Darian is a five-year-old student who lives in Columbia with his family. He is an intelligent, charismatic, and very friendly boy. His joy and curiosity shine through every day at preschool, where he interacts with his classmates with enthusiasm and warmth. Two years ago, Darian developed an umbilical hernia, a condition in which a small portion of abdominal tissue protrudes through the navel. He has been experiencing discomfort especially when doing everyday activities like playing, jumping, and enjoying his childhood. Darian was assessed by our medical partner, Clínica Noel, and has been scheduled to undergo surgery on May 19th. Now, his family needs help to fund this $1,005 procedure. Darian looks forward to feeling better so he can practice on being a soccer player! His mother says, "As a mother, I would like to express my deepest gratitude for the opportunity given to my son. The support we have received throughout this process will be essential to his well-being and development, and it represents an invaluable source of hope for our future as a family."

Flor is a three-year-old girl from Bolivia. She lives with her mother, who helps her with physical therapy every day so that she will be able to learn to walk despite having cerebral palsy. Flor 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. When she was a baby, she had heart surgery to stabilize her heart with a pulmonary artery band until the hole in her heart could more safely be closed. Now that she is older, she is ready for a second surgery to remove the band and completely repair her heart defect. On September 30th, Flor will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, surgeons will sew a patch over the hole in Flor's heart, so that blood will no longer leak through it. Flor's family needs help to fund the costs of cardiac care and surgery. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, requests $1,500 to help cover the cost of cardiac exams and diagnostics, surgical costs, follow-up care, and medications. Flor's mother said, "I'm glad my daughter can have her heart surgery now. We have been waiting a long time for her to be completely healthy, but I'm grateful, and I pray that all goes well!"

Christina is a farmer from Malawi. She is married and a mother of six. Four of her children have completed high school but are currently unemployed. The other two of her kids are still in high school. Christina's income from farm produce caters to their household upkeep and her children’s education, making it financially impossible for the family to raise funds for surgery. Since 2001, Christina has been experiencing uncomfortable gynecological symptoms. She visited several health facilities over the years. However, no definitive diagnosis was made. A cervical biopsy was performed earlier this year. It was determined that Christina needs a hysterectomy, the surgical removal of her uterus, to return to good health. Christina believes that undergoing surgery will restore her health and enable her to continue supporting her family. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is able to help fund Christina's surgery. They are requesting $1,363 for her care. On April 10th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center. Once recovered, Christina will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain and reduce her risk of future complications including cancer. "Your support will save my life," shared Christina.

Tasmiya is a bright, curious five-year-old girl from India. Tasmiya's father works in the carpet industry; her mother is a homemaker. Her favourite fruit is mango, and like any child her age, she wants to run, play, and go to school with her friends. She is the second of four daughters, and her father describes her as a girl who loves to study. Her face lit up whenever school was mentioned, but her injury made it difficult for her to continue her education. About a year ago, Tasmiya was playing with a friend when she accidentally fell into hot water, causing severe scald burns. The burns covered a large area of her chest, affecting both sides, including tissue near her breasts and chest wall, as well as her right thigh. As the burns healed, they left thick, raised scarring across her chest and thigh, and most disabling of all, a scar contracture at her right elbow that has pulled the joint out of its normal position. The contracture in the right elbow has left her unable to fully extend or use her arm normally. Simple daily tasks like writing, dressing, and carrying a school bag are difficult for her right now. Tasmiya has not been able to go to school or continue her education, something her father says weighs on her, since she loves learning. As she grows, the scarring on her chest also carries the risk of restricting normal development if left untreated. Tasmiya's family learned about our medical partner, G.S. Memorial Plastic Surgery Hospital and Trauma Center, and sought treatment. On September 2nd, specialty surgeons will perform a burn contracture release surgery. This will release the contracture and help restore use of her arm, allowing her to write and carry a school bag, dress herself, and do everyday things other five-year-olds do without a second thought. Now, she needs help to fund this $1,442 procedure. Tasmiya's father shared, "I am happy that she will have her surgery done, and I am confident because my neighbour, who had severe contractures, was treated here and is fully healed. I have full faith in Tasmiya's recovery."

