Stanley is a 64-year-old father of four from Malawi. To provide income for his family, Stanley works as a car sales representative and at a local motorcycle shop, though he admits that his income is often insufficient to fully support them. For the past six months, Stanley has been experiencing abdominal swelling and discomfort. At first, the symptoms were subtle, but over the last two weeks they have become more severe, leaving him with increasing pain and difficulty in walking. This has made both work and home life very challenging. Stanley has been diagnosed with a bilateral inguinal hernia, a condition that occurs when abdominal tissue protrudes through a weak spot in the lower abdominal muscles. Stanley needs a hernia repair procedure, but with his current income, he cannot afford the cost of surgery. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Stanley undergo hernia repair surgery on April 20th. This procedure will cost $500, and Stanley needs your support to fund the procedure. Stanley said, “I am struggling with this condition, which has made my life very difficult. I wish to be able to work and provide for my family again, without pain. I truly hope I can receive support, because I cannot manage raising the funds on my own.”

Chepkat is an 11-year-old girl from Kenya. She comes from a pastoralist family whose livelihood has always depended on keeping goats and cattle. Due to the harsh, isolated nature of their residence, Chepkat has never had the opportunity to attend school. Her parents survive through livestock keeping, but recently their family suffered a major setback when raiders attacked their homestead and drove away their cattle, leaving them with nothing. One afternoon, while trying to pick fruit from a tree, Chepkat accidentally stepped on a dry branch that suddenly broke beneath her. She fell heavily to the ground and immediately experienced severe pain. Due to the remoteness of their home, the family had to travel nearly two hours to reach the nearest health facility. At the first facility, she was immobilized and later referred to another hospital, where she was managed conservatively with bed rest and pain medication. However, her condition did not improve, and her pain persisted. Chepkat was referred to our medical partner's care center, AIC Kapsowar Hospital, where an x-ray revealed a fracture of the head of her hip bone, a serious injury that requires urgent surgical intervention. She needs an urgent Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (ORIF) to stabilize and repair the bone. On March 11th, Chepkat will undergo a fracture repair procedure. She needs help so that she can receive the operation she needs and regain the chance to walk and live a healthy and active life. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,247 to fund this procedure. Chepkat's mother says, "My child is in pain and cannot stand, please help her so she can regain her mobility."

Gevan is a one-year-old boy from Tanzania. He lives with both parents and his sibling. His parents depend on hourly wages working at a factory. Gevan was brought to our medical partner's care center, Kafika House, by his parents. He had burn scar contractures affecting the left hand, specifically the index and middle fingers. The injury has reduced the range of motion in his fingers, making it difficult for him to grip toys and use his hand normally during play and feeding. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Gevan receive treatment. On February 17th, surgeons will perform contracture release surgery and a skin graft to improve mobility. He is a cheerful and cooperative child, and his parents are hopeful that with timely treatment, he will grow up with full use of his hand and independence in daily activities. Now, he needs help to fund this $832 procedure. Gevan's mother says, “His fingers cannot bend properly, so he struggles to pick up and hold small objects.”

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."

John is 66 years old and a father of six from Malawi. For most of his life, he farmed tobacco and maize, work that supported his household and paid school fees for his children. Over the past year, his health has steadily declined. His hands have grown weak, and he can no longer manage the demanding work of farming. Today, his wife and sons tend the fields while he stays behind. One year ago, John started experiencing urinary problems, which have led to repeated infections and discomfort. He received medication, but nothing brought relief. Concerned for his condition, his family gathered what little money they could and brought him to our medical partner's care center, Nkhoma Hospital. He was diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia and doctors have scheduled him for open prostatectomy surgery. A prostatectomy is a surgery to remove part or all of the prostate. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $530 to fund this procedure. The treatment is scheduled to take place at Nkhoma Hospital on January 13th and, once completed, it will hopefully improve John's quality of life. John said, “This sickness has taken away my strength. With treatment, I hope to live the rest of my life without suffering, and I will be very grateful to the hands that will make this one wish come true.”

Ananiya is nine years old and a second-grade student from Ethiopia. His mother is a homemaker, caring for him and his brother. His father works tirelessly in various labor roles, serving as the sole provider for the family. When he was two years old, Ananiya started to experience snoring, fevers, and struggling to breathe. He is a naturally joyful boy, but the onset of pain often triggers mood swings that confuse his peers. Because his parents cannot afford the surgery he so desperately needs, they have had to turn to traditional herbal treatments to try and ease his suffering. These persistent infections and high fevers do more than just disrupt his education; they place an immense financial and emotional strain on the family. His father’s modest wages are increasingly consumed by medical costs, leaving the family in a vulnerable struggle to balance urgent healthcare with their basic survival and the future of both children. Ananiya was diagnosed with enlarged tonsils, which, if not treated, will cause his symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $700 to fund a tonsillectomy for Ananiya, scheduled to take place on December 20th. Surgeons will remove his tonsils, hopefully relieving Ananiya of his symptoms and helping him live more comfortably. Ananiya's mother shared, "We hope for a permanent end to our son's suffering. We dream of a future where he is finally free from this constant pain and no longer has to miss school. Our only wish is to see him healthy and happy every day."

