Giovani is a one-year-old boy who lives with his parents and one older sibling. His mother works as a local roadside vendor, selling fruits, and his father, who is unemployed, is making dedicated efforts to secure a job to support his family. In addition to his job search, he has taken up poultry farming, involving the production and sale of chickens and eggs, so that he can contribute to the family's income. In April 2023, Giovani, while exploring alone in the kitchen, came upon a pot of hot soup. He immersed both of his arms in the pot, and sustained severe burns on his hands. His parents rushed him to the local hospital, where Giovani stayed for the next two months, while he received treatment for his wounds. Although he was eventually discharged after his wounds had healed, Giovani's hands had sustained significant skin damage. Despite facing financial constraints, Giovani’s father remained determined to find a solution for his child’s condition. While inquiring about a suitable location to receive treatment for his son, he encountered the parents of one of our former patients, who directed him to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare and the Plaster House. Following a thorough evaluation, the medical team diagnosed Giovani with burn scar contractures, affecting both of his hands. Four months later, Giovani was evaluated by a plastic surgeon, who devised a surgical treatment plan to address Giovani's inability to use his fingers to grasp objects - a result of the burn contractures. Giovani's parents are reaching out to you for assistance, to ensure that their son receives the appropriate medical care he requires. Fortunately, African Mission Healthcare is helping Giovani receive the care that he needs. On August 16th, surgeons will perform a burn contracture release surgery, to improve his hands’ functionality and appearance. Now, their family needs help to fund this $874 procedure. Giovani’s father says: “I wish to see my son enjoying playing with his toys. We hope this treatment will be a big change from his current situation.”

Richard is a 23-year-old man from Kiambu County, Kenya. He is married and has one child who is two years old. Richard is originally from Uganda, and he moved to Kenya in 2022 in search of a job. Now, Richard works as a casual laborer on farms in Kiambu County. On June 21st, Richard was opening the gate for his boss's vehicle when the gate accidentally closed on his hand. Richard was first taken to a nearby hospital for first aid and then taken to our medical partner's care center for an x-ray. The x-ray showed an open fracture in Richard's pointer finger, and the surgeon advised Richard to undergo a surgery called open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) to fix the fracture. However, Richard cannot currently afford this surgery. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), can help. On June 23rd, Richard will undergo an ORIF procedure to fix his hand. After his procedure, Richard will be able to return to work pain-free. Now, AMH is requesting $1049 to cover the cost of Richard's procedure. Richard said, "My hands help me work and feed my family. My wife is not working, so I kindly request assistance so that once my hand is healed I can resume my job and support them"

Renatus is a seven-year-old boy in grade 1 from Tanzania. He is smart, charming, and enjoys playing with everyone he interacts with. Whenever engaged in conversation, he exudes confidence. Renatus is the younger child in a family of two siblings. His parents are farmers and livestock keepers, making every effort to provide for their family. However, inflation makes it challenging for them to meet all their needs. During his early growth stages, Renatus effortlessly went through crawling, standing, and beginning to walk. However, as time passed and he started walking more, his legs began to show signs of bowing. This concerned his mother, leading her to take him to the hospital for evaluation. The doctor advised starting him on calcium therapy, but unfortunately, the treatment proved ineffective. Consequently, the mother sought another medical opinion from various medical centers, but the condition continued to worsen as Renatus grew older, making it increasingly difficult and painful for him to walk. Renatus and parents traveled 6 hours to seek treatment. He was diagnosed with a wind-swept deformity, which affects both of his legs, leading to reduced stability while walking. He was also diagnosed with clubfoot of both feet, a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. These conditions cause difficulty in walking and wearing shoes. He has become less confident during playtime, as he frequently trips and falls. Our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH) determined that the best course of action is corrective surgery to improve Renatus’s quality of life. Surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on August 2nd. AMH is requesting $935 to fund Renatus's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk and play easily. Renatus’s mother said, "I wish my son to have a good life ahead free from any defect. I hope this treatment will make it possible for him to have a good future.”

