Sarah is a 19-year-old student from Kiambu County, Kenya. She lives with her grandmother, who works on neighboring farms to support her family. Sarah completed secondary school last year. She hopes to attend college but is currently unable to due to lack of funding. In her free time, Sarah enjoys playing football. About seven years ago, Sarah started to experience an elevated heart rate and swelling in her neck. Now, she also experiences a hoarse voice and difficulty swallowing. When Sarah sought out care, she was diagnosed with an enlarged thyroid gland. Doctors suggested Sarah undergo a thyroidectomy to prevent her symptoms from getting worse, but Sarah's family can't currently afford to pay for her surgery. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), can help. Sarah is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy at our medical partner's care center on June 21st. During the procedure, surgeons will remove all or part of Sarah's thyroid gland. Now, AMH is requesting $625 to cover the cost of her procedure. Sarah's grandmother said, "Please help my granddaughter. She has been sick for a long time, and I know if she gets well, she can assist me a lot"

Lida is a bright and motivated ten-year-old student from Cambodia. She has two younger brothers, who are twins. To support their family, her parents sell electronic appliances from their home. Some of Lida's favorite activities include playing with her brothers, reading books, and watching cartoons. She also loves eating her favorite meal: fried fish and fresh milk! In school, her best subjects are Khmer literature and math. She aspires to be a lawyer when she grows up. For some time, Lida has complained of hip pain and weakness, which have progressively intensified over time. She has been diagnosed with multiple epiphyseal dysplasia, a condition that affects cartilage and bone development. Fortunately, she will undergo hip hemi-arthroplasty surgery on August 2nd at our medical partner's care center. During this procedure, surgeons will replace half of her right hip joint. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $544 to fund Lida's surgery at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully alleviate her pain and discomfort, allowing her to live more comfortably and confidently. Lida's father says, "I hope she gets well soon and can be comfortable again."

Meshack is a six-year-old boy, living with his mother and one sibling, in a one-roomed grass thatched house in a village in Kenya. Recently, Meshack completed his preschool studies and now he is in grade one. According to his mother, Meshack is very helpful, and always assists her around the farm and in doing household chores. Meshack's mother is a single parent and a farmer, who works hard to provide for her family. Meshack was born with a condition known as hemiplegic CP, which means that one side of his body is weak. His right foot is affected, making walking challenging. Additionally, Meshack was born with clubfoot of his left foot, which adds to his difficulty walking, and limits his ability to wear shoes. Meshack has already undergone some preliminary, preparatory procedures on his left foot during mobile clinic visits near his village and the next step is for him to have clubfoot repair surgery at our medical partner's hospital. Meshack and his mother have now traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on May 27th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,286 to fund Meshack's surgery, which will enable him to walk, to play with his friends, and to continue his education. “I would love to see my son walking like other children, and I will be relieved of the burden of carrying him to school,” Meshack's mother told us.

Chhanun is a playful five-year-old preschool student from Cambodia who has four older sisters. He currently lives with his grandmother because his parents are migrant workers in Thailand. They have not been able to visit him in two years. At home, Chhanun loves to play football and with his toys. When he was three-years-old, Chhanun had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in his left ear to perforate. He now experiences ear pain, discharge, and hearing loss. His condition also makes it difficult to communicate clearly with others. Fortunately, Chhanun and his family traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On July 13th, he will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in his left ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $487 to fund this procedure. This covers supplies, treatment, and inpatient care. Chhanun's grandmother says, "I hope his hearing improves and his pain goes away after this surgery."

Channarith is a 19-year-old student and security guard. He's the eldest of three in his family and his father is a construction worker. When not working or studying, he likes to play football, watch TV, listen to music, and help his mother with housework. Last November, Channarith was involved in a motorbike accident. He lost consciousness and severely injured his left arm. His parents took him to a clinic in their province, where doctors suggested they take him to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. He has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his left side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. Channarith cannot move his left shoulder and he has no elbow mobility nor finger movement. His muscles have atrophied and he has no feeling in his left arm. Doctors anticipate that a nerve transfer will help to restore movement to the associated muscle. Channarith traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment, which is the only center in the whole country where this treatment is available. On March 3rd, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, he hopes to use his arm again. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $696 to fund this procedure. Channarith says "I hope that I can use my arm and return to work as soon as possible."

Sina is a third grade student from Cambodia. He has two older brothers. He likes to play football and wants to be a policeman when he grows up. His favorite subject in school is Khmer and his favorite foods are milk and all kinds of soup. Three days ago, an insect entered his ear, causing ear pain, discharge, and bleeding. Sina traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On April 15th, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), will remove the insect and treat his ear. Now, Sina needs help to raise $231 to fund this procedure. "I hope that my ear will stop pain and bleed. One day I will go to school and become a policeman," Sina said proudly.

Christian is a baby from Kenya. He was born with hypospadias, a congenital abnormality that causes urinary dysfunction. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and will be at risk of infertility. Fortunately, Christian is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on July 2. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $700 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. “I do not have another source of income. Please help me,” says Christine’s mother.

Cherenet is a toddler from Ethiopia. He loves to play and laugh with kids in his age. His mom is a single mother. Cherenet was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, Cherenet has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Cherenet will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on May 2. AMHF is requesting $1,021 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. His mothers says, “All I want is for him to be cured. I hope my child will get the treatment and be healed.”

Joshua is a student from Tanzania. He loves going to school to make new friends and learn. Joshua was born with hypospadias, a congenital abnormality that causes urinary dysfunction. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and will be at risk of infertility. Fortunately, Joshua is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on April 9. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $986 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Joshua’s mother says, “I was scared that it is too late for my son to get any treatment since I could not afford to pay for his treatment sooner. Please help my son get the help that he needs so that he can be well.”

Stephen is a young boy from Kenya. He was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, Stephen has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Stephen will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on April 15. AMHF is requesting $542 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. “Please help me because no matter what I do, it would take my husband and I years to raise the needed funds,” says Stephen’s mother.

Ngais is a baby from Tanzania. She is an only child. Ngais was involved in a fire accident late last year. Her leg was burned and is not healing well. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Ngais receive treatment. On March 5, surgeons will perform a skin graft procedure. This treatment will help her leg heal well. Now, Ngais's mother needs help to fund this $711 procedure. Ngais’s mother says, “Please help my daughter get her surgery, she goes through a lot of pain during the dressing. This surgery will help her wound heal.”

Edward is a student from Kenya. He is the youngest in a family of four. Edward is a primary school student who aspires to become a doctor. His parents are farmers. This month, Edward was in a motorcycle accident, and he suffered a femur fracture. He needs intramedullary nailing to correct the fracture. He complains of mild pain. If not treated, Edward risks further complications, such as malunion. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On January 24, Edward will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This treatment will help him walk on his easily own again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,451 to fund this procedure. Edward says, “I wish to be treated. I want to become a doctor."