Rajabu is a 23-month-old boy and is one of five siblings. Early in his life, Rajabu's mother noticed that his stomach was increasing in size and that he was experiencing excretory dysfunction. She brought him to our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre, to be examined. She learned that the end of Rajabu's digestive tract did not form properly. Doctors first performed a colostomy to provide temporary relief of his symptoms. The next corrective procedure Rajabu needs to undergo is a posterior sagittal anorectoplasty (PSARP). Surgeons will reposition the end of his digestive tract, allowing proper function of the digestive system. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to fund Rajabu's PSARP surgery on January 9. Rajabu's parents are nervous about his upcoming surgery, but they are hopeful. "I hope that my child is able to grow up like other children after surgery," says Rajabu's mother.

Astania is two months old and lives in Haiti with her parents and four older siblings. She was born with a heart condition called ventricular septal defect, in which a hole exists between the two lower chambers of her heart. "Blood leaks through this hole without first passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen," our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA) shares. "This leaves her feeling sick and weak." Astania’s father works in construction, and her mother sells rice in a marketplace. Although they work hard, they cannot afford the heart surgery that their daughter needs. Her mother told HCA that “Astania has been sick ever since she was born,” and she is “very happy that [Astania] can have her surgery.” $1,500 will fund preparation and overseas transportation costs for Astania's surgery, which is also being funded with a subsidy of $5,000 from Gift of Life International. "A successful surgery will restore normal blood flow to Astania’s heart, and she will not have any further symptoms," HCA adds.

Meet Gloria, a one-week-old baby girl from Kenya. Gloria has a spina bifida, which is an open leaking mass on her back. This is a birth defect caused by an incomplete closing of the backbone and membranes around the spinal cord. “Because of the leaking mass on her back, Gloria was immediately referred for specialized treatment,” shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). “If not treated, Gloria is likely to develop spine complications such as kyphosis or scoliosis. She is also likely to develop infections through the open cyst on her back.” Gloria’s mother lives with her aunt and cousins following her parents’ death earlier this year. “Gloria’s mother depends on her aunt for support,” shares AMHF. “Gloria's grand-aunt is a small-scale farmer, while her grand-uncle is a motorcycle taxi operator.” With $805, Gloria will receive spina bifida closure surgery. This will help reduce the risk of developing infections or spine complications. “I have never seen a condition like this before!” shares Gloria’s mother. “I know I have to be strong but I am scared at the same time. Please help me get treatment for Gloria.”

Erick is a one-year-old boy living in Kenya. He has a twin sister and two hardworking parents. Although Erick’s parents work tirelessly to provide basic necessities for the family, they are struggling financially. Erick has a condition known as coronal craniosynostosis. The skull of a young child is made up of bony plates that allow for growth of the skull. But this condition puts pressure on his brain and can prevent him from fully developing. Erick’s mom is afraid, and says she prays “his bulging forehead is treated as soon as possible to prevent further damage to his brain.” Without this treatment, doctors are concerned that the major milestones in Erick’s life may be delayed, preventing his full development. We can help Erick and his family by funding the cranial expansion treatment he needs! This treatment will give his brain the room to properly grow. For $1,500, we can help Erick develop right along with his twin sister. Let's do this!