Six-year-old Siya is from India and lives with her parents and three siblings. Her father sells vegetables for a living, while her mother takes care of the home and the children. Two months ago, Siya suffered an electric burn. The wound healed, but it left behind a contracture: scar tissue has tightened and pulled the index finger of her right hand into a bent position. She can no longer straighten it fully. At an age when she should be learning to hold a pencil, draw, write her letters, and play freely, her hand is holding her back. Siya has been advised to undergo surgery to release the contracture. Without it, the scar can tighten further as she grows, and her finger may become permanently stiff. Fortunately, our medical partner, G.S. Memorial Plastic Surgery Hospital and Trauma Center, can help. Siya will undergo surgery on October 9th, and she needs help raising $929 to fund her procedure and care. With timely surgery and follow-up care, Siya has a real chance of regaining the movement in her finger, so she can grip a pencil, write, eat, and dress herself. Siya's grandmother shared, “We are grateful that she is receiving this surgery.”

Elizabeth is a four-year-old girl from the Serengeti District in the Mara Region of Tanzania. She is the youngest of three children, but sadly, her older sister passed away due to severe anemia. Elizabeth was raised by both her parents until recently, when her mother entrusted her care to her aunt. Her aunt, who now accompanies Elizabeth for treatment, is a small-scale farmer who grows maize for their household consumption and to provide income. Elizabeth was diagnosed with clubfoot, 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. For Elizabeth, this condition has made walking difficult and affected her balance and stability. In January 2026, Elizabeth's family traveled to Kenya for treatment, where she underwent several rounds of casting to address her condition. Sadly, her condition relapsed, leaving the family discouraged and unsure where to seek further help. Fortunately, in July 2026, their hope was restored when Kafika House, our medical partner's care center, had community partners visit the Serengeti and informed Elizabeth's family that effective treatment for relapsed clubfoot was available. They immediately traveled to Kafika House to begin her journey toward recovery. Elizabeth will now undergo a new series of corrective casts to realign her foot, followed by an Achilles tendon lengthening procedure. Surgeons will begin Elizabeth's clubfoot treatment at Kafika House on July 14th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,171 to fund Elizabeth's clubfoot repair. After treatment, Elizabeth will have the opportunity to walk comfortably, play confidently, and enjoy a brighter, more independent future. Elizabeth's aunt said, "When her first treatment failed, we feared Elizabeth would struggle for the rest of her life. Today, we have renewed hope. We are grateful that she has another chance to receive the care she needs and dream of seeing her walk confidently like other children."

Emmanuel is a 45-year-old hardworking father from Philippines. He previously worked as driver to support his family, but is currently unemployed, which is challenging while raising two school-going children. His wife is also unemployed, and with no steady income, the family often skip meals and mainly depend on partial repayments of debts from relatives, and occasionally borrow money from the children's uncle. Six years ago, Emmanuel began to experience troubling symptoms, including intense chest pains that radiate to his back, which prevented him from sitting or lying down. He made repeated attempts to seek treatment in public hospitals, but these were unsuccessful due to overcrowding. Emmanuel is growing increasingly worried about not being able to provide for his family, yet he remains hopeful that the surgery could alleviate his painful symptoms and reduce the financial strain on his family. Emmanuel has been diagnosed with cholelithiasis, which are hardened pieces of bile that form in the gallbladder. Doctors have advised him to undergo a cholecystectomy, which the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, his symptoms will continue to worsen and put him at a risk of future health complications. Emmanuel is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy on April 11th, through our partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP). A portion of the cost of the procedure is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is raising the remaining $1,031 to cover the cost of Emmanuel's surgery and care. Emmanuel says: "Despite our current struggles, I remain optimistic about our future. Once I receive treatment for my condition, I'll return to work so I can provide for my family again. My wife and children keep me strong."

Hnin is a 65-year-old woman who lives with her two daughters and two granddaughters in Mae Sot District, Tak Province, Thailand. The family is originally from Bago Division in Burma. Hnin is retired, while one of her daughters works in a garment factory, and the other is a homemaker; her granddaughters are both students. The family income is not always enough to cover the cost of their daily expenses, so they sometimes need to borrow money from their neighbors, or the working daughter takes an advance on her paycheck from the factory where she works. The family lives with another couple that helps in paying rent, but they do not share any other resources. Due to Hnin’s health condition, they have had to borrow money for treatment and transportation costs. In 2010, Hnin was in a motorbike accident where she injured both knees. She went to a local clinic, but they did not perform an x-ray or examination, they only gave her medication for the pain. After the accident, Hnin’s knees would occasionally cause her pain, which she would treat with pain medication and traditional Burmese medicine. In January 2023, Hnin’s knee pain became worse, and her knees swelled, so she went to Mae Tao Clinic (MTC) in Mae Sot where she was given pain medication, and referred to physiotherapy. However, the physiotherapy and follow-up appointments at MTC did not help much. The pain in her knees was worsening, so she stopped going but continued treating the pain with medication and traditional medicine. In January 2026, Hnin began having shaky legs when standing, and her knees were increasingly stiff, so she went to Mae Sot Hospital (MSH) in Mae Sot on 2nd February 2026. There she underwent an x-ray and was told that she had osteoarthritis in her knees which has progressed to last stage, and only surgery would help. She was given medication, a cane, and a follow-up appointment with an orthopaedic surgeon. When she attended her appointment, she underwent another x-ray, and the doctor explained about her severe osteoarthritis and advised surgery. As she can only undergo surgery one knee at a time, the doctor advised her to have surgery on her right knee, since it was causing her the most pain. Presently, Hnin spends much of her time lying down or sitting and cannot help with most housework. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is helping Hnin receive treatment. On March 12th, she will undergo surgery to relieve pain and improve her mobility. Now, Hnin's family needs help to fund this $1,500 procedure. She says, "After treatment and recovery, I look forward to going to the monastery to meditate again, as I used to do this before my knees caused me so much trouble. Thank you for your support for my treatment”.

