Josephina is a young woman from Tanzania. She is the last-born child in a family of seven children, and lives with most of her siblings and both parents. Her parents are small-scale farmers who depend on agriculture to meet their basic needs. Though times have been hard, they are trying to manage. Josephina is hard-working and enjoys helping her mother with home chores like cooking, cleaning dishes, and washing clothes. She completed her primary school education, but unfortunately, she has not been able to continue with further studies because of financial challenges. In 2011, as she was helping her mother in the kitchen, her dress caught fire, burning her around the thighs. She was taken to the hospital where she received treatment for the open wounds. All the wounds healed, leaving her pain free for some time. She has now developed contractures and has pain and discomfort. Josephina came to our health center seeking treatment, but her parents cannot afford to pay for it. They appeal for support. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Josephina receive treatment. On October 19th, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help her be pain free and live a comfortable life. Now, her family needs help to fund this $874 procedure. Josephina’s mother says, “My child has had to endure pain for a while because we did not know that her condition can be treated. We hope that she won’t have any pain after this.”

Afrah is is a 26-year-old businesswoman from Uganda. Her husband works in construction, and her parents practice small-scale farming. The family rents a two-roomed home. During her free time, Afrah enjoys spending time with her family. Afrah is currently expecting her third child. She visited the hospital for a full antenatal package. Her doctors recommend that she deliver via a caesarean section to ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), is helping Afrah undergo a C-Section on November 8th. This procedure will cost $252, and Afrah is requesting support. Afrah says, “I will be glad to deliver my baby in good health with your financial support. I believe we will live to share happy moments, and I will continue doing business for a living."

Liam is a playful four-year-old boy and the only child in his family. Liam and his young, single mother both live with Liam's grandmother, and depend on her farm for food. Liam was born with a condition known as quad cop, which is a subset of cerebral palsy that affects all four of his limbs (both arms/hands and legs). In addition, Liam has clubfoot on both of his feet. Clubfoot is a congenital musculoskeletal condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes him to have a great deal of difficulty walking and wearing shoes. Fortunately, on March 15th, Liam will undergo clubfoot repair surgery at our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,286 to fund Liam's treatment. After treatment, Liam will be able to place his entire foot on the ground when he walks, compared to now where he can only walk on his tiptoes which makes it hard for him to get around freely and independently. In the future his mother hopes he will be able to run, play, and join school like other children. Liam's mother says, "We would like to request support because we have nothing in our pockets to facilitate the surgery he needs."

Koeun is a 78-year-old woman with one son, six daughters, and 30 grandchildren. Her husband had passed away five years ago, so Koeun currently lives with her eldest daughter who is a teacher. Four years ago, Koeun developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her blurry vision, photophobia, and tearing. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Koeun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On June 22, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $229 procedure. Koeun wants to be part of the social life again, "I hope my eye can see well again so I can see my family and join in ceremonies at the pagoda. I want to help my daughter cook and care for my grandchildren."

Gumisiriza is a four-year-old boy. He's in preschool and his mother shared that he already loves writing numbers. He and his younger brother live with their mother, while their father works away from home and is able to visit from time-to-time. Gumisiriza's mother supplements her husband's income by operating a small grocery shop. For eight months, Gumisiriza has had a right reducible inguinal hernia. The hernia causes him pain, especially when he is playing. He needs to undergo hernia repair surgery to reduce the risk of complications like strangulation. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Gumisiriza receive surgery. On June 9th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at AMH's care center and now, AMH is requesting $230 to fund Gumisiriza's surgery. Once complete, this procedure will hopefully allow him to grow and play along with his friends. Gumisiriza's mother shared, “my heart will be filled with joy and I will be really blessed if am given support for my child's surgery."

Losieku is a nine-year-old boy and the youngest child born to his mother, who has six children. He is a friendly, cheerful and hard-working boy. He has not had the chance to go to school yet, though his father says he has plans to enroll him in school next year if everything goes well. Losieku lives in Northern Tanzania. The majority of people in this area are traditional Maasai and are livestock farmers. Losieku's father has a few goats that Losieku and his siblings take out to graze. They also practice small-scale farming of maize and vegetables as a source of food. About three years ago, Losieku was out playing with his siblings. He fell and his left hand went into an open fireplace where a bit of hot charcoal was burning below ashes. He sustained burns which were treated at home using traditional herbal medication due to lack of money and distance to the closest hospital. Over the years, the skin around his fingers has contracted and he is unable to straighten them. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Losieku receive treatment. On March 3, surgeons at AMH's care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery so that he will be able to use his fingers freely. Now, he needs help to fund this $874 procedure. Losieku’s father shared, "it’s really challenging for my son to carry out his daily activities because of his hand. He is a hardworking boy, and if he gets his hand corrected, it will help him do more with ease.”

