Baby Firewoine is an adorable and energetic baby boy from Ethiopia. He is the third child in his family. His mother is a dedicated homemaker, while his father works as a merchant specializing in agricultural products. Although his mother previously taught kindergarten and engaged in various professions, she chose to focus on raising her children after his birth. When Baby Firewoine was born, there was initial confusion regarding his gender. Doctors advised his mother to have additional assessments at a hospital in Addis Ababa, the capital. Facing financial struggles and multiple health challenges, including infectious diseases, his mother went through a difficult period. The social stigma attached to his condition added to her distress. Having initially informed her family and neighbors that she had given birth to a girl, she faced questions and blame from her relatives. Out of fear of gossip and judgment, she chose to isolate herself and her baby. Months later, when baby Firewoine’s gender was finally confirmed, his mother was anxious about revealing the truth. Initially, her family was confused and unsure about how to respond. Eventually, she found a glimmer of hope when another parent in her village, who had received surgical support, told her about our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre. Baby Firewoine was born with hypospadias, a condition that causes urinary dysfunction. He was also diagnosed with bilateral undescended testes. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and will be at risk of future complications. Fortunately, Baby Firewoine is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on July 31st. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,293 to cover the cost of his procedure and care. Baby Firewoine's mother expressed her gratitude, saying, "I am truly thankful to God; words cannot fully convey my appreciation. I hope my child will be healthy. I dream that he will become a doctor to help many children in need"

Nathalia is a three-year-old girl from the Philippines. Her father is a motorcycle delivery rider. Her mother stays home to care for Nathalia. Nathalia has a speech impairment and is undergoing speech therapy to prepare her for school. Nathalia was born with an anorectal malformation, a congenital condition that leads to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. She needs to undergo a series of procedures to eliminate bowel dysfunction. As her parents could not afford the costs of diagnostic tests and surgeries she needed, Nathalia has not completed her treatment to address her condition. Fortunately, our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), is helping Nathalia undergo treatment. She is scheduled to undergo surgery to correct her condition on September 25th. A portion of the cost of her treatment is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is raising $1,123 to cover the remaining cost of Nathalia's procedure and care. After her recovery, Nathalia will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. Nathalia's mother shared, "We are deeply grateful to the foundation for providing us with the financial assistance we need. I hope you’ll reach more children in need of medical operations like my daughter."

Deymar is a seven-year-old student from Bolivia. He lives in La Paz with his dad, who works in construction, his mom, who is a homemaker, and his three older siblings. Deymar frequently got sick as a young child, but the cause was only discovered recently when he was found to have a heart problem. Deymar has a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus. A hole exist between two major blood vessels next to his heart; blood leaks through this hole, leaving him weak and short of breath. On July 21st, Deymar is scheduled to 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. Deymar'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. Deymar's father says: "Our family is so grateful that the doctors can help my boy, we are happy now that we know his heart can be fixed."

Theva is a sweet six-year-old girl from Cambodia. She is the oldest of two siblings from Pursat Province. Her younger sister is four years old and currently in kindergarten. Their father serves in the army, while their mother works as a rice farmer. When Theva was nine months old, she underwent bowel surgery. After that, she experienced febrile seizures and now lives with hemiplegia, a paralysis on one side of her body. Although she does not attend school, she enjoys playing with toys and dolls. When she was little, a small stone was lodged in Theva’s right external ear. Her mother believes Theva may have placed it there herself while playing alone. Because of her medical history, and perhaps due to the stone, Theva has difficulty hearing or speaking. This prevents her from communicating or attending school. Theva traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On October 14th, surgeons at Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), our medical partner, will remove the object. Now, Theva needs help to raise $344 to fund this procedure. Theva's mother said: "After the surgery, I hope that the doctor can help my daughter to hear, so she will be able to listen to what I am saying and go to school."

Four-year-old Agustín lives with his family in Vereda La San José, Colombia. Although he has not yet started formal schooling, Agustín is a curious, active child, with a vivid imagination. He dreams of becoming a doctor, which reflects his sensitivity and dedication to helping others. For about a year, Agustín has had severe tooth decay that causes him constant pain, fear when eating, and a high risk of infection. This condition has significantly affected his quality of life, impacting his nutrition, rest, and emotional well-being. The community where Agustin and his family live has limited resources, with only a basic health center, which has made it difficult to access specialized dental care. Due to the complexity of Agustin's case, he was evaluated by a pediatric dentist, who determined that the treatment should be performed under general anesthesia to ensure his safety and well-being. The procedure will include extensive dental restorations and will be performed in a hospital setting, under full anesthetic monitoring, by a specialized medical team. This intervention represents a crucial opportunity to improve Agustín's oral health and to restore the peace of mind that every child deserves. Our medical partner, Clinica Noel, is seeking $868 to fund Agustin's surgery, which is scheduled for August 22nd. Agustin's mother said: "I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the person who makes it possible for Agustin's smile to live on, not only in the hearts of my family, but also in his life. Smiling is a way of telling the world that happiness is possible. Good oral health not only allows us to show joy, but also to express the tenderness and innocence that are so lacking in these times. Because a genuine smile has the power to transform someone's day, to brighten dark moments, and to sow hope where there seems to be none. Thank you for giving my little boy back the ability to smile freely."

