Godson is a 4-month-old baby boy, the youngest in a family of six children. He lives with his parents and siblings in Singida, Tanzania. Both parents are farmers. They grow corn and sunflowers, which they use to make cooking oil. They sell cooking oil to earn money to support their family. Godson was born with a congenital condition in which his feet are twisted out of shape. The parents have been very concerned for their son. They've been to several different hospitals in the past three months seeking treatment with no success. Two weeks ago, while Godson's mother was out for a walk, a stranger saw Godson and approached the mother. The stranger explained his experience with his daughter who had a similar condition. After a brief conversation, the man directed her to the care center of our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), for a consultation. Godson's parents wasted no time traveling over 400km and finally arrived at AMH's care center with excitement. The doctors at AMH diagnosed Godson with clubfoot in both of his feet. Godson requires a treatment that involves a series of casting. Fortunately, AMH is able to provide treatment. After a brief talk with our team, Godson's parents understood the diagnosis and what treatment would be needed. The surgeons at AMH will perform clubfoot repair surgery on April 21st. AMH is requesting $935 to fund Godson's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk easily. Godson’s mother says, “After seeing my son I thought this will be his future. I am happy to know that his condition can be treated.”

Chanseth is a 23-year-old factory worker who lives with his parents and four siblings in Kampong Speu province in Cambodia. His older brother works with his parents on a rice farm; Chanseth and two of his sisters work in a local factory, and their 10-year-old sister is in grade three at the local public school. When he is not working in the factory, Chanseth helps his brother and parents on the rice farm. In August 2022, Chanseth was injured in a motorcycle accident, fracturing his left humerus (upper arm bone), and sustaining multiple superficial wounds on his arm. Originally, his arm was just splinted. Two months later, Chanseth went to a local government hospital to see if they could help with the repair of the fracture. It has now been eight months, and Chanseth's arm is still non-functional. He cannot raise his shoulder or use his arm. Chanseth was diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his left 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. Because of the damage to his tendons and nerves, Chanseth is unable to work. He will require a nerve and tendon transfer to improve his shoulder function to regain the use of his hand. Chanseth sought help at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. On March 28th, he will undergo brachial plexus repair surgery at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, the only facility in the country where this treatment is available. Children's Surgical Centre is requesting $709 to fund this procedure. Chanseth said: "After surgery, I hope that they can fix my fracture and I can use my hand to go back to work."

Beatrice is a one-month-old baby from Kenya. She is the youngest in a family of nine children. Due to the ongoing rain shortage, the parents have had to go out of their way to do casual jobs to provide for the family. The family has no insurance and cannot raise the required funds for her surgery. Beatrice was born at home, and immediately, her mother noticed she had swelling on her back. Referred by a friend to BethanyKids, her family traveled for two days and brought her in for an examination. Beatrice was born with spina bifida, a type of neural tube defect in which the spine does not properly close around the spinal cord. Without treatment, Beatrice is at risk of lower-limb paralysis, infection of the exposed nervous tissue, development of tethered cord syndrome, and possible developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,151 to cover the cost of Beatrice's spina bifida closure surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on March 8th. This procedure will hopefully spare Beatrice from the risks associated with her condition, allowing her to grow and develop along a healthy trajectory. Beatrice’s mother says, “I was confused when I first saw the condition my child has, and I did not know what to do. I’m really looking forward to her surgery.”

Meet Clerize: a beautiful and bright 4-year-old. She is the 1st born in a family of two and her family hails from a small village in rural Kenya. We met her at our Nyandarua medical camp outreach accompanied by her grandmother. Clerize's grandmother is a farmer while her father, who is separated with his wife, works as a boda boda (motorcycle taxi) driver. Clerize was born healthy however at the age of three, her grandmother noticed an unusual walking style. She stared tiptoeing and would fall every time she tried to walk. For lack of information and because of the distance, they didn’t take her to the hospital. Later their family heard about CURE hospital medical camp in Nyandarua and brought her to be seen by the doctors. The medical team diagnosed Clerize with clubfoot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Clerize's family has now traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on February 26th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,286 to fund Clerize's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will be able to walk more easily and is looking forward to attending school. “I am pleading for help to help my granddaughter undergo surgery so that she can resume with her normal life and walking,” Clerize's grandmother told us.

Kosi is a small-scale farmer from Uganda. She currently lives with and cares for her aging mother after separating from her husband 20 years ago and losing her children in their early years of life. For over four years, Kosi has been experiencing lower abdominal pain and abnormal vaginal discharge. She has been diagnosed with multiple uterine fibroids. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. On February 6th, she will undergo a hysterectomy at our medical partner's care center. Once recovered, Kosi will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Kosi needs help raising $319 to fund her procedure. Kosi says, “I seek medical assistance so that I may be able to live a good life once again. I will continue with farming to help me take care of myself and my mother.”

