Phong is a lovely grandmother from Kampong Cham province, Cambodia. She is 77 years old and works as a street food vendor. She is a widow; her husband passed away six months ago due to liver disease. She has three sons, two daughters, and ten grandchildren. Currently, she lives with her third daughter, who works in a garment factory. In her free time, she enjoys visiting the pagoda. Five years ago, Phong developed a pterygium in her right eye, causing her excessive tearing, irritation, and redness, which made her feel uncomfortable. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage, wind, or dust, and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Phong learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. Phong needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. She is scheduled for surgery on May 4th. Phong can contribute $25, but needs help raising $273 more to fund her procedure and care. Phong said, "I hope that after surgery, my vision will improve so I can see clearly again, move around easily, and continue going out to sell food as before."

Mark is a 32-year-old man from the Philippines. He is the oldest of seven siblings and helps support his family. His father works as a construction laborer, while his mother stays at home. Mark recently started work assisting with solar insulation, but his job is not yet stable. In his free time, he enjoys cooking and playing basketball. Three months ago, Mark began to experience troubling symptoms, including abdominal pain and difficulty breathing. He has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, his symptoms will continue to worsen and put him at risk for further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), Mark is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy on April 10th. A portion of the cost of the procedure is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is requesting the remaining $1,031 to cover the cost of Mark’s surgery and care. Mark shared, “I am truly grateful for the chance to receive this operation, as it will ease my financial burden and allow me to focus on recovery. My heartfelt thanks to those who will give their support and kindness.”

Kimhuor is 18 years old and a hardworking waiter from Cambodia. He lives on the outskirts of Phnom Penh with his parents, who work as cleaners at a company. He is the eldest of four siblings, and his younger siblings are still students. Because of the family’s financial situation, he stopped studying in Grade 10 and started working as a waiter to help support the family. In his free time, he enjoys listening to music and playing games on his phone. Five days ago, Kimhuor was involved in a traffic accident with a car that was driving in the opposite direction, causing a closed fracture of his left tibial plateau. Since the accident, he has experienced significant pain and difficulty walking independently. Because of his injury, he cannot go to work. After the accident, he was taken to a private clinic, where an X-ray confirmed the fracture. The doctors advised him to undergo surgery, but his family could not afford the cost. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On March 11th, Kimhuor will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will repair the fracture, stabilize his leg, and help him walk easily again. His family can contribute $100, but needs help raising the remaining $500 to fund his surgery and care. Kimhuor said, "I am very grateful for the support that allows me to receive this treatment. After the surgery, I hope my leg will heal so I can walk normally, return to my work, and earn some money to support my family."

Melau is an eight-year-old girl from Tanzania. She is the fifth child in a large family, and her parents depend on livestock and farming for income. Access to specialized care has been limited due to distance and cost. When she was younger, Melau accidentally got burned by hot milk. She now has a severe burn scar affecting her right wrist and hand. The injury led to deep burns and later severe tightening of the scar, leaving her wrist stiff and her hand function reduced. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Melau receive treatment. On February 17th, surgeons at their care center will perform contracture release surgery and a skin graft to give her a chance for improved independence and daily function. Now, she needs help to fund this $832 procedure. Melau's father says, “Her wrist is very tight and painful, and she cannot use her hand normally for playing or helping at home.”

Dave is 31 years old and a farmer from the Philippines. He is the sole caregiver for his father, who has hypertension and gout. He works as a farmer, raising chickens and planting root crops. He admits that his work does not earn much, and his limited income makes it hard for him and his father to meet their daily needs. At times, his siblings help by giving money to pay for electricity, water, and his father’s medicines. Dave first noticed swelling and pain when he was in high school. By the time he reached college, the pain was unbearable. It comes and goes, and each time it happens, he finds it difficult to walk and carry out his daily activities. Dave was diagnosed with an inguinal hernia and needs surgery. Fortunately, our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines, can help. On January 28th, Dave will undergo hernia repair surgery to address his symptoms and allow him to live more comfortably. He needs help to raise $1,121 to fund his procedure and care. Dave shared, "I have always worried that my hernia would get worse. With surgery, I hope I will no longer feel afraid every day. I want to work properly again and be free from the heavy feeling of constantly wondering when my hernia will act up."

Yotamu is a 67-year-old father of seven children from Malawi. Yotamu sought medical care at our medical partner's care center, Partners In Hope Medical Center (PIH), after being referred from another hospital, due to swelling and pain in his inguinal region. Yotamu had general good health until 2019, when he started experiencing the painful symptoms. He went to the hospital, where different medications were prescribed, to no avail. He visited several hospitals and finally ended up at a referral hospital where he received a diagnosis of inguinal hernia, a condition in which soft tissue bulges through a weak point in the abdominal muscle, causing pain. Since 2020, his surgery has been rescheduled four times due to busy theatre schedules. In October last year, Yotamu was referred to PIH, but he did not go as he was worried about how he was going to pay for treatment. He works as a security guard, earning approximately MWK100,000 ($57.11) per month for upkeep. Over time, however, the pain worsened, so he finally decided to go to PIH and face whatever challenges. Unfortunately, he had already spent a lot of cash seeking support due to frequent hospital visits and the purchase of pain-relieving medications. At PIH, he was reviewed by a surgeon, who confirmed his diagnosis and the need to undergo a hernia repair procedure. If left untreated, the condition may lead to serious incarceration and strangulation. Presently, the condition has significantly impacted his daily work, which has reduced his income. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Yotamu receive treatment. On January 13th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at PIH. Yotamu looks forward to surgery that he feels will change his life for the better. He is able to contribute towards the cost of his treatment, but needs help raising $575 more to fund the procedure. He says: "Kindly help me, this has really affected my family life; I need to concentrate on my work and support my family as a responsible father."

