Thiago is a five-year-old boy from Colombia. He lives in Yarumal, Antioquia, with his family. He is intelligent, charismatic, and very friendly. His joy and curiosity shine through every day at preschool, where he interacts with his classmates with enthusiasm and warmth. When he grows up, he dreams of becoming a great doctor to help those in need. Since birth, Thiago has had an umbilical hernia, a condition in which a small portion of abdominal tissue protrudes through the navel. Surgery has been recommended to correct the hernia and prevent possible future complications. Umbilical hernias cause mild discomfort or tenderness around the navel, especially when crying, coughing, or straining. It often causes discomfort that prevents Thiago from carrying out daily activities such as playing, jumping, and enjoying his childhood. It can, in many cases, lead to tenderness in the area and an increased risk of complications if left untreated. Fortunately, on July 28th, Thiago will undergo hernia repair surgery, and our medical partner, Clinica Noel, is requesting $1,005 to fund Thiago's surgery. Once completed, this procedure should allow him to live more comfortably. Thiago's mother said, "As Thiago’s mother, I can’t thank you enough for your generosity. The support you’re providing for my son’s surgery means so much more than just financial assistance; it gives us hope again and makes us feel that we’re not alone during this difficult time. We’ve been waiting a long time for this treatment, as we’re confident it will improve his quality of life, prevent complications, and allow him to go about his daily activities just like any other child his age."

Siya is a 35-year-old salon worker from Cambodia. She is married and lives in Battambang Province with her husband, who works as an ice seller. They have two children; the eldest is in Grade 6, and the younger one is in Grade 1. In her free time, she enjoys planting vegetables around her home. Siya had a medical incident when she was three years old, leaving her with a muscle contracture and abnormal gait. She has difficulty walking as it causes her pain. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is helping Siya receive treatment. On May 18th, surgeons will perform a contracture release surgery to improve her walking ability, reduce pain and functional limitation, and help her regain a more comfortable gait and better quality of life. Siya can contribute $50, but needs help raising $522 more to fund her procedure and care. Siya said, “After the treatment, I hope that I will be able to walk normally again without pain or difficulty, and live my daily life with confidence without being teased by others.”

Ledama is a four-month-old baby boy from Tanzania, the only child in his family. His father is a pastor and also keeps livestock to provide for his family. Ledama has clubfoot on both feet, a condition in which the feet are 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. Ledama was brought to our medical partner's care center by both his parents, who are hopeful that early treatment will help their son grow up healthy and be able to walk without challenges. Clubfoot treatment has been scheduled to begin on May 19th for Ledama. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $341 to fund Ledama's clubfoot treatment, so can have improved mobility when he learns how to walk. Ledama's father says, "We are so grateful to have found treatment early, and hope our son will grow up walking without difficulty."

Julieta is a three-year-old girl from Colombia. A year ago, she was referred by her doctor for a pediatric dental assessment. During the examination, widespread early childhood tooth decay was detected. Given the diagnosis, her doctor recommended starting treatment under general anesthesia to eliminate the infection that has affected several of her teeth. Our medical partner, Clínica Noel, is requesting $868 to cover the costs of Julieta's treatment, scheduled for December 19th. After a brief period of observation in the hospital, Julieta will be able to return home with specific recommendations for oral hygiene, a balanced diet, and regular pediatric dental checkups to ensure proper healing, prevent new lesions, and promote healthy oral development for her future. Julieta's mother shared, "I want to thank the donors who support Julieta. Your generous gesture is much more than material aid; it is a sign of selfless love, faith in dreams, and light at a time when we urgently needed it. Thanks to your noble hearts, Julieta will be able to receive the treatment she so desperately needs and, with it, regain the smile and quality of life that every child deserves. Seeing someone who does not know her personally supporting her is the purest reflection of human kindness. May God continue to bless you in the work you do."

