Precious is 31 years old and a hairdresser from Uganda. Born in a family of eight children, she is the fourth, with four brothers and three sisters. Two of her brothers are teachers, one serves in the police force, and the other is a small-scale farmer. She studied to be a hairdresser, and currently offers door-to-door hairdressing services as her main source of income. To supplement her income, she also practices small-scale farming to provide food for her family. Her husband works as a private primary school teacher. She is a mother of three, including a set of twins. During her free time, she enjoys visiting and looking after her parents. Precious is currently expecting her fourth 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, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Precious undergo a C-Section on November 7th. This procedure will cost $252, and Precious needs your support. Precious says, “Without your support, I don’t think I will be in a position to pay for my surgery. I have struggled with my previous surgical deliveries. I appeal for your support for the success of my surgery.”

Scolah is 58 years old and a farmer from Kenya. Ten years ago, when she lost her husband, she was left with the full responsibility of raising their four children alone. Growing up as an orphan herself, she never had the chance to pursue her education beyond primary seven. Scolah grows food crops mainly for home use and supplements her income with casual labor on neighbors’ farms. She remains hardworking and determined, and she enjoys her cultural favorite meal, millet “karo” with meat, whenever she can. Six years ago, Scolah began to experience troubling symptoms, including a swelling in the front of her neck. At first, it caused no pain, but with time, she began experiencing troubling symptoms: shortness of breath, pain while swallowing, hoarseness in her voice, and later persistent headaches, neck pain, and heart palpitations. Her condition worsened to the point that she could no longer manage her farm work as before. Through a distant relative, she learned about our medical partner's care center, Karoli Lwanga Hospital, where she was diagnosed with a goiter, which is an abnormal swelling of the thyroid gland. The thyroid is the gland located in front of your neck and produces thyroid hormones. These hormones are responsible for functions such as metabolism, growth, and other bodily functions. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Scolah receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on September 2nd. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $252, and she and her family need help raising money. Scolah says, “The pain I'm going through right now can’t allow me to do anything at home. I hope with your support, I will be operated on, will get better, and continue living a normal, healthy life after.”

Kaleab is a fourteen-month-old baby from Ethiopia. He is an adorable boy with a passion for playing with anything he can find around him, often enjoying time with his older brother. He lives with his parents in a rented house in Addis Ababa. His mother is a devoted housewife, while his father works as a taxi driver, striving to provide for the family. Kaleab’s mother learned about his condition shortly after giving birth. He was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, Kaleab would have an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. When the doctor relayed the news to Kaleab's mother, it caused her significant panic. However, the medical team reassured her that the condition could be managed with proper follow-up care. It was hoped that it would resolve by the time he turned one year old. If not, surgery would be necessary. Feeling anxious, Kaleab’s mother prayed for her son’s healing. During a follow-up visit, doctors referred them to Yekatit 12 Hospital in Addis Ababa for review. By that time Kaleab was seven months, and surgery was deemed necessary. However, the hospital had a long waiting list and financial constraints left his mother discouraged. Hope came when Yekatit 12 Hospital partnered with our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre (BKMCM) to refer surgical cases to the hospital. Though initially worried about costs, Kaleab’s parents were relieved to learn that BethanyKids would help seek support for his treatment. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Kaleab receive treatment. On October 16th, he will undergo corrective surgery at BKMCM, allowing him a healthier life. Now, Kaleab's family needs help to fund this $1,073 procedure. With gratitude, Kaleab's mother said, "This is an incredible opportunity for us. I hope my child grows up healthy and becomes a wonderful person. I wish everyone involved all the best."

Serey is a 72-year-old rice farmer from Kandal province in Cambodia. Her husband passed away several years ago, and she is now the matriarch of the family, which includes two daughters, one son, and ten grandchildren. She lives with her youngest daughter and enjoys visiting the local pagoda during the day. In the evening, she likes to cook for her grandchildren. Several years ago, Serey developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her poor vision, loss of depth perception, and an inability to recognize the faces of her family. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, so it is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on her own. When Serey learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On November 11th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, Serey needs help to fund this $263 procedure. Serey says, "I hope that after this operation, I can go outside again and plant rice to help my family."

