Ramal is a 5-month-old baby from Kenya and the only child in his family. His parents separated before he was born. Ramal lives with his mother and great-grandparents. Ramal’s great-grandmother works jobs on people’s farms to earn a living, while his mother does laundry and also works casual jobs to provide for the family. Ramal’s family does not have NHIF coverage and needs assistance raising the required amount for Ramal’s hospital bills. Ramal was born two months early at seven months of pregnancy and was admitted to the nursery for two months. While in the nursery, the doctors noticed his head increasing in size, and upon close examination, he was diagnosed with hydrocephalus. When he was discharged, the doctors referred the family to another hospital in their home county for treatment. His mother gathered some funds and took him to the hospital, where he was booked for clinics and waited for surgery. This continued for a few months until a doctor referred them to our medical partner’s care center for treatment. Once arrived, an urgent shunt insertion surgery was scheduled. Ramal has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result, Ramal has been experiencing an increasing head circumference. Without treatment, Ramal will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $720 to cover the cost of surgery for Ramal to treat his hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on November 15th and will drain the excess fluid from Ramal’s brain, thus reducing intracranial pressure and greatly improving his quality of life. With proper treatment, Ramal will develop into a strong, healthy young boy as he grows. Ramal’s mother said, “This condition is something that we have never seen before. This made us worried for Ramal’s health.”

Three year old Tilian is the youngest of the 12 children in his family. They all live in a remote village in the Kiteto Manyara region of Tanzania. The family resides in a communal boma, consisting of small mud houses, which are just enough to accommodate them all. Tilian's parents are small farmers who depend on agriculture and livestock for sustenance and income. However, their region has been plagued by prolonged dry seasons, leading to the death of cattle and reduced harvests. As the sole provider for the family, the father has been compelled to seek day jobs to support them. Unfortunately, his income falls short of meeting the most basic necessities for their family. In September 2022, while Tilian was playing with his friends, he inadvertently came into contact with a stove, and accidentally knocked over a container of hot water. This resulted in Tilian sustaining severe burns to his arms and chest. His injuries were extensive, and Tilian was brought to the nearest dispensary for immediate first aid and wound care. After the initial treatment, Tilian was discharged and sent home with instructions for caring for the wounds, because the dispensary lacked the resources to continue caring for him. The burns on Tilian's hands took more than two months to heal, while the one on his chest required even more time for proper recovery. In March 2023, Tilian was brought to our medical partner's center. The medical team thoroughly assessed his condition, and told his parents about the availability of visiting doctors who specialize in treating similar cases. Initiating a daily wound care regimen, the medical team began to attend to Tilian’s needs. However, Tilian's father struggled to afford the transportation for multiple trips to the center. As a result, the family had to make the difficult decision to leave Tilian at the facility as a resident, while he underwent his wound care, and awaited treatment at the plastic surgery clinic. During a plastic surgery clinic this month, Tilian was evaluated by visiting surgeons. The proposed course of action is surgery to facilitate the healing of the wound on his chest. Additionally, the doctors will need to address the burn scar contractures that have developed, tightening the skin around his arm. His parents are appealing for help to ensure their son receives the proper and necessary treatment for his wounds. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Tilian receive treatment. On August 15th, surgeons will perform a burn contracture release surgery to enable him to use his hand with ease. With continued care, the wound on his chest will heal completely, preventing any further risk of infection, and allowing Tilian to lead a normal life as he grows. Now, his family needs your help to fund this $874 procedure. Tilian’s father says: “We hope for his improvement, which would reduce the concerns about the risk of infection in his wound and allow him to play freely with his friends.”

Olivia is a small-scale farmer from Uganda. She never finished her primary education due to lack of money for school fees. Olivia now practices small-scale farming to sustain her family and sells the surplus produce to earn a living. Her husband is a motorcycle taxi driver. Olivia and her husband live in a single-room house. Unfortunately, in 2022, Olivia lost her first baby due to severe fetal distress. She also has diabetes, which makes her new pregnancy higher risk. Her doctors recommended that she deliver via a cesarean section. This way, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Olivia undergo a C-section on November 16th. This procedure will cost $252, and Olivia needs your support. Olivia says, "I seek your support to have my baby delivered safely. I look forward to holding my baby in my arms, alive and healthy."