Sokea is an 11-year-old student who is in the fifth grade. He has one brother and one sister. In his free time, he enjoys reading and playing football. His parents are construction workers. One year ago, the retina of Sokea's left eye detached, causing him partial blindness and tearing. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Sokea learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three hours with his mother seeking treatment. On June 11th, eye surgeons will perform a retinal detachment repair procedure in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $648 procedure. Sokea shared, "I hope I can see well so I can study better in school and play with my friends."

Morn is a 52-year-old motorbike taxi driver. He has one son, six daughters, and seven grandchildren. Morn also does rice farming in the rainy season. In his free time, he enjoys listening to the radio, watching TV, and spending time with his grandchildren. Morn got into a motorbike accident today on his way home that caused an open fracture of his right hand. After the accident, he came straight to Children's Surgical Centre for treatment. He cannot move his fingers and is in severe pain. On March 31st, surgeons at Children's Surgical Centre will perform a debridement procedure to thoroughly clean the wound and remove all debris and damaged tissue. Surgeons will also affix a k-wire to heal the fracture. Now, Morn needs help to fund this $273 procedure. Morn shared, "I am thankful for surgery and hope I can heal and return to my work without pain or limitations."

Ko is a 37-year-old father of five who lives with his wife, three daughters and two sons in a refugee camp in Thailand. His family receives a cash card every month from an organization, but this is not enough to cover their expenses. Therefore, he also works as an agricultural day laborer in a nearby Thai village. In his free time, Ko enjoys playing cane ball and spending time with his friends. On December 11, 2020, Ko slipped and fell onto rocks outside of the camp. When he tried to get up, Ko could tell that his leg was broken. He went to the hospital in the refugee camp run by Malteser International (MI). He was eventually referred to a hospital where he underwent surgery to insert a metal rod into his leg on December 25, 2020. When he went back to the hospital for his follow-up appointment on February 3, 2021, the doctor observed that the surgical wound was infected and he underwent surgery to clean his wound. When the wound still did not heal, the doctor referred him to another hospital, where the doctor told him he would need an additional surgery to remove necrotic tissue and replace the rod in his leg. Currently, Ko is experiencing a lot of pain. It is difficult for him to walk and he is worried about his family in the camp. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Ko will undergo surgery to reset his fractured bones and finally heal. This procedure will allow Ko to walk and his leg to heal properly. The procedure is scheduled for March 12th and will cost $1,500. Ko shared, “I really want to work to support my family as soon as possible. I cannot imagine what life would be like for my family if my leg never heals.”

John is a 10-year-old boy from central Kenya. He was recently diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, John has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on March 30th with assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). John’s mother shared, “Raising money for my son’s surgery is very difficult. Any financial assistance will be highly appreciated.”

Isack is 34-year-old from Tanzania and the youngest in a family of six children. One of his older brothers passed away last year due to COVID-19, leaving the family in a tough situation. Before his accident, Isack was working as a driver’s assistant in a truck with his brother, who was the driver. Working as a driver's assistant helped Isack make a living and he was able to support himself. In 2019, however, Isack was involved in an accident which left him with an open wound on his right leg. On the day of the accident, Isack was checking on the truck that was being serviced. As the mechanics were working, gas was unknowingly spilt on Isack's trousers. Afterwards, a match stick caught on Isack's right trouser leg starting a fire. Since then, Isack has not been able to work or support himself due to his leg injury. The wound is not healing, making walking very difficult. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Isack receive treatment. On March 19th, surgeons will perform a skin graft procedure to heal his wound and infection. Now, Isack needs help to fund this $747 procedure. Isack shared, "I am not able to work and support myself because of my leg. My family is currently struggling and they too cannot help due to lack of money. Please help me have my leg treated so that I can work."

Caroline is a 62-year-old mother of four from Kenya. Her children still depend on her for financial support. She and her youngest daughter grow vegetables together to make extra income. With no extra source of income, Caroline cannot raise the required amount of money to cater for her surgery. Eight years ago, Caroline started experiencing pain and abnormal bleeding. She has been diagnosed with postmenopausal bleeding with fibroids. Now, she needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $794 to fund Caroline's surgery. On February 10th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center. Once recovered, Caroline will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Caroline shared, “The urgent surgery to be done is very crucial to my health, as I have been feeling weaker each day. I am requesting for any financial help you can provide."

James is a very playful and jovial boy. He loves to play with his friends and, his grandmother shared, they would play with anything because toys are hard to come by. One day James and his friends found a calabash and chose to play with it. While they were playing, one of them took the calabash and threw it to James. The calabash hit James at his right hip and he fell down. He struggled to stand up and immediately started limping and crying out of pain. He was rushed home to his grandmother where she took him to a nearby facility. James was given some pain medication and then sent home. His grandmother shared that a few days down the line his situation was not getting any better and he could not walk. James's grandmother sourced some funds and brought him to Kijabe Hospital for examination. Upon review, the doctor requested scans to develop a treatment plan, but due to lack of money to pay for the scan, his grandmother decided to go back home and look for money. While at home, it was took her a long time to raise the required amount for the scans. One day their church pastor visited to check on how they are adapting to life after the death of James’s mother. During the visit, he noticed that James was barely moving. He was concerned and asked his grandmother what was wrong. James's grandmother explained what happened and the current situation they are in. The pastor brought James back to Kijabe Hospital for the scans. When the doctor reviewed the scans, they immediately admitted James as an emergency case and a surgery was done helping to save his leg. During a regular clinic follow-up yesterday, his doctor noticed that the wound was oozing and was concerned about an infection. An x-ray was done and showed that his leg again needs emergency surgery to treat his condition. James is the youngest of four children. His father separated with his mother, and left James and his siblings to his mother. A few years later, James's mother died and his grandmother has taken full responsibility of the four children. To earn a living, his grandmother does laundry and ploughs farms for their neighbors. She does not have another source of income. James's first surgery was supported by Friends of Kijabe Hospital, but his grandmother is appealing for financial help for the surgery that is now needed for James. James’ grandmother shared, “At home after the first surgery, I was very happy to see James slowly trying to play with his friends again. Those were happy moments that I never thought James would experience again. I am requesting for financial help to put back a smile on his face."