Four-year-old Alpha lives with his parents in Kenya. His father earns a living by hawking clothes, while his mother is currently unemployed. In his first few years of life, Alpha experienced delayed developmental milestones, taking longer than expected to sit and to walk. Given these early challenges, his parents hoped that his speech would eventually develop with time. However, Alpha is still unable to speak. After visiting several health facilities, he was diagnosed with hearing loss. Alpha’s parents deeply wish for him to receive hearing aids, knowing that they would allow him to hear, to communicate, and to develop like other children. Unfortunately, the cost of hearing aids is far beyond their means. Alpha is an only child, and his parents' greatest hope is for him to be able to hear and to experience a normal childhood. Alpha was brought to our medical partner's care center, AIC Kijabe Hospital. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is here to help. They, along with Alpha’s parents, are now reaching out for your support to help raise the $1,171 necessary to access the hearing aids Alpha needs for him to have a brighter future. Alpha is scheduled to get fitted with hearing aids on December 19th. “I want him to start school next year,” Alpha’s mother shares. “With hearing aids, he would have a better chance to learn alongside other children,” she added.

Brian is a humble and respectful 23-year-old man from Kenya. He shares that he has always been a person who puts the needs of others before his own. Being the fourth in a family of seven children, Brian works as a seasonal farmer, mainly planting tomatoes and tending to mango orchards. He owns 2 mango trees that were given to him by his parents. This year has been especially difficult for Brian and his family. Heavy rains and mudslides in their region affected the transportation of their produce, resulting in significant losses. Despite these challenges, Brian remains committed to supporting his younger siblings. Having studied up to Form Four, he works tirelessly so that they can access the education he was unable to access. On the afternoon of 24th November, Brian was picking mangoes for home consumption when he accidentally stepped on a dry mango branch. He fell down and sustained injuries to his hand and leg. He was rushed to the nearest health facility where his injuries were initially managed through immobilization and pain medication. He was then referred to our medical partner's care center, AIC Kapsowar Hospital, for further care. Upon arrival, an X-ray revealed a fracture to his forearm and his pelvic region. He was admitted immediately, and after an orthopedic consultation, it was determined that he requires ORIF surgery (Open Reduction and Internal Fixation) to properly correct the fracture of the right forearm. The pelvic fracture is expected to resolve on its own, so will hopefully not need surgery. Brian, however, does not have any health insurance coverage, and after paying for consultation and the X-ray, his family is unable to raise money for further treatment. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Brian receive treatment. On November 25th, Brian will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. The procedure will help promote his healing, and allow him to regain hand function. Now, Brian needs help to fund this $861 procedure. Brian says, "I have learnt that medical cover is important, and when I fully recover, I plan to register to the national social health insurance scheme. Please help me, so that I can be able to work with my hand in the farm once again, after I fully recover."

Dylan is a 19-month-old toddler from Bolivia. Dylan lives with his grandmother because his parents are working in Argentina in construction. When he was very young, Dylan's grandmother noticed he was not gaining weight, and he was smaller than other children of his age. She brought him to a pediatrician, where he was diagnosed with two heart conditions. He has a ventricular septal defect, where there is a hole between the lower chambers of the heart, and a patent ductus arteriosus, where there is a hole between two blood vessels near his heart. Doctors recommend a single surgery for both conditions, where they will sew a patch over the first hole and sew the second hole shut. Dylan will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría, on February 25th. Dylan'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. Dylan's grandmother shares, "I'm looking forward to my grandson having this surgery so he can have a healthy life."

Srey Nith is a 35-year-old woman from Cambodia. She lives with her husband, who works as a laborer. They have one son who is a kindergarten student and is cared for by her parents. She is the fourth of six siblings, and all of her siblings are married and live in nearby villages. In her free time, she cleans the yard and reads literature. Thirteen years ago, Srey Nith fell from a tree while picking fruit and injured her hip. She developed avascular necrosis of her right hip, a condition where the blood supply to the ball-shaped part of the thigh bone is disrupted, leading to bone death. She has undergone several surgeries, including a right hip replacement, but she continues to suffer from chronic infections in the hip prosthesis. She experiences pain and is unable to walk without support, and cannot sit comfortably for long periods. She now seeks further treatment to regain mobility and reduce pain. Srey Nith was referred to our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), by another hospital and traveled four hours to seek care. She will undergo surgery on January 23rd. She is able to contribute $12.50 toward the cost of treatment and needs help to raise $1,488 more. The costs include a special prosthesis, surgery, medications, post-operative care, and rehabilitation. Srey Nith said, “After the surgery, I want to be able to move and sit comfortably again so I can go back to my job and earn an income for my family.”

Wabi is a charming toddler from Ethiopia. He delights in playing with his peers and enjoys watching animated movies. He is the first child in his family, bringing immense joy to his parents. His mother sells vegetables on the street while his father works as a daily laborer. Wabi was born with hypospadias, a condition that causes urinary dysfunction. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and will be at risk of future complications. Fortunately, Wabi is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on December 23rd. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,293 to cover the cost of his procedure and care. Wabi's mother shared, "There were times when I felt hopeless, but I truly believe that God has a perfect plan to support my child. I am immensely grateful for all the assistance we've received."