Saglan Wajee General Hospital

Muluwerk is a 28-year-old woman from Ethiopia. She and her husband have three young children—two sons and a daughter. Muluwerk has been facing a quiet, painful battle with a bone infection known as osteomyelitis. As a young mother caring for her children and home, she spends her days taking on physically demanding tasks. Muluwerk experiences pain, swelling, and other worrisome symptoms, making each day a showcase of her resilience. Muluwerk visited our medical partner's care center, Saglan Wajee General Hospital (SWGH), for help. After review, her doctors have recommended that she undergo a sequestrectomy, a surgical procedure involving the removal of fragments of infected, dead bone or tissue. If not treated, her condition can lead to recurrent infections that may result in life-threatening complications. Fortunately, on April 8th, Muluwerk will undergo repair surgery at SWGH's care center. Once completed, this procedure will alleviate her symptoms and prevent serious long-term complications. SWGH is requesting $900 to fund her procedure. Muluwerk said, "I am hoping to end this four-year cycle of suffering once and for all. By getting my mobility back, I can finally put all my energy into building a bright future for my family, free from the shadow of this recurring illness."

Netsanet is a 28-year-old hardworking woman from Ethiopia who supports her seven brothers and sisters. This responsibility led her to work far from home as a domestic worker in Saudi Arabia for two years, with a goal of opening up a business when she returned home. However, this did not go as planned, as she had to send her salary back home every month to care for the family, leaving very little in terms of savings. When she returned home seven months ago, Netsanet secured a new job as a salesperson in a cosmetics shop. Two months ago, she started experiencing uncomfortable symptoms like heavy bleeding, bloating, and increasing pain. The symptoms got worse with time, and she was unable to continue working. Netsanet went to the hospital and was diagnosed with fibroids, which are benign growths in the uterus. She needs to undergo a myomectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove the fibroids. Fortunately, our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, can help. Netsanet is scheduled to undergo surgery on April 9th, and she needs help raising $1,050 to fund her surgery and care. Netsanet says, "I hope to return to work and find my strength again. I wish to be the independent person I’ve always been, someone who can stand on my own two feet and provide for my family’s needs without any limits."

Elile is a three-year-old girl from Ethiopia. This bright young girl lives in a home dedicated to helping others, with a physician for a father and a teacher for a mother. Despite their medical and educational expertise, the family faces a tiring cycle of hospital visits that places a heavy logistical burden on parents working as dedicated government staff members. For one year now, Ellie has been experiencing chronic tonsillitis, causing fever and difficulty eating. This drains her energy and makes it difficult for her to obtain the necessary nutrition to thrive. If not treated, it will cause her symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $700 to fund a tonsillectomy for Elile, which is scheduled to take place on April 25th. Surgeons will remove her tonsils, hopefully relieving Elile of her symptoms and helping her live more comfortably. Ellie's parents said, "We hope to leave the constant anxiety of illness behind. We look forward to a time when we can focus on work, while Ellie can simply focus on being a healthy and active child."

Yohana is a five-year-old girl from Ethiopia. She is in kindergarten and is an active member of her household, supported by her mother and her father, an electrician and electronics maintenance staff member. Having dealt with chronic tonsillitis since she was a toddler, Yohana has spent over half of her life navigating the difficult challenges of this condition. For three years now, Yohana has been experiencing snoring, fevers, and a painful throat. These recurring infections, filled with frequent fevers and intense pain, have often pulled her away from her first years of school. They have also disrupted the energetic play she should be enjoying with her brother. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $700 to fund a tonsillectomy for Yohana, which is scheduled to take place on April 25th. Surgeons will remove her tonsils, hopefully relieving Yohana of her symptoms and helping her live more comfortably. Yohana's parents shared, "We hope the surgery will allow her to grow up to be active and energetic."

Kiya is a five-year-old boy from Ethiopia. His parents both work as shop staff members. He is in kindergarten and has two older brothers. Kiya has dealt with chronic tonsillitis since he was one year old. Tonsillitis is a condition where the inflammation of the tonsils, usually caused by viral or bacterial infections, causes a sore throat and painful swallowing. Recently, Kiya's tonsils have been enlarged, which will result in these symptoms persisting and potentially worsening over time if not treated. Kiya will undergo a tonsillectomy on April 25th. Surgeons will remove his tonsils, hopefully relieving Kiya of his symptoms and helping him live more comfortably. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $700 to fund this procedure. Kiya's parents shared, "We hope he will finally be able to attend school and play with his brothers without pain. We know this surgery will give him the strong physical foundation he needs to grow."

Kemert is a three-year-old girl who lives in Ethiopia with her parents and brother. Her father works as a teacher, and her mother is a homemaker. Shortly after Kemert was born, she began experiencing recurrent tonsillitis. During these episodes, her throat becomes swollen and painful, she develops a fever, and she struggles to breathe, eat, and sleep. These periods of illness are emotionally difficult for Kemert and her family, who say the hardest part is watching her fight to breathe. Although tonsillitis can sometimes resolve on its own, doctors are recommending surgery because Kemert’s condition is severe and keeps returning. Currently, Kemert is experiencing symptoms and has been for about three months. Without treatment, her symptoms will persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $700 to fund a tonsillectomy for Kemert, which is scheduled to take place on May 10th. Surgeons will remove her tonsils, hopefully relieving Kemert of her symptoms and helping her live more comfortably. Kemert’s family hopes for a future where she can feel peaceful during the day and sleep quietly through the night. Instead of being easily annoyed, tired all the time, and feeling sick, they want her to feel healthy and rested.

