Julius is a 44-year-old man with two children. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Julius used to buy old clothes to sell, but the business was so greatly affected by the pandemic that he has had to search for other work to survive. He now takes on labor jobs at construction sites. Julius was in a hit-and-run accident where a driver lost control of the vehicle and hit him while walking along the side path. Julius was thrown over the car and sustained an open fracture on his left leg. As a result, he is experiencing pain and is at risk of developing an infection or malunion, which occurs when a fractured bone heals in an abnormal position. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), can help Julius heal. On February 7th, he will undergo a fracture repair procedure known as an open reduction and internal fixation. After surgery, Julius will no longer be in pain, and he will be able to walk and work again. AMH is requesting $1,049 to fund this procedure. Julius shared, “I depend on my legs because, for construction work, you have to climb. However, I thank God I am alive. I kindly request help so that my leg can get well. I can then go back to my hustles and sustain myself."

Jonenskia is a student from Haiti. She lives with her parents and three siblings on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince. She likes dancing and attending church with her family. Jonenskia has a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect. A hole exists between the two lower chambers of her heart. Blood flows through this hole without first passing through her lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving her weak and short of breath. On October 8, she will undergo cardiac surgery at St. Damien Hospital, our medical partner's care center. During surgery, surgeons will close the hole in her heart with a patch. Another organization, Gift of Life International, is contributing $5,000 to pay for surgery. Jonenskia's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 requested by our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, covers cardiac exams and medications. She says, "I am excited to have surgery so I won't be sick so often."

Brahim is a young farmer from Cambodia. He has a brother and five sisters. He likes to tend to the farm and spend time at home. For the past 13 years, Brahim had an ear infection. This infection caused a cholesteatoma, or an abnormal skin growth, to develop in the middle ear behind the ear drum. For this reason, Brahim experiences hearing loss, ear discharge, and tinnitus. It is difficult for him to hear, and he is often uncomfortable from the ear discharge. Brahim traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On June 11, he will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure in his left ear. During this procedure, ENT surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $842 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. He says, "I really hope the infection goes away and I can hear clearly again."

Ann is a wife and mother of five children from Kenya. Her husband is a cobbler in Nakuru, and some of her children are in high school. Ann cares for her mother, who was diagnosed with breast cancer three years ago and is recovering from treatment. Ann 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 Ann. The procedure is scheduled to take place on May 9. After treatment, Ann will hopefully return to a cancer-free life. Ann says, “My hope is that soon I will be treated and fight cancer with the resilience with which my mother has fought it."

Edoso is a baby from Ethiopia. He is a smiley toddler who loves to play and laugh with his mother. His father passed away a year ago, leaving his mother with six children. Edoso's mother rented out their small farm and is barely able to meet the needs of her family. Edoso 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. Edoso is scheduled to undergo surgery to correct his condition on April 10. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Edoso's procedure and care. After his recovery, Edoso will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. Edoso’s mother says, “I was a house wife. When I lost my husband, life got difficult because he was the one who supported the family. Now I am struggling with the financial needs of my family. I am trying to raise my children with the limited money I get from my rented land."

Dennis is a child from Tanzania. He started kindergarten this year. Dennis lives with his parents in the eastern region of Tanzania. His father is a mason, and his mother is a housewife who takes care of the family. About three years ago, Dennis tripped a jar of hot porridge and sustained burns on both legs. He developed contractures on his right leg. Currently, the contractures inhibit his movement, making it difficult for Dennis to walk and play with his siblings. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Dennis receive treatment. On March 6, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery. When treated, he will be able to stretch his knee and walk without difficulty and pain. He will also be able to attend school. Now, his family needs help to fund this $608 procedure.

Baraka is a two-year-old boy from Kenya. He is cheerful baby and an only child to his single mother. Baraka lives with his mother and grandmother. His mother sells clothes in their neighborhood. Baraka was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, Baraka has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Baraka will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on February 12. AMHF is requesting $459 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. His mother says, "I have gone round many hospitals but have been unable to raise money for the surgery. I pray for help because I was told if he grows up like that he may not father children. I hope my boy can be helped to grow up like other boys."

Nailoisi is a baby from Tanzania. She is the fourth born in a family of four children. Nailoisi’s mother sells sugar in her village, and her father is a motorcycle taxi driver. Nailoisi has clubfoot of both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Nailoisi traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on January 11. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $890 to fund Nailoisi's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will be able to walk easily and without pain. Nailoisi’s mother says, “I am grateful to find treatment for my daughter this soon. I could not stand the idea that my daughter will not be able to walk normally or not walk at all. I am very grateful for the help my daughter is receiving. Thank you.”

Ester is a one-month-old little girl from Tanzania. She has a twin sister named Anna who is doing very well. Ester's mother stays at home with her and her siblings, and her father works as a farmer. Ester was born with a condition called spina bifida, which means that she has a developmental defect in her spinal cord, causing cerebro-spinal fluid to bulge from her lower back. This protrusion causes Ester to be vulnerable to infection and she regularly has a fever. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $966 to fund Ester's treatment. This will be added to the $48 that her family has been able to raise. She is scheduled for surgery at our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre, on August 2. After treatment, she will be able to grow and develop normally. "Please help my child get better," Ester's father says. "She is a sweet little girl, and we now believe that she can be cured."

Po is a 44-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her husband and two children in a rural village. She and her husband are subsistence farmers, growing peanuts and beans. Po was diagnosed with a heart condition that involves a malformation of the mitral valve, the valve between the left atrium and left ventricle. This valve controls the flow of blood, but certain conditions may cause blood to flow backward or the valve to narrow. She began to experience frequent tiredness in 2014, and her symptoms intensified in 2017. She could not walk long distances due to heart palpitations. She often feels dizzy and even loses her appetite during extreme tiredness. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Po. The treatment is scheduled to take place on December 13 and, once completed, will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably. Po says, “I hope to continue to work on the farm with my husband. And bring my children back to take care of them. I want to be cured of my condition and I am not worried about having to go through a surgery. I believe in the surgeon who will take care of my condition.”

Faith is a 17-year-old student from Kenya who is in the midst of studying for her exams. Her mother works as a general worker in a shoe company, and her father is a subsistence farmer. Faith loves to read and play football. In March 2017, Faith was in an automobile accident. She was riding a motorcycle with three schoolmates when they were hit by a passenger vehicle. She fractured her right femur. She received treatment, but the initial treatment failed and needs to be revised. If not treated, an infection could develop that could result in amputation. Faith's treatment will involve ORIF (open reduction internal fixation), where a screw is used to hold broken bones together. She is scheduled to be treated on October 16. Now, her family needs help raising $1,451 to pay for treatment. Faith says, “I want to be well and lead a normal life. I want to study and pass my examinations."

Shedrack is a two-year-old boy living in Tanzania with his parents and extended family. The family operates a small scale farm to support themselves. Shedrack is an active, playful, and curious child. When Shedrack was around a year old, his parents noticed that his head was swelling and he was experiencing frequent fevers. Concerned by the continued swelling, his parents took him to a local hospital, where he was diagnosed with hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus is a condition causing excessive fluid build up in the brain. Doctors have recommended that Shedrack undergo surgery to help ease the pressure in his head. If he does not receive the required treatment, the pressure on his brain could put him at risk for permanent brain damage. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,238 to fund Shedrack's surgery, which will be performed on July 8. Shedrack's parents are worried about his future but are hopeful that with treatment, he will grow up happy and healthy. Shedrack's mother says, "I hope that my child gets the surgery because he has bad head pains and I want him to feel well."