Chanthy is a 35-year-old father and excavator driver from Cambodia. He is married and lives in Kampong Thom province with his wife and their three children. His eldest child is in Grade 7, his second child is in Grade 3, and their youngest is just one month old. His wife stays at home to manage the household and care for the children, but the family faces many challenges and struggles to make ends meet, especially with a newborn to look after. In his free time, he enjoys playing volleyball with friends in the village. Three days ago, Chanthy had an accident when an excavator rolled over his leg as he was helping his neighbor whose truck was stuck in the mud. He has a severe wound on his left lower leg, is experiencing intense pain, and is unable to walk, which makes it difficult for him to care for himself and support his family. When Chanthy learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On March 17th, surgeons at CSC will perform a debridement procedure to to remove damaged and infected tissue from the wound, reduce pain, and restore his ability to walk and use his leg normally. Chanthy can contribute $50, but needs help raising $367 more to fund his procedure and care. Chanthy said, “The pain is so strong that I can’t walk, and it has been very hard for me and my family. I hope that with this treatment, my leg will heal so I can stand and take care of my children again.”

Key is a hardworking 30-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He lives in Oddar Meanchey province with his parents, who are rice farmers supporting a large family. He is the third of six siblings. Some of his brothers and sisters work in factories, while others help with farming. Despite financial challenges, the family works together to earn income and support one another. In his free time, he helps his parents with farm work and enjoys listening to music on the radio. Five months ago, Key fell on a slippery road during heavy rain, causing a serious injury and paralysis to his right arm. He has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his right side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. He was first treated at the provincial hospital, where he underwent open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) surgery for a humerus fracture. Although the surgery stabilized the bone, he continues to experience significant pain, weakness, and an inability to lift his right arm properly. This limits his ability to perform daily tasks and prevents him from working effectively as a farmer. He also sought Khmer traditional medicine treatment, which reduced some pain, but his arm function has not fully returned. Key traveled to our medical partner's care center, Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, to receive treatment. This is the only center in the whole country where this treatment is available. On March 3rd, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, he will regain the ability to perform daily activities and return to farming work more independently. Key can contribute $100 toward his care, but our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, needs $637 more to fund the procedure and his care. Key said with hope, “Even though the pain is better now, my arm is still weak and I cannot use it normally. I truly hope that with proper treatment, I will regain my strength and be able to work and live independently again.”

Napris is a six-year-old student from Svay Rieng province, Cambodia. He lives with his parents, who are garment factory workers. He stays with his grandmother while his parents are at work. He is in the second grade, and his favorite subject is math. Napris dreams of becoming a teacher when he grows up. He enjoys playing with other children in the neighborhood and likes eating prawns and chicken soup. Napris was born with left torticollis, a condition that causes a twisting of the neck due to a tight sternocleidomastoid muscle. While some children can improve with physical therapy alone, others may need surgery to lengthen the muscle. Because of this condition, Napris has difficulty turning his head and neck and often experiences shoulder pain. Over time, it has also caused postural problems. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is helping Napris receive treatment. On February 3rd, surgeons will perform a contracture release surgery to restore normal movement of his neck, relieve pain, and allow him to grow and focus on his studies like other children. Now, he needs help to fund this $572 procedure. Napris's mother said, “After the surgery, I hope my son will have a normal neck like other children and no longer have difficulty moving his head, so he can grow up healthy and enjoy his studies.”