Rajai is a 13-year-old student from Tanzania. He loves science classes and enjoys playing football and racing track at school. At home, his parents and two older siblings are farmers who rely on the crop yield to support the family. When Rajai was 8 years old, he stumbled while playing with his siblings and fell, injuring his left arm. Although his parents rushed him to the hospital, the skin and fingers on his left hand were damaged. As a result, he isn't able to use his arm in most of his day-to-day activities. At school, he feels self-conscious when new people are shocked upon seeing his injury. Rajai would also like to help more around the farm at home, but feels that his hand limits him. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Rajai with treatment. On March 9th, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help him use his hand freely again. Now, he needs help to fund this $832 procedure. Rajai says, “I am hopeful that this treatment will increase my confidence around new people.”

Benson is a 68-year-old small-scale farmer from Uganda. He is a father to two children, sadly mentioning that three others have passed away. Benson worked in construction, but due to his age, he transitioned to farming. His wife contributes to farming as well. Recently Benson has experienced some health difficulties, and he said that his daughter's support has been crucial for him and his wife. For the past nine months, Benson has experienced swelling around his shoulder blade. The swelling also causes discomfort, numbness, and pins-and-needles sensations. He struggles to turn his head and experiences sleepless nights due to the pain and consistent headaches. After undergoing an examination, doctors discovered a mass in Benson's shoulder that is causing his symptoms. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), can help. Benson traveled to AMH's care center and will undergo surgery to remove a mass in his shoulder on July 11th. Now, Benson needs help to raise $137 to fund this procedure. Benson says, “I hope to be relieved from all the pain I’ve had once I am operated on.”

Reuben is a 60-year-old labourer from Kenya. He hails from Rungiri in Central Kenya. He is married and has two young children. Reuben does casual jobs either at construction sites or any other that may be available. His wife is a homemaker taking care of the children. Being the only breadwinner, Reuben has been doing well in his jobs. But about two weeks ago, he was given the job of picking avocados. Unfortunately, the ladder he was using accidentally fell, and thus he also fell to the ground. He sustained an injury to his right hand and was taken to the hospital where an x-ray was done and confirmed a fracture. A bandage was applied and he was advised of the need for orthopedic surgery and asked to go to a bigger hospital. He opted to come to Nazareth Hospital where the surgery can be performed. Due to his socioeconomic status, Reuben and his family cannot raise the fee for this treatment and require help. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On September 14th, Reuben will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. If untreated, Reuben may not be able to use his hand, and the fracture may fail to heal properly, leading to deformity. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,049 to fund this procedure. Reuben says: “I am the breadwinner of my family and have no one to turn to for these treatment charges. I kindly request to be assisted so that I can be well, go back to do my job and feed my young family."

Gift is a 5-year-old playful boy from the coastal region of Kenya. He is the youngest of three children, and they all live with their mother. Gift's mother is a casual labourer, often vending sweet potatoes, arrow roots and vegetables to earn a living for her children. Gift desires to be a doctor, and his mother says he loves reading. Gift sustained a fracture on his left humerus (upper arm) and was taken to a nearby hospital, where a cast was applied. However, the factured arm did not heal properly. Doctors determined that Gift needs a left derotational surgery osteotomy to heal his fracture, meaning that doctors will cut the bone and realign it properly. The corrective surgery will allow Gift to use his arm with ease, continue playing with other children, and grow up active and healthy. Our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH) will perform this surgery on July 17th and is requesting $1,224 to fully fund the procedure. Gift’s mother shared, “I am looking forward to seeing him progress with life like other children.”

Baraka is a 15-year-old boy who is in fifth grade, and resides with his uncle in Arusha. Seven of Baraka's ten siblings have passed away, as has his mother, after a prolonged bout of ill health. Baraka's father lives in a different region of the country, and has entrusted his care to the uncle, who has six children of his own. When Baraka was a young child, he fell onto a lighted stack of firewood while playing. He sustained severe burns - which were successfully treated - but which have left him with residual scar contractures around his mouth, and on and under his arm. Baraka lived with these contractures for a long time, until he met a neighbor, who told Baraka and his uncle about Plaster House. Baraka's uncle was unable to bring Baraka to Plaster House, so their neighbor, Charles, undertook to do so. Baraka is looking forward to treatment, as the contractures have negatively affected his confidence when he is interacting with other people. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Baraka receive the care that he needs. On August 16th, surgeons will perform burn contracture release surgery, which will enable Baraka to have improved mobility, functionality and appearance. Now, he needs your help to fund this $874 procedure. Baraka says: “I desire an improvement in my facial appearance. Right now, I lack confidence in how I look. I hold the hope that this treatment will bring about a substantial transformation in my appearance.”

