John is a 27-year-old young man from Kasarani in Kenya. He is the second born in a family of four children, and he is studying at Kenya School of Law to become a lawyer. Before his sickness, John enjoyed playing football with his friends. His father is a police officer, and his mother is a homemaker. John's condition started about a year ago when he started having epigastric pain (pain in his upper abdomen), nausea and heartburn. He was treated for H. pylori, a bacterial infection, with no improvement. The condition has affected his studies because it has hindered him from completing his exams. An endoscopy procedure showed that he is suffering from hiatus hernia - a condition where part of the stomach squeezes up into the chest through an opening ("hiatus") in the diaphragm. John is scheduled to have surgery on July 17th with our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH) and needs help with $788 to fund the procedure. If not treated, John will continue having the symptoms that may result in complications like gastrointestinal reflux syndrome, severe heartburn, difficulty swallowing, and the development of stomach ulcers. John shared, “I am still young and wish to complete my studies so that I can plan my future. I kindly request for help so that I get this treatment. I have no happiness or peace of mind until I get this surgery.”

Chanda is a cheerful 8-year-old student from Cambodia who lives with her parents and grandmother in Kampong Speu province. Her father works in construction, and her mother and grandmother are rice farmers. She is in grade two and enjoys learning Khmer and English. When she is older, she would like to go to medical school to be a doctor. At home, she likes fried meat with vegetables and chicken soup. Her grandmother is teaching her how to cook, and she enjoys imitating her grandmother in the kitchen. Since the age of two, Chanda has had frequent bouts of pharyngitis - a common viral or bacterial sore throat. She has had trouble sleeping and swallowing for the past two years, and she frequently has a runny nose, fever, and sneezing, and does not feel well enough to attend school. She doesn't want to eat food because it causes her pain, and she does not gain enough weight. Medications from the pharmacy have not helped her symptoms. Chanda was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, which, if not treated, will cause her symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) is requesting $265 to fund a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for Chanda, which is scheduled to take place on August 1st. Surgeons will remove her tonsils and adenoids, hopefully relieving Chanda of her symptoms and helping her live much more comfortably. Chanda's family is able to contribute $100 towards the surgery and CSC is requesting $265 to fully fund the procedure. Her mother said, "We hope that after surgery, Chanda will have good health and stop the infection. It will be easier for her to breathe and she will not miss school any longer."

Ruth is a 15 year old student, living with her family in Uganda. Her father, who is in the motorcycle business, would like to see Ruth become a doctor, although he is uncertain that he will be able to offer the financial support necessary for this goal. Six years ago, Ruth developed a swelling on her left forearm, that has continued to increase in size. The swelling causes paralysis around the site when she writes, causing her difficulties in school. She also experiences a lot of discomfort with activities that entail heavy lifting. After seeing the doctor, Ruth was diagnosed as having a lipoma, and surgery was recommended. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Ruth to access the treatment that she needs. On September 5th, surgeons at Karoli Lwanga Hospital, Nyakibale will remove the mass. Now Ruth and her family need your help to raise $137 to fund this procedure. Ruth's father said: “I hope surgery will improve her wellbeing, because this condition has given her too much pain."