Alex is an 11-year-old pupil from Kenya who is the elder of two siblings. His mother is a housewife while his father works as a casual laborer at construction sites. Due to his clubfoot, which causes his left foot to be twisted out of shape, Alex tiptoes when he walks, cannot walk for long distances, and currently stays home with his mother. He has difficulty walking and wearing shoes. Fortunately, Alex and his family traveled to visit our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, where surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on March 14th. African Mission Healthcare Foundation is requesting $1,286 to help support Alex's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk comfortably and return to school. “I am appealing for support from well-wishers to help my son undergo surgery and I will appreciate it,” Alex's mother said.

Meet Zipporah, who is almost three years old. She has four siblings and lives with them and her parents in Nairobi County in Kenya. Zipporah was healthy at birth. However, when she was about one year old, her mother noticed a swelling in her right thigh, which appeared to affect her mobility. Subsequently, Zipporah was diagnosed with Coxa vara, a deformity of the hip, which causes a shortening of the leg. As a result of her condition, Zipporah limps and experiences pain in her hip. With the help of our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, Zipporah is now scheduled to undergo surgery to correct her deformity on February 27th, at AIC Cure International Hospital. This procedure, which will cost $1,224, will prevent further deterioration of her condition. Zipporah and her parents need help to fund the costs of this life-changing surgery. “We would like to request support from well-wishers to help my daughter undergo surgery so that she can resume walking well like other children and enroll in school.” Zipporah’s mother told us.

Karim is a 10-year-old boy living in La Paz. He is in the fourth grade and really likes his math and science classes. Karim was born with a cardiac condition called Tetralogy of Fallot, which involves several related defects including a hole between the two lower chambers of the heart and a muscular blockage of one of the valves. During surgery, doctors will sew the hole closed and remove the blockage from his valve so that blood can flow more normally. Karim's family needs $1500 to pay for his surgery. Karim's mother shared: "Our family will be praying for everyone who is helping Karim to get his surgery!"

Dennis is the first born in a family of four children. When he finished high school, he was reluctant to join college because of his condition. He currently is not able to work because he gets easily tired and cannot carry heavy loads. He joined college just recently but has been out of school for the past two months. Now that he is at home, he helps his mother who picks tea for a living. He does not have a health insurance coverage and cannot raise the required amount of money to cater for his hospital bill. In 2019 while he was sitting for his national school exams, Dennis experienced sharp pain in his esophagus. He took a glass of water, and the pain went away for a few weeks. The pain used to occur roughly two times in a month and a glass of water would help a lot. Late last year, the pain worsened. He was not in a position to swallow food. He went to a herbalist and was given some medication to use for some time. When the dose was over, the pain was still persistent, and he still could not swallow food normally. He was then referred to Kijabe Hospital by a friend where he was examined and given some medication to use. He didn't feel better and decided to go back to the herbalist for different medication but there was no change. Later he finally returned to Kijabe Hospital and scans and tests revealed that he has Achalasia. He is scheduled for a heller's myotomy which is a curative laparotomy surgery for his condition. Now he needs $1,074 to pay for the surgery. Dennis says, "I feel very sad. If I was healthy, I would be able to work well and be comfortable with myself.”

Aung is a six-year-old student from Thailand. He lives with his parents and brother. His mother works at a factory, his father is a homemaker, and his brother goes to school. In his free time, Aung likes to play with his toys and watch cartoon movies on the television. Aung has cataract in his right eye. As a result, he can only see light with that eye, and his eye is very sensitive and irritated. Fortunately, on November 15th, Aung will undergo lens replacement surgery, during which surgeons will remove Aung's natural lenses and replace them with an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), is requesting $1,500 to this surgery for Aung. Aung's mother shared: “We do not have money to treat him ourselves. My son is so lucky to be treated through the help of donors."

