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."

Nem is a 28-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He is married with two children: a son in Grade 1 and a two-year-old daughter. In his free time, Nem enjoys playing volleyball and listening to music. When he was five, Nem had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the eardrum, in his left ear to perforate. As a result, Nem experiences hearing loss in his left ear as well as pain, discharge, and tinnitus (ringing in the ear). Difficulty hearing things clearly impacts his daily life, and as a rice farmer, he hopes to finally improve his hearing so he can manage his daily activities and work more comfortably. Fortunately, Nem was able to travel to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On October 22nd, he will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in his left ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Nem contributed $75 toward his care and needs help raising $288 more. The total cost of his procedure includes his medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Nem said, “I’ve had ear problems since I was a child, and my left ear still doesn’t hear well. I hope the surgery will help me hear more clearly so I can work on my farm and enjoy everyday life with my family. I’m grateful for this opportunity to receive treatment.”

Balakissa is a 31-year-old mother of five, from Mali. She helps her mother-in-law in her secondhand clothing business. Balakissa is currently expecting her sixth child. Her doctors recommend a cesarean section due to a high-risk pregnancy. This way, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, Muso, is helping Balakissa undergo a C-section on July 7th. This procedure will cost $259, and Balakissa needs your support. She says: "I hope everything goes well for me and my baby."