Stallone is a bright and bold-looking 12-year-old boy residing in Kangemi in Nairobi County. He is the firstborn in a family of 3 children, and he proudly said he is in class seven and going to class eight. At school, Stallone also likes to play football. His mother is a community health volunteer, while his father works as a travel guide. Their income is sufficient for their modest upkeep. Stallone’s condition may have started years back, but being her first child, his mother shared that she could not tell if there was a problem. It was not until December 2022 when he was undergoing medical care that his parents were informed that he has a condition called cryptorchidism. His family then brought him to Nazareth Hospital, and an ultrasound confirmed the diagnosis. If not treated, Stallone may have complications like strangulation, and infection and, in the future, may have infertility or be at risk of cancer. Stallone will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on November 6th. AMH is requesting $483 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. “I am worried about the future of my son. Kindly support us so that he can be well and grow up like a normal man. We hope in the future he can have his own family,” said Stallone’s mother.

Mackline is a 23-year-old small-scale farmer and mother. She has two children, one from a natural birth and one delivered via a cesarean section, and is currently expecting her third child. Her husband works as a boda-boda motorcycle taxi driver, and she supports her family by engaging in small-scale farming. Among her siblings, she is the fifth born; all her siblings are married and self-employed. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family. Mackline has attended various antenatal clinics to help support a healthy pregnancy. However, due to Mackline's previous C-Section and a short inter-pregnancy interval–meaning the period between her two pregnancies was short and thus raises potential risks–her pregnancy is considered high risk. Doctors recommended Mackline deliver via a cesarean section again to ensure the safety of both her and her baby. Thankfully, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, can help. Mackline is scheduled to undergo a C-Section on June 6th at our medical partner's care center. This procedure will cost $252, and Mackline needs your support. Mackline says, “I will be very grateful when my surgery is supported because, being a farmer, I cannot afford this surgery. I will resume farming after recovery to earn a living for my family.”

Hosea is a 28-year-old from Kenya. He is the third child in his family of eight children and lives at home with his parents and siblings. Hosea works tirelessly on people's farms to meet his basic needs and spends most of his time at home helping his parents with their farm. Hosea loves football and enjoys playing the game with friends during his free time. Hosea was recently injured while playing football after one of the players accidentally kicked him. His friends brought him to the hospital. His right leg was swollen, deformed, and unable to be lifted due to the pain. Hosea received an x-ray, which revealed that he had complete fractures of the lower part of the tibia and fibula. He was then stabilized with a splint and scheduled to meet with the orthopedic surgeon the following day. Upon review, Hosea needs to undergo surgery to fix his broken bone and facilitate a quick healing process. Fortunately, on June 27th, Hosea will undergo a fracture repair procedure called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will enable him to return to work and support himself and his family. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $1,145 to fund this procedure. Hosea said, "I am really suffering and, at the same time, giving people a hard time as they help me move from place to place. I am looking forward to getting well so that I may be able to work and earn as before. Kindly help me so that I may undergo this procedure."

Barbrah, who is 32 years old, lives with her husband and two children in rural Uganda. Due to the lengthy and untimely illness of her father, Barbrah had to leave school after completing grade seven. When she was 23, she married, and opened up a small business that yields minimal returns. To supplement her income, she also engages in farming, while her husband works in the motorcycle taxi business. Barbrah has a history of difficult pregnancies, including two miscarriages. She is currently expecting another child, and her doctors have recommended that she deliver via a Caesarean section, as this is how she was able to successfully deliver her first two children. Because of the scarring from these two earlier procedures, a C-section is the best way for the doctors to ensure the safety of both Barbrah and the baby. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Barbrah undergo a C-section on August 8th, at Karoli Lwanga Hospital, Nyakibale. This procedure will cost $252, and Barbrah needs your support to raise the required funds. Barbrah says: “I surely believe that I will be able to deliver so well if given your support, because the hospital bill is what I worry about most.”