Amos is a 54-year-old man from Uganda. He is married and a father of six children. Four months ago, Amos was involved in a road accident. Although he received some treatment, he has since been forced to rely on a walking stick for mobility. Before his accident, he earned a living selling second-hand clothes, and whatever little income he made was spent on treatment after the injury. His wife engages in small-scale farming to provide for the family. However, because she has been caring for her husband both in the hospital and at home, she was unable to plant crops this season. For one and a half years, Amos has had a right inguinal scrotal hernia. He arrived at the hospital with a severe swelling that had progressively worsened and caused extreme pain. The pain intensifies when he stands, walks, or even sits, making daily activities almost impossible. Fortunately, on November 27th, Amos will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center, Uganda Martyr's Ibanda Hospital. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $201 to fund Amos's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. Amos says, “I have been very worried about my condition, but I thank God for the counseling I have received. I now have renewed hope that my surgery will be successful and that I will recover well. I will continue practicing farming and resume my small business of selling second-hand clothes if I get capital.’’

Bridgit is a little girl from Kenya. She is the youngest of her three siblings and is from Nairekia Ngale village in Narok County. Bridgit has clubfoot in both her feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Though young, Bridgit's journey has already been marked by pain and rejection. When Bridgit was two years old, her father left the family, unable to accept her disability. This left Bridgit's mum not only heartbroken, but also burdened with the full responsibility of providing for her children. With no stable income, she began working on other people’s farms to earn a small wage. The work is exhausting and unpredictable, but she perseveres each day for the sake of her children. There were moments of uncertainty, yet Bridgit's mum chose not to give up. Instead, she gathered strength and pressed on with faith. Hope came unexpectedly. One day, as Bridgit was playing in the village, church elders noticed her condition and felt compelled to help. They invited her mum to church and shared about the services offered at CURE International. Moved by her situation, the church congregation contributed funds for transport and ensured that Bridgit could travel for a medical review. At CURE Children's Hospital of Kenya, doctors assessed Bridgit and enrolled her in serial casting as preparation for corrective surgery. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital, will perform clubfoot repair surgery for Bridgit on March 2nd. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,286 to fund Bridgit's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will be able to walk, run, and play without difficulty. She will have the chance to join school and build friendships confidently. Her restored mobility will not only change her physical life, but also rebuild her self-esteem. “I am looking forward to seeing my child healed. When she gets better, I will give 10% to God as a thanksgiving offering,” Bridgit's mum told us.

Wabi is a two-year-old boy from Ethiopia. The cherished only child of two dedicated school teachers, he is naturally the absolute center of their world. Recently, however, their joy has been overshadowed by his recurrent and painful tonsillitis, causing the family considerable discomfort and worry. One year ago, Wabi started experiencing fever, snoring, pain, and difficulty swallowing. The condition inflicts severe pain and difficulty swallowing, turning every attempt at a meal into a frustrating, tear-filled battle. This constant physical discomfort, coupled with recurrent fevers and restless nights, has eroded his usual stability, rendering him irritable, exhausted, and anxious. His emotional distress is a direct reflection of the high stress and worry felt by his parents, whose lives are now completely dedicated to finding him relief. Wabi was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils, which, if not treated, will cause his symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $700 to fund a tonsillectomy for Wabi, which is scheduled to take place on October 18th. Surgeons will remove his tonsils, hopefully relieving Wabi of his symptoms and helping him live more comfortably. Wabi's parents shared, "Our deepest hope is to finally end this constant suffering: to see him eat, drink, and sleep without pain, to eliminate the recurring fevers, and to reclaim our energetic, cheerful boy who has been hidden by discomfort and irritability."

Chala is a 16-year-old young man from Ethiopia. He comes from a family of 7, with a hardworking father, and his mother who takes care of their home. Six years ago, Chala started experiencing troubling symptoms including pain, swelling, bone issues and drainage. The painful condition has kept him from attending school and in engaging in physical activities, and his family struggles to afford his medical care. Despite his health challenges, Chala holds onto hope. He dreams of getting back to school so he can help his family and community. Following a review at our medical partner's care center, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, Chala was diagnosed with chronic osteomyelitis in his right leg, a persistent bone infection. Doctors have recommended that he undergo a sequestrectomy, a surgical procedure involving the removal of fragments of infected, dead bone or tissue. If not treated, it can lead to recurrent infections that may result in life-threatening complications. Fortunately, on September 10th, Chalo will undergo repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. His family is requesting $900 to fund the surgery, which once completed, will alleviate his symptoms and prevent serious long-term complications. Chala says: "I hope that the surgery will help me move around better, and improve my health so that I can continue with my studies and support my family"

Grace is a 46-year-old vegetable farmer from Malawi. She lives in a rural farming community with her husband and their five children, all of whom still live at home. Together, she and her husband grow vegetables to sell at the market. It's tough work, but it's how they feed their family, pay school fees, and take care of life’s basic needs. One year ago, Grace began experiencing pain and swelling in her lower abdomen. At first, she tried to ignore it, there was always work to do, and as a mother of five, taking time off just didn’t feel like an option. But the discomfort grew worse, making it harder for her to do even the most basic tasks like bending over in the farm, walking long distances to fetch water, carrying produce to the market, or riding the bicycle due to the pain. She visited several local health centers, hoping someone could help. Unfortunately, none of them could provide a clear diagnosis or the treatment she needed. It wasn’t until she reached Blessings Hospital that she finally got answers. There, she was diagnosed with a femoral hernia, which occurs on the upper thigh, just above the groin. She was referred to our medical partner's care center, Nkhoma Hospital, for further management. At Nkhoma Hospital, doctors recommended she undergo a laparoscopic femoral hernia repair to could relieve her symptoms and restore her ability to work and care for her family. But the cost of surgery was overwhelming for her. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Grace receive treatment. On July 9th, she will undergo hernia repair surgery to treat her condition, allowing her to live more comfortably. Now, Grace needs help to fund this $421 procedure. Grace said, “I want to be strong again for my children, for my husband, and for myself. This program is giving me hope I didn’t think I’d have. I am so thankful."