Benson is a twin two-year-old. His mom shared that Benson is a playful boy but a little shy and quiet compared to his twin brother who is more social and more talkative. Benson’s mother makes a living doing other people’s laundry while his father is a public transport driver commonly known as a “daladala” driver in Tanzania. Their income is not enough to provide for the family's needs and still cover Benson’s needed treatment cost. They are asking for help to support his medical care. Benson was diagnosed with bilateral genu varus. He and his brother were born healthy babies and their growth has been on track until they learned to walk. Benson’s mother started to notice that his legs were not straight as he started to crawl. He took a long time to learn to stand and walk compared to his twin. When he got on his feet and walked, his mother noticed that his legs were bowed outwards. Benson's mother had never taken him to any hospital for help or treatment, she thought he would eventually grow out of it but that has not been the case. His condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, his legs keep bowing outwards, making walking more difficult. One of Benson’s father’s friends advised his parents to seek treatment for him. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Benson. The procedure is scheduled to take place on January 7th. Treatment will hopefully restore Benson's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Benson’s mother says, “I would love to see Benson walking normally like his brother but the treatment cost is too high for us.”

Hon is a 65-year-old rice farmer who is married and has two daughters, three sons, and many grandchildren. She and her husband live with their oldest daughter who is a farmer. Her life is full with her children, grandchildren, cattle, and the farm, but when she gets a few free moments, she likes to listen to monks pray on the radio and watch TV Khmer dramas. Ten years ago, Hon developed tearing and difficult vision due to her eyelids. Her eyelids turn inward, causing her eyelashes to scrape the surface of her eyes. It is difficult for her to open her eyelids and see. Hon traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On January 5th, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), will perform a corrective procedure to repair her eyelids. Now, Hon needs help to raise $225 to fund this procedure. "I hope after surgery my eye can see better and stops tearing. I want to see faces and visit my family and neighbors," Hon shared.

Savdey is a 24-year-old machine repairman. He's married and has 2 children, a son who is 6 years old and in first grade, and a daughter who is 3 years old. His wife is a factory worker in a clothing factory. In his free time, he enjoys playing games on his phone, playing volleyball, watching TV, and taking his children for a walk. When Savdey was young, he suffered a severe burn on his right leg. The scar has been bothering him for many years. Now he cannot bend his leg, and an open wound has developed behind his right knee. He is in pain and unable to work currently. When Savdey learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled there hoping for treatment. On November 30th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to heal his open wound and allow him to walk more easily and work again. Now, he needs help to fund this $477 procedure. Savey shared that he hopes his surgery will help him feel better and be able to work.