Pu is a 42-year-old man from Burma. He lives with his parents and older brother in a refugee camp in Tak Province, Thailand. His parents are retired, while his older sister works in the banana farm outside of the camp. Pu has stopped working since his accident in 2024. In his free time, he loves to hunt rats or mice in the forest to help them get by every month. Pu underwent a colostomy, in which the end of the colon is brought through an opening in the abdominal wall. This surgery is often performed to bypass bowel malformations, but colostomies are usually temporary and may call for reversal. In Pu's case, his colostomy requires reversal to restore bowel function and prevent future complications. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the cost of a reverse colostomy for Pu. The surgery is scheduled to take place on March 10th and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently, and return to work. Pu said, "I want to recover and find work. Now with my colostomy bag, it prevents me from working. Thank you for helping me."

Clinton is a 12-year-old boy from Tanzania. He is the second-born in a family of five children and currently studies in Class Two. Clinton is a gentle child who speaks softly, especially around new people, but he is attentive and eager to learn. Clinton was diagnosed with bilateral genu valgus. He was brought to our medical partner's care center, Kafika House, by his father with concerns about the inward bending of both legs, a condition that began when Clinton first started walking. 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. His parents had never sought treatment before due to limited resources and lack of access to specialized care. The family survives through animal keeping and farming, doing their best to meet their children’s needs. Clinton has been diagnosed with bilateral genu valgus and is planned for bilateral DFO surgery. This treatment will help straighten his legs, improve his mobility, and allow him to walk and attend school without pain or limitation. His parents hope this intervention will give Clinton the opportunity to grow, learn, and play like other children his age. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $777 to fund treatment for Clinton. The procedure is scheduled to take place on January 12th and will hopefully restore Clinton's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Clinton says, "The pain I feel while walking to school makes it hard to enjoy my classes, and I would love for the pain to stop."

Joseph is a young boy from Kenya. He is the oldest of two in his family and comes from Karung’a village in Kitui County. His mother, Stella, is a small-scale farmer, and his father works on construction sites. Joseph loves playing and being in school. He is a grade 2 pupil and dreams of becoming a doctor someday. Joseph was born with clubfoot affecting both of his feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. He also has kyphosis, which is an abnormal curvature of the spine in the lower back. This makes it difficult for him to stand or walk on his own, so he currently moves by crawling on the ground. Fortunately, Joseph traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, he is scheduled to undergo bilateral posterior capsulotomy along with serial casting on February 2nd. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,286 to fund Joseph's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to stand, walk, run, play, and continue with his education. "I am looking forward to the day Joseph will be able to stand, walk, and run like other children," Stella, Joseph’s mother, shared. "I pray that this treatment will give him a chance to play, go to school, and live a normal life."

Eh Mu is a 26-year-old woman from Burma who lives with her husband, her parents, older sister, older brother, younger sister, younger brother, her son and her nephew in a refugee camp in Thailand. Eh Mu and her family fled to the refugee camp in 2022 due to an airstrike and fighting in her village. Her parents are retired while her older brother and husband sometimes went to work outside of the camp as day laborers, while her older sister looks after a dormitory in the camp. Her son is a nursery school student. Eh Mu is a homemaker and makes custom dresses on order. During her free time, Eh Mu loves to play with her three-year-old son, spend time with her family, and listen to music on her phone. Eh Mu is currently expecting her second child. Her doctors recommend that she deliver via a caesarean section because of a high-risk pregnancy. This way, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is helping Eh Mu undergo a C-Section on December 22nd at our medical partner's care center, Tha Song Yang Hospital. This procedure will cost $1500, and Eh Mu needs your support. Eh Mu said, “When I noticed my pregnancy, I started feel stress instead of happy. I worry that if I need to deliver my baby through surgery, then I cannot afford to pay for the surgery. When I gave birth through c-section in Burma for my first baby, at that time the treatment cost is less but here in Thailand is very expensive for what I heard from my friend. At first, I was thinking of returning to Burma to give birth, but fighting continues in my village and it is not safe to return so I have no other option. After I learned from the doctor that there will be an organization who will support my surgery cost, I feel like all my stress and worries are gone. I am happy and thankful to BCMF and all their donors who are available for me during this difficult time”.

