Liam is a one-month-old baby boy from Bolivia. He and his mother live they live at the home of his grandmother. Their entire extended family is working to support Liam and his mother during this time. Liam has a cardiac condition called coarctation of the aorta. A narrowing of the aorta that causes blood to back up and places strain on the heart. On August 11th, Liam will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, surgeons will surgically repair the affected section of the aorta so that it is a more normal size. Liam's family needs help to fund the costs of cardiac care and surgery. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, requests $1,500 to cover the cost of cardiac exams and diagnostics, surgical costs, follow-up care, and medications. Liam's grandmother shared, "We are just praying that doctors can help sweet Liam, and he can have a successful surgery. We are so grateful to all the wonderful people who are helping us; we have no words."

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."

Ann is a bright 12-year-old girl from Kenya. She is the firstborn in a family of six children and is a fourth-grade student. She dreams of becoming a doctor so that she can one day support vulnerable children in her community who often struggle to access healthcare services. Her father is a small-scale farmer who works hard to support his family. Ann has clubfoot in both feet, a condition that has significantly affected her mobility. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. She is unable to stand upright or walk long distances. Living in a hilly and rocky area has made everyday activities, including attending school, extremely challenging. To ensure that she does not miss classes, her father has often had to pay for motorcycle transport to take her to and from school despite the financial burden and the long distances involved. Ann experiences teasing from some of her peers, which has affected her confidence and social interactions. Ann is currently receiving treatment at our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital, and is scheduled to undergo serial casting followed by corrective surgery to address her condition. This treatment is expected to improve her mobility, restore her confidence, and allow her to walk, learn, and thrive like other children her age. On June 10th, Ann will undergo clubfoot repair surgery, and our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,286 to fund Ann's treatment and care. After her recovery, she will be one step closer to achieving her dream of becoming a doctor and making a difference in the lives of children facing challenges similar to her own. “I would love to have feet just like my friends and other children,” Ann shared. “I want to recover fully, walk confidently, and live a normal life just like my friends,” she added.

Ana is a one-year-old girl from Bolivia. She lives with her mom, who sells vegetables, her dad, who is a locksmith, and her twin sister. When Ana was born, her mom noticed that she couldn't gain weight, and she was always tired. Doctors soon discovered her heart condition and informed her mother that she needed surgery. Ana has a cardiac condition called a ventricular septal defect. A hole exists between the two lower chambers of her heart: blood leaks through this hole instead of circulating normally, leaving her weak and short of breath. Ana was also born with a cleft lip and palate. After heart surgery, doctors can then proceed to repair her cleft. On May 6th, Ana will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, surgeons will sew a patch over the hole in her heart so that blood can no longer leak through it. Ana's family needs help to fund the costs of cardiac care and surgery. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, requests $1,500 to cover the cost of cardiac exams and diagnostics, surgical costs, follow-up care, and medications. Ana's mother shared, "I pray this surgery goes well so my little daughter can feel better and have a happy life."

Cecilia is 47 years old and a mother of five from Malawi. She bakes and sells potatoes and is married to a tailor who is also a pastor. Her husband pastors a small church. For two years, Cecilia has been experiencing severe bleeding associated with abdominal pain, dizziness, weakness, and heart palpitations. The condition has worsened over time, and she has been in and out of the hospital for blood transfusions. She has been diagnosed with uterine fibroids. She was reviewed by a gynecologist who confirmed the diagnosis and emphasized the importance of undergoing a Total Abdominal Hysterectomy (TAH). 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 Cecilia's surgery. On October 7th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center. Once recovered, Cecilia will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Cecilia shared, "The profuse bleeding keeps me indoors because I don't want to be seen with stains of blood. This condition brought psychological torture to my life."

Htet is a 17-month-old baby boy from Burma. He lives with his mother and father in Karen State where his father is a taxi driver while his mother is a home maker. His parent's combined income is often not enough to cover their daily expenses, so sometimes they borrow money from their relatives. Htet underwent a colostomy, a procedure that creates an opening in the colon that lets stools pass from the body without going through the regular way. This surgery is often performed to bypass bowel malformations, but is usually temporary and may need a reversal. In Htet's case, his colostomy requires reversal in order 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 Htet. The surgery is scheduled to take place on September 9th and once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Htet’s mother said, “Your help means a lot to our family. We have been struggling to afford food, and it is hard to save any money. Fewer people are coming to Myawaddy now, so my husband has fewer taxi customers, which means we earn less income. If there are words that mean more than thank you, I would tell them many times.”

Sokuntheary is 14 years old and an eighth-grade student from Pursat Province, Cambodia. She is the youngest of two siblings and has one older brother who is currently unemployed. After her parents divorced when she was just one year old, Sokuntheary has been living with her aunt, who works as a farmer. She enjoys studying literature, which is her favorite subject at school, and she hopes to become a teacher in the future. In her free time, she likes to read books and help with housework. Her favorite food is spicy stir-fried chicken. Sokuntheary was born with scoliosis, a condition in which the spine curves abnormally to one side, often resembling a "C" or "S" shape. As she has grown, her spinal curve has worsened, bending toward the right side. This condition often causes her pain and makes it difficult for her to sit for long periods. As a result, she struggles to concentrate in class when the teacher is speaking and worries about being teased by her classmates because of her appearance. Additionally, she experiences difficulty walking, which impacts her daily life. In the past, Sokuntheary had never sought hospital treatment because her family could not afford it. However, a relative informed her aunt about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). They traveled four hours to attend a consultation. On August 11th, surgeons at CSC will implant a metal "growing rod" into her spine to help correct the curve and allow for further spine growth. CSC is requesting $1,500 to cover the costs of her surgery, the implant, and post-operative care, including physiotherapy. Once she recovers, her spine will be straighter, her pain will be reduced, and she should be able to participate fully in school and everyday activities without fear or discomfort. Sokuntheary's aunt said: "After the surgery, I hope that Sokuntheary will no longer have any pain so that she can do a good job at school and focus on her studies."