Sochan is a 41-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He lives just outside the capital of Phnom Penh with his wife, daughter, and son. His wife is also a rice farmer, and his daughter recently got a job in a garment factory. Their son is still in school and about to complete 9th grade. In his downtime, Sochan likes to go to the pagoda to pray. In October 2022, Sochan was walking down the street when he was hit in the back of the head by a robber and fell. His phone and cash were stolen. He sustained some injuries from the fall, including a clavicle fracture. His wife took him to a nearby provincial hospital where surgeons fixated hardware to heal the clavicle fracture. Sochan and his wife spent their savings to pay for the procedure. Now, the hardware is no longer serving a purpose and causes him Sochan pain and discomfort in his right shoulder and arm. He is unable to work and worries about the future of his family. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), can help. On June 7th, Sochan will undergo a hardware removal procedure, which will cost $304. This procedure will improve his range of motion and eliminate pain. Sochan contributed $100 to his care. He shared, "I don't want to be in pain anymore, and I want to work to support my family."

66-year-old Anna is a widow from Malawi where she lives with her two daughters, one of whom runs a saloon while the other sells second-hand clothing. Anna is in the business of renting houses. Last year, Anna noticed an asymptomatic swelling on the left side of her neck. She visited the nearest clinic where she was referred to Kamuzu Central Hospital for tests on her thyroid. Anna was diagnosed with a goiter and was informed she would need surgery. Surgeons at Partners in Hope Hospital are scheduled to perform a thyroidectomy on May 3rd, during which all or part of Anna's thyroid will be removed. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is seeking $1,015 to cover the costs of Anna's procedure and care. Anna is hoping to get better after surgery so that she can continue supporting her family as a caring mother. Anna believes that her two daughters are the greatest priority in her life and that she has to be in good health for their sake as their only remaining parent. Full of smiles, Anna said: “Thank you, sponsors. I did not know this day would come in my life; I can smile again.”

Nyakek is a beautiful three-month-old baby from Sudan. She was born at home, and her mother immediately noticed a large, open swelling on the lower part of her back. The midwives recommended that Nyakek be brought to a nearby missionary hospital, where she was diagnosed with spina bifida. This is a neural tube defect, where the spine and spinal cord don't fully form, leading to infection, lower limb paralysis, and developmental delays. A missionary doctor at the hospital immediately linked them to our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH), which was able to refer them to our partner hospital in Kenya. Plans were put together for how she would travel to Kenya for treatment. Where their comes from in Sudan, the area has very poor roads and it would not have been possible for them to travel to Juba to be airlifted to Kenya. Instead, the missionary doctor organized for them to board a helicopter that visits the area once a week to deliver supplies. They were taken to Juba where they boarded another flight to Kenya. Upon arrival at our partner's care center, Nyakek was examined and they have started planning for the urgent surgery she needs. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,151 to cover the cost of Nyakek's spina bifida closure surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on November 9th at BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital. This procedure will hopefully spare Nyakek from the risks associated with her condition, allowing her to grow and develop along a healthy trajectory. Nyakek’s mother said: “When I saw the swelling, I was very stressed as I had not seen such a thing before. I immediately got worried about my daughter.”

Federensi is a 63-year-old small-scale farmer from Uganda. Her husband works as a farmer as well, and they primarily grow green vegetables that they sell to support their family. Their oldest child is now 43 years old, and their youngest is 18 years old and performing well in school. For 18 years, Federensi has been experiencing abdominal pains. The pains began after she underwent a C-section for her ninth pregnancy. Initially, she thought that her pain would gradually fade away over time. Upon seeking medical advice at a nearby health clinic, Doctors informed Federensi that her numerous deliveries may have been the primary trigger for her abdominal pain. They cautioned her against engaging in strenuous activities and provided her with medication. Unfortunately, the recommendation and the medication failed to relieve her pain. Federensi's abdominal pains have worsened. Now, she cannot lift heavy loads and has stopped farming due to pain. After seeking medical care again, Federensi was diagnosed with endometrial hyperplasia, a condition that impacts the uterine lining. Doctors recommended she undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), can help. On June 13th, Federensi will undergo gynecological surgery at AMH's care center. Now, AMH is requesting $319 to fund Federensi's surgery. Once recovered, Federensi will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Federensi says, “My productivity has been affected negatively and I can no longer take good care of my family. I pray for a successful surgery to be able to continue with farming after recovery.”

