Aisan is a one-month-old baby boy from Tanzania. He is the youngest of two children. His parents are farmers who grow maize for household consumption and sell the surplus at the local market to earn income and meet their family’s needs. Aisan was born with clubfoot on both feet, a condition in which both feet are twisted inward. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. The tissues connecting the muscles to the bones are shorter than usual, and this causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. His parents were concerned about his condition and the challenges he might face in the future. Aisan is scheduled to begin treatment through manipulation and serial casting. He will subsequently undergo a tenotomy procedure to help improve foot alignment. Through this treatment, Aisan will have an opportunity to develop with properly aligned feet, allowing him to wear shoes and walk comfortably as he grows. Fortunately, Aisan's family traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Kafika House. Surgeons will begin clubfoot treatment on October 28th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $341 to fund Aisan's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will have a better chance to enjoy childhood activities and pursue his dreams without the limitations associated with untreated clubfoot. “We are grateful that Aisan was identified early and given a chance for treatment. We hope he will grow up healthy and walk comfortably like other children,” says Aisan's mother.

Ricky is 51 years old and a forklift operator from the Philippines. He is the sole breadwinner for his family, earning through irregular employment. One of his children helps by working part-time as a package courier, while his youngest child is still in school. Four months ago, Ricky began to experience troubling symptoms, including difficulty passing stool, dizziness, frequent vomiting, and poor appetite. Ricky was diagnosed with gallstones and has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, his symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. His medical condition causes severe pain that affects his ability to work, placing additional financial strain on his family. The family hopes he can receive surgery soon so he can recover, return to work, and continue providing for his loved ones. Ricky sought treatment through our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP). He is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy on July 13th. A portion of the procedure's cost is being covered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is raising the remaining $1,031 to cover the cost of Ricky's surgery and care. Ricky shared, "I hope to recover soon so I can work without pain and continue providing for my family. This surgery would give us hope and ease the burden we have been carrying."

Mekdes is a young mother from Ethiopia. At just 22, this single mother is the heart and soul of her small family, working hard to build a life for herself and her four-year-old child. She runs a small street-side stall selling fried chips, and this humble business is their only source of income. Mekdes has been fighting chronic tonsillitis for four years. Because her business is outdoors and requires her to be on her feet all day, these frequent, painful throat infections make it incredibly difficult for her to work. When she is too sick to stand at her stall, she loses the income they desperately need, creating a constant and exhausting cycle of physical pain and financial worry. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $700 to fund a tonsillectomy for Mekdes, which is scheduled to take place on May 23rd. Surgeons will remove her tonsils, hopefully relieving Mekdes of her symptoms and helping her live more comfortably. Mekdes said, "My deepest hope is to finally achieve lasting health and financial security, so I can work consistently without the constant fear that a sudden, painful illness will take away my ability to provide for my child."