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."

Dah Si is a 23-year-old student from Burma. She lives with her parents in a village. She had to stop her education in 2021 due to COVID-19 lockdowns and later the military coup in her country. Now she assists her parents with household chores while her parents are farmers. During her free time, Dah Si enjoys playing with her niece and nephew, listening to music, and watching movies on her phone. Dah Si 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. She experiences difficulty breathing, chest pains, fatigue, a decreased appetite and a rapid heartbeat. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 for this complex surgery. The treatment is scheduled to take place at Kasemrad Prachachuen Hospital on November 21st and, once completed, will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably and have a more active and healthy life ahead. Dah Si mentioned, "when I see my friends having fun, playing, and exploring new places, I wish I could join them. But because of my condition, I just stay at home. Even at home, I sometimes feel tired and struggle to breathe. Knowing that BCMF and donors will support my treatment, I feel very happy. Thank you so much for your kindness and support."

Dinah is a 3-year-old girl from Kenya. She is the second born in a family of three children. Her family hails from the interior part of North Pokot. Our medical partner met Dinah, accompanied by her grandmother, at a mobile community clinic in Kacheliba. The grandmother has nine children and is raising Dinah. She is a farmer and a herder and shared that she separated from her husband after he married several wives. Dinah was left by her parents, who are pastoralists and migrated to a different region. Because of the deformity, she could not walk for long distances. Dinah has clubfoot of right foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Dinah and her grandmother visited our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on October 17th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,286 to fund Dinah's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will no longer be in pain and will be able to walk much more easily. “I am appealing for your support to help my grandchild undergo surgery so she can walk normally,” Dinah's Grandmother told us.

Mitchelle is the only child in her family and always loves being in the company of her mother. Mitchelle met Cure International at their Satellite clinic in Makindu, Kenya, accompanied by her mother, Evelyn, who is a housewife while her father works as a labourer in a company based in Nairobi. Mitchelle was born healthy, however at the age of 2 years, her mother noticed her knees bending towards each other, a condition they refer to as knock knees. She took Mitchelle to a nearby hospital where plaster casts were applied for 2 weeks to check whether the condition would correct, but the condition did not improve and instead deteriorated. Mitchelle is now scheduled to undergo orthopedic surgery to correct her leg deformity. The treatment will impact her because she will be able to walk well and continue her education like other children. Our medical partner African Mission Healthcare is requesting $1,224 to fund orthopedic surgery and care for Mitchelle so that she can grow up active and healthy. Mitchelle's mother said, "My hope and joy would be to see Mitchelle walking well, just like other children, and without any discomfort.”

Lay is a 29-year-old mother from Thailand. She lives with her husband, son, uncle, aunt and two cousins in a refugee camp. Originally from Karen State, Burma, they fled to the refugee camp in March 2023 due to airstrikes in their village. Lay is a homemaker; her husband, uncle and aunt are unemployed, while her son is in preschool. One of her cousins is a teacher, while the other one is a student. During her free time, Lay enjoys weaving Karen shirts and bags for her family, as well as occasionally to sell. She also enjoys raising chickens and pigs and foraging vegetables in the forest. Lay is currently expecting her second child. Her doctors recommend that she deliver via a caesarean section (C-section) because she gave birth previously through a C-section. This way, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF) is helping Lay undergo a C-section scheduled on August 11th. This procedure will cost $1,500, and Lay and BCMF are asking for your support to fund the surgery. Lay shared, "I want to stay in the refugee camp. If I have the opportunity to do so, I would love to be resettled in another country.”

Kennedy is a 28-year-old young man from Muchatha, Kimabu County in Kenya. He is the first born in a family of three children. His single mother has her own small business selling groceries. Kennedy just completed college and started working by riding a motorbike to earn money for his bus fare and to assist his mother in caring for the family. Unfortunately, on June 26th, as he was riding the motorcycle to pick up a customer, he was involved in a road traffic accident; he was hit by a vehicle and was hit on the right leg. He was brought to Nazareth Hospital and an x-ray showed an open fracture of the tibia on his right leg. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH) can help. On June 29th, Kennedy will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation so that he will be able resume his job of driving a motorcycle. Kennedy is able to contribute $148 to the surgery, and he needs help raising $1,049 to fully fund the procedure. Kennedy says, "This is not the way I thought of my life. I kindly plead for help so that I can undergo this treatment. I can’t wait to see myself able to work again and support my mom."

Meet Fernanda: an 11 year old who is in need of heart surgery. She lives with her parents and younger brother in La Paz, Bolivia. Her father works for a paper company, while her mother is an eldercare social worker. Fernanda was born with a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect. A hole exists between the two lower chambers of her heart, and blood leaks through this hole without passing through her lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving her weak and short of breath. She needs surgery to correct this condition. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is seeking $1,500 to fund Fernanda's cardiac surgery, which is scheduled for May 17th, at Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. After she has recovered from her surgery, Fernanda will be able to resume her schooling, and even to return to playing sports which she loves to do. Fernanda's mother said: "Our family has been waiting for this surgery for many years, and we are glad the opportunity has finally arrived!"

Ann is a 45-year-old woman from Kenya and a mother of four children aged between 23-27 years old. Her husband passed away in 1999. Her children have been unable to secure steady jobs, and Ann works as a casual laborer washing clothes to provide a living. However, she shared that her income is inconsistent, as it depends on the availability of work. She lives alone in a single room. Ann does not have medical coverage and is requesting assistance with her treatment costs. In April 2023, Ann slipped and fell on the road causing a fracture in her right wrist. She went to a local pharmacy for first aid and has since been using hot water and salt to treat the fracture due to a lack of medical coverage. However, her hand has continued to swell, and she is in chronic pain, making it challenging to use her right hand. A church member recommended Ann visit Kijabe Mission Hospital for review. Through church members’ contributions, Ann received an X-ray, and the doctor recommended she undergo surgery to treat the fracture. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On May 15th, Ann will undergo a fracture repair procedure called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will heal the broken bones and enable her to use her hand again. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $1,500 to fund this procedure. Ann says: “I can’t use my hand because it is broken. I am unable to work and sometimes sleep hungry because I depend on my hand to work and earn a living. I need the surgery to earn a livelihood.”