Nabulu is a one-month-old baby girl. She is the last born child in a family of six children, and lives with both of her parents. Her father is a pastoralist and the sole provider for the family. Nabulu has clubfoot on both feet, a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. The tissues connecting the muscle to the bones are shorter than usual and this causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Her parents were referred to Kafika House for specialized review and care after she was born at a nearby facility. Nabulu is scheduled to begin treatment on September 25th with a series of gentle casting and manipulation to gradually improve the alignment of her feet. Once her feet have reached the appropriate position, she will undergo a tenotomy procedure to further correct the condition. She will then be fitted with a foot abduction brace (FAB), which she will wear until the age of five to help prevent the clubfoot from recurring. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $341 to fund Nabulu's clubfoot repair. After treatment, Nabulu has the opportunity to wear regular shoes as she grows up, and walk comfortably as she reaches important developmental milestones. Receiving treatment gives her family hope that her condition can be corrected early, before it starts limiting her mobility. “We are grateful that we were directed to Kafika House after Nabulu was born. We hope that through this treatment, she will grow up walking comfortably and wearing regular shoes like other children,” says Nabulu's mother.

Mich is a 77-year-old retired rice farmer from Kandal province in Cambodia. She likes to go to the pagoda and join the ceremony. Mich has one daughter, two sons, and four grandchildren. Mich's husband died during the Khmer Rouge period in Cambodia. She currently lives alone, close to her daughter, who is a vegetable seller. About one year ago, Mich developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her to experience itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, so it is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. Mich has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so she cannot go places on her own. When Mich learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Center (CSC), she traveled for an hour seeking treatment. On July 24th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, Mich will be able to see clearly. CSC is requesting $263 to fund this procedure. Mich said, "I hope, after surgery, my eye can see better, so when I can go out, I recognize my relatives and get around well."

Kerson is a preschooler from Haiti. He lives with his father, who is a construction worker, and his mother, who is a waitress. He enjoys making art with crayons and singing. Kerson has a cardiac condition called a ventricular septal defect. A hole exists between the two lower chambers of his heart; blood leaks through this hole without passing through his lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him weak and short of breath. Kerson needs to fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On July 2nd, he will undergo heart surgery, during which surgeons will sew a patch over the hole in his heart so blood can no longer leak through it. Another organization is funding his surgery; however, Kerson's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,500 to cover labs, medicines, and check-up and follow-up appointments. It also supports securing travel documents for the family and travel costs for the social workers from our medical partner, who will accompany Kerson's family overseas. Kerson's mother shared, "Our family will be so happy and relieved once we know our son is safe!"