Bernadin is a playful two-year-old girl from Haiti. Bernadin has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of her condition, Bernadin has been experiencing increasing head circumference. Without treatment, Bernadin will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, Project Medishare, is requesting $897 to cover the cost of surgery for Bernadin 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 May 9th. This critical treatment will drain the excess fluid from Bernadin's brain to reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment and follow-up care, Bernadin should develop into a strong, healthy young girl. The family is looking forward to Bernadin growing up happy and healthy.

Esther is a 64-year-old dedicated farmer from Kenya, working alongside her husband to provide for their family through subsistence farming. They are proud parents to four adult children, all of whom also work as farmers. Earlier this month, while on her way to visit a friend, Esther had an unfortunate accident. She slipped on the road and fell, injuring her right leg and causing her intense pain. Unable to walk on her own, she urgently needed help getting to a local hospital for immediate care. There, doctors confirmed that she had broken some bones. The next day, Esther returned to the hospital because her pain had not improved. Her leg was swollen, and further examinations showed abrasions on her right knee, intensifying her discomfort. Esther is in urgent need of surgery on her ankle to aid her healing and help her regain the ability to move independently. Right now, she is in significant pain, struggling to sleep, walk, or manage her daily responsibilities at home. In addition to her recent injuries, Esther is also managing diabetes and had eye surgery in October 2023. The ongoing medical expenses have put a heavy burden on her family, leaving them feeling overwhelmed by the financial strain of her health needs. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Esther receive treatment. On September 19th, she will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will relieve her of her pain and improve her mobility. Now, Esther needs help to fund this $1,094 procedure. Esther says, "I look forward to my recovery. I haven't been able to sleep well because I need to keep my leg elevated all the time."

Philip is a five-year-old boy living in Cambodia with his family, which includes an older sister and a younger brother. His mother is a homemaker, while his father is a sculptor. Currently, Philip is in kindergarten, and his mother shares that he aspires to become a police officer in the future. Philip presented to our medical partner with short stature, deformity in both legs, and learning difficulties. Surgeons diagnosed him with achondroplasia, a condition characterized by disproportionate short stature, and various skeletal abnormalities, including worsening genu varum, or bowed legs. Philip has difficulty walking, and experiences discomfort, due to the deformities in his legs. Philip was brought to our medical partner's care center experiencing challenges with his legs and having learning difficulties. The surgeons identified that he has achondroplasia, a condition that affects his growth and leads to differences in his bone structure, including increasingly bowed legs. These leg issues make it hard for Philip to walk comfortably and cause him discomfort. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), can help. On August 27th, surgeons at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre will perform a procedure that aims to correct the alignment of his bowed legs, and improve his ability to walk. Philip's family is seeking assistance to fund the $521 procedure and post-op care. Philip's mother says, "I hope this procedure will help Philip walk more comfortably, allowing him to make his way to school and around the village with greater ease."