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.”

Jesca is a social and cheerful lady from Bugangari, located in the Rukungiri district of southwestern Uganda. At 68, she has been married to her husband for 50 years, and together they have nine children. Alongside her husband, Jesca is a small-scale farmer, selling off whatever the family doesn't use to generate a little income. Since 2020, Jesca has been experiencing lower abdominal pain, backaches, and intermittent fevers. However, her most persistent and troubling symptom is heavy vaginal bleeding. She has been diagnosed with abnormal uterine bleeding and needs to undergo a hysterectomy, where her uterus will be removed. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $219 to fund Jesca's surgery, which is scheduled for March 9th, at Karoli Lwanga Hospital, Nyakibale. Once she has recovered, Jesca will be able to resume her daily activities, free of pain. Jesca says: “I was afraid this may turn out to become cancerous, but once I am operated on, I will surely be free from all the pain and worries that I’ve been through.”

Prima is a 56 year old widowed mother of one child, living in Uganda. After losing her husband more than 20 years ago, Prima and her child moved to a three-roomed mud house that Prima built, and began a new life. Today, Prima works as a small scale farmer, and also crafts things by hand to sell for additional money. For the past five years, Prima has been experiencing lower abdominal pains associated with persistent and prolonged bleeding and pain. She reported to Rushoroza Hospital a few days ago, and was diagnosed with severe anemia. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is seeking $319 to fund the hysterectomy that Prima needs to finally heal her condition. The surgery is scheduled to take place on December 2nd at Rushoroza Hospital. Once she has recovered, Prima will be able to resume a full and productive life, free from pain. Prima says: “I was not doing well; I thank God that I rushed to Rushoroza Hospital for treatment. I pray that my surgery goes well so that I may be able to resume farming and take good care of myself and family.”