Martha is a 39-year-old mother from Kenya, the sole caregiver of her three children. Her daily work involves doing manual laundry for members within her community to support her family. Martha is very social and enjoys spending time with friends. On 17th March, Martha was crossing the road near her home when she was hit by a speeding vehicle. She sustained injuries on the left side of her body from her head, neck and hand, and an X-ray showed a closed fracture on her tibia and fibula (lower leg fractures). A CT scan of the head was done, and luckily there was no bleeding or skull fracture, only soft tissue injuries. The surgeon recommended an open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) procedure, which is a type of surgery used to stabilize and heal a broken bone. Unfortunately, Martha is unable to pay for this treatment. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Martha receive treatment. On March 21st, Martha is scheduled to undergo ORIF which will aid in joining the bones together and reduce the pain, restoring the functionality of her leg. The procedure will also prevent complications like malunion, or deformity. Now, Martha needs help to fund this $1,049 procedure. Martha says, "I will appreciate the assistance very much. I have no one to help me and help my children, so I appeal for support so that I can receive treatment, be able to walk again and resume my duty of taking care of my children.”

Thokozani is a 23-year-old university student from Malawi. He is the fourth born in a family of ten children and the only child in his family who went on to study at the university level. Thokozani is completing a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources Management (Wildlife) and Eco-tourism. His higher education student loans support him, and he lives in a single-room hostel with two friends. In his free time, Thokozani enjoys watching wildlife programs and eating rice served with beef. Thokozani was born with a hernia condition, and in 2020, he started experiencing on-and-off episodes of discomfort. He visited a private hospital where they diagnosed his condition and recommended surgery, but he was unable to afford it and returned to school. In this last year, however, the pain has become too much to handle, causing him to miss classes. His worsening condition is impacting his ability to engage in daily activities and complete his education. Fortunately, Thokozani recently received a text from a friend regarding surgery support that is available with our medical partner. He immediately called the medical center and was able to see a surgeon who confirmed the diagnosis of a left inguinal hernia and the need for him to undergo surgery. A hernia is a condition in which soft tissue bulges through a weak point in the abdominal muscle. If the hernia is left untreated, the size of the protruding intestine might get bigger and become strangulated, leading to the reduction of blood flow to surrounding tissues, which may be life-threatening. Thokozani will undergo surgery on March 6th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $575 to fund the procedure. Thokozani is hopeful that this surgery will allow him to finally heal and return to school in good health. He is looking forward to his brighter future and making his family proud by being the first to complete university studies. He said, “I can’t wait to concentrate after surgery; kindly help me as I plan to finish the remaining part of my course.”

Valentino is a preschooler from Bolivia who lives with his mother and four older brothers. He loves to watch cartoons and enjoys his mother's s cooking. However, it is difficult for him to gain weight. Valentino has a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect. A hole exists between the two lower chambers of his heart; blood leaks through this hole without passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him weak and short of breath. On April 16th, he will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, surgeons will sew a patch over the hole in his heart so that blood can no longer leak through it. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, requests $1,500 for this procedure. Valentino's mother says, "Our family will be so much happier and less stressed once we know that our son is normal and healthy."