Angela is a 32-year-old woman from Kenya. She is a single mother to four children between the ages of 4 and 13 years old. Her husband left to marry another woman, and Angela works hard to provide for her children. She was fetching firewood to sell to hotels and homes but became too ill to carry out this work. She also worked in a hotel as a cleaner, but the income was insufficient for their needs. Now, after taking her children to school, Angela stays in the area to carry water and wash clothes for residents. She also receives some financial support from her family. Angela shared that life has been challenging, but she is thankful to be alive and raising support for her treatment needs. Angela first met our medical partner's surgical team during a medical camp they hosted in her hometown a few months ago. During that visit, she was diagnosed with a non-toxic multinodular goiter. Angela’s symptoms began a few years back, including experiencing swelling on her neck and difficulty eating, swallowing, and breathing. She cannot sleep at night and becomes fatigued quickly. Angela needs to undergo surgery to heal and prevent her symptoms from worsening. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Angela receive treatment. On March 16th, she will undergo a thyroidectomy at AMH’s care center. During this procedure, surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. AMH is requesting $936 to fund Angela’s surgery. Angela said: “Life is so hard, and sometimes I want to give up, but when I remember my children, I encourage myself to keep going only for their sake. When I get treated, I can work hard and provide for them without difficulty. Kindly help me.”

Meet Fernanda: an 11 year old who is in need of heart surgery. She lives with her parents and younger brother in La Paz, Bolivia. Her father works for a paper company, while her mother is an eldercare social worker. Fernanda was born with a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect. A hole exists between the two lower chambers of her heart, and blood leaks through this hole without passing through her lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving her weak and short of breath. She needs surgery to correct this condition. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is seeking $1,500 to fund Fernanda's cardiac surgery, which is scheduled for May 17th, at Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. After she has recovered from her surgery, Fernanda will be able to resume her schooling, and even to return to playing sports which she loves to do. Fernanda's mother said: "Our family has been waiting for this surgery for many years, and we are glad the opportunity has finally arrived!"

Jarso is is a talkative and lively boy from Kenya. He is an aspiring soldier who has a severe wound on the right leg. He has not been able to go to school for more than two years now because of his condition. He is the youngest of two children. His mother passed away in 2015 and his father is a casual laborer in a dense urban part of the city that has a lot of poverty. He does not have medical coverage and already has a bill that his family is unable to pay. The stress on his family has also lead his father to seek psychological therapy in the facility. Jarso's father shared that two years ago, Jarso was pricked by a sharp object on his right leg but never reported it. He started experiencing extreme pain and abnormal swelling and was taken to a health facility in their hometown where he was treated for pain and swelling. His condition did not improve and his father opted to take him to his grandfather in Ethiopia where he was put under herbal and traditional treatments. The wound only worsened to the extent that he was constantly bedridden. He returned to Kenya where his neighbors advised him to visit Kijabe Hospital for care. On June 13th, Jarso was reviewed by the plastic surgery team and urgent care was recommended. He has so far undergone two major surgeries (Sequestrectomy and a debridement). He still needs another debridement and flap cover procedure to heal. His father cannot afford the surgery, he is appealing for financial support. Jarso is unable to walk without support and risks an amputation if the wound is not well treated. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Jarso receive treatment. On July 13th, surgeons will perform a debridement and skin graft procedure to heal his chronic wound and the risk for amputation will be significantly reduced. After complete healing, he will be able to return to school. Now, Jarso's family needs your help to fund this $1,185 procedure. Jarso's father says, “I am almost giving up! I thought it is a simple wound but it has taken over two years to heal. He has been through a lot of treatment including herbal and traditional remedies. They have all failed. The bone is so infected that he cannot even walk. He has missed school for two years now. I hope the treatment now enables him to walk and go back to school.”