Ruth is a 6-month-old baby girl from Haiti. She was born with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of her condition, Ruth has been experiencing an increasing head circumference. Without treatment, Ruth will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, Project Medishare, is requesting $897 to cover the cost of surgery at Hospital Bernard Mevs. This is the only site in the country where this care is currently available and the procedure is scheduled to take place on May 2nd. Doctors will place a shunt to drain the excess fluid from Ruth's brain. This critical treatment will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. Ruth's parents are looking forward to their child living a healthy life.

Bakari is 6-year-old boy from Tanga, Tanzania. He is known for his charm, sociability, and outspoken nature. He is the first child to his mother, with his father having passed away. His mother, due to remarriage and relocation to another region, Mwanza, had to leave him in the care of his grandmother and uncle. Currently a student, Bakari recently embarked on his primary education, finding joy in the time spent at school with his peers, though limited in activities due to the condition he was born with. Bakari faces a physical challenge as he was born with a condition affecting both of his feet, causing them to twist inward and downward, significantly impacting his mobility. Early in his life, he had an opportunity for treatment in Tanga, but unfortunately, his father’s demise led to a lack of follow-up post-operative care, resulting in a relapse. At the age of two, his grandmother took him to the hospital for treatment, but insufficient financial resources prevented them from completing the necessary procedures, leading to yet another relapse. Determined to secure proper treatment for Bakari, his grandmother patiently gathered savings and, in late 2023, brought him to Arusha, specifically to Nkuaranga Hospital. During their visit, the doctor informed them that, due to Bakari’s age, he required more complex surgery, which the grandmother couldn’t afford. The doctor then directed them to Kafika house. Upon arrival, he was assessed by the team there. Bakari has clubfoot of both feet. His treatment plan will start with manipulation and casting, followed by corrective surgery. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. The team at Kafika House will begin clubfoot treatment on January 19th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $935 to fund Bakari's clubfoot repair. After treatment, his mobility will significantly improve. Bakari’s grandmother says: “I really hope my grandson's feet will be okay. I have struggled to see him get treatment hoping his future will be okay.”

Sambath is a cheerful six-year-old boy from Cambodia. He lives with his three siblings and parents, who earn income by collecting plastic bottles for recycling. Two years ago, Sambath had an ear infection that caused the ear drums in his right and left ears to perforate. As a result, Sambath experiences ear discharge, hearing loss, and a history of snoring at night which has been exacerbated by an inflammation of the nose. His communication with others has been hampered, and he no longer attends school. Sambath and his mother traveled to our medical partner's care center to seek help for his condition. On March 20th, he will undergo a myringoplasty procedure to repair the eardrums on both of his ears, at Kien Khlang National Rehabilitation Centre. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $914 to cover medications, supplies, and inpatient care for the procedure. Sambath's mother says, "After surgery, I hope that Sambath will be able to speak more clearly, and that his hearing will improve. I would like for him to do well in school, and feel hopeful about the future."