Naw Sha is a 33-year-old mother who lives with her husband, daughter, sister-in-law, two brothers-in-law, two nieces, and nephew in a refugee camp in Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand. Originally from Karen State, Burma, she fled to Thailand with her family in 2012 due to armed conflict. Currently, she and her sister-in-law are homemakers, while her daughter, nieces and nephew go to school in the refugee camp. Her husband and her brothers-in-law are day laborers. During her free time, Naw Sha enjoys cooking, spending time with her daughter, nieces and nephew, and teaching them Burmese. Naw Sha is currently expecting her second child. Her doctors recommend that she deliver via a Caesarean section (C-section) because of her high-risk pregnancy. By delivering with a C-section, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF) is helping Naw Sha undergo a C-Section on December 8th. This procedure will cost $1500, and Naw Sha needs your support in raising money to fund her care. Naw Sha said, “In the future, if I had an opportunity, I would like to work with a health organization in the refugee camp as a nurse to earn more money to support my family."

Gasper is a thirteen-year-old resilient boy from Tanzania. He hails from Igwamadete village in the Singida region. Gasper is the eighth child in a family of nine. His parents, both farmers, work tirelessly cultivating food crops to make ends meet to help provide for the family. In June 2023, tragedy struck when Gasper was bitten by a snake on his right arm while he was asleep. His parents rushed him to the Igwamadete dispensary for immediate treatment, but unfortunately, the facility was not equipped to provide the specialized care he needed. Gasper was referred to the General Hospital in Dodoma and admitted for eight days. Following his stay at the hospital, Gasper was then taken to the Katavi region for local treatment, where he remained for four months. Despite their efforts, Gasper returned home to Singida with a developing contracture in his right elbow. This condition significantly limits his ability to engage in daily activities comfortably, including his studies. In their search for treatment, Gasper’s parents encountered another mother who had experienced a similar ordeal with her child. This compassionate woman directed them to Kafika House Center. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is now helping Gasper receive treatment at their care center Kafika House. On December 13th, surgeons will perform a contracture release surgery to help release the skin limiting the extension and flexing of his elbow. Now, his family needs help to fund this $874 procedure. Gasper says: “I can’t write comfortably because of my hand; I hope my hand will get back to normal.”

Miriam is a sociable four-year-old girl from Arusha Tanzania, the first born child in a family of two children. Miriam's father works casual day jobs to earn a living, while the mother is a homemaker. Despite financial challenges due to limited income, the parents work diligently to ensure their family's well-being. Miriam was brought to our medical partner's care center, Kafika House, by her mother following a burn incident she experienced in May 2023. A pot of boiling beans tipped off and the hot water spilled on Miriam, causing burn injuries. She was first taken to a nearby healthcare center for wound care, and it took a month for her wounds to heal. During the healing process, her skin developed a burn contracture on her elbow, which was left untreated as the health center did not have the capacity to handle such cases, and the family did not have the financial resources to seek treatment in a larger institution. Sometime later, Miriam's mother met one of Kafika House's staff members who advised her to go to the facility for an assessment, with hope for treatment, as the condition was already limiting Miriam's ability to perform her daily activities. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Miriam receive treatment at their care center Kafika House. On April 2nd, surgeons will perform a burn contracture release surgery to restore the functionality of her hand. Now, she needs help to fund this $874 procedure. Miriam’s mother says: “Please help my daughter get this treatment. I hope she will grow up with her arm fully functional.”