Meet Dennis, a 12 year old boy living in Kenya with his parents and two younger siblings. When Dennis isn't in school - where math is his favorite subject - he enjoys playing with friends and reading books. Dennis' father works as a casual laborer, while his mother is a housewife. Dennis was healthy at birth, but at the age of two, his left foot started to bend inwards. His parents brought him to numerous hospitals, but his condition remained unresolved. This is very frustrating for Dennis, who has to walk on tiptoes, and is in pain when he walks. Doctors at our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, diagnosed Dennis with a clubfoot. Now he is scheduled to undergo clubfoot repair surgery at AIC Cure International Hospital on January 16th. This procedure which will allow Dennis to wear shoes and to walk with ease. African Mission Healthcare Foundation is requesting $1,286 to fund Dennis' life changing procedure. “Our joy will be to see Dennis walking and playing like other children,” Dennis’s mother told us.

Meet Asanas: she is a social and confident 28-year-old Ugandan woman who lives in a muddy three-roomed semi-permanent house with her husband, child, and two foster children. To make a living, she does farming on her small piece of land with her husband. They usually grow simple food crops for home consumption but often sell the surplus to generate income for their family. During high school, she had a passion for journalism, but she was unable to pursue her dream because she couldn't finish school due to a lack of school fees. She stayed at home for a few years before getting married when she was 22. Asanas was brought in to the hospital with severe left-sided pain whenever she lies down to rest. She also experiences abdominal pain, even when eating small amounts of food. When her symptoms became severe, she came to see a doctor and was recommended to undergo a scan. The scan results indicated a left cyst, and she was recommended for cystectomy treatment for a complete recovery. However, her income is not enough to enable her to raise the money needed for her surgery, and she therefore appeals for your support to pay the $220 required for her cystectomy. Asanas says, "My life had always been well until I was hit by this pain. It's hard for me to do anything at home, but I hope that with your help to undergo surgery and I will get well."

Wedstanley, who is 10 months old, lives in a small village in northern Haiti, with his parents and three older siblings. Both of his parents are farmers. Wedstanley was born with a condition called patent ductus arteriosus, in which blood leaks between two major blood vessels next to his heart. As a result of this condition, Wedstanley is weak and short of breath. Surgical intervention is required in order to restore him to good health. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,500 to fund Wedstanley's interventional heart catheterization. The procedure, during which surgeons will close the leak in his heart - allowing for normal blood flow - is scheduled for April 17th, at Clinica Corominas. Wedstanley's mother said: "Our family is praying that this surgery will go well and that our son will be normal and healthy!"

Khin is a 28-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her parents and three older sisters. Her family runs a small grocery store, and her older brother works in a factory to help provide for their family. However, Khin shared that their combined income is not enough to pay for expenses and basic health care. In April 2020, Khin started to experience dizziness, headache, and nausea. Her vision also became blurred and sensitive to light. At first, she thought she just needed eyeglass and visited an ophthalmologist. During that visit, her ophthalmologist tested her eyes and shared that her symptoms may be due to a brain tumor. Currently, Khin is still experiencing the same symptoms but they have been gradually worsening over time. She feels weak and has pain in her neck. Khin visited our medical partner's hospital for further review. The doctors want her to undergo a CT scan, a procedure in which x-ray images taken from several angles are combined to produce cross-sectional images of the body. This scan will hopefully help doctors diagnose her condition and formulate an appropriate treatment plan. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $414 to cover the cost of Khin's CT scan and care, which is scheduled for November 30th. Khin said: "I become angry very easily because of my blurred vision. Before that, I was so patient. I am so worried about becoming blind completely, I don't want to live this way. I don’t want my family to be in trouble because of me. I feel a bit relieved to hear that there will be a donor to help pay for my treatment cost."

Caleb is a playful and talkative 3-year-old boy from Kenya. He is an only child, and his mother works as a casual laborer at a local hotel. Currently, due to his clubfoot, Caleb cannot stand without assistance. He can roll over, but cannot yet walk or crawl. Caleb has clubfoot in both feet, a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This can cause difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Caleb traveled to visit our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, for treatment. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on March 14th. African Mission Healthcare Foundation is requesting $1,286 to fund Caleb's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to stand, walk and continue playing with other children. “I am appealing to people of goodwill to help my son undergo surgery to gain strength and walk on his feet,” Caleb's mother said.