Samwel is a 15-year-old student. He is the second-to-last child in a family of seven children. He resides in the Mpanda region and had to discontinue his education during his primary school years due to the remote location of his school, which made it impossible for him to travel long distances because of his birth condition. His parents, who are farmers, work daily to provide food for the family and generate additional income by selling their surplus harvest. To supplement the family’s income, his mother also engages in a side business of selling charcoal. Despite his parents’ efforts to seek treatment for his condition, limited financial resources prevented them from affording treatment at hospitals capable of providing the specialised care he needed. Consequently, Samwel had to adapt to his situation. He assists his family with farm work, although he tends to tire quickly. Remarkably, he has even discovered a way to derive enjoyment from playing football and other sports with his friends. In July 2022, our medical partner's care centre had the opportunity to meet Samwel and his parents during one of the outreach visits. They were deeply moved by how he had found ways to enjoy his life despite living with a condition that could have limited him in numerous ways. Samwel has clubfoot of both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Samwel's family now traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, The Plaster House NGO. There, the team will begin clubfoot treatment on September 15. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $935 to fund Samwel's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk comfortably and play sports even better. Samwel says, “I feel like this is a blessing. I once thought I was meant to live with this condition for life. I hope this treatment will enable me to work harder and enjoy sports better.”

Ra is a 50-year-old mother of two. Ra lives in a refugee camp near the Thai-Burma border with her family, where they are provided with accommodation and a monthly food allowance. During her free time, Ra shared that she enjoys praying. Since July 2023, Ra has been experiencing discomfort in her lower abdomen, accompanied by pain and heavy menstruation. During a routine medical check-up in the camp, a mass was detected by the doctor. She has been diagnosed with severe endometriosis, an often-painful disorder in which tissue similar to the tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus grows outside the uterus. She has been advised to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy, the surgical removal of her uterus and cervix. If left untreated, it is expected that Ra's symptoms would continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. Fortunately, Ra is scheduled to undergo a hysterectomy on September 7. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Once recovered, it is hoped that Ra will no longer experience pain, discomfort, and the other symptoms that have impacted her life. Ra said, "I feel uncomfortable and worried. It feels like something is moving in my belly. I hope this will go away after the surgery. Thank you BCMF and donors. May God bless you."

Emmanuel is a three-month-old baby boy from Tanzania. He has one older sibling. His parents are Olkokola Center volunteers, who dedicate their time to helping those in need. However, they face challenges in finding jobs that would offer them a stable income to provide for their family. Emmanuel has clubfoot of both feet. This is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape, making it difficult for the individual to wear shoes and to walk. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), can help. Emmanuel's family brought him to AMH's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. On August 4th, AMH's surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on Emmanuel's feet. AMH is requesting $935 to fund Emmanuel's clubfoot repair. This procedure is the first step of Emmanuel's treatment, and will ultimately help him run, walk, and play like other children. Emmanuel’s mother says: “I hope my son's treatment will go smoothly, and his legs won't have a permanent condition.”