Christie is a four-year-old girl from Haiti, who lives with her parents and two older siblings in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. She is in preschool, and is learning to read. She loves dressing up and playing with her friends. Christie has a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus. A hole exists between two major blood vessels next to her heart; blood leaks through this hole, leaving her weak and short of breath. Christie will fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On May 13th, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which doctors will use a device on the end of a catheter to plug the hole so that blood can no longer leak through it. Another organization, International Cardiac Alliance, is contributing $4,000 to pay for surgery. Christie's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,500 to cover labs, medicines, and check-up and follow-up appointments. It also supports securing travel documents for the family and travel costs for the social workers from our medical partner, who will accompany Christie's family overseas. Christie's mother says: "Our family is so thankful that our daughter has this chance to travel and to get her heart healed!"

Mark is a 32-year-old man from the Philippines. He is the oldest of seven siblings and helps support his family. His father works as a construction laborer, while his mother stays at home. Mark recently started work assisting with solar insulation, but his job is not yet stable. In his free time, he enjoys cooking and playing basketball. Three months ago, Mark began to experience troubling symptoms, including abdominal pain and difficulty breathing. He 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. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), Mark is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy on April 10th. A portion of the cost of the procedure is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is requesting the remaining $1,031 to cover the cost of Mark’s surgery and care. Mark shared, “I am truly grateful for the chance to receive this operation, as it will ease my financial burden and allow me to focus on recovery. My heartfelt thanks to those who will give their support and kindness.”

Kimhuor is 18 years old and a hardworking waiter from Cambodia. He lives on the outskirts of Phnom Penh with his parents, who work as cleaners at a company. He is the eldest of four siblings, and his younger siblings are still students. Because of the family’s financial situation, he stopped studying in Grade 10 and started working as a waiter to help support the family. In his free time, he enjoys listening to music and playing games on his phone. Five days ago, Kimhuor was involved in a traffic accident with a car that was driving in the opposite direction, causing a closed fracture of his left tibial plateau. Since the accident, he has experienced significant pain and difficulty walking independently. Because of his injury, he cannot go to work. After the accident, he was taken to a private clinic, where an X-ray confirmed the fracture. The doctors advised him to undergo surgery, but his family could not afford the cost. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On March 11th, Kimhuor will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will repair the fracture, stabilize his leg, and help him walk easily again. His family can contribute $100, but needs help raising the remaining $500 to fund his surgery and care. Kimhuor said, "I am very grateful for the support that allows me to receive this treatment. After the surgery, I hope my leg will heal so I can walk normally, return to my work, and earn some money to support my family."

Samuel is a 27-year-old father of two from Kenya. He previously worked as a casual laborer at a milk processing company and was very committed to providing for his family. In 2019, a neighbor asked Samuel for help picking mangoes. He accidentally fell and sustained a spinal injury that led to paralysis. Over time, he was able to move around using a wheelchair, but he could not go back to work. His wife is now the family’s breadwinner, taking on any casual jobs available. On the 24th of January, 2026, Samuel accidentally fell from the bed and landed on his left leg, resulting in a closed fracture. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On February 16th, Samuel will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This treatment will prevent complications such as nonunion of the bone, and his situation will become even more difficult, as he may remain permanently bedridden. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,048 to fund this procedure. Samuel shared, "I have waited, but my family is not able to pay the fee for this surgery. I would really appreciate it if helped, so that I can be operated. This will relieve my pain, and at least I can be well enough to move around rather than be in bed throughout."

Dave is 31 years old and a farmer from the Philippines. He is the sole caregiver for his father, who has hypertension and gout. He works as a farmer, raising chickens and planting root crops. He admits that his work does not earn much, and his limited income makes it hard for him and his father to meet their daily needs. At times, his siblings help by giving money to pay for electricity, water, and his father’s medicines. Dave first noticed swelling and pain when he was in high school. By the time he reached college, the pain was unbearable. It comes and goes, and each time it happens, he finds it difficult to walk and carry out his daily activities. Dave was diagnosed with an inguinal hernia and needs surgery. Fortunately, our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines, can help. On January 28th, Dave 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. Dave shared, "I have always worried that my hernia would get worse. With surgery, I hope I will no longer feel afraid every day. I want to work properly again and be free from the heavy feeling of constantly wondering when my hernia will act up."

Madina is a lively three-year-old girl from Tanzania. She is the last-born child in a family of six children and lives with both her parents. From the moment you meet Madina, her joyful spirit is unmistakable. Her mother describes her as an enthusiastic and social child who interacts easily with other children and brings happiness to those around her. Madina loves playing with dolls and often imitates a classroom setting when playing with her dolls at home. Madina was diagnosed with bilateral genu valgus, a condition that has affected alignment of her legs, causing her to have knocked knees. The condition has made walking increasingly difficult for Madina. Several factors could 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. As Madina becomes more active, her parents have noticed that the condition is limiting her movement and causing her discomfort. They worry about how this will affect her ability to play, attend school and pursue her dreams. Madina requires a bilateral distal femoral osteotomy (DFO) surgery, which will help straighten her legs and allow her to grow and develop normally. However, her parents are unable to afford the cost of the procedure. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $777 to fund treatment for Madina, which is scheduled to take place on January 12th at our medical partner's care center, Kafika House. Treatment will hopefully restore Madina's mobility, allow her to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease her risk of future complications. Madina’s father says, "We are hopeful that through this treatment, Madina will be able to walk, play and learn without pain, giving her a fair chance to enjoy her childhood."