Sok Nim is a mother of three from Cambodia, with two sons and one daughter. She is in the military and her husband is an electrician. All of their children are in school. Sok Nim shared that her favorite part of the day is when she can go on walks with her children. Being out on her own has become more difficult because Sok Nim developed a pterygium in both eyes, causing her itchiness, tearing, and sometime pain. 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. When Sok Nim learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for six hours with her sister seeking treatment. Sok Nim 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 $216. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for December 16th. Sok Nim said, "I hope after surgery my eye is well so I can be free of worry."

Shabani is a 3-year-old child from Tanzania. Shabani is the youngest in a family of three children. He is a cheerful and happy boy despite his leg condition, which makes things difficult for him. Shabani’s father is a local fisherman who makes a small amount of income to support their family. Shabani was diagnosed with left genu varus, or bowleggedness. This condition causes his leg to be bowed inward at the knee. It 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 around normally. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Shabani. The procedure is scheduled to take place on January 5th. Treatment will hopefully restore Shabani's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Shabani’s father shared, “We are not happy to see our son suffer this way. Hospitals have become very expensive and we are unable to afford the cost. Please help support our child.”

Megan is a 3-month old baby girl from Tanzania, and the only child to her single mother. Megan was born with clubfoot and spina bifida, which contributed to her acquiring hydrocephalus. Megan’s father left their family when her mother was five months pregnant and they lost any contact with him. Megan's grandmother, who was also a single mom after her husband passed away at a young age, depends on selling second-hand clothes. Her income is very limited to be able to provide for her children and be able to afford school fees. Due to this, Megan's mother was not able to continue with her studies due to financial challenges and joined her mother in selling second hand clothes. Megan has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of her condition, Megan has been experiencing an increasing head circumference. Without treatment, Megan will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,300 to cover the cost of surgery for Megan that will treat her hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on September 21st and will drain the excess fluid from Megan's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Megan will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. Megan’s mother says, “I have no one to run to for help and support, all my relatives have told me they can no longer support us in any way and yet my daughter is suffering. Please help save my daughter.”

Musinguzi is a student pursuing a degree in English literature from Uganda. He is the third born in a family of eight children and he has two brothers operating small retail shops and five sisters who are all in school studying at different levels. Both his parents are small-scale farmers who normally grow food crops for home consumption and sell off the surplus to provide family basic needs and pay for school fees. Two years ago, Musinguzi developed an inguinal hernia. He is in pain and feels uncomfortable. Fortunately, on July 21st, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $230 to fund Musinguzi's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Musinguzi says, “I expect to have a new life after my surgery, be relieved from this pain and continue with my studies as well.”

Makara is a 27-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He has two sons, with his wife is taking care of them at home. He likes playing football, listening to radio, and taking his wife and kids to travel when he can. In January 2020, Makara was in a motorcycle accident that caused a fracture on his right femur. He went to a one military hospital where a plate and screws were fixated on his femur to heal the fracture but it is still not well. Now, the hardware is rotated and infected. It is difficult for him to walk, and he is in chronic pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On May 5th, Makara will undergo a hardware removal procedure, which will cost $230. This procedure will help him walk easily again. "I hope that I will be able to walk without pain after my operation, I want to work to make income and support my family," Makara said.

Kea is a three-year-old child from Cambodia. Her parents are both factory workers, and Kea is their only child. She has not started school yet, but she enjoys drawing pictures and listening to stories. She goes with her dad to play outside everyday. In July of 2018, she suffered a burn on her right hand from hot water. Her parents took her to a local hospital where the doctors were only able to clean and dress the wound. Soon her fingers became contracted and she could no longer use her hand normally. When Kea's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), they traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On July 9th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to release the tension in her hand and allow her to move her fingers well again. Now, she needs help to fund this $477 procedure. Kea's mother shared, "She has had problems playing with other children since she got this burn, so I hope after the surgery she can have a good time with her friends."