Mary Wambui, a widow, is a 79-year-old retired primary school teacher who depends on her pension to earn a living. She is suffering from hearing loss and requires bilateral hearing aids to improve her hearing. Her hearing challenges began two years ago when her hearing ability dwindled and she could no longer attend church or gatherings as she could barely hear. Mary lives on her own since her husband passed on six years ago. She has no children, thus has no one to depend on. Mary can barely afford the hearing aids with just her pension as she needs funding for the fitting to be completed as well. Mary gets an average of Kes. 5,000 per month but that can barely cater for her basic needs leave alone pay for the hearing aids she so badly needs. She appeals for financial assistance.

Joseph is a boy from Kenya. He is the firstborn of four children and lives with his parents and younger siblings in a two-room house in Central Kenya. Joseph is yet to join high school because of the condition as he fears the stigma. His mother works in their local market selling porridge and chapatis’ while his father does any casual task ranging from construction work to farming to sustain the family needs. Joseph was born with hypospadias, a congenital abnormality that causes urinary dysfunction. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and will be at risk of infertility. Fortunately, Joseph is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on January 2nd. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $700 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. “I want to join my peers and not feel left out,” says Joseph.

Keo is a 59-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She has six children, seven grandchildren, and enjoys listening to the monks pray on the radio in her spare time. Five months ago, Keo developed a cataract in each eye, causing her blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Keo learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for one and a half hours seeking treatment. On January 6th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $425 procedure. "I hope that I will be able to go outside again and be able to recognize objects, as well as help take care of my grandchildren," she said.