Fatma is a 50-year-old mother of seven children aged between four and sixteen. She has faced considerable hardship, being a widow and the sole provider for her family, without a steady income. Fatma resides in Somalia, but also depends on the support of her niece that sells tea in Nairobi, Kenya. Unfortunately, she is unable to afford vital medical treatment. Since 2021, Fatma has been experiencing a persistent bloated feeling and discomfort in her lower abdomen. Initially treated for brucellosis and yellow fever at a local facility without improvement, the growth in her abdomen continued to enlarge, prompting both health concerns and a sense of self-consciousness due to the enlarged mass. She traveled to Kenya to seek medical advice, and further examination in Wajir suggested ovarian cancer, and the need for surgery. However, due to financial constraints, she sought help at our medical partner's care center, AIC Kijabe Hospital. Here, the diagnosis confirmed a large non-cancerous abdominal pelvic mass that needed to be removed through surgery. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Fatma receive treatment. On March 22nd, surgeons at AIC Kijabe Hospital will perform a total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (TAH/BSO) procedure to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer and prevent future surgery for benign ovarian masses. Now, Fatma needs help to fund this $1,260 procedure. Fatma is hopeful as she awaits the surgery that promises relief. She says, “I look like a seven-month pregnant lady because of the growth. It is painful. I hope to get treatment so that this pain can go away.”

Ly is an 18-year-old student who lives with his extended family in a bustling wooden house, including his father, mother, grandparents, three brothers, and one sister. His father and older brother work in construction, his mother works in a clothing factory, and his other siblings attend school. Ly would like to enter the military someday, but right now is concentrating on his schoolwork. When not studying, Ly likes to play football with his friends and brothers. In December 2023, Ly was involved in a motorbike accident and attempted to break his fall with his right arm. Unfortunately, he broke his right wrist in the process. His parents took him to a military hospital, but they could not afford the care, so Ly received a bamboo splint from a Khmer Traditional Healer for his wrist. He suffers from pain, cannot sleep, and his hand is very swollen. A local non-profit clinic suggested he seek treatment at Children's Surgical Centre. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On February 2nd, Ly will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $483. This surgery will use metal hardware to compress the fragments of his wrist and support optimal healing. Ly said: "Hopefully I'll be able to use my hand again soon, so I can finish school and help my family."

Enzo is a 7-month-old infant from Haiti. He lives with his parents and his older brother. He has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure, resulting in increasing head circumference. Without treatment, Enzo will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, Project Medishare, is requesting $957 to cover the cost of surgery for Enzo at Hospital Bernard Mevs. This is the only site in the country where this care is currently available and the procedure is scheduled to take place on February 27th. This critical treatment will place a shunt to drain the excess fluid from Enzo's brain to reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, Enzo will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. The family is hoping this surgery will be successful so that he will be able to grow up healthy.