Kan is a 25-year-old construction worker from Cambodia. He lives in Takaeo province with his elderly mother. He is the youngest child of two siblings; his older brother works in an umbrella factory. He was divorced three years ago and has a 6-year-old son. In his free time, he helps his mum with yard work. Five months ago, Kan was on his way home from work when he was involved in a motor vehicle accident. He fell hard on his left side, which resulted in nerve damage and paralysis of his left arm. He has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his left side. The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. Although he can shrug his left shoulder, he is unable to use his elbow or his hand. He has a chronic infection in his wound and experiences pain and stiffness in his fingers. Kan traveled to our medical partner's care center, Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, to receive treatment. This is the only center in the whole country where this treatment is available. On January 15th, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, he hopes to regain nerve function in his left arm, reduce pain, and return to work to support his family. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $737 to fund this procedure. Kan said, "After the surgery, I hope that I will be able to use my hand again without pain, so I can return to my job and earn some money to support my son."

Theara is a nine-year-old student from Cambodia. She lives in Prey Veng province with her parents and older brother. Her father is a security guard, and her mother works in a local clothes factory. Her brother is in grade six, and Theara is in grade three. In school, she enjoys mathematics and would like to open a hair salon when she is older. At home, she enjoys her mother's vegetable soup, and likes playing hide and seek with her friends in the village. On the 2nd of January of this year, Theara fell from a mango tree, dislocating and fracturing her left upper arm. She is unable to move her arm and is in pain. Her parents took her to the local provincial hospital, but they could not afford the cost of the proposed care. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On January 7th, Theara will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $600. The surgery and insertion of hardware will stabilize the bone and support healing. Theara's father said, "After the surgery, I hope that my daughter will no longer have pain in her shoulder and be able to use it properly.”

Joseline is a 47-year-old widow from Uganda. She has a heart full of faith and a voice that carries songs of praise. She lives with her brother and spends her free time weaving local mats and baskets under the shade of a tree. Three years ago, Joseline started experiencing lower abdominal pain and pelvic bleeding. As a small-scale farmer, she worked alongside her brother to sustain their family and raise two children. However, her condition worsened, making it difficult for her to farm, and she had to rely on her brother and children to work in the fields. Joseline sought help at a nearby health center and another medical facility, but her condition persisted. She visited our medical partner's care center, Rushoroza Hospital, where she was diagnosed with Chronic Pelvic Inflammatory Disease. Without treatment, Joseline faces a future of chronic pain, limited mobility, and potential complications such as anemia. She hopes for relief from her symptoms and a chance to live a happier life, free from pain and misery. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $319 to fund Joseline's surgery. On December 4th, she will undergo gynecological surgery, so she can resume her daily activities free of pain. Joseline says, "I'm reaching out with a humble request to the donors to support me. I've been struggling with this condition for so long, and I believe that surgery is my only hope for a better life. I'm praying for a successful outcome, not just for myself, but for my family's sake too. They need me, and I want to be there for them. I'm grateful for any support you can offer, and I promise to make the most of it. Thank you for considering my plea."

Yerosan is a six-year-old boy from Ethiopia. He comes from a family with six children. Two years ago, Yerosan started to experience difficulty breathing, loss of appetite, and physical exhaustion. His illness constantly brings sore throats and fever, making him feel generally unwell. This sickness keeps him from enjoying himself. He doesn't want to play with his siblings, and he is always angry and easily upset. Yerosan 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 Yerosan, which is scheduled to take place on November 8th. Surgeons will remove his tonsils, hopefully relieving Yerosan of his symptoms and helping him live more comfortably. Yerosan's parents shared, "Our only desire is to witness our son healed and happy again. We simply long to see him smiling often, playing joyfully with his siblings, and finally free from sickness."

Loudmia is a preschooler from Haiti. She lives in a small coastal village in northwest Haiti with her four siblings and her parents, who both fish and farm. She enjoys going to preschool and playing with the children in her neighborhood. Loudmia 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 without passing through her lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving her weak and short of breath. Loudmia will fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On January 21st, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will sew a patch over the hole so that blood no longer leaks through it. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is contributing to pay for surgery. However, Loudmia's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. They need help raising $1,500 to cover labs, medicines, and check-up and follow-up appointments. This also supports securing travel documents for the family and travel costs for the social workers from our medical partner, who will accompany Loudmia's family overseas. Loudmia's mother shared, "I am hopeful that after this surgery we can stop worrying about our daughter's health so much!"