39-year-old Florence lives on the outskirts of Nairobi, Kenya. She shared that her husband abandoned her and their three children, two of whom are still in school, while the oldest is currently out of school and unemployed. Florence is now the sole breadwinner for the family, earning a living through sales made in a small shop that she has. About one year ago, Florence began to experience epigastric pains. She went to Mama Lucy Hospital, where she was treated for ulcers. Two months ago, the pain intensified, and began radiating to her back. She was advised to go to a hospital where she could have an endoscopy, and once this test had been performed, it was determined that Florence has a hiatal hernia. If Florence isn't treated, she could face complications, such as severe gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), strangulation of the hernia, and lung problems, since the contents of her stomach might be forced upward into her lungs. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is here to help. On October 23rd, Florence will undergo laparoscopic surgery at Nazareth Hospital, to correct the hernia. Now Florence needs your help to fund this $788 procedure. “My children have no one to turn to except myself. Therefore, my good health is very important to them. I am requesting help so that this problem can be solved, and I can take care of my children,'' said Florence quietly.

Nageli is an 11-year-old girl, living in a small, remote village in Ngorongoro, Tanzania. She is a diligent student, currently attending primary school. While she aspires to become a nurse, she and her family - her parents and two siblings - live within the confines of a Maasai society, so that her family’s sustenance and income revolve around livestock husbandry. When Nageli was five years old, her mother entrusted her to retrieve a flask of hot tea from the kitchen. On her way back to her mother, Nageli stumbled, spilling the hot tea onto her neck. Due to their village's remoteness, and the absence of a nearby health center, the family administered first aid at home. Because proper wound care wasn't available, Nageli endured a prolonged healing process. While traditional remedies were employed, her wound persisted for three to four months. During an outreach visit to their village, a team from our medical partner encountered Nageli, and informed her parents about a potential treatment for their daughter’s condition. With the aid of their church community, Nageli and her father undertook the journey to our medical partner's facility, hoping to find a solution for the burn scar contractures that have developed, stiffening Nageli's neck, and limiting her neck's range of motion. Fortunately, African Mission Healthcare is helping Nageli receive treatment. On August 16th, surgeons will perform a burn contracture release surgery to ease the stiffness in Nageli's neck, which will improve her range of motion. Now, her family needs your help to fund this $639 procedure. Nageli says: “I wish to walk and have fun again with my friends while going for long walks to fetch water and firewood.”

John is a 9-month-old infant from Haiti. He is the youngest child in a large family. John has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of his condition, John has been experiencing increasing head circumference. Without treatment, John will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, Project Medishare, is requesting $897 to cover the cost of surgery for John at Hospital Bernard Mevs. This is the only site in the country where this care is currently available. This critical treatment will drain the excess fluid from John's brain to reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, John will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. John's family hopes the surgery will allow him to live a more full and happy life.