Landei is an adventurous, playful and social 10-year-old boy from Tanzania. A while ago, he and his friends were playing in the fields, climbing on electric poles as the cattle were grazing. Sadly, they didn't realize the dangers that the poles posted, and the boys were electrocuted. Landei sustained burns to his hand and thigh. He later developed gengrene and had an emergency below-elbow amputation. However, his condition is not improving and now he needs an above-elbow amputation to save the rest of his arm. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Landei to receive treatment. On June 10th, he will undergo surgery at AMH's care center and now, AMH is requesting $1,088 to cover the cost of Landei's procedure and care. Landei’s father shared, "our son’s accident found us with no money to seek treatment for him that’s why it’s gotten this bad. Please help him have the needed surgery."

Thon is a 73-year-old retired farmer with five daughters, five sons, and many grandchildren. She lives with her oldest daughter (who is also a farmer) and her grandchildren. Thon's husband had passed away 15 years ago from liver disease. Currently, Thon spends much of her time cooking and taking care of her grandchildren. In her free time she likes to listen to the radio and play music for her grandchildren. Six years ago, Thon developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her blurry vision, photophobia, and tearing. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Thon learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled there with her daughter seeking treatment. On June 15th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $229 procedure. Thon shares her hopes with us: "I hope that I will be able to walk by myself and travel easily, so that I can join in some ceremonies. I hope that I will be able to see my grandchildren easily too."

Glen is a quiet two-year-old toddler. Glen and his two elder siblings have recently lost their parents, and are currently living with his grandmother in Naivasha after rotating between the homes of different relatives. After hearing about their experiences, Glen's grandmother decided to bring them to her house and take full custody of them. However, she is not able to work and only has a small grocery shop where she sells fruits and vegetables for a living. With limited income and lack of health insurance, the cost of Glen's treatment places a heavy burden upon Glen's grandmother. Glen was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, Glen has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Fortunately, Glen will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). He is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on June 22nd. AMHF is requesting $569 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Glen’s grandmother is appreciative of the support for her young grandson, “It is very difficult for me to raise any money for his surgery as I also have to take care of his elder siblings. I am just requesting for any help that we can get financially.”

Vong is a 58-year-old rice farmer who has two daughters, two sons and many grandchildren. She lives with her eldest daughter, who is a garment worker at a local factory. She farms seasonally and spends a lot of her free time caring for her grandchildren, cooking meals, and visiting her other children. Five years ago, Vong developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her blurry vision, irritation, and tearing. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Vong learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled there seeking treatment. On May 24th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $229 procedure. Vong shared, "I hope after surgery I can see better, so that I can do housework easily and see the faces of all my grandchildren."

Kyokusiima is a 44-year-old small businesswoman and a single mother to one daughter who is in the seventh grade. Her husband left their family many years ago. Kyokusiima operates a small retail shop to make ends meet for her and her daughter. For the last two years, Kyokusiima has had lower abdominal pain, menorrhagia and associated back pains. The condition has grown more severe with time, and efforts to manage with painkillers have not been fruitful. Kyokusiima has been to several health centres and was referred to a gynaecologist for further review, but could not visit them due to financial hurdles. When Kyokusiima was able to visit our medical partner's care center Nyakibale Hospital, she underwent scans that indicated she had multiple myomas. She was recommended to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy surgery, where surgeons would remove her uterus. Without this procedure, she might suffer from anaemia in the future. However, Kyokusiima is not able to raise the funds needed for surgery and appeals for financial support. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $219 to fund Kyokusiima's surgery. On April 23rd, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center. Once recovered, Kyokusiima will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Kyokusiima shared, “I hope that once I undergo this operation, I will be relieved from bleeding and other symptoms like backache which have made my life miserable. I will continue with my shop so that I can educate my daughter not to suffer as I did.”

Kyin is a 48-year-old woman who lives with her daughter, her friend, and her friend's family in a village in northern Thailand. Kyin’s daughter and her friend’s two children study at a migrant school. Kyin used to work as an agricultural day laborer, but stopped two months ago when her vision deteriorated. In her free time, Kyin likes to garden and clean her house. Kyin has lost most of the vision in both of her eyes. Sometimes her eyes are watery and itchy, and if she tries to focus on identifying someone’s face, her eyes will hurt and she will develop a headache. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund lens replacement surgery for Kyin. On June 7th, doctors will perform a lens replacement in both eyes, during which they will remove Kyin's natural lenses and replace them with intraocular lens implants. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $1,500 procedure. Kyin shared, “I hope that I will get better soon so that I can go back to work. I want to support my daughter so that she becomes an educated person. I also want to build a new house and live with my daughter happily for the rest of my life.”

