Genesis is a calm 23-month-old baby boy. He's the youngest of two children born to his mother. Genesis’ father left the family when he was just a few months old, and Genesis' mother supports her children on her own. She used to earn a living working for a local safari company as a secretary, but unfortunately, due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the company shut down. She now takes cleaning jobs to support her family. For eight months, Genesis has experienced pain due to an inguinal hernia. If not treated, the hernia may lead to intestinal tissue damage or death. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Genesis to receive treatment. On May 31th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at AMH's care center. Now, AMH is requesting $566 to fund Genesis' surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and gow up confidently. Genesis’ mother shared, "please help my son. I don’t think I would be able to get the money to cover his treatment with no stable income. When the swelling appears he goes through pain making him cry a lot. Please help."

Faith is a 41-year-old woman from Kenya and the mother of two children, ages 22 and 15. She used to work as a second-hand shoe seller, but unfortunately, for the last year and a half she has not been working due to her condition. Faith and her children live with her mother who is a farmer. Several weeks ago, Faith had spinal surgery. During one of her follow-up check-ups, doctors noticed that she has purulent drainage from the wound and recommended an urgent surgical revision of her thoracolumbar spinal fusion. She is currently unable to sit upright. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), can help. On June 4th, surgeons from AMH will perform revision spinal surgery. Now, Faith needs help raising $1,500 to fund the procedure. Faith shared, “I am unable to walk without support. Most of the time I lay asleep on my back. I cannot take care of my kids who depend on me. I need this surgery to have my life get back to normal, especially walking again.”

Elvin is a one-year-old baby boy and the youngest in a family of two children. His mother shared that he is usually a smiley and happy baby. Elvin's mother sells goods at a shop, while his father is a welder. Elvin 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, Elvin has been experiencing pain and is at risk of brain damage. His condition has made him irritable and he experiences regular fevers and vomiting whenever he eats. Without treatment, Elvin will experience physical and developmental delays. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH) can help. AMH is requesting $1,300 to cover the cost of surgery to treat Elvin's hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on May 10th and will drain the excess fluid from Elvin's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, Elvin will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. Elvin’s mother shared, "my son’s head keeps increasing in size and his health keeps worsening each day, please help."

Sarah is a 73-year-old woman who is currently living with one of her four children. She used to run a green grocery shop that she closed down almost a year ago. She doesn’t have a source of income now and relies on her children for survival. Although they are supportive, she shared that all of her children don’t have stable jobs and income. In February, Sarah was diagnosed with breast cancer. Without treatment, the cancer may spread to other organs. A mastectomy, which is a surgery to remove breast tissue, has been recommended to rid her body of breast cancer and to prevent the cancer from metastasizing. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $857 to cover the cost of a mastectomy for Sarah. The procedure is scheduled to take place on April 9th. After treatment, Sarah will hopefully be cancer free. Sarah shared, “my happiness is gone, I feel sad and demoralized. I have no reason to smile or to be jovial since I will be losing one of my breasts. I know this surgery is important but sadly I cannot afford the entire cost. I hope to get the surgery and be fine again.”

Shoh is a 47-year-old man who lives with his wife, two sons, daughter-in-law and two daughters in Nu Poe Refugee Camp in Thailand. In the camp, Shoh and his oldest son are teachers who teach about the Quran for other refugees. They each earn 1,200 baht (approx. 40 USD) per month. His wife is often sick, and his eldest daughter has to look after her at home. His daughter-in-law is a homemaker while his youngest daughter and son are students. Shoh’s household receives 1,110 baht (approx. 37 USD) every month on a cash card to purchase rations in the camp. Their monthly household income is just enough to cover their daily expenses as they also receive free basic health care and education in the camp. Since February 2020, Shoh has had umbilical hearnia. Currently, Shoh’s abdomen pain is not severe but his hernia is still increasing in size. He feels uncomfortable when he walks because of his swollen abdomen. He cannot sleep well and is increasingly worried about his diagnosis. The pain in his abdomen increases when he feels cold, especially at night. Fortunately, on March 9th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at Mae Sot General Hospital, our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund Shoh's hernia repair surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on March 9th and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. Shoh said, “I do not want to stop being a teacher. I love teaching the Quran to young children. Also, if I do not teach, I do not earn an income and my family does not have enough income to cover our household expenses.”

Phorn is a 40-year-old construction worker with three children: two sons and one daughter. They all are now in school. Phorn is not working now but his wife is a factory worker. His parents live with his family and he supports them. For over two years, he has had pain in both hips. He feels his left side is much worse than the right. He describes his current health as generally very poor because he is in such pain. When he has pain, he has traditionally been able to buy pain medication from the pharmacy, but it has lately become unbearable. Doctors diagnosed his condition as avascular necrosis (death of bone tissue due to lack of blood circulation) of both hips. Fortunately, Phorn learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. At CSC, surgeons can perform a total hip replacement to relieve Phorn of his pain and allow him to walk easily. Treatment is scheduled for February 9th, and Phorn needs help raising $1,087 to pay for this procedure. He hopes after surgery, his left hip will not have pain, he can walk without help, and go back to work as before.

Anitha is a beautiful six-year-old child from Tanzania. She is the only child to her mother, who is a single parent. Her mother shared that Anitha's father left their family when Anitha was a baby and Anitha herself has never met him. Her mother helps her aunt in a small vegetable garden, where they grow tomatoes and sell them an open market. Whatever they can earn is what they use for their basic needs. Anitha has clubfoot of both her feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty with walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Anitha traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on January 5th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $935 to fund Anitha's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will be able to walk more easily and play with her friends. Anitha’s mother shared, “All I wish for my daughter is to see her walk normally so that she can pursue her studies and have a better life.”

Jane is a 65-year-old farmer from Kenya. She lives in a 3 room house that is built on their ancestral home in South Kinangop. Her husband passed on in 2004. Together, they had 4 children, all of whom are now adults. Jane does small scale farming mainly for home use, and does not have a source of income. Currently, none of her children have stable employment, and are unable to financially support Jane for the care that she needs. Jane has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Without treatment, the cancer may spread to other organs. A mastectomy, a surgery to remove breast tissue, has been suggested to rid her body of breast cancer and to prevent the cancer from metastasizing. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $857 to cover the cost of a mastectomy for Jane. The procedure is scheduled to take place on December 9th. After treatment, Jane will hopefully return to a cancer-free life. Jane shared, "I thought the itching on my breast was just normal but I was wrong. It has turned out to be cancer which I know can cause death if not controlled. Doctors say I need this surgery to help stop its spread, but I know I cannot afford it."

Hoeun is a 77-year-old fish seller from Cambodia. She has five children, ten grandchildren, and enjoys listening to the monks pray on the radio. Six months ago, Hoeun developed a cataract in each eye, causing her blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Hoeun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On January 15th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $425 procedure. "I hope that I will be able to see better and can go outside and recognize things again," she said.