Netsanet is a 28-year-old hardworking woman from Ethiopia who supports her seven brothers and sisters. This responsibility led her to work far from home as a domestic worker in Saudi Arabia for two years, with a goal of opening up a business when she returned home. However, this did not go as planned, as she had to send her salary back home every month to care for the family, leaving very little in terms of savings. When she returned home seven months ago, Netsanet secured a new job as a salesperson in a cosmetics shop. Two months ago, she started experiencing uncomfortable symptoms like heavy bleeding, bloating, and increasing pain. The symptoms got worse with time, and she was unable to continue working. Netsanet went to the hospital and was diagnosed with fibroids, which are benign growths in the uterus. She needs to undergo a myomectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove the fibroids. Fortunately, our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, can help. Netsanet is scheduled to undergo surgery on April 9th, and she needs help raising $1,050 to fund her surgery and care. Netsanet says, "I hope to return to work and find my strength again. I wish to be the independent person I’ve always been, someone who can stand on my own two feet and provide for my family’s needs without any limits."

Three-month-old Janna lives with her parents and older brother in Bolivia. Janna's mother is a homemaker, while her father works as a technician fixing cellphones. When she was born, Janna had very little appetite and was unable to gain weight, so her parents brought her to the hospital, where doctors discovered her heart condition. Janna has a cardiac condition called a ventricular septal defect. A hole exists between the two lower chambers of her heart. Blood leaks through this hole instead of circulating normally, leaving her weak and short of breath. On July 1st, Janna will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During the operation, surgeons will sew a patch over the hole in Janna's heart so that blood will no longer leak through it. Janna's family needs your help to fund the costs of her 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. Janna's mother said, "I pray my little daughter has a healthy heart. She is so brave, and I want to be brave for her as well."

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!"

Kaung is a six-year-old boy from Burma. He lives with his mother, older sister, and younger brother in Phop Prah District, Tak Province, Thailand. In January 2025, they left their home in Bago Division, Burma, to escape the violence around their village due to the civil war and in search of better job opportunities. Since the family moved to Thailand, Kaung’s mother has been unable to register Kaung for school. However, in May 2026, he will resume his education in grade 1. Kaung’s older sister is a homemaker, and his younger brother is too young to go to school. Kaung’s mother is an agricultural day labourer, but work is not always available. Kaung and his family live in a raised bamboo house and need to climb up a ladder at the entrance to enter their home. On the 20th of March 2026, Kaung was at the top of the ladder, taking in laundry that was drying outside, when he fell backwards onto the stones on the ground below. He fell on his right side and reached his arm out during the fall. He began to cry, and his mother found him on the ground in severe pain, with massive swelling around his elbow. She called their neighbours who could speak Thai, and together they brought Kaung to a local clinic. He was referred to a bigger hospital, where an X-ray revealed he had fractured his elbow and needed surgery. Kaung is in constant pain, affecting his sleep and ability to perform daily tasks, such as eating and dressing himself. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Kaung will undergo surgery to reset his fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for April 3rd and will cost $1,500. This procedure will help Kaung to grab things and eat properly again. He will no longer be in pain after surgery. Kaung's mother said, “When the hospital talked about money, my son started to cry, because he knew that I could not afford his treatment. He is a good boy for the family and understands our situation. He told me that he did not want to receive treatment so we wouldn’t have to borrow money.”

Paw is a 24-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her husband and son in a refugee camp in Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand. Her husband is a farmer, while Paw is a homemaker. During her free time, she enjoys cleaning her house and sometimes helping her husband on his farm. In the future, she and her husband would like to raise some animals on their farm. Paw is currently expecting her second child. Her doctors recommend that she deliver via a caesarean section due to a high-risk pregnancy. This way, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is helping Paw undergo a C-Section on March 3rd. This procedure will cost $1500, and Paw needs your support. Paw said, “If possible would love to have a girl this time since I already have a son.”

