Samir is a beautiful 12-day-old baby boy and the first-born child of his young parents. Both parents are very happy having had their first-born child, but they were became very concerned when they were informed that their son was born with a medical condition that need surgery to be corrected. Samir was born with clubfoot, a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. As he grows older, this condition will cause difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Samir’s father works as a mechanic, and he says he spent all his savings during the delivery, and he no longer has any money to be able to cover treatment for their son’s clubfoot treatment. Fortunately, Samir's family traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on April 22nd. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $935 to fund Samir's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to grow up healthy and walk well as he grows. Samir’s mother shared, “I don’t want our son to grow up with a disability of the foot just because we don’t have the money to treat him. Thank you for helping.”

Cornelius is four-month-old baby boy. He is the youngest in a family of eight children. Cornelius's older siblings are still school ranging from high school to primary school. Cornelius's parents are laborers on a tea farm making enough to meet the essential needs of the family. Without medical insurance, Cornelius's family cannot afford the cost of necessary medical treatments. Cornelius has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of this condition, Cornelius has experienced swelling in his head. Cornelius's parents took him to a hospital where he was examined and sent for a brain scan. Cornelius's parents could not afford the scan at that time, but soon after, friends of the family referred them to BenthanyKids Hospital. It was there Cornelius was was examined and scheduled to undergo a shunt insertion. This treatment will decompress the excess pressure in Cornelius's head, alleviate the swelling, and give Cornelius a chance at a better life. Without treatment, Cornelius will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Cornelius and his family raise $720 to cover the cost of the surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on March 31st and is expected to greatly improve Cornelius's quality of life. With proper treatment, Cornelius will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. Cornelius’ mother says, “We have faith that Cornelius will be healed.”

Mana is a curious 4-year-old boy and the youngest child in his family. He has an older brother and a sister. He does not attend school yet, but likes to play with puppets, or play football with his older siblings. He told us he would like to be a policeman when he grows up. His father sells Khmer cakes at the local market and his mother is a hairdresser. Mana has been experiencing difficulty swallowing and a sore throat. He often loses his appetite and gets fever frequently. His mother has taken him for treatment at other hospitals but his condition has not improved. Mana was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, which, if not treated, will cause his symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $241 to fund a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for Mana, which is scheduled to take place on March 14th. Surgeons will remove his tonsils and adenoids, hopefully relieving Mana of his symptoms and helping him live much more comfortably as he grows up. Mana's mother says, "I hope Mana will get better soon. I am worried he is small for his age and does not eat well because he is sick so often."

Sandrah is a nine-year-old student and the second born in a family of three children. Sandrah and her two brothers all attend school together. Sandrah is a quiet girl who loves to learn. Sandrah's mother shared that even at a young age, Sandrah has helped at home with cooking, fetching water, and washing utensils. Her mother wishes Sandrah to become a nurse when she is older. Sandrah's parents are farmers who sell their crops of cabbages, carrots, and beans to meet the needs of the family. Sandrah has been diagnosed with a hernia that causes her trouble sleeping comfortably, pain when lifting heavy objects, and abdominal pain. A few years ago, Sandrah's mother first took her to a care clinic where she was diagnosed and recommended for surgery, but the family could afford the surgery at that time. Once Sandrah's family heard about our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), affording the surgery finally became a possibility. When Sandrah was examined at our partner's care center, she was again diagnosed with a supra-umbilical hernia and recommended for surgery. This surgery is scheduled for March 29th, and AMH is helping Sandrah and her family raise the $230 necessary to fund the life altering operation. Once completed, this procedure will allow Sandrah to live more comfortably and confidently. Sandrah's mother shared, "I will be grateful to see my child in good health once again and I hope, with your support, it will surely be possible."

PhanNai is a seventh-grade student from Cambodia. She likes painting and reading Khmer literature, and hopes to become a doctor when she grows up. Five months ago, PhanNai developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her vision loss. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When PhanNai learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. On April 23, doctors will perform a lensectomy 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 $211 procedure. Her mother says, "I hope that my daughter's surgery is successful so she is able to see again and I won't have to worry about her."

“I wish I could go to school like my friends" said Leah. "I want to learn how to read and write.” Say hello to Leah, a shy but friendly eight-year-old girl from Tanzania who loves to play hide and seek. Leah has varus of the left foot, also known as clubfoot. Because of the pain it causes, Leah has difficulty walking. If not treated, Leah will most likely develop early osteoarthritis with continued severe foot pain. Leah is the second youngest in a family of six children. Her parents are small-scale farmers, growing potatoes, beans, and maize, using the produce for income and personal consumption. In addition to providing for their immediate family, Leah’s parents care for relatives’ children, stretching their income very thin. For $715, Leah will receive a corrective surgery that will allow her to walk properly and keep her out of danger of developing early osteoarthritis. Let’s help Leah walk to school pain free and live a healthy life!