Prudence is 32 years old and a mother of two children from Uganda. Her husband is a boda-boda motorcycle taxi rider, while Prudence manages their home and cares for their children. Prudence is currently expecting her third child and 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, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Prudence undergo a C-Section on November 4th. This procedure will cost $214, and Prudence needs your support. Prudence says, "I kindly request to be helped so that I may get the surgery that has been recommended so that me and my baby can be safe."

Isaac is a 4-year-old boy from Colombia who lives with his grandmother. He enjoys the simple things in life - hugs, songs, and games. Despite his young age, his grandmother shared that he has taught his family the true meaning of strength, love, and courage, inspiring everyone who knows him and always lighting up every room he enters! Isaac dreams of becoming a doctor in the future. Since the age of 3, Isaac has had early childhood caries, a dental condition that has required special attention. Recently, Isaac was taken to a plastic surgery consultation to be evaluated by a specialist because he suffers from lambdoid craniosynostosis. After the evaluation, the specialist referred him to the pediatric dentistry service for a comprehensive assessment of his cavities to provide the appropriate treatment and improve his quality of life. Isaac needs to undergo surgery for severe tooth decay. Our medical partner, Clínica Noel, is helping him undergo treatment on August 22nd. Clínica Noel is requesting $868 to fund the cost of Isaac's treatment. Isaac's grandmother said, "I don't know if I will ever find the right words to express what your gesture means to us. Helping my grandson at this crucial moment in his life by donating the resources for his surgery is an act that transcends generosity: it is an act of pure and selfless love. Amidst the worry and fear I have felt as a grandmother, you have brought light, hope, and strength. Thanks to your help, my grandson will have the opportunity to heal, to continue smiling, to continue growing. You have not only provided us with a medical solution, you have given us peace of mind, faith, and the certainty that we are not alone in this battle. We will always remember your name, your kindness, and this moment that will remain engraved in our family history as a true miracle. I pray that God will bless you abundantly, that He will reward you with health, joy, and everything your heart desires. You have not only changed my grandson's life, you have transformed ours forever. For that, we will be eternally grateful."

Koemsreang is a 22-year-old man from Cambodia. He lives with his grandmother, older brother, sister-in-law, and five-year-old niece in Kampong Thom province. His older brother works in construction while his sister-in-law sells fish at the market every morning. Koemsreang used to work in construction but has not been able to work since his accident. In December 2021, Koemsreang was involved in a collision with another motorbike resulting in him falling off his bike and fracturing his left leg. After the accident, he was taken to a public hospital in Phnom Penh where he underwent surgery and had hardware inserted to stabilize the fracture. He has not been able to work since his fracture. Now, the leg has healed, but the hardware still gives him pain and his leg is weak. He would like the hardware removed so he can work harder on strengthening his leg and find another job. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On December 17th, Koemsreang will undergo a hardware removal procedure which will help eliminate the discomfort caused by the hardware and continue the rehabilitation of his leg. Koemsreang's family can contribute $100 but needs help to raise $204 more to fund Koemsreang's treatment and care. Koemsreang said, "I hope after the metal is gone, I will be able to walk and run normally again. I want to work to help my family."

Tricia is a three-month-old baby girl from Kenya who lives with her single father. When she was in 6th grade, Tricia’s mother had to drop out of school because her parents could not afford her school fees. Her younger siblings also faced the same fate, which forced Tricia’s mother to be responsible at a young age. Back at their ancestral home, she is the breadwinner. She has a small kiosk where she makes and sells tea and mandazi. Now that she has not been working for some time, the family is struggling to make ends meet. More than one month ago, Tricia started to have fevers. She was not feeding well, and whenever she did, she vomited. After a few days, her mother noticed that her head was also increasing in size. Tricia has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of her condition, Tricia has been experiencing an increasing head circumference. Without treatment, Tricia will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Tricia's mother had faced many challenges getting treatment for her daughter. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, can help. Tricia will undergo a shunt insertion surgery on October 7th. This procedure will drain the excess fluid from Tricia's brain and reduce intracranial pressure. With proper treatment and care, Tricia will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. Tricia needs your help to raise $719 for this procedure. Tricia’s mother says, “My family is really looking forward to Tricia’s treatment because when she gets well, I will go back and help provide for them.”

