Maurine is a 36-year-old widowed mother of two children. In 2022, she experienced a sudden and unexpected change that would alter her life. Without warning, she lost the ability to hear. At first, Maurine struggled to understand what was happening. Simple conversations became difficult, and communicating with her children was no longer easy. She could not hear when they spoke to her, and responding to their needs became increasingly challenging. In December 2022, she went to AIC Kijabe Hospital for a medical review. After assessment, the doctors recommended hearing aids to help her regain the ability to hear and communicate. A well-wisher paid for one hearing aid, which made communication easier, including with her children. Sadly, in 2025, the hearing aid stopped working. Gradually, Maurine began withdrawing from those close to her. She works as a house help, but her hearing loss also began to affect her ability to earn a living. In January this year, she returned to the hospital, where she was advised to obtain new hearing aids, but the cost was far beyond what she could afford. Still hoping for a solution, she returned to hospital in August, hoping she would find help. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping her find treatment. On Sept 9th, Maurine will be fitted with hearing aids. For Maurine, this would mean much more than the ability to hear sounds again. It would mean being able to communicate with her children. It would mean understanding her employer, and it would mean reconnecting with family and friends, regaining her confidence, and no longer living in isolation. Now, Maurine needs help to fund this $1,171 procedure. She says: “I wish to hear again, so I can communicate more confidently with my family and friends."

Rebira is a young boy from Ethiopia. This five-year-old boy lives with his mother and his older sister. His father is a soldier, serving away from home, so his mother raises the children on her own. She earns a small income selling vegetables at the local market. Rebira arrived at the hospital wearing his traditional dress, as last month was a season of holidays in Ethiopia. He came full of hope that he would finally be free from the trouble he has lived with for so long. His problems began more than three years ago with repeated throat infections. A year ago, surgeons removed his tonsils, but the adenoids behind his nose were left in place. They are still swollen, and they continue to block his airway. Because of this, he snores loudly, breathes through his mouth day and night, and wakes often. He never sleeps properly, and he wakes up tired. Poor sleep leaves him exhausted every day. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $700 to fund surgery for Rebira, which is scheduled to take place on October 17th. Surgeons will remove his tonsils, hopefully relieving Rebira of his symptoms and helping him live more comfortably. Rebira's mother shared, "We hope this is the last time he has to go into an operating room. We just want him to be completely healthy."

Srey Lin is a cheerful nine-year-old student from Cambodia. She lives with her parents and younger brother in Takeo Province. Her father works as a chef at a private school, and her mother is a garment factory worker. She is currently in Grade 4 and enjoys studying mathematics. When she grows up, she hopes to become a teacher. In her free time, she enjoys playing Khmer traditional games with her friends and eating spicy fried chicken. On June 1st, Srey Lin sustained a third-degree electrical burn to the fourth finger on her right hand after picking up a live electrical wire from the floor of her home. The injury caused a painful wound on her right ring finger. Despite receiving regular wound dressings at a local hospital, the wound failed to heal and developed tissue necrosis. She continues to experience pain and discomfort, which affects her ability to use her hand normally. When Srey Lin learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On June 10th, surgeons at CSC will perform a debridement procedure to remove damaged and dead tissue from the wound, promote healing, reduce pain, and help prevent further complications. Now, Srey Lin needs help to fund this $417 procedure. Srey Lin's mother said, “As a mother, it is very difficult to see my daughter in pain every day. I hope this treatment will heal her wound, relieve her suffering, and allow her to use her hand normally again.”