Benedister is a 45-year-old single mother and small-scale farmer from Kenya. She plants maize and millet for her family's consumption and for sale. Benedister has seven children between 11 and 23 years old. When she is done with her farm work, Benedister always looks for casual jobs in order to earn extra wages. She is very hardworking, as she is her family’s sole breadwinner. One day, while walking around her compound, Benedister fell and injured her right lower limb. She was unable to walk, so she was carried by some of her relatives to the hospital. Her pain was so intense that she was given some pain medication, then sent for an x-ray. The x-ray revealed that she had a bimalleolar fracture with a joint dislocation, which means that in addition to a bone being broken, the ligaments on the inside of her ankle were injured as well. She was treated, and then her ankle was immobilized with a bulky jones splint. She is not able to walk on her own and is in a lot of pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On February 7th, Benedister will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. Afterward, she will be able to walk easily again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,145 to fund this procedure. Benedister says, “It’s really sad that I cannot walk without support. My children look up to me for all their needs and here I am now with a broken leg and cannot offer any help to them. Please help me get my bones fixed so that I will be able to work and live normally as before.”

Nelson, who is 29 years old and unmarried, lives in Kenya and works as a casual laborer on construction sites. In October 2023, Nelson fell from a tree where he was working. His right leg was injured and he was taken to a hospital in Kiambu, where an X-ray showed he had a closed ankle joint fracture. He was admitted to the hospital and put in traction. The surgeon there told Nelson that he would need a procedure that requires surgical plates for implanting in his leg to stabilize the fracture. Nelson and his family could not afford this, thus Nelson has been trying to go about his life and his work, despite the fracture and the pain it causes him. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, can help. On March 20th, Nelson will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation, at Nazareth Hospital. This procedure will mean that Nelson will no longer be in pain; he will heal well, and resume working. Now, African Mission Healthcare Foundation is requesting $1,049 to fund this procedure. “I have almost given up since I cannot pay for treatment. I would greatly appreciate the help so that I may be well and resume my job. I also hope to have a family of my own soon.” Nelson said.

Pwey is a 72-year-old man from Thailand. He lives alone in a refugee camp in northern Thailand. He raises chickens and receives some financial help from his daughter who also lives in the camp. He has cataracts and his vision is blurred. His eyes are also sensitive to light and from his right eye, he can only make out shapes. He can still see with his left eye but he is unable to cook and walk without assistance. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund lens replacement surgery for Pwey. On February 22nd, doctors will perform a lens replacement, during which they will remove Pwey's natural lenses and replace them with an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Pwey needs help to fund this $1,500 procedure. He said, “I like living alone. Even though my daughter asks me to move in with her, I don’t want to. Since I live alone, I want my vision to improve so that I can cook and do everything on my own. Most importantly, so that I can walk faster without worrying about slipping or tripping on something.”