Touch is a 30-year-old construction worker. He moved to the capital city for work a few years ago, and has seven siblings and many nieces and nephews in his home province. His parents are retired and live with his eldest sister. With his work, he is able to support them. He is not yet married but it looking forward to it one day. In May of 2021, he was involved in an accident at work where a piece of heavy metal fell onto his foot and ankle. After the accident, he went to a clinic where he had the wound cleaned and dressed. However, the wound still became infected a few days later. His left ankle has now become swollen and painful, and it is difficult for him to walk. He has not been able to work since the accident. When Touch learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled there seeking treatment. On May 24th, surgeons at CSC will perform a debridement procedure to remove the damaged and infected tissue from the wound. Now, Touch needs help to fund this $273 procedure. Touch shared, "I am happy I can get this surgery and I hope that when my ankle is better I can be strong again and go back to work. I hope I can walk easily when I visit my family next, and they will not worry about me."

Grayson is the fourth born in a family of five children. His mother shared that their family is not well off financially, as his father works a matatu driver and the sole breadwinner. His mother is not able to go to work as she has to take care of Grayson and his younger brother. Grayson was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, Grayson has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Grayson will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on June 17th. AMHF is requesting $569 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Grayson’s mother says, “As his mother, I can do anything to see my child is treated but I cannot go to work to help raise the funds for his surgery as I have to take care of him.”

John is a 16-year-old and a bright seventh grade student. He is the youngest of two children and lives with his grandmother. He's also found a mentor in his church pastor who offers guidance and counseling. His family relies on their local church for food and living expenses. John 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, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH) is helping John to receive treatment. John is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on April 30th at AMH's care center. Now, AMH is requesting $735 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. John’s grandmother shared, “My grandson has had a traumatizing childhood which left him with poor self-esteem. Finding out about this condition made the situation worse, and his low self-esteem is more visible. I am hopeful that through getting this surgery, his self-esteem will improve and slowly but surely my grandson will be happy again.”

Hong is a 27-year-old man who works as a truck driver. He is married and has one son. In July 2020, Hong was in a motor vehicle accident that caused a fracture of his left proximal ulna and his left femur. Now it is difficult for him to use his hand and he is in chronic pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On June 18th, Hong will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $465. This procedure will help him use the left hand easily again. Hong said "I hope I can use my hand better than before so I can return to work."

Titus is a shy 12-year-old boy and the oldest of three siblings. His mother is a single mother who works in the laundry business. His mother's work has unfortunately been affected by the pandemic, so recently Titus has been staying with his aunt as she is able to provide the family with some extra support. On Wednesday, April 14th, Titus sustained a severe injury to his left fingers after a machete fell while he was fetching firewood from the forest with his friends. His aunt brought him to the hospital where he received an X-ray, which revealed a fracture. A cast was placed to stabilize the fracture and realign the normal position of the bone as he waits for surgery. Titus requires help so that he can undergo surgery. His family is asking anyone reading his son’s story to support her raise the amount needed for his treatment. Titus's aunt said, “Titus is in a lot of pain, I hope he gets treated and feels better and is well again.”

Komugisha is a small business woman from Uganda. She is a 41-year-old mother of three children, and she lives with them in a single-room rental house. After separation from her husband, Komugisha assumed the role as the sole breadwinner of her family. To earn a living, she trades in dry cereals to pay for the fees and expenses for her children, but faces difficulty when farming harvests are not productive. Six years ago, Komugisha began to experience troubling symptoms, including anterior neck swelling, difficulty breathing, and persistent pain. She was diagnosed with nodular goitre, or an enlarged thyroid gland. Initially, she had visited a different facility which gave her an oral medication, but her condition did not improve. Komugisha was also advised to undergo surgery, but she opted to use local herbs as medicine due to the costs. In the end, Komugisha was referred by a friend to our medical partner's care center, Nyakibale Hospital, where she had a scan diagnosing the goitre, and doctors suggest surgery to prevent worsening symptoms. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), is helping Komugisha receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on June 22nd at our medical partner's care center, where surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $252. Komugisha shared, “I can no longer walk for longer distances yet my job requires much walking to look for the cereals. My children are still in need of daily upkeep. Please help me."