James is a 13-year-old boy from Muranga County, Kenya. He is the second born in a family of three. James is in fifth grade, and he likes playing football and spending time with his friends. He aspires to become a pilot in the future. We met James at our main hospital, Kijabe, accompanied by a member of his church, Maina, who said “I know James as a hardworking and passionate boy in the church. I spotted him there doing presentations and performances and noticed that he had sustained a burn contracture on his neck which created a lot of discomfort because of the stiffness." James sustained burns when he was a child, which has caused him a lot of discomfort and prevents him from living a fully comfortable life. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping James receive treatment. On February 13th, surgeons at their care center will perform a single contracture release surgery on James; he will be able to move his neck more and be free from the stiffness. He will have a chance at a comfortable life. Now, he needs help to fund this $840 procedure. “Because of the challenges the family has, we are appealing for support to help this boy undergo surgery so he can be set free from neck stiffness and continue with his normal life,” Maina told us.

Boaz is a farmer who is married with three school-aged kids. His wife joins him in the farm for subsistence farming, where most of his income goes towards meeting the family's daily needs. There is little surplus for funds needed for medical care. Boaz has been experiencing painful swelling on his upper back for the last six months. He is not able to work without pain, especially on strenuous activities which are his day-to-day duties. Boaz traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On January 24th, surgeons will remove the mass on his back to treat the painful swelling. Boaz needs help to raise $137 to fund this procedure. Boaz says “I will be much better when my health is restored, and I resume to my usual activities, living a better life.”

Sreang is a widowed, 69-year-old retired rice farmer. She is from Kandal province, and has two sons, two daughters, and twelve grandchildren. Sreang's husband passed away forty years ago and since then, she has worked hard to look after her family as a single mom. Currently, she lives with her youngest daughter, who sells vegetables in front of her home. In 2002, Sreang developed a pterygium in her left eye, which causes her blurry vision, itchiness, and tearing. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage, and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. Sreang's visual impairments make it difficult for her to go about her life safely and independently. Sreang learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, and sought their help. Thanks to CSC, on January 5th, Sreang will undergo a surgical procedure at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the surface of her cornea, to be replaced with a conjunctival graft to prevent a recurrence. The total cost of her procedure - including medications, supplies and inpatient care - is $225, and Sreang is looking to you to help cover these costs. Sreang said: "I hope I will see again, and my eye will feel better."