Biniyam is a six-year-old first-grade student from Ethiopia. His father is a farmer and his mother cares for the home. Biniyam has been experiencing difficulty breathing, and his speech development is delayed compared to other children his age. He 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 Biniyam, which is scheduled to take place on January 11th. Surgeons will remove his tonsils, hopefully relieving Biniyam of his symptoms and helping him live more comfortably. Biniyam's parents shared, "After the surgery, ee hope our child will be able to articulate and speak well."

Staller is a 55-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her husband and four-year-old grandson in Myawaddy, Karen State, Burma. Staller and her husband previously ran a laundromat but had to shut it down due to her health issues. During her free time, she enjoys watching the news, Tiktok videos on her phone, and spending time with her grandson. Staller and her husband depend financially on their daughter, a housekeeper in Shan State. In May 2024, Staller began to experience troubling symptoms, including severe lower back pain and hematuria, or blood in the urine. Doctors want to perform a ureteroscopy to treat her condition. During this procedure, doctors will insert a scope through the urethra and bladder to locate the stone and remove it. Depending on the size of the stone, it may need to be broken down into smaller pieces so they can remove it more easily. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 for this procedure. The treatment is scheduled to take place on March 9th at Mae Sot General Hospital. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully alleviate her symptoms. Staller expressed her gratitude, saying, “Thank you so much to BCMF and the donors for the assistance of my treatment costs. Without your help, my surgery would not be possible, and I cannot express enough words for my thankfulness to each of you.”

Calistus is a 10-year-old boy from Kenya. Born at home in a remote area, his mother noticed a month later that Calistus was not passing urine normally. A visit to a hospital confirmed that Calistus had hypospadias, a congenital condition affecting the urethra. Hypospadias causes urinary dysfunction and, without treatment, poses a risk of infertility and ongoing discomfort for Calistus. Surgery was recommended but the family was unable to afford treatment at that time. About a year later, in 2015, Calistus was examined at a mobile clinic team, referred for further evaluation, and advised to secure government health insurance. The family continued to face financial constraints, delaying Calistus' treatment. In 2022, Calistus underwent the first stage of a two-stage surgery, but follow-up care was delayed due to the family’s financial circumstances. Complications arose, requiring additional procedures to repair the scarring before the second surgery could be scheduled. Now, Calistus is scheduled for the final corrective surgery on November 15th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $841 to cover his procedure and care costs. Calistus'mother says, "He is growing up and knows he has a problem. This is affecting him and how he interacts with his friends."

Mercy is a small-scale farmer from Kenya. She is a single mother who lives in a rental house with her children. Mercy fractured her clavicle following a road accident and is in intense pain. She went to a nearby hospital where an X-ray showed that she had injured her left clavicle. However, since she could not afford surgery, she was released home with painkillers. She endured the pain for one week and finally decided to seek surgical intervention. Her neighbor recommended she visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Kapsowar Hospital. Mercy needs to undergo an open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) procedure to heal her fracture. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare can help. On October 14th, Mercy will undergo surgery that will help heal the fracture and relieve her of pain. Now, Mercy needs help to raise $861 to fund this procedure. Mercy says, “If assisted, I will be able to continue to work and care for my children, I am humbly requesting financial assistance, thank you and God bless you.”

Vath is a 14-year-old boy from Cambodia. He is an only child who lives with his mother and grandparents, while his father works long hours at a public hospital in Phnom Penh, two hours from where they live. To support the family, his mother sells groceries from their home. Vath is currently in 7th grade and enjoys studying the Khmer language. He loves playing soccer with his friends at school. Vath was born with double "S" scoliosis, an abnormal double curvature of the spine, and macrodactyly, a rare congenital condition that causes toes to be abnormally large. Due to the condition of his spine, his rib cage presses against his lungs, making breathing difficult. Vath was first seen by our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), where he underwent surgery on his right foot, including a toe amputation in January 2024. His family is now seeking further treatment for his scoliosis, which has inhibited his growth. It is difficult for him to walk or keep up with friends, and he often experiences shortness of breath, especially while at school and around other boys his age. On September 3rd, Vath will undergo a fusion procedure of his spine. The damaged vertebra will be removed and the spine will be fused to correct the curvature and stabilize his spine. Timely treatment in adolescence can prevent progression and reduce the need for more invasive measures later in life. Vath and his family are able to contribute $50 but need help to raise $1,450 more to fund the cost of the surgery, spinal implants, medications, and post-op care. Vath said, "I want to run and play soccer with my friends again soon and return to school to study."

Chou lives with his parents and grandmother in Kandal province. His father works in construction, his mother works in a clothing factory. His grandmother stays at home to take care of him when his parents are working. Chou's mother shared that he is a happy baby that loves milk and taking naps. Chou was born with a rare congenital condition that has led to several complications in his lower limbs, including an equinus deformity where the foot is held in a downward position, making it difficult to pull the ankle and foot up. Chou Laing's parents are worried about his future as he grows up with birth conditions that affect both legs, including mobility and function, which could impact his ability to walk. Fortunately, a Tuk-Tuk driver informed Chou's parents about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, and they brought him in to seek help. On July 15th, CSC's surgeons at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre will perform a surgery on his left foot to release the tightness or contracture caused by his ankle equinus deformity. This procedure aims to improve his ability to walk as he grows up. Currently, his parents are seeking assistance to raise $522 for his treatment, which would significantly enhance his quality of life. His parents hope that surgery will help Chou will feel more comfortable, and give him the best chance of learning to walk when he is older.

