13-year-old Tracy's dream is to be an accountant. Her learning, however, has been marked by challenges beyond her control. She was born with hearing impairment and lived the initial years of her life unable to make out sounds. When she turned five, her mother got concerned and took her to the hospital for medical attention. The medical team recommended fitting of hearing aids, but unfortunately, Tracy's mother, who raises her on her own and earns a modest income working in a salon, could not afford the cost of the hearing aids. She turned to family, friends and well-wishers who helped raise enough funds, and at six years old, Tracy had hearing aids fitted. The treatment marked a turning point in her life. Tracy was able to return to school and, although she had fallen behind her peers, she began making remarkable progress. For the first time, Tracy could hear her mother calling her and respond appropriately. She could also hear her teachers instead of relying solely on lip-reading to follow lessons. More importantly, she gained the ability to interact, communicate and build friendships with other children, giving her a renewed sense of belonging and confidence. Over the years, doctors observed encouraging progress in her development and communication. In January this year, however, Tracy began experiencing complications with her hearing aids. They gradually stopped functioning properly and sometimes produced excessive noise, making it difficult for her to hear and communicate. This setback significantly affected her education, making her miss school and once again experience the isolation she had overcome. Earlier this month, her mother brought her back to AIC Kijabe Hospital for further assessment. Following an examination, the doctors established that her hearing aids had failed and that she urgently required a new pair. Unfortunately, her mother remains unable to meet the cost due to her limited financial resources. Presently, Tracy is struggling to keep up with her peers academically and socially. The loss of her hearing aids has once again placed barriers between her and the world she had begun to experience so fully. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Tracy receive treatment. On October 30th, Tracy is scheduled to have new hearing aids fitted, so she could regain her ability to hear, learn, communicate and interact confidently with those around her. Now, Tracy's family needs help to fund this $1,171 procedure. Tracy says: "Since my hearing aids stopped working, I have been unable to attend school, which has made me fall behind my peers."

Sat is a 54-year-old security guard from Kandal Province, Cambodia. He is married with three children, and he and his wife both work as security guards. His son and youngest daughter are students. In his free time, he enjoys keeping up with the news on his phone. About two years ago, Sat developed a pterygium in his right eye — a non-cancerous growth on the surface of the eye — causing persistent tearing, irritation, and difficulty seeing clearly. The condition has made it hard for him to recognize faces and carry out his daily responsibilities. Fortunately, on June 17th, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, will help Sat undergo pterygium removal surgery that will help him see better. He can contribute $25, but needs help raising $273 more to fund his procedure and care. Sat said, "I hope after surgery my eye can see better, stop tearing, and can go back to work, so I don’t worry about my eye anymore."

Francis is an eight-year-old student who lives in Uganda with his parents and five siblings. He is a bright, cheerful, and confident child who dreams of becoming a driver when he grows up. He enjoys playing football and is known for being very helpful at home. His parents are farm laborers who depend on casual work to support their family. Despite their hard work, they struggle to meet their daily needs and cannot afford the cost of the surgery their son requires. When Francis was about one year old, he began to experience on-and-off swelling in a sensitive area of his body. As he has gotten older, the swelling is sometimes accompanied by pain, especially after sleeping or playing. This has limited his ability to enjoy normal childhood activities. Francis attended our partner’s medical care center, Karoli Lwanga Hospital, where he was diagnosed with a hydrocele. Francis needs surgery, or he will continue to experience painful symptoms. Fortunately, on November 2nd, Francis will undergo hydrocele repair surgery, and our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $146 to fund his procedure and care. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Francis’s mother shared, “Given a chance of support, I am sure my son will get operated on and will get better. My only challenge is finances, but I believe with your support, all will be well.”