Noel is a 55-year-old man from the Philippines who lives with his wife and children. His wife, Annabelle, works for the government, but most of her income contributes to supporting their relatives. They have three children: the oldest is already working and helps a little with household expenses, while the two younger children are still studying. After Noel's family learned that surgery would be the best option to treat his condition, they wanted it to be done as soon as possible, knowing that his health could affect how he cared for his family. Eleven months ago, Noel began to experience troubling symptoms, including difficulty swallowing, pressure in his neck, and shortness of breath. He was diagnosed with multinodular non-toxic goiter. He needs thyroid removal surgery to prevent his symptoms from getting worse. Fortunately, our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), is helping Noel receive treatment. He is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on December 29th at Our Lady of Peace Hospital. Surgeons will remove all or part of his thyroid gland to reduce his pain and allow him to return to caring for his family. Some of the costs will be covered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation. However, Noel still needs help with the remaining $935 to cover the rest of his care. Noel says, "Knowing the cost of my surgery would be covered gave me comfort and motivated me to move forward with the operation. Now, I can concentrate on my recovery. Thank you to everyone who is making this happen."

Rahel is a 17-year-old girl from Tanzania. She lives with her family, who depend on small-scale farming and seasonal labor for their livelihood. Those close to her describe her as patient, respectful, and determined, someone who rarely complains even when things are difficult. Despite these challenges, Rahel has remained motivated about her future. Rahel has grown up carrying a heavy physical burden caused by burn scar contractures affecting her hand. She values education and practical skills and wants to be able to work and support herself. However, the functional limitation in her hand has made schoolwork, vocational tasks, and daily chores slower and more difficult, affecting both her confidence and productivity With limited and unpredictable income, accessing specialized reconstructive care was never financially possible. As a result, Rahel adapted as best as she could, learning to use her hand in alternative ways, avoiding tasks that required strength and flexibility, and quietly pushing through discomfort. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Rahel receive treatment. On February 17th, surgeons at their care center will perform contracture release surgery and a skin graft to give her a strong chance to regain grip strength and finger mobility, improvements that will directly impact her independence, learning ability, and future employability. Now, she needs help to fund this $832 procedure. Rahel says, “Because my fingers are tight and cannot open well, I struggle to hold things firmly or write for long. I hope this treatment will help me use my hand normally and work independently.”

Lobulu is a 13-year-old from Tanzania. He is the third born in a family of six children, growing up in a close-knit Maasai household where livestock keeping is both a tradition and the primary source of livelihood. From a young age, Lobulu has been deeply involved in helping his family herd cattle, spending long days walking across open fields alongside his siblings and friends. He is known as a caring and responsible boy who enjoys football, looking after younger children, and spending time outdoors. Lobulu was diagnosed with bilateral genu valgus, a condition that causes his legs to bend inward. Several factors can cause this condition, such as growth disorders, vitamin deficiencies, or excessive fluoride found in contaminated drinking water. As a result, the knees can be angled inwards or outwards, making it difficult to walk and may cause long-term joint damage. At first, Lobulu's family believed the condition would correct itself as he grew. However, over time, both of his legs became increasingly bent inward, and Lobulu began experiencing pain, especially after long hours of walking or standing while grazing cattle. Simple activities that once brought him joy have become difficult and exhausting, often forcing him to stop and rest while others continue. Due to limited access to specialized medical care and the belief that his condition was permanent, Lobulu's family did not initially seek treatment. Despite these challenges with restricted mobility and independence, Lobulu continued to support his family and participate in daily life as much as possible. Fortunately, our medical partner can help Lobulu receive the treatment he needs. He will undergo surgery on February 27th at our medical partner's care center, Kafika House. This treatment will restore Lobulu's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $777 to fund this treatment. Lobulu said, "I try to walk and help my family with the cattle, but my legs hurt, and I get tired very fast. I hope to walk normally and play football with my friends again."

Yerosen is a five-year-old preschooler from Ethiopia. Nine months ago, Yerosen started to experience painful swallowing, loud snoring, and a high fever. He was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils, which, if not treated, will cause his symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. The constant pain from his tonsillitis makes it hard for him to eat, sleep, or play. Because he is always sick and misses school, he struggles to keep up with his studies and cannot make any friends. This difficult situation leaves him feeling very sad, and his mother is struggling to take care of him while also working. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $700 to fund a tonsillectomy for Yerosen, which is scheduled to take place on November 8th. Surgeons will remove his tonsils, hopefully relieving Yerosen of his symptoms and helping him live more comfortably. Yerosen's mother shared, "My deepest hope is for him to finally enjoy peaceful nights, eat comfortably, and happily play and learn alongside his peers."

