Patrick is a cheerful and energetic three-year-old boy from Tanzania. He is the firstborn of two children. Following his parents' separation, Patrick lives with his father, who has since remarried and now cares for Patrick, his younger half-sister, and the family by working as a bajaji (tuk-tuk) driver. Patrick 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. Patrick's condition causes his feet to turn inward. As a result, he struggles to wear shoes and often falls when walking longer distances. Despite these challenges, Patrick remains active, playful, and full of joy. Determined to help his son, Patrick's father sought medical care at Morogoro Hospital, where a nurse assessed him and referred the family to our medical partner's center, Kafika House, for specialized treatment. Patrick will begin clubfoot treatment at Kafika House on July 14th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,171 to fund Patrick's clubfoot repair. After treatment, his feet will straighten, allowing him to walk confidently, wear shoes, and enjoy a more active childhood. Patrick's father said, "As a father, my greatest wish is to see Patrick walk confidently without falling. I am grateful that hope has found us, and your support will give my son the chance to enjoy the healthy future every child deserves."

Emmanuel is a 45-year-old hardworking father from Philippines. He previously worked as driver to support his family, but is currently unemployed, which is challenging while raising two school-going children. His wife is also unemployed, and with no steady income, the family often skip meals and mainly depend on partial repayments of debts from relatives, and occasionally borrow money from the children's uncle. Six years ago, Emmanuel began to experience troubling symptoms, including intense chest pains that radiate to his back, which prevented him from sitting or lying down. He made repeated attempts to seek treatment in public hospitals, but these were unsuccessful due to overcrowding. Emmanuel is growing increasingly worried about not being able to provide for his family, yet he remains hopeful that the surgery could alleviate his painful symptoms and reduce the financial strain on his family. Emmanuel has been diagnosed with cholelithiasis, which are hardened pieces of bile that form in the gallbladder. Doctors have advised him to undergo a cholecystectomy, which the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, his symptoms will continue to worsen and put him at a risk of future health complications. Emmanuel is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy on April 11th, through our partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP). A portion of the cost of the procedure is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is raising the remaining $1,031 to cover the cost of Emmanuel's surgery and care. Emmanuel says: "Despite our current struggles, I remain optimistic about our future. Once I receive treatment for my condition, I'll return to work so I can provide for my family again. My wife and children keep me strong."

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."

Japhet is an eight-year-old boy from Tanzania. He is the firstborn child in his family, but due to mobility challenges and limited family resources, Japhet has never attended school. Japhet’s father supports his family through small-scale farming. Japhet has clubfoot of his left foot, a condition which was identified during a village outreach clinic. 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, Japhet's family traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Kafika House. Surgeons there will begin clubfoot treatment on February 10th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,119 to fund Japhet's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will gain a chance to walk more comfortably, begin school, and participate fully in community life. His parents are looking forward to Japhet having a fuller and richer life. Japhet's father said: “He struggles to walk long distances, that is why he has never been able to start school. Your assistance would go a long way in enabling him to walk better, and to start school.”

Mili is a five-month old baby girl from Bolivia. She lives with her mother, who is a homemaker; her father, who is a truck driver; and two older siblings in a neighborhood of La Paz. When Mili was born prematurely, doctors informed her family that she had Down syndrome and a heart condition. Since then, Mili has had difficulty breathing and gaining weight, and needs this surgery to become healthy. Mili has a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus. A hole exists between two blood vessels next to the heart. This condition prevents Mili's blood from circulating properly, causing her weakness, and leaving her at risk of heart failure if the condition is not treated. On January 13th, Mili 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. Mili'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. Her mother says: "I trust my child will have a successful surgery. I'm grateful for the kindness that people at the hospital have shown me; the doctors and nurses and everybody here are very nice to me and my daughter!"

Nicole is a beautiful six-year-old girl from Kenya. She lives with her single mother and three siblings. Her mother does casual work on other people's farms to support her children. She is in the first grade and loves to sing. Nicole dreams of becoming a gospel musician when she grows up. Nicole has clubfoot on her left foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. “My heart is heavy. I feel like my daughter didn’t do anything wrong,” says Nicole’s mother. “I just hope she can walk like other kids,” she added. Nicole walks with difficulty, often tiptoeing and sometimes falling. She cannot play freely with her friends and feels sad when other kids laugh at her while she walks. Fortunately, Nicole traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on December 10th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,286 to fund Nicole's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will be able to wear shoes, walk easily, and enjoy playing with her friends. Nicole's mother shared, "I have high hopes that at CURE Hospital, she will get better, be able to continue her education like other children, and achieve her dream of becoming a gospel musician."

Aun is a 52-year-old working father from Phnom Penh, Cambodia. He lives with his wife and youngest daughter, who attends university in the city. His oldest daughter is married and visits often with her family. Before his hip pain, Aun enjoyed exercising in the park and riding his bicycle. Since 2022, Aun has had difficulty walking due to pain in his right hip. He now relies on crutches, which has affected his work and his daily activities. He is unable to stand for long periods of time and wakes up at night from the pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On November 10th, Aun will undergo a hip replacement procedure, which will relieve his pain and improve his mobility, allowing him to work and take care of his family. Aun and his family can contribute $100 toward the cost, but need help raising $1,400 more. Aun shared, “After the surgery, I hope that I can walk without crutches and feel better at work."