Ma Khin is a 54-year-old day laborer who lives alone in a rural village in Tak Province, Thailand. She moved from Burma two years ago in search of better job opportunities but has since lost contact with her daughter and two sons, who remain in Burma. Before falling ill, Ma Khin worked as an agricultural laborer, but due to her condition, she has been unable to work for the past three months and has had no income during this time. Occasionally, a neighbor would provide her with food, offering rice and vegetables, but she is struggling to cover her living expenses and cannot afford the healthcare she desperately needs. In June 2024, Ma Khin began experiencing severe pain in her lower right abdomen. She struggles to eat, as her abdomen becomes bloated after meals, often forcing her to vomit. In addition, she suffers from breathing difficulties, frequent headaches, and persistent pain in both her abdomen and back, which have left her deeply concerned about her health. After seeking medical advice, she was diagnosed with a right ovarian tumor. Doctors have recommended a total abdominal hysterectomy, a procedure to remove her uterus and cervix. Without this treatment, Ma Khin’s symptoms will likely worsen, putting her at greater risk of severe health complications. Fortunately, Ma Khin is scheduled to undergo her hysterectomy on October 8th. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Once recovered, she will no longer experience pain or discomfort. She will be able to eat and sleep well and be able to return to work. Ma Khin shared, “Without the BCMF and the donors, I would have seen no way out of my suffering. I am very thankful to you for saving my life and I will never forget that.’’

Leramat is a sweet 11-year-old boy from Kenya. Two months ago, he started experiencing persistent stomachaches and headaches and was vomiting frequently. His mother tried to get some medication to help, but when his condition did not change, she brought him to a nearby hospital. After spending three days in the hospital in which medication was not helping, Leramat was referred to the county hospital for treatment. After a few days, his condition improved, but by this time, he had started to lose functions of his legs. His left eye had been greatly affected, and he also lost the ability to see with that eye. An MRI and a CT scan were done that revealed that he had a tumor in his head. The facility then referred them to our medical partner's hospital for urgent treatment. The doctors examined Leramat and also diagnosed him with hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus is a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. Leramat has been scheduled for a shunt insertion surgery to help drain the excess cerebral spinal fluid. The doctors hope that this will buy them some time before coming up with a clear decision on how to remove the tumor. Leramat's family is requesting financial assistance. They live in an area where it is very challenging to get casual jobs, so for survival, the family relies on selling the family cattle for a living. They do not have insurance and need assistance raising the money to pay for the hospital procedures. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), is requesting $719 to cover the cost of surgery to treat his hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled for November 15th, in which surgeons will drain the excess fluid from Leramat's brain to reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, Leramat will develop into a strong, healthy young boy. His mother says, "Leramat was doing very well and was very active. I hope that he gets well before schools open."

Meshack is a three-month-old baby boy from Kenya. He is the only child in the family. Meshack's mother is not able to work because Meshack is too young to be left in the care of someone else. Meshack's father does casual jobs like plowing farms and any other job he is able to secure to support his family. Meshack was born with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of his condition, Meshack has been experiencing fever and vomiting since he was two weeks old. His parents brought him to our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital, where he has been scheduled for an urgent shunt insertion surgery. Without treatment, Meshack will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $719 to cover the cost of hydrocephalus surgery for Meshack, scheduled on September 4th. The procedure will drain the excess fluid from Meshack's brain, reduce intracranial pressure, and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment and care, Meshack will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. Meshack’s mother says “I pray that Meshack gets the needed surgery so that he can grow up healthy.”

Flavian is a 10-month-old baby girl from Kenya. Her father is a motorcycle taxi rider, while her mother stays home to care for Flavian. When Flavian was six months old, her mother noticed that her head began to grow larger. They rushed her to a hospital and were told Flavian needed surgery to address the fluid build-up in her brain. As they were unable to afford treatment, they returned home. In September 2024, Flavian was referred to our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital, where she was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of her condition, Flavian has been experiencing an increasing head circumference. Without treatment, Flavian will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Flavian needs a shunt insertion surgery to address the fluid build-up and allow her to develop like other children. Flavian’s family is now seeking financial support to afford the surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $719 to cover the cost of surgery for Flavian. The procedure is scheduled to take place on December 10th and will drain the excess fluid from Flavian's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Flavian will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. Flavian's mother said, "Most of the time, my daughter is irritable, unable to play, and sometimes vomits after eating. The size of her head is limiting her ability to develop like others."

Meet Vanessa, a six-year-old girl from Kenya. Vanessa's mother left her when she was four years old, after learning that Vanessa was unable to hear. Vanessa and her older brother live with their grandmother, a widow who takes on casual jobs so she can support her grandchildren. Vanessa's hearing has affected her schooling. She is unable to move past the 1st grade. She hasn’t been able to sit for exams, leaving her isolated in the classroom as she watches other children respond to the teacher’s questions. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, can help. On November 5th, Vanessa will be fitted with hearing aids in both ears and she needs your help to raise $748. Vanessa’s grandmother is deeply concerned about her granddaughter’s future. She longs for Vanessa to be able to attend school, receive a proper education, and experience a normal childhood. Vanessa's grandmother says, "It is my deepest prayer that Vanessa can hear the world around her and experience a joyful childhood just like other children."