Michael is a 45-year old DJ from the Philippines. He lives with his mother and his daughter, and though he has siblings, they have their own families. His siblings provide them with some assistance, particularly in contributing to shared household expenses such as electricity and water bills. Michael earns money through working as a DJ from 6:00 PM to 3:00 AM. His job has become his family's main source of daily living expenses. The nature of his work and financial obligations have prevented him from taking a leave of absence, which would be required for treatment and post-operative recovery. One year ago, Michael began to experience troubling symptoms, including severe back pain, which he describes as intense and unbearable. When the pain became severe, he was rushed to a nearby emergency facility. Despite medical advice, Michael was unable to undergo the recommended surgery at the time of diagnosis. He expressed concern about the financial implications, considering that he’s the family’s breadwinner. Michael has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, his symptoms will continue to worsen and put him at risk for further health complications in the future. Our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), is helping Michael receive treatment. He is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy on August 15th. 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 Michael's surgery and care. Michael says: "I am in deep gratitude for any help that may be extended to me. I hope that, with the operation, I can regain my health and continue working without enduring constant pain."

Eliette is an eight-year-old student from Colombia. She is currently in elementary school, where she stands out for her curiosity, dedication, and cheerfulness. She dreams of becoming a doctor, a vocation that reflects her desire to help others and tenderly care for those in need. Five years ago, Eliette started experiencing worrying symptoms including pain and swelling in her lower abdomen area. Recently, the pain has increased especially when performing physical activities such as walking, running, or lifting objects. Eliette's mother brought her to our medical partner, Clinica Noel, where she was diagnosed with inguinal hernia, a condition that occurs when a portion of the intestine or other abdominal tissue protrudes through a weak spot in the muscle wall of the groin. Although there is no obstruction, this condition causes Eliette a lot of pain. Fortunately, our medical partner can help. On September 25th, Eliette will undergo hernia repair surgery, alleviating her painful symptoms and allowing her to live a healthier life. Now, Eliette's family needs help to fund this $786 procedure. Eliette's mother says, "I am infinitely grateful to God, and to you, for making this operation possible, which represents hope for my daughter's development and well-being. She suffers from constant pain due to her hernia, which often prevents her from running, playing, and enjoying her childhood like any other child. Seeing her like this breaks my heart, and on more than one occasion I have had to take her to the emergency room because of the pain. May God bless your big heart and your family, and may He make His face shine upon you. May everything you do prosper, because your gesture has touched our lives in a way we will never forget. My family and I will be forever grateful."

Birhanu is a three-year-old boy from Ethiopia. He is the youngest among ten children in his family. His father is a small-scale farmer, while his mother is a housewife. Birhanu enjoys playing with his siblings and the other children in his village. For one year now, Birhanu has had a right inguinal hernia. Inguinal hernia is a condition that occurs due to a weakness in the abdominal wall. This condition can present at birth, and sometimes the hernia or bulge is only visible when the child is crying, coughing, running, playing, or straining during a bowel movement. Children with this condition may be irritable and have a reduced appetite. Symptoms can include burning or aching sensations at the bulge, pain or discomfort, and a heavy or dragging sensation in the groin. In infants and children, inguinal hernias always require surgical intervention to prevent complications such as incarceration. Birhanu's family took him to our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre, to consult with medical staff. Fortunately, on April 17th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $512 to fund Birhanu's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Birhanu's father says, “Thinking of my child receiving the necessary surgery and being healed makes me overjoyed. When that time comes, I will be grateful to God for the opportunity to go back home with my child healthy again.”

John is a 29-year-old hardworking father and husband who relies on motorbike riding to support his wife, child, and mother. While on a delivery, John's motorbike unexpectedly hit a stone, causing him to be thrown off and suffer injuries to his face. People who witnessed the accident rushed him to a nearby hospital for first aid before he was transferred to a larger hospital for scans. John has severe facial fractures as a result of the accident and is experiencing constant pain, dizziness, and difficulty walking or standing for long periods. Additionally, his motorbike was completely destroyed in the accident, which was how he made his livelihood. John's mother brought him to our medical partner's hospital for further treatment, where the doctors confirmed that John needs to undergo open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) surgery to repair his facial fractures and ensure proper healing. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On April 8th, John will undergo a fracture repair procedure called an open reduction and internal fixation. John is urgently seeking support for the surgery so that he can heal properly and return to work to provide for his family again. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to fund this procedure. John said, "I feel very dizzy, and my head is in pain too; I just want this pain to go away and to be my normal self again."