Negaso is a young boy from Ethiopia. He is the third child of his parents. He loves playing football with his friends and wants to attend school. He loves the spinach his mother makes. When he was only one day old, he underwent a emergency colostomy in Butajira Hospital as he was born with a birth condition that leads to intestinal blockage. His mother has a small vegetable business on the streets. At the same time, his father is a daily laborer, and their income is minimal. Negaso wants to go to school and cries when he sees other students go to school by school bus in the morning. His family can't send him to school since he has a colostomy, and they haven't been able to get him the necessary follow-up treatment for his condition. He needs to undergo a series of procedures to eliminate bowel dysfunction. Negaso is now scheduled to undergo surgery to heal his condition on January 4th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, requests $1,500 to cover Negaso's procedure and care. After his recovery, Negaso will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing severe health complications in the future. His mother said, "I worry that kids would touch his colostomy while I keep him on the street market with me."

14-year-old Rosemary lives with her parents in a mining town high in the mountains of central Bolivia. Her father is a farmer, and her mother is a homemaker. Rosemary is in the ninth grade and especially enjoys studying chemistry; she hopes to become a scientist one day. Rosemary was born with a cardiac condition called atrial septal defect, in which a large hole exists between the two upper chambers of her heart. Blood leaks through this hole without circulating properly through her body, leaving her weak and short of breath. Fortunately, our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, can help. On November 8th, Rosemary will undergo heart surgery at Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría, during which doctors will sew a patch over the hole, so that blood can no longer leak through it. Once she has recovered, Rosemary should be able to live the life of a healthy 14-year-old. Now her family needs your help to raise $1,500 for her procedure. Rosemary said: "I am very excited to go back to my school and my friends after surgery with a normal heart."

Luana is the only child of her mother and father. Her mother is a college student hoping to become a doctor, and her father is a market vendor. They live in the Amazon basin of northeastern Bolivia. Luana was born with a condition called ventricular septal defect, in which a hole exists between the two lower chambers of her heart; blood leaks through this hole without passing through her lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving her weak and short of breath. Luana also has Down syndrome. Our partner International Cardiac Alliance is requesting $1,500 to fund cardiac surgery which will help her to grow up healthy and active. Luana's mother shares, "We are so grateful that the hospital selected our daughter to have surgery, and we are praying everything will go well!"

Praise is a 9 years old girl from Kenya. She is the second-born in a family of three siblings. She is in grade four in a public primary school within the locality. Her mother is the third born in a family of five children. She said that she left school in class eight, didn’t proceed for secondary education due to financial instability in the family. Her dad also left primary school for the same reason. Her mother has a small kiosk within the outskirts of Maua town in Meru County where she sells all kinds of foodstuff. The income from the kiosk helps to pay school fees for her children. Her father is a bodaboda taxi operator within the town and he supports his family with whatever he gets. They live in a rented two-roomed timber house. The parents migrated from rural to urban areas for better living standards. They left a piece of land but still go to the farm where they plant maize and beans for home use. Priase's condition started months ago as a small mass on her head which kept increasing in size. She was taken to Nyambene sub-county hospital where she was referred to Maua Methodist hospital. In our partner facility, she presented with a midline scalp mass for the past four years. She was sent to a Imaging Centre in Meru Town for a scan which gave the surgeon a plan for the surgery. The treatment is curative, and failure to treat it will continue to be symptomatic and may indicate malignancy. During the interview, her mother said she has been frustrated by national health insurance fund, which she thought could help but will not cover the cost of this treatment. On November 30, surgeons will remove the mass. Now, Praise and her family need help to raise $529 to fund this procedure. Praise mother says, "Kindly help my daughter to undergo the treatment."