Run is a 76-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He has five sons and seven grandchildren, and enjoys listening to the monks pray on the radio. One year ago, Run developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him blurry vision and photophobia. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Run learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. On February 20th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $229 procedure. "I hope that I will be able to see better than before so I can return to the pagoda and can recognize my relatives' faces," Run shared.

Bravin is a child from Kenya. He is a cheerful boy who is in preschool. He is the firstborn in a family of two children. Bravin’s mother is a stay-at-home mom, while the father is a casual laborer on construction sites. On July 4th, 2020 Bravin fell from a chair as he was playing in his house. He sustained a closed fracture-dislocation of the right elbow. He is in pain and cannot use his hand freely. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On August 5th, Bravin will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help him regain use of his hand and no longer be in pain. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,049 to fund this procedure. “I have watched my child suffering from pain for the past four weeks, yet we have no money to meet this cost. I kindly ask for help so that my boy can be well and use his hand so that he can grow up normally," shared Bravin’s mother.

Fred is a 28-year-old man who hails from the Uasin Gishu area in Kenya. He works as a waiter in a local hotel in his village. Fred is a husband and a father of three children aged between 8 years and 4 months. On October 10th, 2020, Fred was involved in a hit and run road traffic accident with a motorbike while heading home from work. He sustained a right tibia closed fracture and lacerations. Fred was brought by a good samaritan to Watsi's Medical Partner Care Center Kapsowar Hospital. His wounds were cleaned, a cast was applied, and he was admitted to the male surgical ward because he was unable to use or move his leg. Fred requires a nail implant surgery to correct the fracture and reduce chances of further complications such as healing with a malunion. The procedure will relieve him of pain and help him to walk normally again. Fred is worried about the struggles his family might face if he is not treated because he is the breadwinner of his family. Prior to his accident, he worked on farms until he was more recently employed at the hotel. His wife does not have a job and she mainly takes care of the children at home. Due to their limited income, they live in a single-room rental house. Fred is not able to meet the cost of surgery and thus appeals for financial assistance. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, can help. On October 15th, Fred will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. The surgery will help him walk easily again. Now, our medical partner is requesting $1,016 to fund this procedure. Fred shared, “I want to receive treatment and walk again so that I can be well and continue supporting my family.”

Naikulo is a smiley seven-year-old boy from Tanzania and one of almost 40 children in his family. They shared with us that his father is polygamous and has eight wives. Naikulo's father is an older man who depends on livestock keeping to be able to care for and support his family. Naikulo has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of his condition, Naikulo has been experiencing an increasing head circumference. Naikulo acquired hydrocephalus in 2012 and was able to have treatment through funding that helped relieve him of the pressure build-up which was putting him in danger of brain damage. However, Naikulo's shunt has failed and he needs another surgery to help relieve him from the pain he is going through because of the pressure build-up that has resulted due to the malfunctioning of the shunt. Without treatment, Naikulo will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $765 to cover the cost of surgery for Naikulo that will treat his hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on September 28th and will drain the excess fluid from Naikulo's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, Naikulo will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. Naikulo’s older brother says, “My parents are not able to come up with the money needed to treat my young brother, please help him he is suffering.”