Lightness is a four-year-old girl who lives with her grandmother in the remote village of Endakasi, situated in Mbulu district in Tanzania. She is one of two siblings cared for by their grandmother after their mother died and their father abandoned them. The family's daily life revolves around farming. However, due to her age, the grandmother cannot fully participate in farming activities and mostly relies on her children to help with provisions and care. Lightness was born with clubfoot on her left foot, a condition where one's foot is twisted or bent out of shape. Due to their limited knowledge about the condition, her family did not seek treatment for her. One day, a glimmer of hope emerged, when Lightness' grandmother crossed paths with someone familiar with our medical partner's program. After an assessment, it was determined that Lightness is suffering from neglected clubfoot, which will require a series of casting sessions, and surgery to complete her treatment. Lightness' care will take place at our medical partner's care center, Kafika House, beginning on July 9th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is seeking $1,119 to fund Lightness' casting and surgery, which will enable Lightness to live more comfortably. Lightness’s grandmother said: “Please help my granddaughter, because I’m too old to provide and to make sure she gets the treatment she needs.”

Victoria is a nine-month-old baby from Bolivia. She is the only child of her father, a construction worker, and her mother, a university student. They live in a city in the mountains of central Bolivia. Victoria has a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus, where a hole exists between two major blood vessels next to the heart. Blood leaks through this hole without passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving her weak and short of breath. On July 4th, Victoria will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, surgeons will sew the hole so blood can no longer leak through it. Victoria's family needs help to fund the costs of cardiac care and surgery. The $1,500 requested by our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, covers cardiac exams and diagnostics, surgical costs, follow-up care, and medications. Victoria's mother shared: "I am hopeful that our daughter will start eating more and growing once this surgery is done."

Neisha is a toddler from Haiti. She lives with her parents and older brother. Her father works in construction and her mother is a homemaker. She likes playing with the other children in her neighborhood and helping her mother make food. Neisha has a cardiac condition called Tetralogy of Fallot, where a hole between the two lower chambers of the heart and a muscular blockage of one of the valves are present. These prevent blood from circulating through her lungs, leaving her weak and short of breath. Neisha will fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On July 17th, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will patch the hole in her heart and remove the blockage from her valve. Another organization, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is contributing $8500 to pay for surgery. Neisha's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. They need $1,500 for labs, medicines, checkups, and follow-up appointments. It also supports securing travel documents for the social workers from our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Neisha's family overseas. Neisha's mother says, "Our family is so glad to know that we will soon be able to stop worrying so much about our daughter's heart!"

Diana is a student from Bolivia. She lives with her mother, a law student, in a neighborhood of La Paz. She is at the top of her class in school and is reading at a very high level for her age. She likes to read and play with her friends from school. Diana has a cardiac condition called coarctation of the aorta. A major blood vessel connected to her heart is too narrow; this causes blood to back up into the heart, causing heart failure. On September 18th, she will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, Surgeons will inflate a balloon inside her aorta to stretch it to a more normal size so that blood can flow through it more freely. Diana's family needs help to fund the costs of cardiac care and surgery. The $1,500 requested by our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, covers cardiac exams and diagnostics, surgical costs, follow-up care, and medications. Diana's mother shared, "Our family is so happy to know that after this procedure, our daughter will be able to be healthy!"

Cristian is a 21-month-old boy from Bolivia. He is an only child who lives with his mother, who operates a small grocery store out of the front of their home. They are from a mining city in the mountains of central Bolivia. Cristian has ventricular septal defect, a heart condition where a hole exists between the two lower chambers of his heart. Because of this, blood leaks through this hole, leaving him weak and short of breath. On June 19th, Cristian will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, surgeons will sew a patch over the hole so that blood can no longer leak through it. Cristian's family needs help to fund the costs of cardiac care and surgery. The $1,500 requested by our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, covers cardiac exams and diagnostics, surgical costs, follow-up care, and medications. Cristian's mother shared, "I am looking forward to seeing my son grow healthy and strong once his heart is fixed!"

Mia is a six-month-old baby who lives with her parents in eastern Bolivia. Her father is a taxi driver, and her mother was a bank cashier but is currently taking care of Mia full time. Mia has a cardiac condition called coarctation of the aorta. A major blood vessel next to the heart is too narrow, causing blood to back up and not circulate properly through the heart and body, leaving her weak and unable to gain weight. On October 1st, Mia will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, surgeons will open her aorta to a more normal size so that blood can flow through it. Mia's family needs help to fund the costs of cardiac care and surgery. The $1,500 requested by our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, covers cardiac exams and diagnostics, surgical costs, follow-up care, and medications. Mia's mother says, "Our family was so happy when we learned about the opportunity for surgery. We will be keeping everyone who is helping our daughter in our thoughts and prayers!"

Boika is a toddler from Haiti. He lives with his parents and four siblings in a small rural village where his parents are both farmers. Boika has a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect. A hole exists between the two lower chambers of his heart; blood leaks through this hole without passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him weak and short of breath. Boika also has Down syndrome. Boika will fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On July 15, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which Surgeons will sew the hole closed so that blood can no longer leak through it. Another organization is contributing funds to help pay for surgery, but Boika's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep and transportation. These funds will covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. It also supports passport obtainment as well as the social workers from our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Boika's family overseas. Boika's mom said, "I hope that after this surgery, my son will get the strength to start walking and playing on his own."