Jonah is a 7-year-old active and inquisitive primary school student from Kenya. He and his twin sister are the third born in a family of 5 children. His mother is a laborer tending farms and washing clothes for a living, while his father works as a security guard. In June 2019, Jonah slipped into boiling tea. He was rushed to a nearby hospital for first aid after sustaining serious burns on his back, thigh and hand. He was treated in the hospital for several months, but now burn scar contractures have developed, tightening the skin around the burn. He is unable to hold anything with the affected hand. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Jonah receive treatment. On October 2nd, surgeons will perform a burn contracture release surgery so that Jonah will be able to use his hand with ease again. AMH is asking for $1,500 to fully fund the procedure and medical care. Jonah's mother says, “Jonah cannot use his left hand at all because of the burns. He is only dependent on the right hand. He needs this procedure to be able to use his hand.”

Grace is a 25-year-old nurse from Malawi. She the second-born in a family of six children and the only school graduate to date. She graduated from nursing college in 2022 and is now proudly a registered nurse. Currently, she is unemployed, and all her younger siblings are in school. Grace's father is a builder who works in one of the government departments, and her mother is a homemaker. Grace started having pain in her neck back in 2013. In October, the pain increased, affecting both shoulders, and the swelling on her neck grew. On November 11th, Grace met the surgeon who confirmed the diagnosis of a goiter and the need for a surgical procedure called a thyroidectomy, which is the removal of part or all of the thyroid gland. Grace was referred to our medical partner's program due to financial instability. Grace believes that the surgery will help her get back to everyday life and that she can actively search for employment. Grace said, "I just want to get rid of the pain and tumor so that I can be active in job searching."

Alvin is a young boy from Uganda who just started kindergarten recently. Unfortunately, his school attendance has been sporadic for the last seven months due to pain from an inguinal hernia. Alvin has been struggling with on and off swelling from the hernia. His parents have tried using local herbs, but the boy has not been improving. He kept complaining of pain, and the parents decided to seek medical care at our medical partner's care center, Uganda Martyr's Ibanda Hospital. Alvin was quite curious and excited to visit the hospital for the first time, but soon learned that injections were not his favorite thing! However, Alvin is a brave little boy who is now scheduled for hernia repair surgery on November 28th. Alvin's parents are farmers; currently, they are short on cash as their crops are yet to mature for harvest. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $201 to fund Alvin's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. Alvin's mother says, "I am overwhelmed by joy for the good news of sponsoring my child's surgery. May God reward you, and may you never lack. After surgery, he will be able to go back to school and play with other children comfortably.’’