Agnes is a college student and is in her final year pursuing an architectural course. She lives with her parents and is the second born in a family of three children, all of whom are in school and rely on their parents for school fees and upkeep. Her father is a carpenter in their hometown, Kimende, and his income is inconsistent and not enough to cover the cost of the required surgery. Her mother is a small-scale farmer. Agnes was heading home in the evening last night when she remembers hearing screams and was hit by an unknown motorist from behind. She has no recollection of what happened after that. She lost consciousness and could not recognize her surroundings. She was brought to our medical partner's care center Kijabe Hospital and had an x-ray that revealed a left distal femur fracture. Doctors have recommended an urgent fracture repair surgery since the wound is open and she is in extreme pain. Today, she has regained her consciousness but cannot sit or walk due to the fracture. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner are here to help. On October 14th, Agnes will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help get rid of the pain and she will eventually be able to sit and walk easily again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,500 to fund this procedure. Agnes says, “I am in so much pain and I cannot walk. I don’t remember what happened, I just found myself bedridden with lights all over. I am unable to go back home because of the fracture.”

Meet Venesa, a beautiful two year old girl. She was born at home with a swelling at the lower part of her back, and with legs that were not straight like other babies their family knew. The day after she was born, Venesa's parents took her to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with spina bifida and clubfoot. The family was advised to wait until Venesa turned nine months old, before having her undergo the surgery that she needs. Although surgery was deemed urgent, when Venesa was finally old enough, her parents couldn't afford to pay for it. Then, about a year ago, Venesa was diagnosed with hydrocephalus. Venesa's mom shared that shortly after this last diagnosis, Venesa's father abandoned the family and is not involved in helping support them any more. Venesa's mother used to work at a salon, but after Venesa's birth, she has been unable to work. They are now living with Venesa's grandmother, who does what she can to help. Without surgery for her spina bifida, Venesa risks paralysis of her lower limbs, infection of the exposed nerve tissue, and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,151 to cover the cost of Venesa's spina bifida closure surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on September 14th, at BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital. This procedure will hopefully spare Venesa from the risks associated with her condition, allowing her to experience a strong and healthy life. Venesa’s mother says: “Since she was born, I have no peace knowing that I can’t afford her treatment.”

Srors is a student and the only child in her family. Her parents are divorced and since childhood she has been living with an NGO in Kandal Province. She enjoys reading books, exercising, watching TV, swimming, and listening to music. She is completing 12th grade in public school and her best subject is math. Srors was burned all over the body by an oil lamp when she was three years old. After the accident her family took her to a hospital in Phnom Penh for one year of treatment. When she was 17, she was operated on again for related skin contractures. Now, she has come to our medical partner Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) because of unhealed tissue on her left knee. It is difficult for her to walk, and she is in pain. On April 5th, surgeons at CSC will perform a skin graft procedure to to help her walk easily again. Now, Srors needs help to fund this $474 procedure. Srors says, "I hope I can heal quickly and return to school."

Rose is a seven-year-old girl from Tanzania. She is an only child to her mother, who unfortunately passed away when she was one year old. She is now in the care of her aunt. Her aunt's husband practices farming and grows corn, sorghum, and potatoes. Rose had not been enrolled in school prior to this year due to her aunt's concerns about her condition, but she is now enrolled in kindergarten. Rose has clubfoot of both feet. Clubfoot is a condition where the foot is twisted out of shape. When she was three, her aunt noticed that she would fall every time she walked and that her legs seemed to be weakening. Rose currently experiences difficulty walking, playing, and carrying out other daily activities. Fortunately, Rose and her family traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on July 15th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $935 to fund Rose's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will be able to walk easily. Rose’s aunt shares, “...I would love to get her condition corrected, but I have no means.”

Seak Long is a 26-year-old construction worker. He lives in the far northwest of the country in Battambang province with his parents. In his free time, Seak Long enjoys playing football and listening to music. Two years ago, Seak Long developed an ear infection that caused a cholesteatoma, or abnormal skin growth, to develop in his middle ear behind the ear drum. For this reason, Seak Long experiences ear discharge, hearing loss, and ear pain accompanied by headaches. Consequently, it is difficult for him to communicate clearly with others. Fortunately, Seak Long could travel to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On June 14th, he will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure in his right ear. During this procedure, ENT surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $926 to fund this procedure, which covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Seak Long shared, "I hope my ear pain stops and my hearing improves."