Chamrong is a 19-year-old motorcycle mechanic from Cambodia. He has three siblings and enjoys playing soccer and hanging out with his friends. Ten years ago, Chamrong had an ear infection. This infection caused a cholesteatoma, or an abnormal skin growth, to develop in the middle ear behind the ear drum. For this reason, Chamrong experiences discharge, tinnitus, hearing loss, and headaches. He is often unable to hear or communicate with others effectively. Chamrong traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On November 21st, 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 $842 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Chamrong said, "I hope that after my surgery, my ear infection will heal and my hearing will improve."

John is a student from Kenya. He is a form two student, aged 16 years from Zambezi in Kiambu County. He is a cheerful young man and the second last born in a family of six. John seems to be of a playful and easy going nature. John’s parents are both small scale farmers He fell from a tree and sustained a closed fracture of the left humerus on 20th August. He visited our facility and was reviewed by the surgeon who recommended ORIF. He is not able to use his left arm and is in chronic pain Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On September 05, John will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help him walk easily again Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $998 to fund this procedure. “I am looking forward to the day when I will be able to use my left hand like I was used to.” said John with a glimmer of hope in his eyes.

Abdirahim is a child from Ethiopia. Abdirahim is a cute boy who loves to play with others. He loves to play football with other children in the village. He also loves to watch animation movies. Abdirahim’s father is retired while his mother was a business woman who supported the family until six months ago when she passed away. Abdirahim has five siblings. Abdirahim underwent a colostomy, in which the end of the colon is brought through an opening in the abdominal wall. This surgery is often performed to bypass bowel malformations, but colostomies are usually temporary and may call for closure. In Abdirahim's case, his colostomy requires closure in order to restore bowel function and prevent future complications. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $961 to cover the cost of a colostomy closure for Abdirahim. The surgery is scheduled to take place on September 09 and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. His dad said “After the operation I see a bright future for our child. I believe his trouble will come to end. And for us the families, it is a big relief.”

Baraka is a two-year-old boy and the last born child in a family of five children. He is a friendly and playful boy. He has, for the past five months, been having pain in his right pelvis area. At first, his mother noticed he would cry a lot and she didn’t know what was wrong with him. They decided to take him to the nearest dispensary for a check-up but were only given medication without the diagnosis. His parents are small scale farmers and livestock keepers whose income is little and so they were not able to seek further healthcare then. After some time, as Baraka’s mother was giving him a bath he noticed as he cried a swelling would appear around the right side of his pelvis. He showed his father and they started inquiring from friends and relatives of anyone who knew what problem their son was having. It happened one of their neighbour’s child had the same problem and had been treated at our hospital. They advised them to try seeking help here. Baraka has been diagnosed with a right inguinal hernia that needs to be corrected surgically but due to the high cost of the treatment, they are unable to raise the money. They are asking for help. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $539 to fund Baraka's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Baraka’s mother says, “Please help my son this problem keeps getting complicated as time goes by.”

Bitwire is a small scale farmer from Uganda. She is married with four children who are all still in school. Bitwire and her husband are both small scale farmers. Together with the husband they grow crops like maize, millet, sorghum, groundnuts however they are of little demand thus affecting their economic status. They toil hard to get tuition for their children to go to school. Their first born is studying medicine at university but it has been alot of sacrifice on the part of Bitwire and her husband to ensure they can pay tuition. Bitwire presents with painful swollen mass on the left medial aspect of the right arm for one year. It has made her unable to lift her arm making her unable to work on her farm. Bitwire traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On December 03, surgeons will remove the mass. Now, Bitwire needs help to raise $187 to fund this procedure. Bitwire says, “I hope to get better after surgery I continue with farming for the survival of my family.”

Samwel is a child from Tanzania. He is the last born in a family of four children. He quite boy and shy in public. His father works a posho-mill shop (a local maize-mill) as the operator. He earns barely enough to support his family. Samwel’s mother is a stay home mother. Samwel was diagnosed with genu valgus. His legs bow inward so that his knees touch. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, he is unable to walk. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $940 to fund corrective surgery for Samwel. The procedure is scheduled to take place on September 3rd. Treatment will hopefully restore Samwel's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Samwel’s mother says, “Please help my son get this treatment so that he may walk without difficulty or pain. “

Dewel is a baby from Kenya. He has an umbilical hernia. Fortunately, on May 22, he will undergo repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $384 to fund Dewel's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. Jane, his grandmother, says, “I was shocked and scared when I was informed that Dewel will need surgery, but I felt that he needs treatment. I am confident that he will undergo a successful surgery."

Alfred is a casual laborer from Kenya. He is the father of a young baby. About two weeks ago, Alfred was in grisly road accident that left him with injuries. He is not able to walk on his own and he is in a lot of pain. He is not able to work and provide for his family. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On May 3, Alfred will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. He will be able to go back to work and care for his family. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,451 to fund this procedure. Alfred says, “I am in much pain and appeal for financial assistance. Once healed I will get a job to provide for my family."

Dorica is a mother of two from Malawi. She lives with her children, two grandchildren, and her husband. She does a lot of cooking at home and likes to rest in her free time. Since December 2018, Dorica has been experiencing prolonged bleeding. She has been diagnosed with unspecified abnormal vaginal bleeding. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, World Altering Medicine, is requesting $650 to fund Dorica's surgery. On March 28, she will undergo gynecological surgery at Nkhoma Hospital, our medical partner's care center. The requested money pays for supplies, medications, and seven nights of hospital stay. She looks forward to getting better after this surgery and hopes to start a business of selling doughnuts when she recovers.

Nandar is a 25-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her mother and 30-year-old brother in a village in Chaungzon Township of Mon State. Nandar was diagnosed with a heart condition that involves a malformation of the mitral valve, the valve between the left atrium and left ventricle. This valve controls the flow of blood, but certain conditions may cause blood to flow backward or the valve to narrow. Nandar experiences tiredness and difficulty breathing. She is unable to work because of her symptoms. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Nandar. The treatment is scheduled to take place on February 25 and, once completed, will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably. Nandar said, “I would like to get better so that I can go to work and help my mother. My brother is not able to work, so if I was stronger, I would take any job to help my family.”

Evalyne is a young student from Kenya. She is the last born in a family of six children. Her father practices subsistence farming to support his family. Evalyne was born with an anorectal malformation, a congenital abnormality that leads to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. She needs to undergo a series of procedures to eliminate bowel dysfunction. Evalyne is scheduled to undergo surgery to correct her condition on February 4. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,327 to cover the total cost of Evalyne's procedure and care. After her recovery, Evalyne will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. “I want to be a doctor when I grow up, to help children not to feel bad like me,” says Evalyne.

Srey Nin is a vegetable vendor from Cambodia. She has one daughter. She likes to watch TV and listen to classical music. Nine months ago, Srey Nin was in a motor vehicle accident that caused a fracture in her right tibia. It is difficult for her to walk, and she is in chronic pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On December 10, Srey Nin will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $430. This procedure will help her walk easily again. She says, "After the operation, I hope I can walk well and have no more pain."