Nan Ei is a two-year-old girl who lives with her parents and grandparents in a village in Karen State, Burma. She loves playing with toys at home. Her father is the sole earner for the family. Her mother is a housewife and takes care of Nan Ei. Her grandparents are retired and also live with the family. The income is not enough to cover the family's daily expenses. One day in February 2023, Nan Ei got a fever and a painful swelling in her neck. She was taken to the clinic in her village where the doctor examined her, and she received antipyretic and antibiotic drugs. While the fever subsided, the swelling continued. Currently, she is suffering from the pain in her swollen neck. Her mother said that she is sad to see her in this condition and is very worried about her daughter’s illness. Doctors want Nan Ei to undergo a CT scan, a procedure in which x-ray images taken from several angles are combined to produce cross-sectional images of the body. This scan will hopefully help doctors diagnose her condition and formulate an appropriate treatment plan. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $414 to cover the cost of Nan Ei's CT scan and care, scheduled for August 17th. Nan Ei's mother said, “I pray that we will hear the good news for the CT result. I would like to see my daughter as a clever and educated person when she grows up.”

Chana is a curious 15-month-old toddler from Cambodia. She is an only child who lives with her parents in Takeo province. Her mother is a homemaker, while her father manages a farm. In 2022, when Channa was about a year old and learning to walk, she grabbed a handle from a pan of boiling water on the stove and severely burned her left arm. She was treated for the burn at a local clinic, but she has developed burn scar contractures on her left elbow and axilla. These scars make it difficult for her to raise her arm or to use her hand. She cries when her mother tries to stretch the skin to massage it. Chana's parents sought care from our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. On May 4th, surgeons at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre will perform burn contracture release surgery, which should enable Chana to use her arm fully as she explores the world. Now, Chana and her family need your help to fund this $495 procedure. Chana's mother said: "I hope Chana will feel comfortable and use her hand and arm again when she goes to school. We cannot afford to go to the local clinic, and hope that the doctors at CSC can help her."

Champa is a 31-year-old stay-at-home mom. She lives in Bantey Mean Chey province with her parents and daughter, who just turned five. Her husband works in construction in Thailand, and her parents are rice farmers. In the off-season, they supplement their income by selling fish in the local market. Champa enjoys spending time with her family and growing vegetables and herbs at their house. Around the age of 9, Champa had an ear infection. This infection caused her right ear's tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, to perforate. For this reason, Champa still experiences pain, ear discharge, tinnitus, and hearing loss. She cannot communicate clearly with others, and her hearing is progressively getting worse. Champa traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. She will undergo surgery in her right ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Center, requests $487 to fund this procedure. This will cover medication, supplies, and inpatient care. She said, "I hope to improve my hearing so I can communicate clearly with my family and get a job outside the house."

Meet To, a 48-year-old monk. He has one son, two daughters, and six grandchildren. Currently, To lives in a pagoda in Takeo, just outside the capital city of Cambodia. He enjoys spending time with his family and studying Buddhism at the pagoda. To developed a cataract in his right eye about two years ago, which causes him itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. In the last two months, the condition has become so severe that he cannot leave the pagoda by himself and can no longer read. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so he cannot go places alone. When To learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On June 15th, doctors will perform cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. CSC is requesting $253 to fund this procedure. To shared, "After surgery, I hope my vision will improve, and I will be able to read and join ceremonies at the pagoda."