Jarso is is a talkative and lively boy from Kenya. He is an aspiring soldier who has a severe wound on the right leg. He has not been able to go to school for more than two years now because of his condition. He is the youngest of two children. His mother passed away in 2015 and his father is a casual laborer in a dense urban part of the city that has a lot of poverty. He does not have medical coverage and already has a bill that his family is unable to pay. The stress on his family has also lead his father to seek psychological therapy in the facility. Jarso's father shared that two years ago, Jarso was pricked by a sharp object on his right leg but never reported it. He started experiencing extreme pain and abnormal swelling and was taken to a health facility in their hometown where he was treated for pain and swelling. His condition did not improve and his father opted to take him to his grandfather in Ethiopia where he was put under herbal and traditional treatments. The wound only worsened to the extent that he was constantly bedridden. He returned to Kenya where his neighbors advised him to visit Kijabe Hospital for care. On June 13th, Jarso was reviewed by the plastic surgery team and urgent care was recommended. He has so far undergone two major surgeries (Sequestrectomy and a debridement). He still needs another debridement and flap cover procedure to heal. His father cannot afford the surgery, he is appealing for financial support. Jarso is unable to walk without support and risks an amputation if the wound is not well treated. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Jarso receive treatment. On July 13th, surgeons will perform a debridement and skin graft procedure to heal his chronic wound and the risk for amputation will be significantly reduced. After complete healing, he will be able to return to school. Now, Jarso's family needs your help to fund this $1,185 procedure. Jarso's father says, “I am almost giving up! I thought it is a simple wound but it has taken over two years to heal. He has been through a lot of treatment including herbal and traditional remedies. They have all failed. The bone is so infected that he cannot even walk. He has missed school for two years now. I hope the treatment now enables him to walk and go back to school.”

Chhay is an adorable four-year-old toddler who lives in Phnom Penh City with six members of his extended family, including his parents, two brothers, an aunt and his grandmother. His mother is a homemaker, and his father is a policeman. Chhay is in preschool and enjoys painting, learning the Khmer alphabet, and counting. He is also learning to ride a bicycle, and tries to keep up with his older brother. For the past year, Chhay has been experiencing sore throats and difficulty swallowing. He has frequent throat infections accompanied by high fevers and a loss of appetite. Chhay was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, which, if not treated, will cause his symptoms to persist, and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $265 to fund a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for Chhay, which is scheduled to take place on August 3rd at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre. Surgeons will remove his tonsils and adenoids, hopefully relieving Chhay of his symptoms, and helping him live much more comfortably. His grandmother said: "We hope after surgery he will stop having throat infections; it will be easy to swallow, and he will finally sleep well at night."

Alven is a hardworking father from Philippines. He is a single father, acting as both parents to his daughter. He has been separated from his wife for 18 years and lives with his siblings. Alven is a maintenance worker and shared that he is known to be a "workaholic". One year ago, Alven began to experience troubling symptoms, including extreme abdominal and back pain. The pain was so extreme, he could not go to work two days a week which has affected his income. In April, he went for a check-up at Ospital ng Paranaque, a general surgery hospital. Alven was diagnosed with gallstones, hardened deposits of digestive fluid that can form in the gallbladder. Alven has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, his symptoms will continue to worsen and put him at risk for further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), Alven is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy on November 11. A portion of the cost of the procedure is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is raising the remaining $1128 to cover the cost of Alven's surgery and care. Alven told us: "This assistance is a big help to me because my income is only enough to support my daughter and is not sufficient to support my surgery. Your help means a lot to me and my family. I hope that you continue to help others because I am truly blessed to be one of your beneficiaries."