Ar is a 13-year-old Burmese student in Thailand. He has been living in a dormitory for a year now as his mother moved to Bangkok in search of a better job. Ar's mother borrowed money to pay for the tuition for the school and the dormitory so Ar can continue to attend the fifth grade. He gets food from the school and occasionally gets some pocket money from his cousins. In 2021, when Ar was still living with his family in Karen State, Burma, his leg started to swell. Because it was not causing him any pain his father did not take him to see a doctor. Since then, his leg stayed swollen and would swell up a bit more. However, in March 2024, it started to cause him pain. Ar can no longer play football with his friends because his leg hurts. It is also difficult for him to walk. Ar asked his mother to send some money so he could go to a clinic to see a doctor. Doctors want Ar to undergo an MRI, an imaging procedure that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce images of bodily organs. This scan will hopefully help doctors diagnose his condition and formulate an appropriate treatment plan. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $814 to cover the cost of Ar's MRI and care, scheduled for June 10th. Ar said: “I just want to walk again and play with my friends. I do not want to be a burden to my mother by asking for more money.”

Naika is a three-month-old infant from Haiti. She is the only child to her parents. Naika has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess fluid accumulates in the brain and increases pressure on the skull. As a result of her condition, Naika has been experiencing Increasing head circumference. Without treatment, Naika will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, Project Medishare, is requesting $957 to cover the cost of surgery for Naika at Hospital Bernard Mevs that will treat her hydrocephalus. This is the only site in the country where this care is currently available and the procedure is scheduled to take place on October 8th. This critical treatment will place a shunt to drain the excess fluid from Naika's brain to reduce pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Naika will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. Naika's family is looking forward to their child growing up healthy.

Panha Vorn is a four-year-old preschooler from Cambodia who lives with his parents and older brother. His father works at the local car wash service, while his mother is a homemaker. His favorite meal is chicken soup, and he enjoys playing with his six-year-old brother. Panha Vorn was born with an extra thumb on his right hand, a condition known as polydactyly. This has led to difficulties in using his hand, and his mother is concerned about him beginning school next year without receiving treatment. On April 29th, surgeons will perform a polydactyly repair procedure to remove the extra digit on his hand. Panha Vorn and his family are able to contribute $100 towards the cost of his treatment and need help raising $199 more to fund the procedure. After surgery, he will be able to use his hand more easily. Panha Vorn’s father says: “I hope that after treatment, my son will be able to start kindergarten and learn to write without challenges."

Khmao is a 61-year-old stay-at-home mother with four daughters. She lives in Kampot province with her husband, who drives a tuk-tuk, and three of her children. Her oldest daughter is married and lives nearby. Khmao likes to care for her vegetable garden around the house and make sweets for her family. Five years ago, Khmao had an ear infection. This infection caused a cholesteatoma, or an abnormal skin growth, to develop in the middle ear behind the ear drum. For this reason, Khmao experiences hearing loss, ear pain, and ear discharge. It is difficult for her to communicate with people. In the past year, she has completely lost hearing in her left ear. Khmao traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On April 2nd, she will undergo a mastoidectomy in her left ear, which is surgery to remove cells in the hollow, air-filled spaces in the skull behind the ear within the mastoid bone. During this procedure, ENT surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. Khmao and her family are able to contribute $100 but need an additional $926 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Khmao said, "I hope I will be able to hear normally and communicate better with others."

Dar is a six-year-old girl from Thailand. She lives with her parents and attends pre-school at a Thai public school. Her father works at a cattle farm, and her mother is a homemaker. Dar enjoys playing with her cats and toys and spending time on the phone during her free time. Dar has been diagnosed with a congenital cataract in her left eye. She experiences blurred vision in her left eye, which makes her rely on her right eye for reading and seeing. Additionally, there is a noticeable misalignment in her left eye. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is helping Dar receive treatment. On August 6th, doctors will perform a lens replacement surgery during which they will remove Dar's natural lenses and replace them with an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, Dar's family needs help to fund this $1,500 procedure. Dar’s mother says, “I feel very grateful to Watsi. We could not afford my daughter’s surgery, which made me feel sad and worried for her. Now, she is about to get her surgery soon. I am very happy. After recovery, I hope she thrives in school and pursues her education successfully."

Elizabeth is a child from Kenya. Elizabeth is the youngest in a family of three children. Her parents separated a few weeks after she was born, and they returned to their ancestral home to stay with their grandparents. They are now living in Gataka town, where they have rented a single-roomed house. To earn a living, her mother sells watermelons to provide for them. Elizabeth injured herself while playing, waiting for her friends to go home after school. She was not in pain at the moment and went home. When she got home, the pain intensified suddenly, and her mother had to rush her to a nearby hospital. She was in excruciating pain and could not use her right hand. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On February 13th, Elizabeth will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. She will heal properly and continue with schooling. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to fund this procedure. Elizabeth’s grandmother says, “After all we have been through, it is very painful to see Elizabeth having an injured arm. We really want her to be treated and be well.”