Valentine is a 17-year-old gentle girl from Kenya, the third born in a family of six. She’s currently in secondary school, having just completed Form 2, and she excitedly looks forward to joining Form 3 next year. While her older sister pursues her dreams at hairdressing college and doing her best to support the family with her limited income, Valentine has been working hard in school, hoping to create a better future for her family. Their parents are small-scale farmers, working tirelessly on a tiny 1-acre plot of land. They grow vegetables and tend to mango trees, while Valentine’s father supplements their income by operating a motorcycle taxi. Despite their best efforts, it’s a daily struggle to meet the basic needs of all their children, each of whom is in school. Recently, Valentine faced an unexpected crisis. While riding as a passenger on a motorcycle, an accident led to a serious injury, fracturing her leg. In severe pain and unable to walk, she was taken to a nearby facility where doctors confirmed the injury. Valentine was then referred to our medical partner's care center, AIC Kapsowar Hospital. Upon her arrival, the hospital team worked quickly to manage her pain and stabilize her leg. However, the expenses involved in her treatment, particularly the necessary surgery to repair her fracture, are beyond her family's reach. Her parents are unable to afford medical insurance and are struggling to keep up with the costs. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On November 28th, Valentine will undergo a fracture repair procedure called an open reduction and internal fixation, that will hopefully restore her mobility. Now, Valentine's family needs help to fund this $861 procedure. Valentine says, "I never imagined I would end up in the hospital during my school holidays. Now, I can’t walk on my own, and I hope to get better before school reopens in January."

Sem is a 61-year-old rice farmer from Kampong Speu province. She is married with three sons, one daughter, and seven precious grandchildren. She lives with her husband and her youngest son, who are both rice farmers. In addition, her husband likes to fix houses in the off-season to make extra money for their family. At home, she likes to listen to the monks pray on the radio, and help to care for her grandchildren. One year ago, Sem developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her difficulty seeing in bright or low lights, and blurry vision. Sem shared she has trouble doing simple household tasks because of her poor eyesight. When Sem learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On December 6th, doctors will perform phacoemulsification cataract surgery and place an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Sem said: "I hope after surgery I can see again. I want to go outside to help my family plant rice and cook for them again."

Lonh is a 23-year-old father from Cambodia. He is married and has one son, who just started school. He and his wife are both rice farmers, but Lonh began working at a restaurant in Phnom Penh, Cambodia's capital city, for additional income. During his free time, he enjoys fishing, playing football, and listening to music with his wife. Last November, Lonh fell in a rice paddy field, a flooded field used for growing crops. This fall left him with an injured right knee that became very hard and swollen. After paying close attention to the injured area, he noticed that he had developed a tumor. A biopsy of the mass revealed that he has osteosarcoma, a rare type of bone cancer that commonly originates in the long bones. Lonh currently experiences persistent pain and difficulty sleeping. He is also unable to walk or work. When Lonh learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for six hours seeking treatment. On August 4th, surgeons at CSC will perform an above-the-knee amputation to treat his cancer. Now, Lonh needs help funding this $479 procedure. Lonh shares, "I hope after this surgery I will be able to return to my family and see my son grow up."

Saidi is a 23-year-old from Tanzania who was born with spina bifida. He was able to have his spina bifida corrected when he was younger, which saved his life and allowed him to grow up to a strong young man. Saidi was able to go to school until class seven but was not able to continue with his education due to his parents' financial challenges. Saidi’s parents are small-scale farmers and have six children, of which Saidi is the third born child. Saidi used to join his parents in farming, but he had to stop and seek treatment because his legs and feet are bowed, which makes standing and walking very challenging. In 2014, Saidi came to our medical partner's care center to seek treatment because he had limb external rotation, which was causing him difficulty with walking and carrying out daily life activities. Through funding support, he was able to have his feet and legs corrected, and was able to resume normal life once more. Since then, over the last few years Saidi’s left foot has developed a serious infection that has struggled to heal. The infection would repeatedly start to heal but would return within five to six months, which makes it difficult for him to work and make a life for himself. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On January 19th, Saidi will undergo a left leg amputation below the knee to save him from the pain and suffering he is going through as doctors noted his foot can no longer be saved. Through this surgery, Saidi will eventually be able to use a prosthetic leg which will enable him to walk with ease and return to his daily life activities. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,088 to fund this procedure. Saidi shared, “Please help me as this foot has taken me through so much suffering and pain. I would like to be able to work and make a living for myself, but due to this infection I haven't been able to do that. Kindly help me.”

Rith is a mother of five with two sons, three daughters, and many grandchildren. She and her husband are farmers but they do not go to the rice field anymore because of their age; they stay at home to look after their grandchildren. She lives with her son who is a farmer too. Three year ago, Rith developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her photophobia, blurry vision, and frequent tearing. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Rith learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two and a half hours with her son seeking treatment. On January 11th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $229 procedure. She told us, "I hope after surgery I will see well, help my son take care of our grandchildren, cook, and will be able to go to the pagoda near our home."

Resrida is a student from Tanzania. Her parents are farmers. Resrida has clubfoot of her right foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Resrida traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on January 4. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $890 to fund Resrida's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will be able to walk and work. Resrida says, “If am able to get treatment of my foot I will be able to work without any limitations because of my foot and be able to follow my dream of owning a business."