Risham is a three-year-old boy from Uttar Pradesh, India. He lives with his mother and older brother. His father passed away last year, and his mother, a homemaker, has cared for the family on her own since then. Risham is described as a playful little boy who loves to have fun. When Risham was just one year old, he accidentally put his hand in hot milk, suffering severe burns. As the burns healed, the scarring caused his right index, middle, ring, and little fingers to contract, limiting the use of his hand. He wants to continue school and write, but because of the contracture, he currently uses his left hand. Risham's mother learned about our medical partner, G.S. Memorial Plastic Surgery Hospital and Trauma Center, and sought treatment. On September 10th, specialty surgeons will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help him regain mobility and function in his right hand. Now, he needs help to fund this $1,442 procedure. Risham's mother shared, "I feel hopeful, and it would be good if he gets the treatment; he can start writing again."

Mateo is a toddler from Bolivia. He is his parents' first child. He lives with his mom, who is a homemaker, and his dad, who works distributing soda. When he was born prematurely at 30 weeks, Mateo had to be in an incubator where doctors detected his heart condition. Mateo has a cardiac condition called tetralogy of Fallot (ToF), a combination of four heart conditions, including a hole between the two lower chambers of the heart, as well as a blockage that affects how blood flows out of the heart. As a result, Mateo does not get enough oxygen, leaving him weak and short of breath. On May 6th, he will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, doctors will close the hole in his heart and remove the blockage so that blood can flow more normally. Mateo's family needs help to fund the costs of cardiac care and surgery. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, requests $1,500 to cover the cost of cardiac exams and diagnostics, surgical costs, follow-up care, and medications. Mateo's mother shared, "I'm grateful my child is going to receive his surgery so he can grow and be a healthy boy."

Alice is a 45-year-old business woman from Malawi. She is a single mother of three children. Her first child is a second‑year university student, the second is in Form One, and the youngest is in Primary Eight. Alice runs a small retail shop selling items such as school bags and suitcases. Since separating from her husband, her modest income must support all of the household expenses and school fees for her children. She strives every day to support her family through determination and hard work. For about two years, Alice has been experiencing uncomfortable symptoms like abdominal pain, dizziness, and fatigue. She has been diagnosed with uterine fibroids and surgery has been recommended to treat her condition. Alice believes that surgery will restore her health and enable her to continue supporting her children. She shares that her children are her motivation and she is determined to regain her strength for their well-being and future. Alice is able to contribute to her surgery, but needs additional funds for the treatment. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,363 to fund Alice's surgery. On April 9th, she will undergo a hysterectomy to remove her uterus. Once recovered, Alice will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Alice says, "This condition has been an extra burden to my life, as it hinders my concentration on the work that helps my family. I am not able to pay for my surgery as a single mother. Your contribution will go a long way into supporting my family."

Chepkat is an 11-year-old girl from Kenya. She comes from a pastoralist family whose livelihood has always depended on keeping goats and cattle. Due to the harsh, isolated nature of their residence, Chepkat has never had the opportunity to attend school. Her parents survive through livestock keeping, but recently their family suffered a major setback when raiders attacked their homestead and drove away their cattle, leaving them with nothing. One afternoon, while trying to pick fruit from a tree, Chepkat accidentally stepped on a dry branch that suddenly broke beneath her. She fell heavily to the ground and immediately experienced severe pain. Due to the remoteness of their home, the family had to travel nearly two hours to reach the nearest health facility. At the first facility, she was immobilized and later referred to another hospital, where she was managed conservatively with bed rest and pain medication. However, her condition did not improve, and her pain persisted. Chepkat was referred to our medical partner's care center, AIC Kapsowar Hospital, where an x-ray revealed a fracture of the head of her hip bone, a serious injury that requires urgent surgical intervention. She needs an urgent Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (ORIF) to stabilize and repair the bone. On March 11th, Chepkat will undergo a fracture repair procedure. She needs help so that she can receive the operation she needs and regain the chance to walk and live a healthy and active life. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,247 to fund this procedure. Chepkat's mother says, "My child is in pain and cannot stand, please help her so she can regain her mobility."

