Solomon is a two-year-old boy from Ethiopia. His parents are both students, and while they are in school, Solomon is cared for by his grandparents. In addition to pursuing their studies, Solomon's parents plant fruit and corn primarily for home consumption, while some is sold to help support the family. Solomon was born with hypospadias, a congenital abnormality that causes urinary dysfunction. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms, and he will be at risk of cancer and infertility. Solomon has been to different health facilities in search of treatment, but this process has been hindered by a lack of sufficient funds for surgery and transportation. The family visited their district office, and were linked up with a charity organization, that facilitated their transportation costs to BethanyKids Medical Centre. Now Solomon is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on December 19th, at BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,293 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Solomon's father says: “After the surgery, I hope he will be normal and just like other children. I worried too much since he is a boy that he might not have children in the future. And I hope after the surgery he will grow and be well."

Gifton is a fifteen-month-old boy. He is the only child in his family and resides in an urban area Nairobi. His mother, Mercy, works as a housemaid in the area, undertaking various household tasks, including washing clothes. Gifton's mother noticed a deformity in his feet immediately after birth. His feet were turned inward, not as other children's. Gifton has been diagnosed as having clubfoot of both feet--a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. As Gifton grows, this will cause difficulty walking and even wearing shoes if not corrected. Mercy sought medical help for Gifton. When he was just one month old, a course of serial casting to correct the position of his feet was started. Despite these efforts, the condition has not improved, prompting Mercy to seek a pediatric orthopedic review. Doctors at AIC CURE International Hospital in Nairobi have determined that Gifton needs bilateral PMR surgery to correct the deformity. This surgery will be performed on October 23. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,286 to fund Gifton's clubfoot repair. After treatment, there will be a significant impact on Gifton, as the treatment will realign his feet to their normal position. As he grows, he will gain the ability to walk comfortably, just like other children. “I am appealing for help from well-wishers to help my boy walk comfortably like other children,” Gifton's mother told us.

Yesica is an 8-year-old girl who lives with her parents and 2 younger brothers in a mining city high in the mountains of central Bolivia. Her father works in construction, and her mother is a homemaker. Yesica is in second grade and loves attending school and learning about science. Yesica was born with a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus, in which a hole exists between two major blood vessels near the heart. Blood leaks through this hole, leaving her weak and short of breath. Yesica needs surgery to heal this condition. Fortunately, our medical partner International Cardiac Alliance (ICA) can help. Yesica is scheduled for cardiac surgery on October 11th, during which doctors will sew the hole closed so that blood can no longer leak through it. After surgery, she will be able to be more active and grow up to be a strong young woman. Yesica's family and ICA need help raising $1,500 to fund the procedure and her follow-up medical care. Her mother shared, "Our family is very hopeful that Yesica will be stronger and healthier after her surgery."

Ra is a 50-year-old mother of two. Ra lives in a refugee camp near the Thai-Burma border with her family, where they are provided with accommodation and a monthly food allowance. During her free time, Ra shared that she enjoys praying. Since July 2023, Ra has been experiencing discomfort in her lower abdomen, accompanied by pain and heavy menstruation. During a routine medical check-up in the camp, a mass was detected by the doctor. She has been diagnosed with severe endometriosis, an often-painful disorder in which tissue similar to the tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus grows outside the uterus. She has been advised to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy, the surgical removal of her uterus and cervix. If left untreated, it is expected that Ra's symptoms would continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. Fortunately, Ra is scheduled to undergo a hysterectomy on September 7. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Once recovered, it is hoped that Ra will no longer experience pain, discomfort, and the other symptoms that have impacted her life. Ra said, "I feel uncomfortable and worried. It feels like something is moving in my belly. I hope this will go away after the surgery. Thank you BCMF and donors. May God bless you."

Linn's Baby is a four-day-old girl who lives with her parents and three older sisters in a village in Thailand. She is so young, that she is not yet named. Her parents are day laborers. Linn's Baby was born with multiple health challenges including Down syndrome and congenital heart disease. In addition, her mother noticed that she wasn't passing stool, and when the doctors examined her, they discovered that she also has a condition known as imperforate anus. What this means is that Linn's Baby was born without an opening, which is a birth condition that occurs while the fetus is still developing in the womb. To address her condition, Linn's Baby will undergo surgery on August 4th at Mae Sot General Hospital, to place a colostomy, that will allow her to pass stool until she grows bigger and stronger, and better able to tolerate additional surgeries. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is seeking $1,500 to cover the costs of this procedure. Her mother said: "I cannot watch my daughter suffer from these conditions. I think she is crying because she wants breastmilk. She is my first baby born with such conditions. My other daughters are all healthy. I feel very sad for her.”

Dante is a hardworking father from the Philippines. He tirelessly supports his six children, brings them to school, and sustains their everyday needs. For ten years, Dante has dealt with an Inguinal Hernia. This condition causes him pain and swelling that limit his movement. The financial burden associated with medical care prevents him from seeking regular treatment, forcing him to endure the pain and prioritize the needs of his children instead. Despite his constant pain, he perseveres as a tricycle driver, ensuring his children have access to education and a better life. Dante was referred to our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines, and he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center on June 2nd A portion of the cost of Dante's treatment is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation. Our medical partner is raising the remaining $1103 to cover the cost of his surgery and care. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Dante shared, "We're financially incapable to afford my needed treatment, but through your help, I'll be able to be operated on. I can't thank you enough for your support. May the Lord bless you, Watsi, and World Surgical Foundation Philippines!"

Keyler, who is nine years old, lives in Bolivia and is in need of heart surgery. His mother passed away when he was only four years old, and since then, he has been raised by his grandmother. He accompanies her every day as she goes about selling sodas and cleaning houses, in order to make a living, and as a result, grandmother and grandson have become inseparable. Keyler was born with a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect, in which a hole exists between the two lower chambers of his heart. Blood leaks through this hole without passing through his lungs and obtaining oxygen, leaving Keyler weak and short of breath. He also has Down syndrome. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is seeking $1,500 to fund the surgery that Keyler needs to correct his heart condition. The procedure, which is scheduled for May 18th, at Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría, will enable Keyler to live a happier and more comfortable life. Keyler's grandmother said: "I am so happy that Keyler can have this surgery, so he will be healthy and strong."

Ann is a 45-year-old woman from Kenya and a mother of four children aged between 23-27 years old. Her husband passed away in 1999. Her children have been unable to secure steady jobs, and Ann works as a casual laborer washing clothes to provide a living. However, she shared that her income is inconsistent, as it depends on the availability of work. She lives alone in a single room. Ann does not have medical coverage and is requesting assistance with her treatment costs. In April 2023, Ann slipped and fell on the road causing a fracture in her right wrist. She went to a local pharmacy for first aid and has since been using hot water and salt to treat the fracture due to a lack of medical coverage. However, her hand has continued to swell, and she is in chronic pain, making it challenging to use her right hand. A church member recommended Ann visit Kijabe Mission Hospital for review. Through church members’ contributions, Ann received an X-ray, and the doctor recommended she undergo surgery to treat the fracture. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On May 15th, Ann will undergo a fracture repair procedure called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will heal the broken bones and enable her to use her hand again. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $1,500 to fund this procedure. Ann says: “I can’t use my hand because it is broken. I am unable to work and sometimes sleep hungry because I depend on my hand to work and earn a living. I need the surgery to earn a livelihood.”