Aye is a 40-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her husband and four children in Mae La Refugee Camp, Tak Province, Thailand. Aye is a homemaker. Her eldest daughter has had to stop studying to help take care of her and look after household chores. Her husband and two sons are agricultural day laborers, and her youngest daughter is a student. Since July 2024, Aye began to experience troubling symptoms, including pain in her left lower back and upper abdomen, nausea, and vomiting. She was diagnosed with gallstones and advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, her symptoms will continue to worsen and put him at risk for further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), Aye is scheduled to undergo her cholecystectomy on January 7th. BCMF is requesting $1,500 to cover the cost of Aye's procedure and care. Aye said, “I feel sad and stressed as I have to visit the hospital every two months for my condition. My elder daughter has had to sacrifice her studies to care for me. Thank you to BCMF and donors for accepting my case for support with my treatment cost.”

Brian is a 17-year-old boy from Kenya. His father is a primary school teacher. Brian is due to start school and is worried about missing lessons and falling behind in the syllabus. Education is very important to him, and he hopes to resume his studies as soon as possible. Three weeks ago, Brian experienced a convulsion and fell into a fire. As a result, he sustained severe burns to his leg. He was eventually brought to the hospital, where the surgical team assessed him. The surgeon managed his injuries through multiple dressing changes, surgical debridement, and, due to the severity of the burns, amputation of one toe. Brian was later placed on a wound vacuum (VAC) to support healing. At present, his condition is stable, and he is doing relatively well. However, he still requires a skin graft to achieve proper wound coverage and complete healing. On January 6th, Brian is scheduled to undergo a skin graft procedure, and our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,183 to fund his procedure and care. Brian says, "I hope that after the skin graft, my hospital stay will be reduced. I should be in form four, and I don't want to fall behind, especially with the syllabus. My goal is to take after my father, be a teacher, and aim higher to head a teachers' organization in the future. Please help me. "

Noel is a 55-year-old man from the Philippines who lives with his wife and children. His wife, Annabelle, works for the government, but most of her income contributes to supporting their relatives. They have three children: the oldest is already working and helps a little with household expenses, while the two younger children are still studying. After Noel's family learned that surgery would be the best option to treat his condition, they wanted it to be done as soon as possible, knowing that his health could affect how he cared for his family. Eleven months ago, Noel began to experience troubling symptoms, including difficulty swallowing, pressure in his neck, and shortness of breath. He was diagnosed with multinodular non-toxic goiter. He needs thyroid removal surgery to prevent his symptoms from getting worse. Fortunately, our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), is helping Noel receive treatment. He is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on December 29th at Our Lady of Peace Hospital. Surgeons will remove all or part of his thyroid gland to reduce his pain and allow him to return to caring for his family. Some of the costs will be covered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation. However, Noel still needs help with the remaining $935 to cover the rest of his care. Noel says, "Knowing the cost of my surgery would be covered gave me comfort and motivated me to move forward with the operation. Now, I can concentrate on my recovery. Thank you to everyone who is making this happen."

Stafell is a 36-year-old man from Malawi, married with four children. He works as a small-scale vegetable farmer, selling any surplus produce for income. Stefall began experiencing intermittent swelling on both sides of his groin in 2022, which he initially ignored because the episodes were brief. Over time, the swelling started lasting longer and became increasingly painful, but he continued working and only shared his struggles with his wife. Last month, swelling became particularly more painful and prolonged, causing intense discomfort. He was taken to hospital where he was stabilized, and referred to our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center (PIH) for urgent surgery. At PIH, doctors confirmed a diagnosis of bilateral inguinal hernia, a condition where abdominal organs push through a weak spot in the abdominal muscle on both sides of the groin. Surgery was recommended but Stafell cannot afford the cost of treatment. The condition has significantly reduced his ability to farm, affecting his productivity and family income. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Stafell receive treatment. On December 9th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery to restore good health, enabling him to return to farming and better provide for his family. Now, Stafell needs help to raise $667 for the procedure. He says: "I saw death coming, but with your support, I look forward to farming again after a successful surgery."

Rithy is a 20-year-old university student from Cambodia. He currently lives in Kampong Thom province with his 70-year-old grandmother. He has two siblings: an older sister who is 25 and a university student, and a younger sister who is 17 and in grade 12. His mother works as a housekeeper in Thailand to support the family since his father passed away five years ago. During his free time, Rithy enjoys playing football, although he is unable to play currently because of his foot injury. Rithy was in a traffic accident a year ago that caused a traumatic injury to his left leg. He fractured his left fibula, injured his knee, and had one of his toes amputated. The overall trauma from the accident created a compartment syndrome, which is a painful condition that occurs when pressure within a muscle compartment increases, damaging the muscles, nerves, and blood vessels. After the accident, Rithy underwent a fasciotomy procedure to relieve pressure and restore blood flow. Now, he suffers from a stiff ankle and a peroneal nerve injury (the nerve that runs down the front of his leg) that has not recovered, which has led to persistent foot drop. Rithy needs to undergo a tendon and nerve repair procedure to help regain his strength and mobility. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), is helping Rithy receive treatment. He will undergo a tendon and nerve repair procedure on July 11th. Rithy contributed $75 to his care and needs assistance raising $626 to fund the remaining cost of his surgery. Rithy shared: "I hope after this operation, I can walk well without pain and return to school."