Juan José is a four-year-old student from Colombia. He deeply enjoys family time and especially values the company of his younger sister, with whom he shares moments of great joy. From the age of two and a half years-old, Juan José has had an umbilical hernia. Despite this preventing him from performing certain activities and causing him frequent pain, he faces each day with courage. Some activities and games cause him more discomfort, so he must avoid them, but that does not stop him in his daily efforts to achieve his dreams and desires. Fortunately, on June 26th, Juan José will undergo repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, Clínica Noel, is requesting $786 to fund Juan José's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. Juan José's mother shared, "I want to express from the bottom of my heart my most sincere gratitude to the person who, without knowing my son, has decided to donate the necessary resources for his surgery. Your unconditional support comes at a time when we need it the most, and I do not have enough words to describe the gratitude I feel. I will always wish you blessings, and I will be eternally grateful for giving my son the opportunity to regain his health and live free of pain. Thank you so much for this generous and humane gesture!"

Elvis is a six-month-old baby boy from Uganda. He is the only child of his parents, who are both small-scale farmers. Elvis was diagnosed with a left inguinal-scrotal hernia when he was one month old. His mother took him to several clinics in search of treatment, and tried medication and herbal remedies. Elvis continued to have sharp intermittent pain, and his mother became very worried about what would happen if Elvis could not receive surgery to repair the hernia. Thankfully, the family was referred to our medical partner's care center, Rushoroza Hospital. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $170 to fund Elvis's surgery, which will take place on October 7th. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Elvis's mother says, "I almost go mad when my son starts crying because of the pain. I hope the surgery will be done well with a positive outcome."

Srey Nam is a 6-year-old from Phnom Penh, Cambodia, who lives with her parents and 1-year-old brother. Her mom stays home to care for her younger brother, while Srey Nam's father works as a truck driver. Srey Nam enjoys math at school and would like to be a nurse when she grows up. She shared that her favorite things are egg fried rice and her mom. For the last two years, Srey Nem has been experiencing difficulty breathing, snoring at night, fatigue, and recurrent illness. Her doctor diagnosed her with chronic sinusitis, meaning the area between her nose and head is inflamed and swollen. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), can perform an excision of the preauricular sinus, which will open and drain the sinus and improve her symptoms permanently. Srey Nem's family is requesting help to fund the $349 procedure and post-operative care. Her mom said: "I hope she feels healthier and can sleep better."

Racheal is a 16-year-old girl from Uganda who has faced significant health challenges. Her journey began three months ago when she started experiencing persistent abdominal pain and discomfort. Upon medical evaluation, she was diagnosed with an intestinal perforation, a life-threatening condition that required urgent surgical intervention. Four months ago, Racheal underwent an exploratory laparotomy, which involved opening her abdomen to address the perforation. As part of her treatment, she received an ileostomy, an opening created in her abdomen to divert waste. Thankfully, she responded well to the surgery and was discharged in stable condition. Recently, her mother has brought her in for a follow-up. Racheal is the fifth of eight children, and both her parents are hardworking small-scale farmers. They live modestly in a three-room mud house on their small plot of land, relying on sharecropping to make ends meet, working on other people's farms and sharing the harvest with the landowner. Her mother has exhausted all available resources, including taking loans from small banks and SACCOs, to cover her daughter’s medical expenses. Despite their efforts, they now face the heartbreaking reality that they are unable to afford the upcoming surgery that could restore Racheal’s health and normal life. For the past six months, Racheal has been unable to attend school due to her fragile health. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Racheal receive treatment. On October 9th, she is scheduled for stoma reversal surgery to regain normal bodily functions, return to her studies, and pursue a brighter future. Now, Racheal's family needs help to fund this $279 procedure. Her mother expresses her gratitude and hope: “I thank God for guiding us to Ibanda Hospital. I kindly seek assistance because we cannot afford the surgery. I promise to care for my daughter, and once she recovers, she will continue her studies and pursue her dreams.”

Yu Bin is a five-year-old kindergartener from Cambodia. She lives in Kampong Chnang province with her two siblings. Yu Bin is the middle child and just started school last year. Her parents run a food stall outside of a large garment factory complex to support the family. When she grows up, Yu Bin hopes to become a nurse. For now, she enjoys school and playing with her friends and siblings. When she was two years old, Yu Bin accidentally burned her hand with boiling water when her grandmother was cooking. She was initially treated at a local clinic, but developed scar contractures on three of her fingers after a few weeks. She is unable to use her hand at school, has difficulty with everyday tasks, and feels uncomfortable around the other children. When Yu Bin learned about our medical partner, the Children's Surgical Centre, her family traveled for three hours to seek treatment. On August 6th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help her improve function in her right hand and fingers. Now, she needs help to fund this $652 procedure. Yu Bin's mom shared, "I hope she can have surgery so it will be easier for her to focus on school and use her hand like before the accident."

Moti is a three-year-old boy from Ethiopia. One year ago, Moti started to experience difficulty swallowing and breathing. Eating and sleeping became a challenge. He was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils, which, if not treated, will cause his symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $700 to fund a tonsillectomy for Moti, which is scheduled to take place on May 19th. Surgeons will remove his tonsils, hopefully relieving Moti of his symptoms and helping him live more comfortably. Moti's mother said, "I wish my son gets better so he can play with his friends again."