Nehemiah is a young boy from Tanzania. He is the fourth in a family of nine kids. Nehemiah has clubfoot of his left foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Nehemiah traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on December 14. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $890 to fund Nehemiah's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk easily and be able to join school. Nehemiah’s father says, “We are thankful that our son is receiving treatment.”

Kabajungu is a farmer from Uganda. She is married and a mother of seven children. Since 2017, Kabajungu has had a swelling on her inner arm. The pain makes it hard for her to dig and lift heavy objects. Kabajungu traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On May 9, surgeons will remove the mass. Now, Kabajungu needs help to raise $196 to fund this procedure. She says, "I am worried my arm might get deformed because now I cannot flex it easily."

Anthony is a child from Kenya. He lives with his family in a two-room house in the Rift Valley region. Anthony’s mother is a stay-at-home mom, while his father burns and sells charcoal to sustain the family's needs. With a very menial income, Anthony’s parents are not able to raise the funds needed for his surgical care. Anthony 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, Anthony has been experiencing irritability and pressure in his head. Without treatment, Anthony will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $685 to cover the cost of surgery for Anthony that will treat his hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on December 7 and will drain the excess fluid from Anthony's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, Anthony will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. “I had lost hope and all I did was pray that a miracle would happen and my son’s health gets restored. Watsi is part of an answered prayer for me,” shares Anthony’s mother.

Samuel is a 72-year-old man from Kenya. He lives with his wife, who is a subsistence farmer. He has one son who is a primary school teacher. Last year, Samuel started to experience blurred vision and difficulty focusing on objects. He visited a local clinic, where he was given eye drops for treatment. However, the blurred vision continued. Fortunately, Samuel found out about African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), our medical partner. He was told he would need cataract surgery for his left eye. Our medical partner, AMHF, is requesting $220 to fund Samuel's cataract surgery, scheduled for November 20. “I would be grateful if my vision improves. I want to help my wife in the farm," Samuel says.

Amanyire is a 22-year-old man from Uganda. He is the youngest of four children. Amanyire earns a living doing manual labor. He also sells goats. He did not receive an education because he could not afford to go to school when he was younger. In 2011, Amanyire developed a swelling in his upper abdomen, causing him pain and preventing him from digging or lifting heavy objects. Over the years, the swelling increased in size. Amanyire became unable to eat whole meals. Last year, he visited a local hospital, where he was diagnosed with an epigastric hernia. A hernia occurs when an internal organ pokes through the wall of the abdomen, causing severe pain. Left untreated, a hernia can cause intestinal blockage or prevent blood from reaching vital parts of the intestines. Fortunately, Amanyire visited our medical partner's hospital, Holy Family Virika Hospital. On November 16, doctors performed surgery to repair the abdominal wall, remove the bulging tissue in his abdomen, and reposition his herniated tissue. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $249 in funding. This fee covers the procedural costs, supplies, medications, and three days of inpatient care. Following recovery, Amanyire's pain will cease, and he will return to work.

“Patience was born at home, but was rushed to a nearby district hospital when her parents noticed an open mass on her back,” explains the African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), our medical partner in Kenya. Patience has spina bifida, a condition in which the vertebrae overlying the spinal cord remain unfused and open to the air. “Four-day-old baby Patience is the last born child in a family of eight children,” shares AMHF. “Patience's father is an herbalist, while her mother tends to their small farm. Patience's family is unable to raise funds for her surgical care.” For $805, we can fund a procedure that will close the open mass on Patience’s back. “Patience’s surgery will prevent infection and other complications of the spinal cord like tethered cord or kyphoscoliosis [irregular curvature of the spine],” AMHF explains. "I was very scared when I saw the open mass on my baby's back,” Patience's mother says. “I feared that she would not survive a day. I thank God that she can be treated and live a normal life."

Visa is a nine-year-old boy who lives in Cambodia. He was climbing a mango tree four weeks ago, when he fell and broke his wrist and elbow. Visa's wrist is healing well, but his elbow is still swollen and painful. Recently, he had to stop attending school. Visa needs surgery to realign his elbow with pins and give him full mobility again. Like many third graders, Visa’s favorite activity is playing soccer. Let’s help him get access to this surgery so he can get back to school!