecting my life. I need these surgeries to normalize my life.”

Robson is a friendly and calm baby. He is the youngest sibling of the family, and they all live in an urban settlement in Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya. Robson's mother takes care of their family and home while his father used to be a cook, but was laid off due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While his mother was outside washing clothes, Robson was in his grandmother’s grass-thatched house in their village. Suddenly, a mattress caught fire, causing burns on Robson's face and fingers. The burns led to contractures on the fingers, so that Robson is unable to hold things and use his fingers well. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMH), is helping Robson receive treatment. On July 17th, surgeons from the care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery. Now, AMH is requesting $840 to help fund this procedure. “I hope and pray that with the assistance accorded to my son, he will be able to hold things and start crawling with support as he learns to walk,” Robson’s mother told us.

Siv Tech is a 51-year-old taxi driver with one son and one daughter who are both in school. Siv Tech enjoys watching local and international news. One year ago, Siv Tech developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him blurry vision, photophobia, and tearing. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Siv Tech learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled there hoping for treatment. On July 21st, doctors will perform a cataract extraction and lens implant in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, CSC is requesting $229 to fund this procedure. Siv Tech shares, "I hope I can drive a car again so I can return to my work driving a taxi."

Francin is the mother of a young child and is expecting her second baby. She is a resilient woman from Burundi who came to Uganda in search of a job. Before leaving for work, Francin had only completed seventh grade in primary school. After arriving at Uganda, she found a job but her wages were denied to her for 15 months and her boss confiscated her passport and ID, making it impossible for Francin to return home. Francin has gotten married in Uganda, but separated from her husband. Now, she has started working on other people’s farms as a temporary laborer but is experiencing pregnancy complications. Francin attended our medical partner's care center, Nyakibale Hospital, for antenatal care, and is scheduled to receive a cesarean section on August 5th. After the surgery, she will be able to continue her temporary jobs, though she hopes to be able to return to her home country. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $252 for Francin to receive a c-section. Francin says, “I am really suffering in Uganda as I don’t know anyone and am living by the mercies of God and people. Through your support, I will be able to continue with casual labour for my survival.”

Dorn is a 41-year-old farmer who lives in the Kampong Cham province of Cambodia with her family. Her husband is a construction worker. They have one daughter and one son together, both of whom are in public high school. When she is not working, she spends her time cooking, watching TV, and visiting her neighbors. Three months ago, Dorn had a severe ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in her right ear to perforate. For this reason, Dorn experiences pain, feelings of pressure, discharge and hearing loss. She cannot communicate clearly with others. Dorn traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On August 17th, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in her right ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation and relieve Dorn's pain. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $464 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and in-patient care. Dorn said, "I am happy that I will soon feel no more pain in my ear and I will be able to hear my family clearly."