Damaris is 17 months old and lives in a small village in central Bolivia with her mother, who currently cares for her full time. When Damaris was born, her mother noticed that she wasn't breathing well. She brought Damaris to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with ventricular septal defect. A hole exists between the two lower chambers of her heart. Blood leaks through this hole instead of circulating normally, leaving Damaris weak and short of breath. Damaris also has Down syndrome. On September 23rd, Damaris 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 in Damaris’s heart, so that blood will no longer leak through it. Damaris's family needs help to fund the costs of cardiac care and surgery. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,500 to cover the cost of cardiac exams and diagnostics, surgical costs, follow-up care, and medications. Damaris's mother said, "We came from far away, and I am really grateful to have this opportunity so my daughter can have lifesaving surgery."

José is a six-year-old boy who lives in Colombia with his family. He is intelligent, sociable, and an affectionate child with a positive attitude toward interacting with those around him. He expresses interest in becoming a police officer when he grows up. When he was two months old, José developed a swelling near his umbilical area. Over time, he started experiencing discomfort and tenderness, especially during physical activities like playing and jumping, which has limited his full participation. José has been diagnosed with an umbilical hernia, which is a tissue bulge in the belly button area, that occurs due to a weak spot in the abdominal wall. Corrective surgery has been recommended to prevent possible future complications and ensure an adequate clinical outcome. Fortunately, on August 21st, José is scheduled to undergo repair surgery. Our medical partner is requesting $1,005 to fund José's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live a healthier life. José's parents say: "We are very grateful for your support, and look forward to our son finding relief from the discomfort, and being able to fully enjoy his childhood, after treatment."

Alisse is a three-month-old baby girl from Bolivia. She lives in southwestern Bolivia with her mom and dad, who both work in a small convenience store. Her parents noticed she was not growing properly and frequently became sick, and took her to the local doctor, who discovered a heart murmur; she was then referred to La Paz to see the cardiologists there. Alisse has a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus. A hole exists between two blood vessels next to her heart. This condition prevents Alisse's blood from circulating properly, causing her weakness and leaving her at risk of heart failure if the condition goes untreated. On July 22nd, Alisse 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 closed so that blood can no longer leak through it. Alisse'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. Alisse's father shared, "We just pray our little girl can have a successful surgery; we came from far away seeking help."

Aye is a six-year-old boy from Burma. He lives with his parents, who are small-scale farmers. They sell their extra vegetables and livestock for additional income every couple of months. Aye and his sister are both students in the village. In his free time, Aye plays games on his mother's phone and enjoys playing football with his friends. He dreams of becoming a professional footballer when he grows up, just like his idol Ronaldo. In 2024, Aye's mother noticed a small mass on the left side of his neck. Over the next four months, she watched it grow in size. Currently, the mass measures 15 cm and continues to grow despite previous treatment. Aye feels no pain and is not impaired in any way, but his mother is deeply worried about what it could be and anxious about the cost of his care. Fortunately, on April 22nd, our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, will help Aye undergo mass removal surgery. This procedure will cost $1,500, and Aye needs your support to fund the surgery. Aye's mother said, “I hope that once he recovers, I can send him back to school. I hope he becomes a teacher in the future since there is a shortage of teachers in our village. Thank you for your help.”

Altiya is a lively baby girl with boundless curiosity from Ethiopia. She is always exploring and playing with anything she can find around her. Toys and other items captivate her, reflecting her joyful spirit. The name “Altiya” means “happy” in Afan Oromo, and her family was overjoyed when she was born. Altiya lives in a single room with her parents and her paternal grandparents. Her mother is a dedicated housewife, while her father works as a farmer, providing for the family through agricultural activities. Farming sustains both her immediate family and her father’s extended relatives. Altiya was born with an anorectal malformation, a congenital abnormality that leads to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. When her mother first noticed Altiya’s condition, panic set in, and she struggled to believe that a surgical solution was possible. It took two months, but with the support of their family, her mother eventually decided to seek medical help. After visiting a local hospital, they were referred for further treatment. However, upon learning about the high costs involved, Altiya's mother felt overwhelmed and began to lose hope, unsure of how to proceed. After reaching out to those around her, Altiya's mother learned about Mother Teresa Mission from a neighbor and decided to seek help there. The MOC staff provided invaluable support, helping them travel to Addis Ababa for advanced treatment. They arranged accommodation, meals, and other essential services, and guided them to the Bethany kids center. This collaboration opened doors for Altiya, enabling her to receive the necessary care without the burden of financial stress. Her first surgery was remarkable and successful, restoring hope for the future. With deep gratitude, her mother expresses sincere appreciation for the support they have received and looks forward with hope to the success of the upcoming procedures. Altiya is scheduled to undergo another surgery to correct her condition on March 24th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Altiya's procedure and care. After her recovery, Altiya will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. Altiya's mom said, "I am truly grateful for your incredible support. After this treatment journey, I feel happy knowing that my child will be healthy following the surgery. Please continue to provide your support; it means the world to us."

