Noosokon is a 34-year-old mother of four from Kenya. She and her husband own two cows, relying on livestock farming for their family's livelihood. A few days ago, Noosokon was milking one of the cows, as was her daily routine, when the cow suddenly struck her on the right side of her jaw, pushing her against a sharp object that severely injured her face. She began bleeding and was in severe pain. She was rushed to a nearby health center before being referred to a hospital for further management. At the hospital, she received first aid treatment, including stitches to the open wound, and was given pain medication before being referred to our medical partner's care center, AIC Kijabe Hospital, for specialized care. Scans at the hospital revealed that her jaw had been fractured during the incident. Unfortunately, she has not been able to undergo treatment because her family is not able to raise the amount required for surgery. Her jaw remains swollen, and she has been unable to eat due to the pain and swelling; she can only take milk. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On March 3rd, Noosokon will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help relieve her pain, help her heal and go back to her daily life. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,115 to fund this procedure. Noosokon says, “I am in pain. I am unable to sleep due to the swelling.”

Hamis is a cheerful, outgoing, and confident five-year-old from Uganda. He is the middle child in his family of three, with his older brother in Primary Four and his younger sister just starting nursery school. Hamis loves exploring new things. While he was at the hospital, his curiosity was evident. Upon noticing the computers in the office, he would quietly sneak over and start pressing every button he could find. When asked about school, Hamis responded confidently and enthusiastically, proudly sharing the name of his school, teachers, and best friend. Hamis and his best friend play football, have lunch, and walk to and from school together. Academically, he is doing well and recently ranked fifth in a class of sixteen pupils. At home, Hamis is equally active and helpful. He fetches water, collects firewood, and especially enjoys washing utensils. His parents are both small-scale farmers who work hard to provide for their family. Since Hamis was four years old, he has had a hydrocele, which is a swelling in a sensitive area. Initially, it did not seem to cause any concern, but over time, the swelling continued to increase, appearing intermittently and causing him significant discomfort. As the condition worsened, Hamis complained of pain. Seeking medical help, his mother took him to a nearby hospital, where he was examined and recommended for surgery. Unfortunately, his family could not afford the cost of the procedure and were given pain medication and advised to return home. As time passed, the pain became increasingly severe. During a subsequent visit to a nearby clinic, a nurse learned of our medical partner's surgical support services available at Nyakibale Hospital and referred the family there. At Nyakibale Hospital, the surgeon explained that if the condition is left untreated, the hydrocele could become infected, potentially leading to serious complications that may affect his reproductive health in the future. Hamis needs to undergo surgery to relieve his pain and prevent further complications. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), can help. On June 2nd, Hamis will undergo hydrocele repair surgery at AMH's care center. AMH is requesting $146 to fund Hamis's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Hamis's mother said, "It pains us so much seeing our son in pain. Being a determined child, sometimes when he says so, we think he is kidding, but it seems true that he is in pain. The only option we are given for a complete recovery is surgery, but we are unable to raise the money they need. We kindly appeal to you for support."

Srey Neang is 18 years old and a twelfth-grade student from a small village in Prey Veng Province, Cambodia. She lives with her parents, who are rice farmers. She is the second of four siblings; her older brother works in a garment factory, while her two younger siblings are in school. She enjoys studying literature, which is her favorite subject at school, and she hopes to become a teacher in the future. In her free time, she likes listening to music and helping with housework. Her favorite food is spicy stir-fried chicken. Srey Neang has had scoliosis since she was 13 years old, a condition in which the spine curves abnormally to one side, often forming a “C” or “S” shape. As she has grown, the curve in her spine has progressively worsened and now bends toward the right side. This condition causes frequent pain and makes it difficult for her to sit for extended periods. Because of this, she struggles to concentrate in class and feels worried about being bullied by her classmates due to her appearance. She also experiences difficulty walking, which further affects her daily life. In the past, Srey Neang had not sought hospital treatment because her family could not afford the cost. Recently, a relative informed her family about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). On February 6th, surgeons at CSC will implant a metal “growing rod” into her spine to help correct the curve and allow for continued spinal growth. Her family can only afford to contribute $75 and needs help with the remaining $1,425. This will cover the costs of surgery, the implant, and post-operative care, including physiotherapy. Srey Neang's mother said, “After the surgery, I hope that Srey Neang will no longer have any pain so that she can do a good job at school and focus on her studies.”