Five-year-old Eban is from Ethiopia, raised in a loving home by her father, a small-scale broker, and her mother, who manages the household and cares for her and her brother. When she was only one, a mirror fell and cut her left pinky finger. Although she was treated at the time, the finger has since tightened and pulled inward into a curve, causing her parents deep worry. Eban now struggles to grab things, do other activity with her fingers, or play like other children. Sometimes she feels shy because other children her age stare at her finger, which hurts her confidence. In addition to this physical injury, she faces developmental delays that have kept her non-verbal and unable to start school with other children her age. When Eban's family learned about our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, they went there to seek treatment. On May 14th, surgeons will perform a contracture release surgery, which will make it much easier for her to use her hand. She will finally have the freedom to play with her toys, focus on her learning, and do everyday things all by herself. Now, Eban's family needs help to fund this $500 procedure. Her parents say: "We look forward to the day that Eban can straighten her finger."

Mekdes is a young mother from Ethiopia. At just 22, this single mother is the heart and soul of her small family, working hard to build a life for herself and her four-year-old child. She runs a small street-side stall selling fried chips, and this humble business is their only source of income. Mekdes has been fighting chronic tonsillitis for four years. Because her business is outdoors and requires her to be on her feet all day, these frequent, painful throat infections make it incredibly difficult for her to work. When she is too sick to stand at her stall, she loses the income they desperately need, creating a constant and exhausting cycle of physical pain and financial worry. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $700 to fund a tonsillectomy for Mekdes, which is scheduled to take place on May 23rd. Surgeons will remove her tonsils, hopefully relieving Mekdes of her symptoms and helping her live more comfortably. Mekdes said, "My deepest hope is to finally achieve lasting health and financial security, so I can work consistently without the constant fear that a sudden, painful illness will take away my ability to provide for my child."

Amriya is a seven-year-old girl from Ethiopia. Being the youngest of five children, this young student grew up in a lively home, surrounded by her three older brothers and her sister. With her mother managing the household and her father working as a driver, she was raised in a busy, loving environment. Since she was just one year old, Amriya has suffered from chronic tonsillitis. This persistent health struggle has become a major roadblock to her early education. Because the illness brings frequent, painful episodes, she often misses precious days in the classroom. When she is in school, the lingering discomfort makes it incredibly hard for her to concentrate on her lessons. Just as she should be building her academic foundation, she is forced to fight this constant, exhausting battle with her health. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $700 to fund a tonsillectomy for Amriya, which is scheduled to take place on May 23rd. Surgeons will remove her tonsils, hopefully relieving Amriya of her symptoms and helping her live more comfortably. Amriya's parents shared, "Our greatest hope is for our youngest daughter to finally enjoy a healthy, normal childhood where she can focus on learning without the constant shadow of illness holding her back."

Matiyas is a two-year-old boy from Ethiopia. His mother is a homemaker who looks after Matiyas and his younger sister, while his father is a taxi driver. Since birth, he has been fighting a severe, ongoing battle with chronic tonsillitis, a condition that deeply impacts his daily life and overall well-being. His struggle is at its worst during the night. Because his tonsils are constantly swollen, he faces significant airway blockage that makes it nearly impossible for him to breathe through his nose while he sleeps. Instead of resting peacefully, he spends his nights gasping for air and struggling to catch his breath, leaving both him and his parents exhausted and worried. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $700 to fund a tonsillectomy for Matiyas, which is scheduled to take place on May 23rd. Surgeons will remove his tonsils, hopefully relieving Matiyas of his symptoms and helping him live more comfortably. Matiyas's parents shared, "Our deepest hope is for our little boy to finally breathe easily, sleep peacefully through the night, and wake up refreshed instead of gasping for air."

Fenet is eight-year-old girl from Ethiopia. She lives in a loving home with her parents and two brothers. She is supported by her father, who works for the government, and her mother, who was once a teacher but now devotes all her time to caring for their children. For the past seven years, Fenet has been fighting a difficult battle with chronic tonsillitis. This ongoing health struggle has made it very hard for her to enjoy her daily life and feel like a happy, active child. During an episode, Fenet experiences severe throat pain, low appetite, and exhausting fevers, leaving her without the energy she needs to play with friends or focus in school. She often misses class and is stressed about falling behind her classmates. Fenet was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils, which, if not treated, will cause her symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $700 to fund a tonsillectomy for Fenet, which is scheduled to take place on June 6th. Surgeons will remove her tonsils, hopefully relieving Fenet of her symptoms and helping her live more comfortably. Fenet’s parents shared, “We hope to provide her with a healthy and completely uninterrupted childhood, where she can finally leave behind these years of chronic throat pain and sudden fevers.”

Wadaje is an 18-year-old girl from Ethiopia. She is a college student who lives with her older sister. Two months ago, Wadaje started to experience an itchy infection on her right finger. The wound developed into a contracture, causing significant difficulty with movement. Following her initial treatment at a local small clinic, she developed a severe hand contracture that has left her hand stiff and difficult to use. This has significantly disrupted her studies and daily life. The resulting loss of independence is deeply distressing, as she now depends on her sister for almost everything, which creates a difficult situation for them both. When Wadaje learned about our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, she traveled for one week seeking treatment. On June 3rd, surgeons will perform a contracture release surgery to gradually restore movement to the right finger. This will make it easier to handle schoolwork and help with household duties comfortably, while also decreasing the frequency and cost of hospital visits. Now, she needs help to fund this $500 procedure. Wadaje said, "I hope to regain the health and skills required to perform my academic and daily tasks with ease, which is vital for my success as a college student."