Riyaq is an 18-month-old baby from Kenya. She is the last born in a family of four children. Her mother is a housewife while her father sells water to the community. Riyaq has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of her condition, Riyaq has been experiencing an increasing head circumference. Her family was referred to Bethany Kids where an examination was done and surgery recommended. Without treatment, Riyaq will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $685 to cover the cost of surgery for Riyaq that will treat her hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on February 8th and will drain the excess fluid from Riyaq's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Riyaq will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. Riyaq’s aunt says, “We have never seen such a condition. We did not know what to do and have given up but coming here has changed us, and we hope that all will be well in the end.”

Mylene is a small food business owner from the Philippines. She lives with her mother and two cousins. Her earnings from her business contribute towards sustaining the family's daily needs. Two months ago, Mylene began to experience troubling symptoms, including stomachaches and back pain. Thinking it was simply a urinary tract infection, she opted to delay her checkup. However, her symptoms worsened as her skin began to yellow and she began to experience severe skin itchiness. As a result, she temporarily closed her business as she was compelled to see a doctor. She was advised to undergo an ultrasound test and was diagnosed with Chronic Calculous Cholecystitis, a condition that causes swelling and irritation of the gallbladder. Doctors have recommended she undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, her symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), Mylene is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy on February 24th. Mylene needs help raising $1,128 to fund her procedure and care. Mylene shared, "This free surgery is a life-changing opportunity. I no longer have to worry about how or where to find money to pay for my hospital bill. I'm truly grateful to WATSI and World Surgical Foundation Philippines for helping me!"

Kalyan, a 13-year-old seventh grader, lives with her mother and brother in Kandal province in Cambodia. She enjoys studying home economics and Khmer literature and would like to be a singer when she grows up. Kalyan was born with a spinal condition called listhesis, which is an unnaturally mobile vertebra that moves, leaves its normal position, and can cause different complaints when it compresses nerves and other vertebrae. Listhesis can be caused by a bone abnormality, trauma from an accident or injury, or result from a fracture or a tumor. Pinched nerves and chronic back pain are common symptoms of this condition, as is loss of flexibility and possible paralysis. Kalyan is frequently unable to attend school due to her condition. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. Specialty surgeons at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre can fuse her spine to avoid any further damage to Kalyan's back, while also alleviating her pain. Kalyan and her mother need your help to raise the $1,500 cost of the surgery, implants, hospitalization, and post-op medication. After recovery from the procedure, which is scheduled for February 7th, Kalyan's spine will be more stable, and she will be able to engage in all of the normal activities of a 13-year-old. Kalyan's mother shared: "I hope my daughter will no longer have pain and she can go back to school."

Selina is a student who comes from Nodusoto village, one of the rural parts of Arusha, Tanzania. She came to our partner's health center earlier this month. She likes to help out with translations when she is close by, and enjoys spending time with the other junior residents. Selina comes from a middle-size family of five children. Her parents work on a farm as small-scale farmers and sell some of their harvest to earn money that enables them to provide for the family's basic needs. When Selina was three years old, she was accidentally pushed and fell into a pit of burning manure that burned both her hands. The parents took her to the hospital, and she received treatment. The treatment helped but she now has burn scar contractures on both of her hands. There is limited use of her hands as her fingers are now not defined. Despite this, she went on to pursue her goals. She has now completed her ordinary secondary school and wants to go further in studies. She is asking for your help see her through the treatment and make the journey ahead easier. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Selina receive treatment. On October 18th, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help her use her hands easily again. Now, she needs help to fund this $874 procedure. Selina says, “I hope this treatment will make my school journey easier.”

Chadier is a 5-year-old boy who lives with his grandmother, a small-scale farmer and the sole breadwinner for the family, in South Sudan. She shared that he was abandoned by his mother, who had separated from her husband before Chadier's birth. Chadier was born with a congenital malformation, where his bladder formed outside the body (bladder exstrophy). His mother took him to a hospital at the age of 6 months for treatment of his condition. She was advised to wait 4 years for his surgery. The hospital that Chadier's mother visited approached an organization that supports needy patients and shared his case to them. Chadier and his grandmother reside in a rural village, and it was difficult for the organization to locate them. The village has inaccessible roads, no schools, and frequent outbreaks of war. Fortunately, the organization was finally able to locate Chadier and his grandmother in December of last year. He was referred to BethanyKids Hospital in Kenya for treatment after the organization coordinated with our medical partner African Mission Healthcare. Upon his arrival, Chadier was diagnosed and it was recommended that he undergo multiple surgeries to heal his condition. Chadier has underwent initial bladder exstrophy repair surgery. He still needs epispadias repair surgery to treat his condition. Chadier's grandmother cannot afford to pay for his medical treatments, so their family needs help to raise the $834 cost. Chadier's grandma says, "I have always wished for him to get treated, and I’m happy that it has started and is going well."

Hosea is a shy, 21 year old student, living with his parents and brothers in Kenya. Hosea's father herds cattle, while his brothers are casual laborers. His mother is unwell, and unable to contribute to the support of the family. When Hosea isn't at school, he helps to cultivate the land and to set up fencing in order to earn more income for the family. Hosea was recently sent home from school, due to a lack of the necessary fees to keep him there. He decided to find some work to earn the money for his school fees, and borrowed a bike from a friend, so that he could transport people and luggage, earning a commission for his work. Unfortunately, Hosea lost control of his bike, and was in a traffic accident, sustaining an injury to his leg. As a result, he is in chronic pain and is unable to work. Hosea sought the help of our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, and was diagnosed with a fracture of the tibia and fibula. Now he is scheduled to undergo fracture repair surgery on November 1st, at AIC Kapsowar Hospital, after which he should be able to resume his life, free from pain. African Mission Healthcare Foundation is requesting $1,145 to fund this procedure. Hosea said: "I am in need and appealing for help from all well-wishers reading my story."

Nu is a 57-year-old woman from Thailand. She lives with her husband and two sons in a refugee camp. Her sons go to school. She and her husband raise chickens and grow vegetables both for their own consumption and for sale. She has cataracts and her vision is blurry. She is often worried that she might slip and fall due to her poor vision, and she has to walk slowly and carefully. Sometimes, she will have a headache and a stiff neck. Since her vision has become blurry, she can no longer read, which she shared she especially likes to do to read the Bible or the lyrics for new hymns. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund lens replacement surgery for Nu. On September 15th, doctors will perform a lens replacement, during which they will remove Nu's natural lenses and replace them with an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $1,500 procedure. “When I go to church, I feel sad because I cannot participate, like reading passages from the Bible," she shared.