Susan is a six-year-old girl from Kenya. From an early age, Susan experienced delayed developmental milestones. She was only able to sit at eight months and did not begin walking until she was two years old. As she grew, her parents noticed that she had difficulty speaking and pronouncing words. They hoped that, with time, she would improve, but the challenges persisted. Her parents enrolled her in school, believing that interacting with other children would help her learn to communicate better. Unfortunately, Susan continued to struggle both academically and socially. While her peers progressed to the next grade, she had to repeat a class because she was unable to keep up with communication and learning activities. Seeking help, her family first took her to a nearby hospital, and later, through a friend’s recommendation, she was referred to our medical partner's care center, AIC Kijabe Hospital. After undergoing audiology assessments, Susan was diagnosed with severe hearing loss. The major reason she cannot speak clearly is that she is unable to hear properly. When her parents learned the cost of hearing aids, they were worried. Susan’s father depends on casual construction and farming jobs to provide for his wife and their three children, while her mother works as a waitress at a local food joint. Despite working tirelessly, the family cannot afford the support Susan urgently needs. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Susan receive treatment. On 21st May, she will be fitted with hearing aids that will improve her hearing. With consistent speech therapy, her communication skills will also improve, so she catch up with her peers. Now, Susan's parents are seeking support to raise $1,171, to aid in treatment for their daughter's hearing, help her find her voice, and continue her education with confidence alongside other children her age. Susan’s mother says, “Susan is a very active and bright child, but because she cannot hear properly, she struggles to keep up with other children her age. Being able to hear would help her speak more clearly, interact confidently, and progress well in her education.”

Matheo is a three-year-old preschooler from Haiti. He lives with his parents in a suburb of Port-au-Prince; his father is a police officer and his mother runs a small shop. In his free time Matheo enjoys singing. Matheo has a cardiac condition called pulmonic stenosis - one of the four valves of his heart is too narrow, and as a result blood cannot flow normally through his heart and body. If left untreated, this could lead to heart failure. Matheo will fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On May 6th, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will use a balloon on the end of a catheter to stretch the valve open to a more normal size. Another organization is contributing to pay for surgery. Matheo's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,500 to cover labs, medicines, and check-up and follow-up appointments. It also supports securing travel documents for the family and travel costs for the social workers from our medical partner, who will accompany Matheo's family overseas. Matheo's mother said, "Our family would like to say thank you to everyone who is making it possible for Matheo to be healthy!"

Agness is 59 years old and a farmer from Malawi. She is married with nine children. Eighteen years ago, Agness began to experience troubling symptoms, including a small lump on her neck that grew bigger over time, causing problems with swallowing meals. She visited the nearest hospitals, where she was given some medications after the diagnosis of goiter was made, yet to no avail. With time, she couldn't carry heavy items on her head, concentrate on farm work, and was always tired. She was then referred to our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center (PIH), for support. Agness was diagnosed with a goiter, an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland. The thyroid is the gland located in front of your neck and produces thyroid hormones. These hormones are responsible for functions such as metabolism, growth, and other bodily functions. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Agness receive treatment. On March 10th, she will undergo a thyroidectomy, where surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $1,015, and she and her family need help raising money. "Words fail me; thank you in advance, you have space in heaven; your care has already given me hope that all will be well in the end," Agness said.

Say is a four-year-old girl from Burma. She lives with her parents and her older sister at the refugee camp in Tak Province, Thailand. Say and her sister go to school during the week. Her mother is a teacher, while her father is a security guard in the camp. Their family's combined income is enough to cover their daily expenses, and they are fortunate to receive free basic health within the camp. However, they can't afford the expensive treatment costs outside of the camp. On February 14th, Say was playing with her friends. There was a pickup truck parked beside the small road in their camp. Say and her friends don't travel by car very often, so they were excited to see a vehicle parked so close to their home. While playing in the truck bed, Say suddenly fell off the truck and fractured her right forearm. Currently, she is in severe pain and has been crying a lot since it first happened. However, painkillers are alleviating some of her discomfort. Say can't grab anything with her right arm or use it to eat or write. Fortunately, with the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Say will undergo surgery to reset her fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for February 16th. Our medical partner is requesting $1,500 to cover the cost of her care. Say's mother said, "I would like to say thank you very much to the donors for supporting my daughter's treatment cost. Without your support, I would have to look for someone to borrow money from, as we do not have the money to pay for Say's treatment costs. We have already borrowed money from our neighbor to get her to a hospital outside of the camp, and we do not want to ask for more. Thank you again."

Sapphire is five years old and a kindergarten student from the Philippines. Her father is a construction worker. Sapphire is very playful, especially now that she has started school and made new friends. About a year ago, her parents noticed a small bump on the sole of her left foot. At first, they thought it would go away after a few days. However, as months passed, the bump slowly grew bigger. Sapphire’s mother shared that she and her husband became more worried as they saw the lump increase in size. In January of this year, their fear grew when they saw discharge coming from Sapphire’s foot. They immediately brought her to a doctor, who advised that the mass be removed as soon as possible. Fortunately, our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines, can help. On January 28th, Sapphire will undergo surgery to remove the mass. This procedure should address her symptoms and allow her to live more comfortably. She needs help to raise $1,063 to fund her treatment. Sapphire's mother shared, "My husband and I will feel happy and relieved once Sapphire can get treated and walk normally. We no longer have to think about how we can afford to get her the help that she needs."

Neema is 12 years old and a student from Tanzania. She is the second-born in a family of three children. Her parents farm rice to sustain the household. Neema is a bright student in Class 4. But this year, her teacher noticed she was crying constantly because walking was becoming increasingly painful. Her classmates also pointed out her unusual gait and sometimes made her feel different from them. Her feet bend inward significantly, making movement difficult and lowering her self-esteem. Neema has clubfoot on both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. The tissues connecting the muscle to the bones are shorter than usual, and this causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Neema's family traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Kafika House. Surgeons will begin clubfoot treatment on December 5th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,171 to fund Neema's clubfoot repair. Neema dreams of having straight feet, walking without pain, and continuing her education like her friends. She is polite, well-mannered, and deeply appreciative of every effort made to help her. Neema says, "I want my friends to stop laughing and staring at my leg because it makes me uncomfortable."

Kidus is an adorable one-year-old boy who lives with his parents and older sister in Ethiopia. He loves exploring his surroundings and playing with his toys, and has brought his parents immense joy. His mother is a dedicated house maker, while his father works as a daily laborer at a cereal sales company. Shortly after birth, Kidus was diagnosed with hypospadias, a birth condition that causes urinary dysfunction. Kidus's parents were advised that he would be eligible for surgery once he weighed 10 kilograms, but that he would be placed a long waiting list. It was very difficult for his parents to wait, not knowing how long it would be until he received help. Without treatment, Kidus would continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and be at risk of future complications. Fortunately, Kidus was referred to our medical partner’s care center, BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre (BKMCM), where he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on December 2nd. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,293 to cover the cost of his procedure and care. Kidus's mother expressed her gratitude, saying, “Thank you for your unwavering support and dedication. We hope for a healthy and happy child that brings joy to our family.”