Wubalem is a 10-month-old baby from Ethiopia. He has one older sister and two brothers. His father works as a daily laborer in construction, while his mother is a homemaker who takes care of the family. Wubalem was born with hydronephrosis, a condition in which urine does not drain properly from the kidney, causing the kidney to become swollen. He requires medical attention and a surgical procedure called pyeloplasty to correct the blockage and improve the flow of urine. This issue was first identified when Wubalem’s mother experienced health complications during her pregnancy. After Wubalem was born, he was referred to a higher-level hospital for further examination and treatment. The medical team monitored his condition for about five months. After several examinations, they confirmed that Baby Wubalem needed surgery and placed him on a waiting list. Those five months were difficult for his mother. She remembers feeling anxious and frustrated as she waited for her baby to receive the treatment he needed. After waiting for five months, Wubalem was referred to our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre (BKMCM). Wubalem is scheduled to receive a pyloplasty to help his kidney on August 24th. The procedure costs $922. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is asking for help to fund the cost of the procedure. Wubalem's mother shares, “I am very happy to come to BethanyKids, and I am so grateful for the warm welcome. Thank you so much to everyone. I pray that my baby will be healthy and able to walk and live like other children. I have been through a very difficult time and sacrificed many things for my baby. I waited for many months and spent a lot of money trying to get the care my child needed. I am very thankful that my baby is finally receiving treatment.”

Sopy is a 23-year-old man from Kratie Province, Cambodia. He lives with his mother, who works as a rice farmer; his father passed away when he was a child. He is the middle of three siblings, and his older brother and sister work as day laborers to help support the family. When Sopy was 11, he noticed a mass on the left side of his face. It has grown gradually over the years and, while not painful, causes itchiness and visible facial asymmetry. Previous evaluations and treatments, including biopsies and a course of anti-tuberculosis medication, have not resolved the condition. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, will remove the mass on June 16th. Sopy's family can contribute $50, but needs help raising $791 more to fund his procedure and care. Sopy said, “I have lived with this condition since I was young, and it has affected how I feel about myself. I hope this surgery will reduce the mass, improve my appearance, and help me feel confident and comfortable in my daily life.”

La Min is a 12-year-old boy from Burma. He lives with his parents and three brothers in Myawaddy, Karen State, Burma. His father is a day laborer, and his mother takes in laundry. He and his two older brothers are students, but his younger brother is too young to go to school yet. The family’s monthly income is not enough to cover the family’s daily expenses, so they often borrow money from a neighbor to get by. Since 2023, La Min has been experiencing swollen tonsils which make it difficult for him to breathe. He coughs and snores at night and has difficulty sleeping, so he sometimes has to sleep sitting upright. Because of his difficulty breathing, he gets tired easily, so his parents sometimes do not allow him to play football or cane ball with his friends. La Min was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils, which, if not treated, will cause his symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a tonsillectomy for La Min, which is scheduled to take place on March 17th. Surgeons will remove his tonsils, hopefully relieving La Min of his symptoms and helping him live more comfortably. La Min said, “I look forward to eating anything I can again. Right now, my mother just cooks plain food, so I want to eat something delicious again.”

Helen is an eight-year-old girl from Colombia. She is currently in the 3rd grade, and enjoys participating in school activities, and reading stories. Helen dreams of becoming a doctor one day. Helen has an inguinal hernia, a condition that occurs when abdominal tissue protrudes through a weak spot in the lower abdominal muscles. The condition makes it painful for her to play, and limits activities that require physical strength. She sometimes experiences discomfort or tenderness in the affected area. Fortunately, on April 16th, our medical partner, Clínica Noel, will perform Helen's hernia repair surgery to help her live a healthier life. Helen's family is unable to raise the required treatment costs, and are seeking support to raise $786 to fund her surgery and care. Helen's mom said, "I am deeply grateful to all the kind and generous-hearted people who are supporting my daughter's treatment. Thank you very much in advance. Your support not only addresses a medical need, but also fills our hearts with hope."

Mu is a 75-year-old retired woman from Burma. She lives with her family in a refugee camp in Tak Province, Thailand, with her son, daughter-in-law, three grandsons and two granddaughters. They moved to the refugee camp in April 2023 from their home in Bango Division, Burma, in order to escape the fighting and airstrikes in their village. Mu’s son, two older grandsons and older granddaughter work as agricultural day laborers in the camp. Her younger grandson and granddaughter are students in the camp. Mu is experiencing severe lower right back pain, nausea, and cannot eat. Her urine is cloudy, and she cannot stand or even sit up fully due to her pain. Her family is worried about the financial burden of treatment and their lack of access to care. Mu was diagnosed with kidney stones and physicians at our medical partner's care center, Mae Sot General Hospital, determined that Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) could resolve her symptoms. ESWL is a procedure that can break up the stones in the urinary system and the fragments will exit in the urine. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund this procedure. The treatment is scheduled to take place on February 6th and, once completed, will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably. Mu's son expressed, “I see her in pain, but I cannot find the money to get her treatment.” Mu’s daughter-in-law said, “We are sad for her but happy that she will receive support. Thank you for helping her and finding a way for her to receive treatment. She has suffered for a long time.”

John Dwayne is seven years old and the oldest of two children from the Philippines. His father works at a hospital as kitchen staff and works as a mechanic for additional income. In January 2025, John Dwayne started to complain of pain. He was brought to a nearby health center, where they diagnosed him with a hernia. His father felt hopeless as he could not afford the surgery for his son. He is grateful that his son’s condition will be treated soon, so he can play again with the other kids and enjoy life more as a growing child. Fortunately, our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines, can help. On January 28th, John Dwayne will undergo hernia repair surgery to address his symptoms and allow him to live more comfortably. He needs help to raise $1,121 to fund his procedure and care. John Dwayne's father shared, "I am deeply grateful because you have included my son in the list of patients for free operation. Thank you so much also to the foundation for reaching out to our province for your surgical mission."

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."

SoPhorn is a 50-year-old man residing in Kampong Speu Province, Cambodia, with his wife and two children. Both of his children work in a garment factory, and his wife is a rice farmer. In his free time, Sophorn likes spending time with his family, chatting with his friends at a café, and doing home repair projects. About three years ago, Sophorn began experiencing pain in his right hip, which has caused difficulty walking and limited his ability to perform daily tasks independently. The condition developed naturally, without trauma or accident. He had previously undergone a total hip arthroplasty on his left hip in 2017 at our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). Sophorn went back to CSC for treatment on his right hip. On November 13th, Sophorn will undergo a hip replacement procedure, which is expected to relieve pain and improve mobility, allowing him to move comfortably and return to work in his fields. His family can contribute $100, but needs help to raise $1,400 more to fund his procedure and post-operative care. Sophorn said, “I hope that I will be able to walk easily and no longer have hip pain, so I can go back to work and support my family.”