Peter is a 5th grade student from Kenya. He is an only child being raised by his single mother, who works as a hotel waitress earning about $70 per month. The family also has a small tea plantation in their ancestral home, but are unable to raise the funds needed for Peter's surgery. Peter has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of his condition, Peter has been experiencing difficulty in holding things and walking. The condition has affected his appearance, with a change in the color of his eyes. Over time, he has developed urine and stool incontinence. His worried mom decided to seek treatment from several hospitals. Doctors determined that Peter needs a special surgery that will relieve pressure from the skull. Without treatment, Peter will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $720 to cover the cost of surgery for Peter. The procedure is scheduled to take place on January 11th, and will drain the excess fluid from Peter's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, Peter will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. Peter’s mother says, “Peter has been sickly and has been missing school for almost a year now. This condition is affecting his school life. He needs this treatment to recover and go back to school.”

Seang is a loving 73-year-old grandmother from the Battambang province of Cambodia. She has one son, four daughters, and ten grandchildren. She lives with her husband and her son, who works as a motorbike taxi driver. At home, Seang enjoys joining ceremonies at her local pagoda and cooking for her grandchildren. About three months ago, Seang developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her to experience blurry vision, tearing, and a cloudy lens. As a result, she has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so she cannot go out on her own. When Seang learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled for eight and a half hours seeking treatment. On January 5th, doctors will perform cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. CSC is requesting $253 to fund this procedure. Seang shared, "I hope my vision improves and I can get around easily by myself. I want to be able to help care for my grandchildren and walk to the pagoda by myself."

Bernard is a 63-year-old farmer and a father to five children. His two daughters are married and working as farmers. His eldest son is a teacher, middle son is a builder, and the youngest son is a motorcycle taxi driver. Both he and his wife practice small-scale farming. They live in a three-roomed muddy semi-permanent house. He enjoys listening to the radio in his free time. For two years, Bernard has had a right inguinal hernia. This hernia causes him abdominal pain around the groin and back, and on-and-off swelling which appears mostly when he lifts heavy things, or when he coughs or laughs. He has been unable to raise funds for his needed treatment. Fortunately, on February 28th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $230 to fund Bernard's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Bernard says “I really pray that given your support to undergo surgery and I hope to get well after surgery.”