Dickson is a bright 12-year-old boy from Kenya. As he does not have parents, he lives in a children's home. He feels a strong sense of belonging there, describing the children's home as more than just a home to him. Still, he sometimes wishes he had parents of his own. In February, Dickson noticed something unusual when he went to the bathroom and immediately told his guardians, who brought him to the hospital. Dickson was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, Dickson has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Dickson will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on December 19th. AMH is requesting $470 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Dickson shares, “When I noticed something was wrong, I got scared. I don’t feel pain, but I worry a lot about my future. I just want to grow up like other boys and be okay.”

Altiya is a lively baby girl with boundless curiosity from Ethiopia. She is always exploring and playing with anything she can find around her. Toys and other items captivate her, reflecting her joyful spirit. The name “Altiya” means “happy” in Afan Oromo, and her family was overjoyed when she was born. Altiya lives in a single room with her parents and her paternal grandparents. Her mother is a dedicated housewife, while her father works as a farmer, providing for the family through agricultural activities. Farming sustains both her immediate family and her father’s extended relatives. Altiya was born with an anorectal malformation, a congenital abnormality that leads to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. When her mother first noticed Altiya’s condition, panic set in, and she struggled to believe that a surgical solution was possible. It took two months, but with the support of their family, her mother eventually decided to seek medical help. After visiting a local hospital, they were referred for further treatment. However, upon learning about the high costs involved, Altiya's mother felt overwhelmed and began to lose hope, unsure of how to proceed. After reaching out to those around her, Altiya's mother learned about Mother Teresa Mission from a neighbor and decided to seek help there. The MOC staff provided invaluable support, helping them travel to Addis Ababa for advanced treatment. They arranged accommodation, meals, and other essential services, and guided them to the Bethany kids center. This collaboration opened doors for Altiya, enabling her to receive the necessary care without the burden of financial stress. Her first surgery was remarkable and successful, restoring hope for the future. With deep gratitude, her mother expresses sincere appreciation for the support they have received and looks forward with hope to the success of the upcoming procedures. Altiya is scheduled to undergo another surgery to correct her condition on March 24th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Altiya's procedure and care. After her recovery, Altiya will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. Altiya's mom said, "I am truly grateful for your incredible support. After this treatment journey, I feel happy knowing that my child will be healthy following the surgery. Please continue to provide your support; it means the world to us."

Neema is a six-month-old baby girl from Kenya. Her life has already been marked by significant medical challenges. At birth, she was diagnosed with spina bifida and hydrocephalus. Neema's mother brought her to our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital, to treat Neema's hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of her condition, Neema has been experiencing discomfort, frequent crying, and occasional vomiting. Without treatment, Neema will experience severe physical and developmental delays. The initial surgery was not successful. Neema needs to undergo a shunt insertion surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $719 to cover the cost of Neema's hydrocephalus surgery. The procedure, which will drain excess fluid from Neema's brain, reducing intracranial pressure, is scheduled to take place on November 25th. With proper treatment and care, Neema will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. “Seeing my daughter get better is my greatest joy. I pray that this surgery will be successful and free from complications. I want to take my baby home in her healthiest state,” shares Neema’s mother.

Amos, who is 32 years old and single, lives in Narok County in Kenya. He works as a small scale farmer. Amos had just finished watching a football match on February 4th, when an argument broke out among his friends. Trying to be the peacemaker, he stepped in to calm the situation, but was struck with a forceful blow to his face. Despite the pain, Amos hoped that it was something minor, and took pain relievers. Two days later, however, his jaw had become severely swollen, and the pain was unbearable. He sought help at a nearby hospital, where scans revealed that his jaw had been fractured in three places. He was immediately referred to our medical partner's care center, AIC Kijabe Hospital, for specialized care. Amos requires a mandible Open Reduction Internal Fixation (ORIF) surgery to repair his jaw, and to prevent long-term complications. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On February 12th, Amos will undergo the fracture repair procedure at AIC Kijabe Hospital. This procedure will help relieve his pain and enable him to eat, speak, and get back to good health. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,115 to fund this procedure. Amos said: “I’ve been on a yoghurt and mashed food diet for a week now. It feels like my teeth are falling out. The pain is unbearable.”

Manich is a seven-year-old student from Phnom Penh, Cambodia. She is the youngest of three children, with her older brother in university and her older sister in 9th grade. Manich's father works in construction, and her mother runs a small grocery business in front of their home. Manich enjoys studying, and her favorite subject is Khmer history. During her free time, she enjoys playing outdoor games with her friends in the village and eating her favorite food - her mother's fried pork with rice. Manich was born with torticollis, a condition characterized by an involuntary contraction of the neck muscles, which causes her head to tilt or turn to one side. This condition can cause pain, stiffness, and an abnormal head position, making her neck appear rotated at an angle. Manich feels shy about her appearance, and her mother is concerned about potential health complications in the future. After hearing about Children's Surgical Center from a villager, her mother brought her to our medical partner's hospital, hoping to find treatment. Manich must undergo a tendon and nerve repair procedure to help regain strength and mobility. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Center, is helping Manich receive this tendon and nerve repair treatment on October 17th. The procedure costs $701, and Manich and her family need your support. Manich's mother said, "After the surgery, I hope that my daughter will have a normal neck like other children so that she can be confident, and I won't have to worry about future problems."

Nancy is a tailor from Malawi. She is married with four children aged 24, 22, and 13-year-old twins. For three months, Nancy has been experiencing severe bleeding. She has been diagnosed with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 3, which is a pre-cancerous condition where abnormal cells are found on the surface of the cervix. Nancy has not been herself since she got this bad news. She has been spending sleepless nights, could rarely eat, which led to a loss of weight, and has a terrible headache due to anxiety and worry that has greatly impacted her life. She was referred to our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center, where the surgeon confirmed the diagnosis and the need for surgery. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,363 to fund Nancy's surgery. On September 5th, she will undergo gynecological surgery. Once recovered, Nancy will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Nancy shared, "I can't wait to have my surgery and get better."