Charles is a 15-year-old boy from Kenya. He is in the seventh grade and dreams of becoming a teacher in the future. He loves going to church, where he serves as a Sunday school teacher, and enjoys playing football and dancing during his free time. He lives with his single mother, who did all that she could to help her son. Charles was born with a clubfoot on his right leg. His foot curved inward, making walking painful and difficult. “I can’t go anywhere without the special shoe my mom bought from a local cobbler,” Charles shared shyly. His mother added, “To find proper care, we’d have to travel almost 300 miles. It became too expensive, so we stopped going.” Even with all the challenges, Charles shone in school. His intelligence and determination caught the attention of a kind stranger who decided to pay for his education. Charles said, “Some people look at me and just nod their heads and walk away. I feel bad when they do that." Fortunately, Charles traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on November 27th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,286 to fund Charles's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk easily, wear shoes, and continue with his studies uninterrupted. “As a mother, I am really looking forward to seeing my son get better and walk like other children. It has been a long journey, but I believe God will make a way for him to live a normal and happy life,” Charles's mother shared warmly.

Htet is an 18-year-old boy from Burma. He is a student and lives with his mother who is a homemaker. His father is an agricultural day laborer in Karen State, Burma. Htet has a heart condition that requires replacement of two heart valves (aortic and mitral) and repair of the tricuspid valve. These valves control the blood flow between the chambers of the heart and are necessary to prevent long-term damage to the heart and lungs. Htet is experiencing a rapid heartbeat and difficulty breathing. He cannot walk long distances or he becomes fatigued. He has little appetite, and he is losing weight. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 for this complex surgery. The treatment is scheduled to take place at our medical partner's care center, Kasemrad Prachachuen Hospital, on October 10th and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and have a more active and healthy life ahead. Htet said, “I am very thankful to all the donors and BCMF for covering my treatment. Without the help of BCMF, I might have died because we couldn't afford the cost of my treatment. When I recover fully, I want to find a job to support my family.”

Rayan is a two-year-old boy from Haiti. Both his parents work for a community development non-profit, and Rayan spends his days playing with toys and helping care for the family’s animals. Rayan was born with Tetralogy of Fallot, a congenital heart condition that includes a hole between the two lower chambers of his heart and a muscular blockage of one of his valves. These prevent his body from getting enough oxygen, which leaves him weak and short of breath. On December 8th, Rayan will travel to the United States to undergo cardiac surgery. During the procedure, doctors will sew a patch over the hole in his heart and remove the muscular blockage from the valve so that his blood can flow normally. Another organization has already contributed funding toward the cost of surgery. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance (ICA), is requesting $1,500 to cover pre-surgery expenses, including laboratory tests, medicines, and check-up and follow-up appointments. This support will also help secure travel documents for Rayan’s family and cover travel costs for ICA social workers who will accompany them. “I have been praying for this surgery ever since my son was a small baby. Our family is grateful we will finally have the chance!” Rayan’s mother shares.

Thant is a four-year-old boy from Burma. He lives with his aunt, younger sister, and two cousins in Tak Province, Thailand. He was born in Thailand, but his parents are from Burma. He and his younger sister were looked after by their aunt while both his parents had left to work in Bangkok a few months ago. They send money to support Thant and his sister, as well as his aunt's family. Since he was four months old, Thant has had an inguinal hernia. Currently, his right scrotum is swelling, and if he plays, he feels pain. This also affects his sleep. He cannot play much with friends and cannot be active because if he does, he feels more pain. Fortunately, on August 27th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at Mae Sot General Hospital, our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, Burma Children's Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund Thant's hernia repair surgery. Once completed, it will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. Thant's aunt said, "I am sad that I cannot help him. I have to look after him and his sister, as well as my own kids, which is very difficult for me sometimes, and also perform my household chores. After he recovers, I will send him to school, but for now, due to the pain, he can't go to school yet."