Salim is a 20-month-old baby boy from Ethiopia. He delights in playing with anything he can find and loves spending time with his siblings. As the third child in his family and their first baby boy, he holds a special place in his parents' hearts, bringing them immense joy. Salim’s parents live in a single-room home. His mother is a devoted home maker, and his father works for a government facility. They face significant challenges in providing for their family, especially as Salim's health issues continue to strain their limited resources. Within a few days of Salim's birth, it became clear that something was wrong. He struggled to breastfeed, did not cry, and appeared unusually lethargic. Weighing only 2 kg at birth, the concern prompted his mother to seek immediate medical attention. Salim's mother went back to the hospital where he was born and upon review, was told that her son would need surgery. They were referred to another facility for care. Salim was born with an anorectal malformation, a congenital condition that leads to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. During a follow up visit two months later, Salim's mother learned about our medical partner care center, BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre (BKMCM), from the organization's field coordinator. Her husband’s colleagues had contributed some funds toward Salim’s treatment, but it was not enough to cover the full cost of treatment, especially when factoring in the travel expenses from Sekota to Addis Ababa. Determined, she traveled to BKMCM Hospital and after a consultation with the doctor, she felt a renewed sense of hope, even though she was informed that Salim needed to gain more weight before surgery could proceed. With her heart full of optimism, she returned home. A year later, Salim’s mother brought him back to hospital where his surgery has been scheduled for July 29th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,500 to cover the cost of Salim's procedure and care. After his recovery, Salim will no longer have bowel dysfunction and will not be at risk of developing health complications in the future. Salim's mother says, "My hope is that my son will regain his health after the surgery. I long to return home with him thriving. I am grateful for this opportunity, that will help him be healthy, just like my other children."

Staller is a 55-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her husband and four-year-old grandson in Myawaddy, Karen State, Burma. Staller and her husband previously ran a laundromat but had to shut it down due to her health issues. During her free time, she enjoys watching the news, Tiktok videos on her phone, and spending time with her grandson. Staller and her husband depend financially on their daughter, a housekeeper in Shan State. In May 2024, Staller began to experience troubling symptoms, including severe lower back pain and hematuria, or blood in the urine. Doctors want to perform a ureteroscopy to treat her condition. During this procedure, doctors will insert a scope through the urethra and bladder to locate the stone and remove it. Depending on the size of the stone, it may need to be broken down into smaller pieces so they can remove it more easily. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 for this procedure. The treatment is scheduled to take place on March 9th at Mae Sot General Hospital. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully alleviate her symptoms. Staller expressed her gratitude, saying, “Thank you so much to BCMF and the donors for the assistance of my treatment costs. Without your help, my surgery would not be possible, and I cannot express enough words for my thankfulness to each of you.”

Nget is a 45-year-old food seller from Cambodia. She lives with her husband and son in Oddar Meanchey Province, near the international border with Thailand. Nget and her husband sell Cambodian soup from a stall outside their home for income, while their son attends a nearby high school. During her free time, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her family. In April 2022, Nget injured her leg after being chased by a cow in a nearby rice paddy. She went to a hospital, where her wound was sutured. However, she later developed a blister on her foot, which led to an equinus deformity. This condition has caused her foot to remain fixed in a downward-pointing position, making it difficult to lift her foot upward. As a result, she walks on her toes due to a tight Achilles tendon. Nget needs to undergo a tendon and nerve repair procedure to regain her strength and mobility. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is helping Nget receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo the tendon and nerve repair procedure on February 6th. This procedure will cost $547, and Nget and her family need your support. Nget shared, "I hope I can walk more easily and be able to help my family."

Vutha is a 32-year-old metal worker from Cambodia. He is married and has two children. His wife works in a nearby garment factory in Kandal province. In his free time, Vutha enjoys fishing by the nearby river. Two months ago, while at work, Vutha had a sudden electrical surge sear through his body, leaving devastating burns on both hands and his left leg. His coworkers rushed him to the hospital, where doctors tried to save his hands, but both hands had tissue destruction and infection. Gangrene rendered his right hand non-salvageable. Doctors amputated his right hand and performed a Krukenberg operation, converting his right forearm stump into a pincer, to retain some dexterity of the hand rather than it being reduced to a stump. His left hand was debrided of dead tissue. Two weeks ago, it was noted the wounds on his right stump were not healing, and there was further damage to his semi-functional left hand. Due to the extent of his injuries, he cannot use both arms. He is in pain and now needs further surgery. Vutha learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), and sought help. On January 14th, surgeons at CSC will perform a stump revision shortening and debridement on his right forearm and debridement and curettage of his left hand to remove the dead bone and tissue. Doctors hope to improve the healing process of his right forearm and provide more functionality in his left hand. Vutha needs help to raise $780 to fund his procedure and care. Vutha said: "I hope my hand does not get any worse and I can find a job when I go home."