Samen is a 59-year-old woman from Kampong Thom province, Cambodia. She lives with her second child, a grocery seller. Her husband passed away six years ago. Her other children are married and live in nearby villages. In her free time, Samen enjoys listening to monks' sermons and planting vegetables around her home. For the past ten years, Samen has been suffering from left hip avascular necrosis, a condition in which the blood supply to the femoral head is disrupted, leading to bone damage. Over the years, she has undergone several surgeries, including a left hip replacement. Unfortunately, she continues to experience a chronic infection of the hip prosthesis, which causes persistent pain and increasing difficulty with sitting and walking for long periods. Over the past week, her condition has worsened, making daily activities even more challenging. After first seeking care locally, Samen learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, through friends in her village and traveled three hours to reach the hospital. On February 3rd, she will undergo an uncemented hip replacement surgery on her left hip. Samen can contribute $100 and needs support to cover the remaining $1,400 for her procedure and care. Samen said, “After the surgery, I hope that I will no longer have pain and be able to walk properly, so I can go to the pagoda by myself easily.”

Yahaya is a sweet and gentle four-year old boy who lives with his parents and three siblings in Tanzania. His family describes him as a quiet and kind boy who loves playing close to home and enjoys being around his siblings. His father works as a driver, and his mother cares for the family. About a year ago, Yahaya suffered a burn when hot porridge accidentally spilled onto the back of his right knee. His mother rushed him to the hospital, where he was admitted for a week, treated, and later discharged. Though the wound healed, the scar tissue has contracted so that Yahaya cannot fully straighten his leg. The contracture makes walking painful, itchy, and uncomfortable, and he struggles to keep up with other children. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Yahaya receive treatment. On December 3rd, surgeons at their care center will perform contracture release surgery and skin graft. After treatment, Yahaya will be able to walk without pain, run freely like other children, and begin school with confidence. Now, he needs help to fund this $832 procedure. Yahaya's mother shares, "I'm hopeful, and deeply grateful for the opportunity that could change my boy’s future forever."

Grace is a six-month-old baby girl who lives with her parents in Kenya. Though Grace has experienced her share of health challenges, she is a joyful baby whose laughter lightens her parents' burdens. Her father works as a delivery driver, while her mother cares for Grace full-time. Grace's symptoms were first noticed on her mother's third-trimester pregnancy scan. Shortly after birth, Grace was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. Complications during pregnancy also led to feeding issues once Grace was born, and she had to be kept under observation until she could have shunt insertion surgery at three weeks old. Following the surgery, Grace contracted meningitis, which further delayed her recovery and hospital discharge. A few weeks later, Grace’s mother noticed her head increasing in size at an alarming rate and brought her back to BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital, our partner's medical care center. Doctors discovered that the shunt had malfunctioned, and Grace is now scheduled for another shunt insertion surgery. However, Grace's prior treatments have depleted the family's medical insurance for the year. Without timely treatment, Grace will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $719 to cover the cost of surgery for Grace that will treat her hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on November 24th and will drain the excess fluid from Grace's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Grace will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. Grace's mother says, “My only wish is to see my daughter’s head stop increasing in size. I would be truly happy if she didn’t have to undergo another surgery, because it breaks my heart every time.”

Lucia is an eight-year-old student from a small town in the eastern part of Bolivia. She lives with her mom, who works as a clerk in the mayor's office. When Lucia was a baby, she was diagnosed with aortic stenosis—a cardiac condition that occurs when one of the valves in the heart is too narrow. At six months old, she underwent a cardiac catheterization that improved her health for many years. More recently, Lucia began to suffer from dizziness and headaches, and was having trouble gaining weight. As a result, doctors decided she needed surgery to permanently fix her condition. On November 19th, Lucia will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, surgeons will reconstruct the valve so that it opens to a more normal size. Lucia'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. Lucia's mother says, "I jumped for happiness when I heard the doctors can help my child with surgery. I look forward to seeing my daughter healthy after her heart is fixed!"