Solomon is a two-year-old boy from Ethiopia. His parents are both students, and while they are in school, Solomon is cared for by his grandparents. In addition to pursuing their studies, Solomon's parents plant fruit and corn primarily for home consumption, while some is sold to help support the family. Solomon was born with hypospadias, a congenital abnormality that causes urinary dysfunction. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms, and he will be at risk of cancer and infertility. Solomon has been to different health facilities in search of treatment, but this process has been hindered by a lack of sufficient funds for surgery and transportation. The family visited their district office, and were linked up with a charity organization, that facilitated their transportation costs to BethanyKids Medical Centre. Now Solomon is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on December 19th, at BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,293 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Solomon's father says: “After the surgery, I hope he will be normal and just like other children. I worried too much since he is a boy that he might not have children in the future. And I hope after the surgery he will grow and be well."

Jonah is a 7-year-old active and inquisitive primary school student from Kenya. He and his twin sister are the third born in a family of 5 children. His mother is a laborer tending farms and washing clothes for a living, while his father works as a security guard. In June 2019, Jonah slipped into boiling tea. He was rushed to a nearby hospital for first aid after sustaining serious burns on his back, thigh and hand. He was treated in the hospital for several months, but now burn scar contractures have developed, tightening the skin around the burn. He is unable to hold anything with the affected hand. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Jonah receive treatment. On October 2nd, surgeons will perform a burn contracture release surgery so that Jonah will be able to use his hand with ease again. AMH is asking for $1,500 to fully fund the procedure and medical care. Jonah's mother says, “Jonah cannot use his left hand at all because of the burns. He is only dependent on the right hand. He needs this procedure to be able to use his hand.”

Jasmin is a young mother of three from Philippines. Her partner, Crisanto Olivar, works as a food handler and earns $155 a month for their family. The couple has 3 children and Jasmin brings them to school every day. She shared that due to family problems, Jasmin was only able to finish her first year in high school which gave her a hard time finding employment, so to help with household expenses Jasmin sells drinks near their house and earns around $2 a day. In 2017, Jasmin began to experience troubling symptoms, including back pain, abdominal pain, and nausea. In 2018, she was diagnosed with gallstones and was advised to undergo a surgery immediately. Due to financial constraints, she suffered the pain for years until she heard about treatment offered at our partner care center. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), Jasmin is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy on October 21st. A portion of the cost of the procedure is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is raising the remaining $1128 to cover the cost of Jasmin's surgery and care. Jasmin says, "The surgery will be a big help for me and my family because there is no way we can afford the cost of the procedure, hospitalization and medicines for my treatment. I dream of having a long life and to see my children finish school and live a nice life. So I am very grateful to the people who will help me make my dream come true."

Kyi is a 57-year-old woman, living with her husband in Burma. They shared that together they do not have children and they love to dedicate their time to helping others in their community. Kyi's husband volunteers with the Karen Forestry Department, helps with household chores, and grows rice and vegetables, while also raising chickens for them to eat. Kyi works in a medical clinic helping patients and is training in emergency obstetric care in Thailand. Kyi experiences back and abdominal pain, fatigue and weakness, and other symptoms. Doctors determined that Kyi suffers from gallstones; she has been advised to have her gallbladder removed to heal her symptoms and prevent further complications with her health in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), Kyi is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy on April 7th, at Mae Sot General Hospital. BCMF is requesting $1,500 to cover the cost of Kyi's procedure and care. Kyi is determined to have a big impact in her community and shared: "I want to be healthy so that I can devote my mind, body, and work to fully serving my people until my last breath.”

Rose is an adorable preschooler from Haiti. She lives with her parents and three siblings in a small town on the northern coast of Haiti. Rose likes helping her family take care of their pets and chickens. Rose has born with a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect which means a hole exists between the two lower chambers of Rose's heart. This condition often leaves Rose feeling sick and short of breath. Because the surgery she needs in not available in Haiti, Rose must fly to Dominican Republic to receive the necessary treatment. On March 3rd, Rose will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will a patch the hole in her heart. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA) is helping Rose's family raise $1,500 to cover the cost of labs, medication, and follow-up appointments. This will also support her family to obtain passports and the HCA social workers who will accompany Rose's family during their travel. Rose's father shared, "We are very hopeful that our daughter will be healthy and strong after this surgery!"

Soem is a widow and retired farmer who has three daughters, four sons, and many grandchildren. Her husband passed away a long time ago during the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia, so she lives with her youngest daughter, who is also a farmer. At home, she likes to listen to the monks pray on the radio and go to the local pagoda. Two years ago, Soem developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her blurry vision and tearing. She can only see shadows, and so she doesn't venture outside often. She would like to be helpful to her family but shared that she feels useless because she cannot see well. When Soem learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. On December 15th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery, and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $229 procedure. "I hope after surgery I can see well again," says Soem. "I want to see the faces of my family and go to the pagoda by myself."

Joyline is a humble 9-year-old girl. She's the only child in her family and was born with a bilateral clubfoot condition. Her father is a farmer while her mother is a housewife. Together their family lives in a rural area of Kenya. Joyline has clubfoot of both legs. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Joyline cannot put on shoes, walk or play with her friends. Her situation makes her lead a lonely life as her father put it. She underwent foot surgery in 2020 and her condition was partially corrected. Joyline is now scheduled to undergo a corrective osteotomy surgery. The family is not in a financial position to cater for the surgery and is appealing for financial assistance. Fortunately, Joyline's family traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on November 22nd. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,286 to fund Joyline's clubfoot repair. After treatment, Joyline will be able to put on both shoes, walk comfortably, play with other children and continue with her education uninterrupted. Joyline's father says, “Being our firstborn child, we would love to see her grow well, join school and excel in life. Any help to make her foot look and feel better would be highly appreciated.”

Koem Seang is 73 years old and has two daughters, three sons, and many grandchildren. She is a retired farmer and lives with her husband and her daughter, who are both farmers. At home, she likes to listen to the news on TV and the monks praying on the radio. Three years ago, Koem Seang developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her photophobia, blurry vision, and tearing. She is unable to independently go outside and feels poorly. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Koem Seang learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On November 29th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery, and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $229 procedure. "I hope after surgery my eye can see clearly," says Koem Seang. "I can do some housework, visit the pagoda and help my daughter take care of my grandchildren."

Sol is a 46-year-old rice farmer. She has one daughter, two sons, and two grandchildren. She lives with her husband, who also works as a farmer. When not outside, Sol likes to watch and listen to movies on TV. Three years ago, Sol developed a pterygium in her right eye, causing irritation, tearing, itching, and discomfort. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. They occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. When Sol learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On November 22nd, Sol will undergo a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent a recurrence. CSC is requesting $216 to fund the total cost of her procedure, including medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. Sol shared, "I hope after surgery my eye feels comfortable again. I can go to the farm field and help my husband plant rice again."