Kevin is a very playful 5-year-old from Kiambu County, Kenya. He is the only child to his mother, and was born when she was 17 years old so they decided to give him his grandmother's surname. His mother has been able to find casual jobs like working in neighbors farms and washing clothes. They also depend on Kevins’ grandmother who is a small scale farmer. Last week, while playing, Kevin slipped and fell. He sustained a closed fracture of his left hand (radius and ulna) and is unable to move his hand. He was brought to the hospital and the doctor advised he needs an ORIF procedure to correct the fractures. Kevin’s mother and grandmother could not raise the fee required and need help. If not treated Kevins’ hand may heal with a deformity or may have delayed healing or malunion. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On December 17th, Kevin will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This surgery will help him move his hand easily, reduce the pain and be free from future complications. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,049 to fund this procedure. “My child had just started school and I had high hopes of seeing him grow up like other children. I kindly ask for help so that he can be well again and continue to play as he enjoys. We are desperate and can’t get the money required,” said Kevin’s mother.

Samrith is a 27-year-old delivery man from Cambodia. He is the eldest ins his family and has two brothers and one sister, all of whom are students. Samrith's mother works as a clothing seller and his father is a taxi driver. In his free time, he enjoys listening to music, playing on his phone, and meeting up with friends in the evening. On September 23rd, Samrith was in a motor vehicle accident that caused a fracture and paralysis of his right arm. His family took him to a private clinic to treat the fracture, which has now healed. However, the nerve damage remains. Samrith has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his right side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. He has no sensation or mobility in his right arm, which prevents him from working. Samrith traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On November 12th, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, he will regain full range of motion of his arm. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $696 to fund this procedure. Samrith shared, "I hope after my surgery I am able to use my right arm again and return to working without pain."

Margreth is a six-year-old girl and the second-born child in a family of six children in Tanzania. She is a hard-working girl despite being young and not being able to straighten her left hand after being involved in a fire accident two years ago. Margreth helps look after her younger siblings when her parents are out working on the farm. Her parents say she has not had a chance to join school in fear of discrimination due to her disability. Her parents are small-scale farmers and livestock keepers. They depend entirely on what they harvest from the farm for a living and sometimes they are able to sell milk from their cattle. In 2018, Margreth was sitting around the fireplace warming herself with her siblings when her Maasai clothing caught fire. Margreth panicked and started running crying for help when her grandmother and mother came to her rescue and put the fire out by taking her clothes off. She had sustained severe burns around her belly and the left hand. She was rushed to the district hospital where she was admitted for six months for treatment. The cost of her treatment made her parents sell almost all of their cattle in order to settle the bill. She healed but now she is unable to straighten her left hand which is limiting her in carrying out her daily life activities. She needs to have her hand-corrected, but her parents can’t afford the cost thus they are asking for support. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Margreth receive treatment. On October 12th, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery so she will be able to utilize her hand with greater ease. Now, her family needs help to fund this $874 procedure. Margreth’s mother says: “Life would be easier for our daughter if she is able to have this surgery. Our problem is that we can’t afford the treatment cost. If it’s possible please help our daughter.”

Havireak is a 31-year-old man from Cambodia with one older brother. Havireak has developmental disabilities and has never worked outside of the family home. Due to his needs, his mother looks after him. Havireak's father passed away many years ago from liver cancer. His mom is retired so she has time to care for him but she is getting older making things more difficult. Havireak's brother supports them both. Two years ago a skin ulceration on Havireak's buttocks developed. The skin became infected and there is a large wound of the sacral region. This limits his ability to sit and sleep in a comfortable position. As it has grown it has become more painful and infected. When Havireak learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled to the hospital seeking treatment. On June 1st, surgeons at CSC will perform a debridement and skin flap procedure to clear out infected skin and close the wound. He will be able to feel comfortable again and not require so much special care from his family. Now, he needs help to fund this $657 procedure. His mom says, "his condition worries me so much and I am worried that if it gets any worse I can not continue helping him each day."

Sidaneth is a 25-year-old receptionist from Cambodia. She has two sisters and brothers, and enjoys listening to music and hanging out with her friends. When she was young, Sidaneth had a serious ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in her ear to perforate. For this reason, Sidaneth experiences hearing loss, discharge, tinnitus, and vertigo. She often feels dizzy and cannot hear others clearly. Sidaneth traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. She previously received treatment for her other ear, but now needs follow up to complete the procedure on the other side. On January 7th, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $464 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. "I hope that surgery will clear up my ear infection and my hearing will improve," she shared.