Mdoe is a 14-year-old boy from Kenya. Shortly after his birth, Mdoe showed signs that his intestines were not working properly. He was brought to several hospitals, but was not given a clear diagnosis. Mdoe's condition worsened. He was visibly in pain, restless, and crying constantly. Mdoe's mother was determined to find help. She took him to a larger facility, where doctors explained that his intestines were intertwined and that he would need surgery. He would require a colostomy bag to help him pass stool. After a few days of monitoring, they were discharged. But only days later, complications arose, and Kinago underwent surgery at the same hospital. Life after surgery was far from easy. His mother took him for clinic checkups several times, striving to remain consistent with his care. But back at home, reality pressed in. Both parents engage in small-scale farming, stretching each harvest to provide for their eight children. Eventually, the cost of continued clinic visits became impossible to sustain. Now fourteen, Mdoe has never been able to attend school. It breaks his heart to watch children his age walk to class while he remains at home. His condition requires him to change his colostomy bag regularly, yet he has been using the same one since early childhood. Some schools refused to admit him. Over time, discouraged and burdened by school fees, his mother stopped trying. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, can help. On February 12th, Mdoe will undergo abdominal surgery that will improve Mdoe's quality of life. His family needs help raising $1,081 to fund his procedure and care. Mdoe's mother shared, “It is painful when your child asks you why he cannot go to school like other children. I see the longing in his eyes, and I wish I could take this condition away from him. I may not have wealth, but I have never stopped fighting for him, even when the journey felt too heavy for my shoulders.”

Naw Paw is a 55-year-old woman from Burma. She has been living in the refugee camp in Tak Province, Thailand, with her husband, her son, her daughter, and her grandson for more than 20 years. Naw Paw is primarily a homemaker. Together with her son, she assists in growing and selling vegetables and produce from their garden. Her daughter is also a homemaker and cares for Naw Paw’s grandson, while her husband volunteers at the camp church. The family’s limited income from vegetable growing allows them to cover only basic daily living expenses. In her free time, Naw Paw enjoys playing with her grandson, tending to the garden and speaking with neighbours. Watching her plants grow brings her happiness. However, ongoing health issues and financial uncertainty have caused her significant stress. In June 2025, Naw Paw reported lower back pain and pain in her right lower abdomen. An ultrasound was performed, which revealed gallstones. Naw Paw has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, Naw Paw's 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), Naw Paw is scheduled to undergo her cholecystectomy on January 12th. BCMF is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Naw Paw's procedure and care. Naw Paw shared, “I am always worrying about where I can find more money, especially with my health problems. I feel very relieved and thankful to receive support from the donors during this time.”

Faith is a 15-year-old 5th grader from Kitui County in Kenya, the firstborn in a family of two children. Her mother, who is a single parent, works as a hawker, selling shoes to support the family. Despite challenges, Faith and her mother have always remained hopeful. Faith loves plaiting and braiding hair, and she dreams of one day being able to stand and walk like other children. Faith was born with diplegic Cerebral Palsy (CP) and clubfoot (CTEV), conditions that have limited her mobility since childhood. She cannot stand on her own and uses a wheelchair to move around. Faith was brought to our medical partner's care center, AIC CURE Hospital by her grandmother. At the moment, she is undergoing serial casting in preparation for club foot surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Faith receive treatment. On December 9th, she is scheduled to undergo repair surgery, providing her the opportunity to stand, walk on her own and gain independence. Now, Faith's family needs help to fund this $1,286 procedure. Faith's grandmother says: “My prayer is to see Faith stand and walk like other children, and to continue with her education without any challenges."

Toe is a retired 68-year-old man from Burma. He lives with his wife, two sons, his daughter-in-law, and his grandson in the refugee camp in Sob Moei District, Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand. One of Toe's sons is enrolled in school, and his daughter-in-law works as a nutritionist in a hospital in the camp. The family also receives monthly cash support from a charity at the camp. In 2022, Toe began suffering from burning and aching pain caused by an irreducible inguinal hernia. His hernia has grown larger and become increasingly painful. Now, Toe needs surgery to live more comfortably and regain his quality of life. Fortunately, on November 10th, Toe will undergo hernia repair surgery at Mae Sariang Hospital, our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,468 to fund the procedure. Toe shared, “I would like my discomfort to disappear. I cannot do whatever I want to do, and I cannot walk properly.”