Simwenda is a three-year-old boy from Tanzania. He resides in a village in the Mpanda district. His parents, hardworking farmers, work daily to provide for their family’s subsistence needs. Simwenda was born with a clubfoot - a birth abnormality in which the foot is twisted out of shape or position. The tissues connecting the muscles to the bone (tendons) are shorter than usual, causing the foot to twist and making walking and wearing shoes difficult. Simwenda’s parents, with limited resources and no access to medical insurance, could only watch their son’s condition worsen for three years. It broke their hearts to see him suffer. The nearest hospital could not provide the treatment he needed. Simwenda’s parents shared their son’s story with their community, hoping for help and learned that services would be available at the Plaster House, a care center of our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH). However, Simwenda's parents encountered a significant obstacle in obtaining care: transportation costs. Their village is hundreds of miles from Arusha, where the medical care center is located. Simwenda’s family organized a fundraising event to raise money for the transportation and additional expenses of the journey. Upon Simwenda’s arrival at the center, he received a warm welcome. The medical team will begin clubfoot treatment on September 15. AMH is requesting $935 to fund Simwenda's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk with less struggle. Simwende’s mother says: “Despite our financial situations, we have tried so hard to get him treatment. I hope this time around our son has a chance to get treatment.”

John is a 34-year-old man who gets work whenever he can to excavate stones for buildings. He is single and and his parents are elderly, so he is the main support in his family. Almost 2 months ago, John was hit by a sharp digging tool at a stone quarry. This marked the beginning of his predicaments. He treated the wound with herbal medication, but it worsened the wound. His leg was extensively swollen a day after the accident. This forced him to go to a facility in his local area where he was advised to go to a bigger hospital with surgical services for a possible amputation. John was admitted to the hospital and has been undergoing treatment for sepsis and anemia; the wound is well-managed and needs further treatment, but, thankfully, no amputation. He has not been able to walk since the accident occurred. Fortunately, our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH) is helping John receive treatment. On August 11th, surgeons will perform a debridement and skin graft procedure to help him walk easily again and lead a life without disability. John and AMH need help raising $1,185 to fully fund this procedure and John's care. John is worried for his future and shared, “Losing a leg is not a smiling issue. I was told I might lose my leg unless I get treatment.”

29-year-old Salam is a construction worker from Cambodia. He is unmarried and lives with his parents, one brother, and one sister in Prey Veng province. His parents are retired, thus he is responsible for most of the financial support for the family. When he's not working, he likes to play football with his friends. In April 2021, a construction column rolled onto Salam's leg at work, fracturing several bones in his right leg. After the accident, he went to a government hospital, where he had an operation on his ankle and tibia. An external fixation was performed to keep the fractured bones stabilized and in alignment. Now that all of his fractures have healed, Salam would like to have the hardware removed from his leg. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On March 17th, Salam will undergo a hardware removal procedure at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, which will cost $304. This procedure will allow him to heal completely and return to his life as it was before his accident. Salam needs your help to raise the money to cover the costs of his care. Salam shared: "After surgery, I hope the wound heals quickly and I can find work again to support my family."