Jardel is a preschool student and an only child. His father sadly passed on early last year. Jardel is under the care of his mother who does not have a source of income. Jardel and his mother live at their elderly grandmother’s home. The family does not have the financial capability to cover medical bills and relies on relatives for support. For over two years, Jardel has been experiencing nasal blockage, pain and difficulty swallowing. Jardel is unable to eat well and his mother reports that he also struggles to sleep. Jardel was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, which are the soft tissue behind the nasal cavity. Without treatment, this condition will cause Jardel's symptoms to persist and possibly even intensify. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $818 to fund an adenotonsillectomy for Jardel, which is scheduled to take place on January 12th. Surgeons will remove his tonsils and adenoids, relieving Jardel of his symptoms and helping him live more comfortably. Jardel's mother shared, “Jardel sleeps with a lot of difficulties. He snores a lot and struggles to breathe. He also has difficulties in eating, particularly solid foods.”

Akram is a cute, curious 3-year-old from Tanzania. His mother is the family’s sole provider and works as a vendor at a local market, selling vegetables and fruits. Currently, Akram and his mother live in town to help save on living costs as he receives medical treatment, while his three siblings live with their grandmother in the village. Akram was diagnosed with bilateral genus varus, a condition in which his legs bow outwards so that his knees do not touch. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Akram receive treatment. On January 6th, he will undergo surgery that will restore his mobility, allow him to participate in various activities, and significantly decrease his risk of future complications. AMH is requesting $880 to fund this procedure. Akram’s mother shared: “As a single mother struggling to provide for my children, Akram’s condition has been weighing on me.”

Bee is a 65-year-old retired farmer. She is single and moved in with her brother-in-law after her sister passed away in a motorbike accident two years ago. She used to help around the house and plant vegetables, but she has been unable to for the last couple of years as her vision has deteriorated. When her vision was better, she used to volunteer at her village pagoda to cook and clean for the monks. About two years ago, Bee developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her light sensitivity, tearing, and blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on her own. When Bee learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for five and a half hours seeking treatment. On February 2nd, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and implant an intraocular lens in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. She said, "I hope after surgery my eye can see better so I can easily go out, and I can help my brother do some housework."