Ar is a 40-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her husband and their six children in a refugee camp in Tha Song Yang District, Tak Province, Thailand. Ar and her family have been living in the camp for around nine years. Her husband helps his brother as a shopkeeper, while their children go to school in the camp. During her free time, she enjoys watching movies on her phone and spending time with her children. Ar is pregnant, and the doctors at the camp recommend she deliver via a c-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 Ar undergo a C-Section on December 16th. This procedure will cost $1500, and Ar needs your support. Ar said, “When I heard that my baby is in the wrong position and needs surgery to deliver him, I started feeling worried and stressed. I asked my brother-in-law to let me borrow money, but he told us that he cannot, as he does not have much either. I do not know what to do, which makes me more stressed and worried when it is closer to my due date. Finally, I am very happy to hear that there will be an organization that will help pay for my surgery cost. Thank you so much to BCMF and all your donors for your kind support. I still do not know where to look for money without your support. Thank you so much for helping me.”

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."

Alan is a cheerful three-year-old boy who lives with his family in Columbia. He is an active child who especially enjoys playing with cars, animals, and water. Although he has not yet decided what he wants to be when he grows up, he always says he wants “cars.” About eight months ago, Alan's family brought him to a pediatric dentist because he was experiencing pain and bleeding in his mouth while eating. It was discovered that he has dental caries and that his upper teeth have deteriorated. His family cannot afford the proposed treatment, which would require general anesthesia. Now, Alan has constant pain and great difficulty eating, and his mother has shared that it is very hard for the family to see him in pain. Thankfully, our medical partner, Clinica Noel, can help. They are requesting $868 to fund Alan's dental treatment, which will take place on December 15th. Alan's mother shares, "Receiving this support would be like a ray of hope that brings us peace of mind. It means that my son will be able to eat without pain, smile without fear, and live his childhood with greater well-being. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for thinking of us, for believing in our need, and for reaching out to us on a journey that has been long and full of difficult moments."

Lechisa is 22 years old and the oldest of four siblings from Ethiopia. His father passed away recently. Now, with three younger siblings and a grieving mother relying on him, he has been forced to assume the role of the father of the family. The heavy weight of his family’s future rests on the shoulders of this 22-year-old Grade 9 student. Though his overwhelming responsibilities have caused him to fall behind, he has courageously persisted in his education, repeatedly returning to school despite the pain and the aggressive work required to care for his younger siblings. He helps his mother on the farm to support the family. Four years ago, Lechisa started to experience swelling in his leg. It was causing pain and discomfort, making it difficult to walk. Following a consultation with our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, doctors have recommended that Lechisa undergo a sequestrectomy, a surgical procedure involving the removal of fragments of infected, dead bone or tissue. If not treated, it can lead to recurrent infections that may result in life-threatening complications. Fortunately, on December 6th, Lechisa will undergo treatment, and he needs help to raise $900 to fund his procedure and care. Lechisa shared, "My future is filled with potential and many aspirations, yet this vision is brutally narrowed by my chronic pain. When it intensifies, pain is the only reality I can grasp. I long for liberation—to be pain-free, to continue my studies without interruption, and to reclaim the joy of living."

Modester is 49 years old and a farmer from Malawi. She is married with five children aged 30, 22, 20, 19, and 12. In 2012, Modester began to experience troubling symptoms, including a painless swelling on the left side of her neck. She did not seek medical care until 2020 when the swelling grew, causing symptoms like breathlessness, weakness, neck pain, and difficulty climbing steps. Despite visiting several hospitals, she could not afford surgery or transport to larger facilities. Modester was referred to our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center, where she was diagnosed with a goiter, which is 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 Modester receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on December 17th, 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. “The breathlessness has severely disrupted my daily activities. I look forward to your support so I can find relief and focus on farm work," Modester said.

Efrem is a 30-year-old electrician from Ethiopia. He is a resilient man who has built his life from the ground up. He lives on his own and works hard, earning a living through the steady, careful work of electronics maintenance in small shop - a role he's proud of, and his primary way of being the provider for those he loves. Efrem's heart is always with his family. He cares for his brother and sister, making sure they have everything they need. He is used to being the strong one, but right now, a painful battle with tonsillitis has brought his busy life to a sudden halt. For a man who never stops, being stuck in bed and unable to work is a heavy burden to bear. Six years ago, Efrem began to experience waves of exhaustion and a difficulty breathing and swallowing. Recently, his symptoms got worse, and he sought treatment at our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, where he was diagnosed with enlarged tonsils. If not treated, the condition will cause his symptoms to persist and continue to intensify over time. The pain in his throat makes it hard for him to eat, speak, or rest and his exhaustion has caused him to step back from his job, and his social life. Our medical partner is requesting $700 to fund a tonsillectomy for Efrem, which is scheduled to take place on December 27th. Surgeons will remove his tonsils in order to relieve Efrem of his symptoms and help him live more comfortably. "I try so hard to save, but it's like trying to move a mountain. My medical bills and family expenses swallow my savings instantly. I just want to be free from this pain so I can enjoy my work and support the people I love," said Efrem.

Sopheak is 16 years old and lives in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, with his parents and two older siblings. Sopheak and his parents work as rice farmers, and one of his sisters sells breakfast noodles to support the family. In his free time, he enjoys playing volleyball with his friends in the village and helping his parents in the garden. Sopheak was born with unilateral cleft lip, which was repaired when he was a baby. However, there's still a gap in his upper gum where teeth should grow. This affects his speaking, eating, and breathing. He feels shy about his appearance and he avoids smiling around others. Doctors at our medical partner's care center, Children's Surgical Centre, explained that Sopheak now needs an alveolar bone graft. This surgery will place bone in the gap of his upper gum, giving the teeth the support they need. For Sopheak, this surgery is the next step toward a healthy smile to close the gap and improve his confidence. On December 4th, Sopheak is scheduled to undergo an alveolar bone graft surgery. His family can contribute $50, but needs help to raise $615 more for the surgical costs and post-op care. Sopheak's mother said, "After the surgery I hope that my son will feel more confident about his appearance."