Brielle is a two-year-old girl from Kenya. She was born prematurely, with significant medical issues. Not too long after she was born, doctors discovered that the passages for stool and urine had not fully formed. While she was in the hospital, having undergone a colostomy, Brielle's father walked away from his wife and child because he felt ashamed of what was happening with his daughter. He said that he had never seen such a condition in his family. Brielle's mother stayed by her daughter's side as she underwent a total of four surgeries. Each recovery brought complications, and each setback tested her faith. A colostomy, in which the end of the colon is brought through an opening in the abdominal wall, is often performed to bypass bowel malformations. But colostomies are usually temporary, and may call for closure. In Brielle's case, her colostomy requires closure to restore bowel function and to prevent future complications. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,020 to cover the cost of a colostomy closure for Brielle. The surgery is scheduled to take place on February 12th at our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital, and once it is completed, Brielle should be able to move on to the next phase of her life. “Some days, I do not understand why my daughter has had to fight battles she never asked for, but I know one thing for certain. As long as I have breath, she will never fight alone. I may not have money, I may not have support, but I have a mother’s love, and that is what keeps me standing beside her every single day.” Brielle’s mother narrates.

Feyisa is a 72-year-old farmer from Ethiopia. He spent his entire life working under the sun, tilling the soil with his own hands to make sure his three children never went without. He is a man who defines hard work, but today, his strength is being tested differently. A large, heavy growth, called a lipoma, has formed on his head. The swelling is so visible that it has stolen his peace of mind. After a lifetime of caring for others, he is now the one in need of comfort, as this burden on his scalp makes it hard for him to rest or feel like himself. The swelling on his scalp first appeared three years ago. Back then, it didn't bother him, and since money was tight, he decided to ignore it and hoped for the best. Unfortunately, the swelling has grown, pulling at his eye in a strange, scary way—as if his eyeball is being tugged toward his forehead. Worried by this new sensation, he is finally seeking medical help. This growth makes it very hard for him to wear a hat, which he needs to protect his skin from the hot sun while he works. Because of this, his daily chores have become a struggle instead of a routine. It is more than just a physical lump; it is a constant weight on his mind. After a lifetime of exhausting labor to care for his land and his family, this obstacle is standing in the way of the peaceful, comfortable retirement he worked so hard to earn. Feyisa traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On January 3rd, surgeons will perform an excisional biopsy to remove the mass. Now, Feyisa needs help to raise $750 to fund this procedure. Feyisa shared, "More than just feeling better physically, I am so excited to finally have peace of mind. I want to spend my days focusing on my crops and my three children without this lump constantly worrying me. I look forward to feeling like a strong father and leader for my family again, with the confidence and comfort I’ve been missing."

Recho is a 26-year-old woman from Kenya. She has a long history of epilepsy, diagnosed when she was much younger. Her condition disrupted her education and ability to work despite early academic promise and later vocational training in tailoring. She lives with her single mother and younger siblings, who are deeply supportive and assist her with daily activities and hospital visits. She enjoys helping with household tasks such as washing utensils and clothes, and she often speaks with humor and optimism about her daily life. In December 2025, Recho suffered a seizure while carrying hot tea to her siblings, resulting in serious burns to her chest and hand and a prolonged hospital stay requiring ongoing wound care and a planned skin graft. The extended treatment has placed a heavy financial burden on her family, prompting a request for assistance with medical expenses. Fortunately, on January 7th, Recho will undergo a skin graft procedure with the help of our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare. She needs help to raise $1,183 to fund her procedure and care. Recho says, "I have been in the ward for a long time, and my hope is go home and be with my family members. I miss my sisters and my family."

Mushe is a 19-year-old from Kenya. He is the fifth of seven siblings. Orphaned at a young age, the children grew up supporting one another within their community. His current medical bill is already overwhelming, and his siblings are struggling to raise the funds he needs to get a mass removal surgery. Mushe has been battling severe abdominal pain since August 2025. Coming from the Maasai community, where traditional healing practices are strongly valued, he initially relied on traditional medicine. However, his pain persisted, and his condition continued to worsen. He experienced frequent vomiting, was unable to eat, and his overall health deteriorated significantly. By the time Mushe was brought to our medical partner's care center, AIC Kijabe Hospital, in November, he was extremely weak and unable to sit, stand, or walk without assistance. He underwent two surgeries to reduce abdominal swelling, exhausting the coverage provided by his national insurance. Recent scans show a remaining mass in his abdomen. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, can help. On December 11th, Mushe will undergo surgery to remove the mass. He needs help to raise $1,500 to fund his procedure and care, find relief from his pain, and begin his journey to recovery. Mushe says, “I feel very weak. I can only manage small bites of food so that I don’t vomit. I would appreciate help to get this surgery and begin recovering.”