Ruhama is a beautiful two month old baby girl, who lives with her parents in Ethiopia. Both of her parents are quite young, and due to their having left school early, both work as day laborers, earning limited wages. Ruhama was born with an anorectal malformation, which is a congenital abnormality that leads to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. She needs to undergo a series of procedures to eliminate her bowel dysfunction and help her grow up healthy. Ruhama is scheduled to undergo surgery to correct her condition on February 1st, at BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Ruhama's procedure and care. After her recovery, Ruhama will no longer experience bowel dysfunction, or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. Ruhama's mother said: “I will leave her at the hands of God. I can’t say she will heal or not, but it’s all God’s will."

Keisha is a 5-month-old baby girl from Haiti. She is the first child of her parents. Keisha has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid - the fluid which surrounds the brain - accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. The accumulation of fluid has caused Keisha’s head to expand beyond a normal range. Without treatment, Keisha will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Keisha is scheduled for surgery to put a flexible plastic tube called a shunt in her brain to redirect the cerebrospinal fluid into another part of her body. Draining the excess fluid from Keisha’s brain will reduce the pressure and greatly improve the quality of her life. With proper treatment, Keisha will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. Keisha is scheduled for surgery on December 8th at Hospital Bernard Mevs, the only site in the country where this care is currently available. Our medical partner, Project Medishare, is requesting $957 to cover the cost of surgery. Her family is grateful Keisha is able to have surgery to prevent long-term damage to her brain.

Jayden is a three-year-old boy from Tanzania. He is the second born in a family of two children. Jayden's father is currently attending welding classes and relies on casual employment to make ends meet, while his mother also earns income through casual work. Jayden was diagnosed with bilateral genu varus or bow legs. When he began standing on his own; his legs showed a noticeable bow outward. The condition worsened as he grew older, prompting them to seek medical attention. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, Jaden experiences difficulty walking, expending a great deal of energy, and often crying after walking for a while. Recently, while listening to the radio, they learned about Kafika House, which prompted them to seek consultation. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery and treatment for Jayden at their care center Kafika House. The procedure is scheduled to take place on April 5th. Treatment will hopefully restore Jayden's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Jayden’s mother says, “Please help my son. I hope he gets treatment and grows up to be successful.”