Lonyori is a 6-year-old child from Tanzania. He is the first born child of two in his family. Lonyori has a young sister, Mengori, who also has a similar health condition. Lonyori's parents are small scale farmers of maize and vegetables. They make extra income by selling these crops and also working casual laboring jobs when they can. Lonyori was diagnosed with bilateral genu valgus, or knock knees. His legs bow inward so that his knees touch. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, he is unable to walk for a long distance and he complains of pain after a long day. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Lonyori. The procedure is scheduled to take place on February 9th. Treatment will hopefully restore Lonyori's mobility and allow him to walk comfortably again. It will also prevent his risk of future complications with his legs. Lonyori’s uncle shared, "My nephew is struggling a lot and his parents can’t afford this treatment cost. They are struggling to make ends meet, and they did not have enough to travel to this hospital with Lonyori, so I helped to bring him. Please help my nephew get this treatment.”

Tibeihaho is a 56-year-old farmer and a widow with five children. One of her daughters is married, and the other daughter has just finished university. Of her three sons, two are still studying, and the other one operates a hair-cutting salon. Currently, Tibeihaho earns a living from her small scale banana and coffee plantation, which her late husband left for her. She recalls that starting in 1986, Tibeihaho began to experience troubling symptoms, including persistent headache and shortness of breath. She was since been diagnosed with a goiter, which is an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse and finally treat her condition. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Tibeihaho receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on February 9th at our medical partner's care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $252, and she and her family need help raising money. Tibeihaho shared, “I like farming but it has now been three years since I last did farming in a good health condition. This condition has caused me a hard time, but I hope that once I have your support and receive my treatment, I will regain my health once again and continue with farming.”

Sakim has been married for 11 years and has one son and one daughter. His wife sells soft drinks and coffee in the primary school. In his free time, he likes playing football, playing volleyball, listening to music, and watching TV. Unfortunately, Sakim fractured his left elbow about two months ago during a football match. After the accident, his family took him to several hospitals for consultation as well as seeking Khmer traditional medicine. His arm has not been repaired, and he is in pain most of the time. His arm is swollen, his elbow is stiff, and he cannot use his hand. Doctors diagnosed a complex fracture of his elbow, which can be repaired with an open reduction surgery. Sakim hopes that after surgery the fracture will be fixed, and he will be able to use his elbow without pain so he can go back to work.