Jasten is a two-year-old boy from Chimutu Village, Kenya where he lives with his single mother and five siblings. Because of the recent death of his father, Jasten's mother depends upon small-scale farming to provide for the family. In February 2023, Jasten’s mother noticed that his scrotum was swollen and that he would constantly cry because he was in pain. His mother took him to the nearest health center where she was advised to seek traditional help. Knowing how expensive traditional help can be, she decided to take Jasten to Nkhoma Hospital, hoping he would be prescribed drugs that she could buy at a pharmacy, whenever she could afford them. After assessment at the hospital, Jasten was diagnosed with a right inguinal hernia and the doctor informed Jasten's mother that he would need to have surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is seeking $421 to fund Jasten's procedure, which is scheduled for April 19th at Nkhoma Hospital. Treatment will be a welcome development in Jasten’s life, as he will be relieved of the pain and saved from complications that can arise if his condition is left untreated, such as hernia strangulation, which can be life-threatening. Jasten’s mother says: “Thank you to the donors for this opportunity. I am glad that my son will be well again.”

Lu is a 63-year-old man who lives with his wife and niece in a refugee camp in Thailand. He is unemployed, while his wife is a homemaker, and his niece is a student. Lu enjoys going to the forest to fish in the steams and to forage for vegetables. He shared he also likes to read the Bible and to sing hymns. Lu developed cataracts in both of his eyes. As a result, his vision is blurry and impaired, which makes it difficult for Lu to lead an independent life. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund lens replacement surgery for Lu. On January 19th, doctors at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital will perform a lens replacement procedure, during which they will remove Lu's natural lenses, and replace them with intraocular lens implants. After recovery, Lu will be able to see clearly again and get back to his day-to-day life. Now, he needs your help to fund this $1,500 procedure. Lu said: “I feel so annoyed and uncomfortable when I try to look around me, so I will often just close my eyes,” he said. “I want to receive surgery so that my vision can be restored.”

VireakSeth has one older brother and lives at home with his parents and grandmother. His grandmother enjoys looking after him in the daytime while his parents are working. When he was seventeen months old, VireakSeth's family was burning trash near their home when he accidentally burned his foot. Burn scar contractures have developed on all of his toes and now it is difficult for him to walk. When VireakSeth's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), they traveled for 1.5 hours seeking treatment. On January 9th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help him walk easily again. Now, he needs help to fund this $495 procedure. His father said, "I hope after surgery my son's foot looks better and he can walk again."