Daw Saw is a 61-year-old woman who lives with her husband and two daughters in Karen State, Burma. Daw Saw and her husband are unemployed but help with the housework while her two daughters work in a garment factory. She likes listening to the news and monks' teachings on her phone in her free time. In the summer of 2019, Daw Saw started experiencing troubling symptoms such as bloating, stomachaches, and back pain. She took herbal medicine whenever she felt uncomfortable, and it helped reduce the pain temporarily. Daw Saw continued purchasing the medicine from the local clinic, but at the beginning of September 2023, she experienced severe back pain that made it very uncomfortable for her to sit. She also noticed blood in her urine. At this point, her daughter advised her to go to Thailand to seek medical treatment. Daw Saw was diagnosed with kidney stones and was referred to our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, for treatment. The doctor inserted a catheter to drain the fluid from her kidney and told her to come back to the hospital every three months to change the catheter. During her appointment on August 9, 2024, the doctor told her that she needed surgery to remove the stone. On March 3rd, Daw Saw will undergo surgery to remove the kidney stones. She needs help to raise $1,500 to fund this procedure. After a full recovery, Daw Saw should have an improved quality of life. Daw Saw says, “I tell myself that I have used a lot of my children’s money for the treatment already, and I don’t want to use more, so perhaps I shouldn’t go for any more treatment. I should go back home and wait for my last day. But my daughter encouraged me to get treatment, and when I heard that there was an organization that would provide support, I felt so relieved. Thank you so much to the donors and the organization for supporting me.”

Pan is an 8-year-old from Burma who currently lives in Thailand with her mother, grandmother, sister, and cousin. She is in the second grade and enjoys playing with her little sister and cousin. Pan's mother sells vegetables and does housework, her grandmother is retired, and her younger sister and cousin are also in school. Pan's aunt, who works at a restaurant in Bangkok, sends the family some financial support to help cover their living expenses. For basic health care, the family usually visits the local clinic, which offers free basic health services and eliminates language barriers. Since September 2024, Pan has had a bilateral inguinal hernia that causes her to experience itchiness and swelling in her abdomen. Fortunately, on June 25th, she will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund Pan's hernia repair surgery. Once completed, this surgery will allow her to live more comfortably. Pan's mother said, "I am worried about my daughter, but I cannot afford my daughter's surgery cost, and I cannot do anything. Thank you so much to you [HFA-BCMF] and the donors. I want to see my daughter grow up healthy and happy so she can be a doctor in the future."

Joy is a six-year-old girl, the second-born child in a family of four. She and her family live in Homabay County in Kenya. Her mother is a homemaker while her father works as a 'Jua kali' artisan. Joy was born with two medical conditions: spina bifida and clubfoot in both feet. She received surgery treatment for spina bifida at a regional hospital and was then taken to another hospital for clubfoot treatment, where casting was done. However, her condition worsened, leaving her mother worried. One day, Joy's mother was informed by her neighbor about an orthopedic medical team from AIC Cure Hospital that would be visiting during a mobile clinic at Homabay County. She brought Joy to the clinic, and after examination, was advised that Joy would need serial casting followed by surgery, to treat her condition. Joy has clubfoot of both feet, a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape causing difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Joy receive treatment. On June 10th, she will undergo clubfoot repair surgery to treat her condition and improve her mobility. Now, Joy's family need help to fund this $1,286 procedure. Joy's mother says, "I believe that my daughter will one day walk on her own two feet. Watching her condition improve gives me hope, and I trust that with continued treatment and God's help, she will grow to live a full and happy life."

Abby is a 10-year-old Grade 4 student from Kisumu County in Kenya. “I want to be a professional footballer like Messi,” says Abby with a big smile. He loves football so much that he plays every chance he gets, even though his foot hurts. His mother sometimes gets worried when she sees him running and playing, but Abby never gives up. Abby is the youngest in a family of four. His mother is a vegetable seller who works hard to care for her children. In 2018, Abby fell and injured his right knee. He was taken to hospital, where doctors found he had an infection called septic arthritis. He underwent an arthrotomy washout procedure to treat it. After the surgery, his foot became weak and later developed a deformity. Now, Abby walks on his toes. He feels pain when walking and is unable to do so for long distances. One day, Abby and his mother met a kind stranger who noticed his limp and told them about our medical partner care center, AIC Cure Hospital, where children with foot and bone problems are treated. Abby’s mother decided to take him there. At the hospital, Abby was reviewed and was diagnosed with acquired clubfoot, a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape, making it hard to even wear shoes and causing walking difficulties. Abby will need corrective surgery. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Abby receive treatment. On April 23rd, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery to relieve his pain, improve his leg's function and help him work towards his dream of becoming a great footballer—just like Messi. Now, Abby's family needs help to fund this $1,286 procedure. "I can’t wait for my foot to be corrected so I can walk normally and play football without pain," Abby shared with a smile.