Shurem is an 8-year-old boy from Kenya. He is the third born in a family of four children. His mother is a housewife while his father is a casual laborer who herds cattle for people in his community. However, the ongoing drought in the region has made it difficult for him to find work. The family is unable to raise the required funds to pay for medical expenses. Shurem has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of his condition, Shurem has been experiencing an increasing head circumference. When Shurem was two years old, he started experiencing fevers which were managed with medication. A few days later, his parents started to notice his head was increasing in size. Despite a review from the hospital and the administration of medication, his condition only became worse, and he stopped walking. Late last year the community referred his family to BethanyKids first mobile clinic in their hometown Garissa County, as they had stopped seeking treatment for Shurem for a few years. The mobile clinic referred Shurem to BethanyKids, where he was examined and diagnosed with hydrocephalus. Without treatment, Shurem will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $720 to cover the cost of surgery for Shurem that will treat his hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on February 9th and will drain the excess fluid from Shurem's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, Shurem will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. Shurem’s father says, “I feel very bad for my son as I cannot help him in any way. I want him to be well and back in good health.”

Rosette is a confident and outspoken 36-year-old housewife from Uganda. She is married and has two children who were both delivered by Caesarean section. She also has a history of one ectopic pregnancy. Rosette holds a degree in public administration, but due to a highly competitive job market, she has had difficulty getting a job. Now, she stays home taking care of her family and doing the cooking and washing. Her children are both in school studying, and her husband works as a private teacher. During her free time, Rosette enjoys spending time with her family. Rosette is currently expecting another child. Her doctors recommend that she deliver via a Caesarean section because of her previous scars. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Rosette deliver her baby safely. On March 21st, she will undergo a C-Section at AMH's care center. Now, she and her husband need help raising $252 to fund the procedure and care. Rosette shared, "I am really in a bad financial crisis, without your support, am not sure whether I can make this on my own. I need your support."

Sonara is a 37-year-old office worker living in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. He is single and lives with his elderly father and two sisters. His father is the village chief, his older sister works in a music store, and his younger sister works in an office. When not working, he enjoys reading books. Several days ago, he noticed a wound on the sole of his left foot. Since he was 17, he remembers having a small black mole on his foot, but until recently, he did not have pain. The mole has recently increased in size and hinders his ability to walk. Because most people never check their feet for signs of melanoma, unfortunately it often spreads before it is noticed. When Sonara learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for one and a half hours seeking treatment. On January 3rd, surgeons at CSC will perform an excision and biopsy of the mole on the left sole, medial plantar flap, and inguinal node biopsy to determine if he has melanoma and if it has spread. In addition, surgeons will replace the part of his sole that has been excised with a local flap. Now, he needs help to fund this $673 procedure. Sonara said: "I am lucky to know about CSC, I hope the pain in my foot goes away and I can return to work."