Emmanuel is a 15-year-old boy from Tanzania. He is one of six children and has never attended school due to longstanding financial challenges following the loss of his father at a young age. Emmanuel’s mother is a livestock keeper who relies on selling animals to support the family. Emmanuel began experiencing bowing of both legs about four years ago, and has been diagnosed with bilateral genu valgus. Several factors could cause this condition, such as growth disorders, vitamin deficiencies, or excessive fluoride found in contaminated drinking water. As a result, the knees can be angled inwards or outwards, making it difficult to walk and may cause long-term joint damage. Over time, the condition has worsened, causing him pain while walking and limiting his ability to graze livestock with other children in his community, which is an important daily responsibility for his family. His reduced mobility has affected both his independence and his contribution to household activities. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $777 to fund treatment for Emmanuel. The procedure is scheduled to take place on February 3rd at our medical partner's care center, Kafika House. Treatment will hopefully restore Emmanuel's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Emmanuel says, "I want to help my brothers at home, but my legs make it hard to help with any chores."

Benjamin is a six-year-old boy from Tanzania. He is the third-born in a family of three children, and lives with his parents, whose livelihoods depend on small-scale business activities to sustain their household. Benjamin's family describes him as a bright and curious child, who enjoys learning and playing with other children in the community. Benjamin has been diagnosed with bilateral genu varus or "bow legs," a condition where the knees curve outward while the feet and ankles touch. Several factors could cause this condition, such as growth disorders, vitamin deficiencies, or excessive fluoride found in contaminated drinking water. As a result, the knees can be angled inwards or outwards, making it difficult to walk, and potentially causing long-term joint damage. The condition has affected Benjamin's posture and mobility, making prolonged standing and walking increasingly difficult. Without treatment, the condition could continue to worsen as he grows, potentially limiting his movement and participation in school and daily activities. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $810 to fund treatment for Benjamin. The procedure is scheduled to take place on March 24th at our medical partner's care center, Kafika House. Treatment will hopefully restore Benjamin's mobility, allowing him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decreasing his risk of future complications. Benjamin's father said: "I wish for his legs to be strong, so that he can walk independently with his friends to school, without us worrying about his well-being."

Jovitah is a 24-year-old small-scale farmer from Uganda. When she was three years old, Jovitah and her sister lost their father, leaving them under the care of their mother. Their mother worked tirelessly to ensure they grew up cared for, but sadly, she also passed away in 2008. Jovitah and her sister then went to live with their grandmother. Though Jovitah's grandmother raised them as best as she could, she was unable to support them to reach their desired level of education due to financial constraints. After leaving school, Jovitah got married at the age of 17. Presently, she and her husband engage in farming, mainly growing beans, maize, and potatoes for home consumption, and selling the surplus to generate some income for the family. The couple have one child enrolled in Primary 1. Jovitah got pregnant a second time, but unfortunately she and her husband lost their baby a few days after the birth. Jovitah is currently expecting her third child. Her doctors recommend that she deliver via a caesarean section due to a high-risk pregnancy. This way, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Jovitah undergo a C-Section on February 5th. This procedure will cost $252, and Jovitah needs your support. Jovitah says, “With your support, I look forward to a successful delivery with results of a healthy baby, hoping to continue with farming to sustain my family after a full recovery.”