Junior is a happy and playful five-year-old boy who lives with his grandmother in Dodoma, Tanzania. Junior's mother, who is a single parent, works as a housemaid in Arusha- 450 miles from Dodoma- and sends her earnings to her mother, who cares for Junior. Junior was diagnosed with bilateral genu valgus, a condition where his legs bow inward. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which is often a byproduct of consuming contaminated drinking water. As a result, Junior has difficulty walking. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Junior. The procedure is scheduled to take place on April 17th at Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. Treatment should restore Junior's mobility, allowing him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Junior’s mother says: “I am constantly worried about his future because his legs keep getting worse over time. I hope he will get better with this treatment.”

Donozio is a 59-year-old married father of four children. His elder daughter is a teacher, and his two sons and younger daughter are still studying. Donozio completed high school but could not proceed further with education due to a lack of school fees. His passion for education drives him to make sure he educates all his children so that they may get where he never reached. He farms with his wife, but they mostly grow just enough to sustain their family due to limited land. He lives in a three-roomed muddy semi-permanent house with his wife, children, and two orphans, children of his late brother. For the last two years ago, Donozio has had a giant incisional hernia. An incisional hernia is a type of hernia that occurs at or near the site of a previous surgical incision and is characterized by the protrusion of intestine, organ, or other tissue through the weakened abdominal muscle. A giant incisional hernia extends below the midpoint of the inner thigh in the standing position. Donozio was operated on in March 2020. A few months later, he noticed a swelling around the excision site; this has now developed into a giant incisional hernia. Donozio has to limit his eating because he always feels pain after eating-- abdominal pain and constipation. Fortunately, on September 5th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $230 to fund Donozio's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Donozio says, “I hope that when I am given your support, I will have my surgery done and get well again.”

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."