Paola is a brilliant little star from Colombia. She was born in Putumayo a region in the south of Colombia, and lives with her mother, brother and grandparents. Her brother is 10 years old and they love painting and drawing together. She is really good at school, and loves math. Paola has clubfoot of both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Paola's family traveled to visit our Medical Partner Clínica Noel. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on May 22nd. Our medical partner, Clínica Noel, is requesting $1,500 to fund Paola's bilateral clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will be able to walk without pain and continue studying without further complications. Her mother said: "I hope you can help my little girl, I struggle a lot seeing her suffering and not being able to help her or stop her pain."

Boaz is a farmer who is married with three school-aged kids. His wife joins him in the farm for subsistence farming, where most of his income goes towards meeting the family's daily needs. There is little surplus for funds needed for medical care. Boaz has been experiencing painful swelling on his upper back for the last six months. He is not able to work without pain, especially on strenuous activities which are his day-to-day duties. Boaz traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On January 24th, surgeons will remove the mass on his back to treat the painful swelling. Boaz needs help to raise $137 to fund this procedure. Boaz says “I will be much better when my health is restored, and I resume to my usual activities, living a better life.”

Jackline is a 17-year-old student from Machakos County in Kenya. She is in form three at AIC Kunikela High School and aspires to become a doctor in the future. Both of her parents are farmers. When she was one year old, Jackline was burned on her left elbow by hot water. After the burn healed, she developed a contracture of her elbow, preventing her from using her arm to help her mother around the house or play volleyball, her favorite sport. While she has been to different hospitals, the contracture remains, negatively impacting her self-esteem. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is here to help. On May 8th, surgeons at AIC Cure International Hospital will perform burn contracture release surgery, enabling Jackline to use her arm and hand more easily. Jackline and her family need your help to fund this $840 procedure. “My joy would be to use my hand like other people, and any help to correct this will be highly appreciated,” Jackline told us.