Godlove is a 2-week-old baby boy and the youngest of 4 children. Godlove’s father, who works diligently as a car mechanic, is the main breadwinner for their family. Despite his efforts, his income is insufficient to cover all their expenses. In response to this financial gap, Godlove’s mother has established a small charcoal-selling business within their community to contribute to their family’s financial stability. Godlove was born with clubfoot of his left foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This will cause difficulty walking and even wearing shoes as he grows. Fortunately, Godlove's family traveled to visit our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH) and The Plaster House NGO where he is scheduled to undergo clubfoot treatment on August 11th. After treatment, he eventually will walk independently and comfortably, even allowing him to wear regular shoes. His legs will not be a hindrance to his participation in everyday activities as he matures. AMH is requesting $935 to fund Godlove's clubfoot repair. Godlove’s mother said, “I wish for my son’s legs to be okay. I hope this won’t be a problem in his future.”

Edisimary is a 49-year-old farmer. She has six children: three sons and three daughters. Her eldest son is a welder, and her two younger sons are training to be mechanics. All three of her daughters are currently students. Edisimary shared that she completed the seventh grade but was unable to continue her education due to a lack of funding. Now, Edisimary and her husband work as farmers on a small piece of land where they eat what they grow and sell any surplus to generate income. During her free time, Edisimary enjoys listening to the radio. For the past three years, Edisimary has experienced painful swelling in her neck, shortness of breath, and difficulty swallowing which has impacted her voice. She has difficulty working, as her symptoms also cause her to tire quickly. Due to financial challenges, Edisimary has been unable to seek medical attention. A friend informed Edisimary of a surgical support program at our medical partner's care center and she decided to go hoping for support. There she was diagnosed with a bilateral goiter which requires surgery to prevent her symptoms from worsening. Thankfully, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, can help Edisimary. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on June 6th at our medical partner's care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland to help relieve her symptoms. This procedure will cost $252 and Edisimary and her family need help raising money for her treatment. Edisimary says, “I hope to get well and expect a complete recovery once I am given your kind support for surgery.”

Sarah is a 47-year-old woman from Kenya. She is married and has seven children. Three of her children have finished school, two are in secondary school, and two are in primary school. Sarah's husband is a farmer who plants and sells maize to support his family. In the past, they had livestock as well, but they sold all of them to raise school fees for their children. About two years ago, Sarah started to experience neck pain, neck swelling, and fatigue affecting her ability to work. She visited a nearby health facility where she received pain medication, but her symptoms persisted. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), was hosting a clinic in Sarah's town. Sarah visited the clinic and AMH doctors diagnosed her with a non-toxic multinodular goiter, a disease impacting the thyroid gland. Sarah then traveled to AMH's care center, where she will receive surgery to prevent her symptoms from worsening. However, Sarah does not have active medical insurance and needs help to pay for her surgery. Sarah is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on June 22nd at AMH's care center. During the procedure, surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. Now, AMH is requesting $936 to cover the cost of Sarah's surgery. Sarah says, "I feel bad when I see my family members working tirelessly on the farm without my help. Please help me so that I may be strong and be able to offer help to them."

Sidi is a 56-year-old small-scale farmer from Rukungiri District, in southwestern Uganda. He is a father of six, with four daughters and two sons. Sidi attended school through seventh grade, and now earns a living through farming, specifically from his small-scale banana and coffee plantation. He also has two cows that provide milk for his family. Two years ago, Sidi developed a right inguinal hernia. He experiences swelling that becomes more pronounced when he lifts heavy objects, pain, and discomfort when walking short distances. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), can help. On July 5th, Sidi will undergo hernia repair surgery at AMH's care center. AMH is requesting $230 to fund Sidi's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Sidi says, “I hope when I am treated, and pain is no more, I will be able to resume my work in good health.