Brian is 10 years old and a student from Kenya. He is the youngest of four children. He was born with a condition known as Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy (CP), which has greatly affected his mobility. Brian cannot walk and only crawls from one place to another. This has made daily activities difficult for him and his family. After his birth, his mother was referred to a nearby hospital for specialized care. Brian underwent several physiotherapy sessions, hoping to see improvement. Unfortunately, his condition did not get better. As a widow, Brian’s mother works tirelessly, taking on casual jobs like crushing stones into ballast and selling them, to provide for her family. Despite the hardship, she has never given up on finding help for her son. Brian attends a special school within their village that supports children with different disabilities. Brian was diagnosed with clubfoot on his right foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Brian traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on February 20th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,286 to fund Brian's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk on his feet, play with other children, become more independent, and continue with his education without limitations. “When I first learned about my son’s condition, I was in great shock. I did not know what the future would look like for him,” Brian’s mother recalls softly. She added, I hope to see my son receive treatment, walk on his own, play and interact freely with other children, and continue with his education without any challenges.”

Yonas is a quiet and shy 10-year-old from Ethiopia who loves playing football, making handmade crafts, and helping his mother around the house. Yonas lives with his parents and his youngest cousin. His mother is a teacher at a government school, and his father is a security guard at a bank, though he will be stopping work this month. Together, his parents work hard to support the family and meet their basic needs. Most of their income is spent on food, making it challenging to afford medical bills and medication. Yonas was born with hypospadias, a condition that causes urinary dysfunction. His mother was unable to find a health center to address his needs and was advised by relatives to leave the condition as it was. However, when Yonas was four years old, another relative noticed the condition and informed his mother that the symptoms were unusual. Distressed for her son and fearful of the stigma associated with this condition, she felt overwhelmed and hopeless. After moving to Addis Ababa, Yonas's mother took him to a hospital, where they were referred to a pediatric specialty hospital. The doctor reassured her that surgical intervention could correct the condition, which gave her hope; however, they were also informed that there was a waiting list for the surgery. Yonas's mother continued to worry whenever he fell ill, fearing it might be related to his condition. After waiting five months, she finally received a call from the referral hospital informing her that Yonas had been referred to our medical partner's hospital, BKMCM Hospital. Fortunately, Yonas will undergo corrective surgery on January 15th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,293 to cover the cost of his procedure and care. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and will be at risk of future complications. Yonas's mom said, "I wish my child could be as healthy as other children and safely complete his surgery. I long for the day when we can put this ordeal behind us."

Alex is a 29-year-old single man from Kenya. He is an orphan and lives with his grandmother. HIs mother passed away when he and his twin brother were seven years old. He completed his education up to secondary level, but his grandmother was unable to support him to continue to college. Currently, Alex works as a conductor to earn a living. He enjoys playing football, and this accident has left him feeling devastated. Three days ago, while on his way to work, Alex was accidentally hit by a motorbike and sustained an injury to his left leg. He was taken to our medical partner's care center, Nazareth Hospital, where an X-ray revealed a double fracture of the left tibia. He needs surgery to ensure proper healing. On December 16th, Alex will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This treatment will restore his strength and mobility on his leg, and will allow him to play football again, which he deeply loves. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,048 to fund this procedure. Alex shared, "I am very disappointed because I will be out of the field. I hope my leg will be treated and I get well soon. I can't wait to go back to what I love to do most; play football."

Chantha is a 55-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He is from Prey Veng province and grows and sells rice with his wife. They have one son, who works as a civil officer. In his free time, Chantha enjoys watching the news on his phone and chatting with friends in the village. Chantha has had right hip pain for about three years due to avascular necrosis, which can occur when blood supply to the ball of the hip joint is disrupted, leading to bone cell death and the collapse of the femoral head. This pain has worsened over the last four months, affecting his walking and ability to perform daily tasks. It is worse at night, preventing him from sleeping well and leaving him tired in the morning. Fortunately, Chantha learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. On November 14th, surgeons will perform a total hip replacement to relieve Chantha of his pain and allow him to walk easily. Chantha can contribute $50, but needs help to raise $1,185 more to fund his procedure and care. Chantha said, "After the surgery, I hope to no longer have hip pain, and I will be able to work in the rice fields and do daily tasks."