Samwel is a five-month-old baby from Gilalumpa, Tanzania. He is the youngest child in his family, born into a polygamous family of two wives and eleven children. The family relies on livestock-keeping as their primary livelihood but lack the means to generate sufficient income to cover expenses. They reside in a communal boma or community enclosure consisting of seven small mud huts, each hut divided into two rooms, which accommodate their entire family. Samwel’s mother, Namag, gave birth to him at home, and while the delivery went smoothly, Samwel developed some health issues a few days later. Observing an abnormality in Samwel’s left foot, the family initially took no action as they had no understanding of the condition. When a concerned neighbor noticed his foot, the family sought medical treatment. However, due to their financial situation, the family was unable to afford the necessary care. Fortunately, doctors offering mobile clinic services set up camp near the family's home. Samwel’s parents managed to attend the clinic, where the doctors recommended assistance from Fly Medical Services (FMS) for transportation to Arusha where treatment would be available. Samwel has congenital clubfoot of left foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape or position as the tissues connecting the muscles to the bone (tendons) are shorter than usual. Clubfoot causes difficulty walking and wearing shoes. Samwel's family was able to travel to visit our medical partner's care center, The Plaster House NGO. There, the team will begin clubfoot treatment on September 22nd. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $935 to fund Samwel's clubfoot repair. After treatment, Samwel’s quality of life will significantly improve as he grows. The treatment will enable him to walk comfortably, wear shoes, and alleviate any concerns his parents may have about his condition and his future. Samwel’s mother says: “I would like my son to be well. I want him to enjoy long walks with his brother when he grows up.”

Lightness is a sweet, seven-month-old baby girl from Tanzania. She is the youngest of five children in her family. Her parents are small-scale farmers who depend on what they grow for the family's daily food. Her father also does casual laboring day jobs to help supplement their income. Lightness was born with a bend at her ankles and has been diagnosed with clubfoot of both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape, which causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Her family needs financial assistance with her medical care and brought her to our medical partner's hospital. On July 5th, surgeons perform clubfoot repair surgery to help her walk easily as she grows. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $935 to fund this surgery. Lightness's mother said: "I was told through this program my baby's feet could be treated. Kindly help us if it is possible."

Mana, a 14-year-old from Cambodia, is a loving son and brother. His father is not involved in the family, and Mana stopped attending school to help support his mom at home. Mana is a rice farmer, and his mom sells home-grown vegetables at their local market with the help of Mana's sister. When Mana is not looking after the rice paddies, he likes to play football with his friends! When Mana was seven years old, he was playing with his friend in the kitchen when he fell into a wood fire where his mother was cooking, causing him to burn his left hand and fingers. They could not afford care at that time. After the burn healed, the skin around his fingers retracted and bent his fingers. Skin contractures have developed, tightening the skin around his burn, and one of his finger joints has become partially dislocated. Mana experiences pain and cannot move his fingers or hold objects in his hand. When Mana learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for one and a half hours seeking treatment. On September 12th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to improve the function of his hand and fingers. Now, he needs help to fund this $495 procedure. Mana and his family contributed $100 to his care. Mana's mother shared: " I hope Mana's fingers can be straightened and he can work easier."