Shurem is an 8-year-old boy from Kenya. He is the third born in a family of four children. His mother is a housewife while his father is a casual laborer who herds cattle for people in his community. However, the ongoing drought in the region has made it difficult for him to find work. The family is unable to raise the required funds to pay for medical expenses. Shurem 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, Shurem has been experiencing an increasing head circumference. When Shurem was two years old, he started experiencing fevers which were managed with medication. A few days later, his parents started to notice his head was increasing in size. Despite a review from the hospital and the administration of medication, his condition only became worse, and he stopped walking. Late last year the community referred his family to BethanyKids first mobile clinic in their hometown Garissa County, as they had stopped seeking treatment for Shurem for a few years. The mobile clinic referred Shurem to BethanyKids, where he was examined and diagnosed with hydrocephalus. Without treatment, Shurem will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $720 to cover the cost of surgery for Shurem that will treat his hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on February 9th and will drain the excess fluid from Shurem's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, Shurem will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. Shurem’s father says, “I feel very bad for my son as I cannot help him in any way. I want him to be well and back in good health.”

Yeu is a 44-year-old mother of two. She lives in Kampong Thom province with her husband and two daughters, who are both high school students. Her husband is a rice a farmer and fisherman in the off-season. Yeu works full-time at a fruit cart in her village. When not at work, she likes to watch TV and be with her family. Ten year ago, Yeu had an ear infection. This infection caused her left ear drum to perforate. For this reason, Yeu experiences pain, severe tinnitus, discharge, and hearing loss. She cannot communicate clearly with her family and customers, and experiences almost constant discomfort. Yeu traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On January 26th, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in her left ear, where surgeons will close the perforation. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $487 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. She said,"I hope when I have an operation my hearing will improve and I won't have pain anymore."

Srey Ka is a bright 14-year-old student from Cambodia. She lives with her parents and two younger sisters. Her father is a rice farmer, and her mother sells fish at the local market. Srey Ka's favorite subjects are math and biology, and she wants to be an engineer when she grows up. At home, she likes reading and eating her favorite meal of grilled meats with a spicy chili paste. A few years ago, Srey Ka was in a motor vehicle collision that fractured her left ankle. Her injury resulted in the top layers of skin and tissue being torn away from the underlying muscle. She visited a local hospital soon after and had a skin graft, which did not work. Her scar from the skin graft is now contracted, tightening the skin around her ankle and causing pain. She is not able to walk comfortably and has trouble keeping up with her friends. When Srey Ka learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for one and a half hours to seek treatment. On March 14th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help her walk easily again. Now, she needs help to fund this $495 procedure. Her mother said, "After surgery, we hope the skin will be released and Srey Ka can walk well again."