Vichheka is a 29-year-old delivery man. He is single and has one older married sister. He lives with and helps support his parents - his father is a tuk-tuk driver and his mother sells fish at the local market. In his free time, Vichheka enjoys listening to music with his friends and going to the cinema. In December 2021, he fell off a ladder while helping a neighbor and fractured his left elbow. He had surgery at a local hospital where he received a plate and screws in his arm. Now his fracture has healed, he no longer has pain, and needs the hardware removed. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On November 1st, Vichheka will undergo a hardware removal procedure, which will cost $304. This procedure will help him move his elbow well again. Vichheka said: "After surgery, I hope to be strong again to work for my family."

Vanna is a 38-year-old former construction worker from Cambodia. He is married and has a five-year-old son who has just started public school. His wife works in a local lamp factory. He enjoys reading the news, fishing, and playing football with friends In July of 2021, Vanna was in a motor vehicle accident in which he suffered loss of consciousness, trauma/paralysis to his right shoulder, and a fractured humerus. He had a fracture repair of his humerus done, and spent over a month in hospital. But he has also been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his right side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. Vanna has no movement of his right shoulder due to trapezius nerve damage and cannot bend his elbow or move his fingers. He is unable to work to support his young family and is in chronic pain. Vanna traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. This is the only center in the whole country where this treatment is available. On September 29th, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, he hopes to use his shoulder and arm again to find a job in construction. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $709 to fund this procedure. Vanna said: "After surgery, I hope my right shoulder will have movement, I have no pain, and can work for my family again."

Regina is a 13-year-old girl from Kenya. She is the secondborn in a family of three children. Her parents separated a few years back, and she and all of her siblings currently live with their mother in their ancestral home. Regina’s mother practices small-scale farming to provide food for their family. Her mother shares that she previously ran a small kiosk in their hometown where she sold fruits, but she has been unable to sustain the business since Regina fell sick in June. They currently rely on Regina’s grandmother to help support them. Regina has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of her condition, Regina has been experiencing fevers and severe headaches. Although she and her family have been to different hospitals seeking treatment, they have not seen much change in her condition. Fortunately, they were referred to our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital, where she will undergo surgery to treat her hydrocephalus. Without treatment, Regina would experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $720 to cover the cost of surgery for Regina. The procedure is scheduled to take place on August 17th and will drain the excess fluid from Regina's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Regina will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. Regina’s mother says, “I am not happy that my child is in this condition. I want her to get well and bring back my happiness.”

Ron is a 67-year-old retired rice farmer. She is married and has two daughters, three sons, and seven grandchildren. She enjoys listening to monks pray on the radio and going to the pagoda. A year ago, Ron developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her to experience itchiness, light sensitivity, eye tearing, and blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so she is not able to go places on her own. When Ron learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. On July 12th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery, and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Ron says, "I hope after surgery my eye can see better. I want to easily go outside and visit the pagoda by myself."

Aung is a six-year-old student from Thailand. He lives with his parents and brother. His mother works at a factory, his father is a homemaker, and his brother goes to school. In his free time, Aung likes to play with his toys and watch cartoon movies on the television. Aung has cataract in his right eye. As a result, he can only see light with that eye, and his eye is very sensitive and irritated. Fortunately, on November 15th, Aung will undergo lens replacement surgery, during which surgeons will remove Aung's natural lenses and replace them with an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), is requesting $1,500 to this surgery for Aung. Aung's mother shared: “We do not have money to treat him ourselves. My son is so lucky to be treated through the help of donors."

Quinter is a nine-year-old only girl who needs surgery to heal her clubfoot. She's in the third grade and likes reading and helping with household chores. Quinter's mother passed away when she was young, and later her father left the family, so Quinter is now under the care of her aunt, who works as a tea picker. Quinter has clubfoot of her left foot. Clubfoot is a condition where the foot is twisted out of shape. This makes it difficult for Quinter to walk or to even wear a shoe on that foot. Fortunately, Quinter traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on June 14th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,286 to fund Quinter's clubfoot repair. After treatment, Quinter will be able to walk well and play with her friends both at school and at home. Quinter’s aunt told us, “My joy is to see Quinter walking well and excelling in life.”

Sebastiana, who is eight years old, lives with her mother and four siblings in Tanzania. Because she is separated from her husband, Sebastiana's mother works many different jobs in order to support her children. One day, when their mother was away, Sebastiana and her siblings were busy helping out with household chores. Sebastiana got into an accident, and hot water spilled all over her arm. She received treatment for her burns - which healed - but they have left her with scars that limit the use of her arm. Sebastiana and her mother traveled a long way to meet with doctors from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation. As a result of their visit, Sebastiana is now scheduled to undergo contracture release surgery, and the amputation of her left thumb, at Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre on October 13th. After her surgery, Sebastiana should regain full use of her hand and arm, which will be a big relief to her mother. Now we need your help to fund the $1,088 required for the surgery. Sebastiana’s mother says: “When we were leaving home, she was so happy knowing that she is going to get treatment.”

Gaudy is a 45-year-old farmer living with her husband. Gaudy and her husband - who is also a farmer - have five children, one of whom is a teacher, while another is a nurse. Because her family didn't have the money to pay her school fees, Gaudy was only able to study through year six in primary school. For two years, Gaudy has been experiencing lower abdominal pain, backache, and other worrisome symptoms. She has been diagnosed with premalignant cervical lesions, and will need to undergo a hysterectomy to remove her uterus. Because of their family's limited income, Gaudy and her husband are unable to cover the costs of Gaudy's treatment. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $219 to fund Gaudy's surgery, which will take place on May 10th at the Karoli Lwanga Hospital In Nyakibale. Once she has recovered, Gaudy will be able to resume her daily activities, finally free of pain. Gaudy says: “I hope to get much better after my surgery and to regain my health once my surgery is successfully done.”

Boniface is an 8-year-old student who is in the fourth grade. His mother shared that he is an avid learner, and his best subjects are Swahili and Mathematics. Boniface is the youngest child in his family of four children. He comes from a community where they practice small-scale farming and keep livestock. Where he lives, children around the age of three to five start looking after the baby goats and lambs around their home to help contribute to the family's daily chores. Boniface also enjoys going out with his older sibling to collect firewood. Boniface has clubfoot in his right foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape, which causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Boniface's family was able to travel to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), for treatment at their care center. On April 22nd, surgeons will perform a clubfoot repair procedure to help Boniface walk easily. AMH is requesting $935 to fund this surgery. Boniface is hopeful that he will be able to be more active soon!

Mab is a 34-year-old electrician. He has two children, with his oldest son is seven years old and his newborn daughter at two months old. In Mab's free time, he enjoys playing volleyball with his friends. Last December, Mab was in a motorcycle accident that caused a brachial plexus injury on his left side. The brachial plexus is the nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in a loss of function and sensation. After the accident, Mab's family took him to a local hospital for treatment; however, his left arm is still immobile, and he has shoulder pain. The doctors referred him to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), for review, where they determined his shoulder is partially dislocated, and he has no elbow or wrist flexion. CSC is the only treatment center in the country that can help Mab receive the treatment he needs. On April 5th, he will undergo brachial plexus repair surgery that will allow him to use his hand again. CSC is requesting $696 for the cost of this surgery. Mab was able to gather $100 to contribute to his care, as well. Mab says, "I hope my arm will regain strength, and I can return to work."