Stacy is a 10-year-old girl from Kenya. Since she was young, Stacy has grown up living in a children's home since both parents are not in her life. She shared that it was hard when she was first arrived but eventually Stacy started opening up and finding joy in the small moments, playing with her mates, and even enrolling in school. Currently in Grade 3, life has been a journey that has had lots of ups and downs. For years, Stacy has had umbilical hernia, which is a tissue bulge in the belly button area, occurring due to a weak spot in the abdominal wall. Stacy has been experiencing on and off pain at the site and was under pain medication, which did not provide lasting relief. One day, the home management came across information online, about our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital (BKKH). After a call to BKKH, Stacy was brought to the hospital where she underwent a series of tests. Stacy's diagnosis was confirmed, and she has now been scheduled for a hernia repair surgery, on August 10th. Unfortunately, the home's management, dependent on well-wishers for their running, cannot afford to pay for her surgical treatment. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Stacy receive treatment. The procedure will cost $585, and once completed, Stacy will live a healthier life, free from her painful symptoms. She says: "I have had to stay back many times as my friends went to school because of the pain. I hope that after surgery I won't have to skip school anymore."

Salimata is a 58-year-old woman from Mali. She has one son, and is a home maker who lives in Yirimadio. About four months ago, Salimata began experiencing gynecological symptoms including persistent lower abdominal pain. She sought medical assistance at a local health center, and upon examination that included an ultrasound, was diagnosed with a left ovarian cyst. She needs to undergo surgery to treat her condition. Our medical partner, Muso, is requesting $677 to fund Salimata's surgery. She is scheduled to undergo her myomectomy on August 13th at Hôpital du Mali. Salimata says: "I will be very happy to be healthy again, and be able to resume my regular duties after recovery."

Dennis is an 18-year-old boy from Kenya. He is being raised by his single mother, who is a casual laborer who relies on seasonal farm work and domestic jobs to provide for Dennis and his three siblings. From infancy, Dennis was a frail child who was frequently ill and required constant care. He experienced significant developmental delays, taking his first steps when he was nearly three years old. While his physical milestones came late, it was his lack of speech that concerned his mother the most. She longed to hear him speak, but Dennis remained unusually quiet. She would talk to him, and he would simply look back at her without responding. Instead of using words, he learned to communicate by lifting or pointing to objects whenever he needed something, a pattern that has continued throughout his life. When Dennis was three years old, he was brought to our medical partner's care center, AIC Kijabe Hospital, where fluid was drained from his ears. Unfortunately, this did not improve his condition. As he grew older, his mother enrolled him in school, but he consistently lagged behind his peers. Over the years, he adapted by relying on lip reading and sign language to communicate. Because of his hearing loss, he depends on watching his teachers' lips closely to follow lessons and understand what is being taught. Despite these challenges, Dennis performed well during his primary school years. However, the transition to secondary school has been much more difficult, as the academic demands have increased. On July 7th, Dennis will be fitted with hearing aids, and our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is asking for help raising $1,171. The gift of hearing aids would significantly improve Dennis' ability to communicate, participate in class, and reach his full potential. His mother is appealing for support to make this life-changing intervention possible, giving Dennis the opportunity for a brighter and more independent future. "Sometimes when I read aloud in class or say certain words, the other children laugh at me. I want to hear better so I can read and speak with confidence," Dennis said quietly.