Gabriel is a shy 4-year-old boy from Kenya who needs surgery to heal his clubfeet condition. He lives with his family in a village in Kilifi County and is the third born child in a family of six children. His father, Kazungu, is a butcher and his mother a housewife. Seeing Gabriel was born his with a clubfoot condition, his father has taken on a very active role and responsibility for Gabriel's care. His father learnt of our medical partner's mobile care center in Mombasa and took his son in for review. Gabriel was diagnosed with having clubfoot of both feet, which makes the feet point downwards and inwards. He shared that Gabriel walked with a lot of discomfort and could not comfortably play with his friends or even wear shoes. Fortunately, Gabriel will receive the help that he needs at AIC Cure International Hospital. Here, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on March 5th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,286 to fund Gabriel's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will have improved mobility and self-esteem, leading to an enhanced quality of life. Additionally, reduced pain will allow him to walk comfortably and continue his studies uninterrupted as he grows. “I am looking forward to see my son going through surgery, healing well, walking like other children and doing well in school,” Gabriel’s father told us.

PengEang is an 11-year-old student in grade four from Cambodia. He and his family come from Mondulkiri province, approximately five and a half hours from the capital of Phnom Penh. PengEang has one sister and two brothers. His father is a pepper farmer and his mother stays home to care for the children. PengEang enjoys mathematics and playing badminton. PengEang would like to be a policeman when he grows up. About a year ago, PengEang fell hard on a tile floor while playing with his brothers and fractured his left elbow. He had surgery with implants to stabilize the bones to heal the fracture. The fracture has healed, but PengEang still feels chronic low-level pain in his elbow. The hardware is uncomfortable and it is difficult for him to extend and flex his elbow. He would like the hardware removed. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On April 2nd, PengEang will undergo a hardware removal procedure which will cost $304. The hardware removal will help him heal completely and complete the rehabilitation of his arm. PengEang's mother said, "We hope my son will no longer have pain, and he can be healthy after the metal is removed from his elbow."

Joseanne is an eight-month-old infant that lives with her parents and four older siblings in Bolivia. Joseanne's father is a day-laborer and her mother is a homemaker. As a young baby, Joseanne struggled to breathe and gain weight. When she was taken to hospital, doctors soon diagnosed her with multiple heart defects; a hole between the two upper chambers, a hole between the two lower chambers, and a hole between two major blood vessels. In addition, Joseanne was diagnosed with Down syndrome, a condition in which a person has an extra chromosome, causing developmental and intellectual delays. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is helping Joseanne receive treatment. On March 20th, she will undergo a congenital cardiac surgery so that blood can flow normally through her heart and body. Now, Joseanne's family needs help to fund this $1,500 procedure. Joseanne's mother says: "Our family has been very worried about our daughter's health, and we are hopeful that after this surgery she can finally gain strength!"