Elsa is a cheerful two-year-old girl from Tanzania. Her bright smile easily draws people to her. Elsa is naturally curious and loves to follow her mother around, trying to copy simple chores and play with whatever she can reach. When Elsa was younger, she suffered a burn injury on her left arm, face, and body. Although the wound eventually healed, it left behind tight scar tissue around her elbow. As she grew, the scar tightened further and developed into a contracture, preventing her from fully bending and straightening her arm. This limitation now affects many of her daily activities, from feeding herself and holding toys to supporting herself properly while playing. Simple childhood actions that should come naturally require extra effort. Her parents first tried local treatment options, but they did not have access to specialized reconstructive care. With limited income and many competing household needs, traveling for advanced treatment was not easy. They continued to hope for a solution as they watched Elsa adapt to her limitation, even though it slowed her development compared to other children her age. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Elsa receive treatment. On February 17th, surgeons at their care center will perform contracture release surgery and a skin graft to restore movement in her elbow. This procedure will free the tight scar tissue and allow her arm to move more normally, followed by therapy to rebuild strength and flexibility. With successful treatment and rehabilitation, she is expected to regain functional use of her arm and participate more fully in play, learning, and self-care as she grows. Her family is deeply hopeful that this intervention will give her the freedom to use her arm without restriction. Now, she needs help to fund this $832 procedure. Elsa's mother says, “She cannot fully bend and straighten her arm, making it hard to feed herself and play.”

Kaung is a six-year-old boy from Burma. He lives with his mother, older sister, and younger brother in Phop Prah District, Tak Province, Thailand. In January 2025, they left their home in Bago Division, Burma, to escape the violence around their village due to the civil war and in search of better job opportunities. Since the family moved to Thailand, Kaung’s mother has been unable to register Kaung for school. However, in May 2026, he will resume his education in grade 1. Kaung’s older sister is a homemaker, and his younger brother is too young to go to school. Kaung’s mother is an agricultural day labourer, but work is not always available. Kaung and his family live in a raised bamboo house and need to climb up a ladder at the entrance to enter their home. On the 20th of March 2026, Kaung was at the top of the ladder, taking in laundry that was drying outside, when he fell backwards onto the stones on the ground below. He fell on his right side and reached his arm out during the fall. He began to cry, and his mother found him on the ground in severe pain, with massive swelling around his elbow. She called their neighbours who could speak Thai, and together they brought Kaung to a local clinic. He was referred to a bigger hospital, where an X-ray revealed he had fractured his elbow and needed surgery. Kaung is in constant pain, affecting his sleep and ability to perform daily tasks, such as eating and dressing himself. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Kaung will undergo surgery to reset his fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for April 3rd and will cost $1,500. This procedure will help Kaung to grab things and eat properly again. He will no longer be in pain after surgery. Kaung's mother said, “When the hospital talked about money, my son started to cry, because he knew that I could not afford his treatment. He is a good boy for the family and understands our situation. He told me that he did not want to receive treatment so we wouldn’t have to borrow money.”

Emma is an eight-month-old baby girl from Bolivia. She lives with her mother, who is a cosmetologist; her father, who works in aluminum manufacturing; and her older brother. Emma has a cardiac condition called atrioventricular canal defect. A large hole exists in the center of Emma's heart, causing blood from all four of the heart's chambers to mix together without circulating properly to deliver oxygen to the body. This causes the heart to work too hard, and makes it difficult for her to grow and to have enough energy. On February 24th, Emma will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, doctors will use patches to close the hole in the center of her heart so that blood flows normally through the chambers. Emma'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. Emma's mother shared, "I'm grateful to all the doctors and staff at this hospital, and I trust my child's surgery will go perfectly."

Samen is a 59-year-old woman from Kampong Thom province, Cambodia. She lives with her second child, a grocery seller. Her husband passed away six years ago. Her other children are married and live in nearby villages. In her free time, Samen enjoys listening to monks' sermons and planting vegetables around her home. For the past ten years, Samen has been suffering from left hip avascular necrosis, a condition in which the blood supply to the femoral head is disrupted, leading to bone damage. Over the years, she has undergone several surgeries, including a left hip replacement. Unfortunately, she continues to experience a chronic infection of the hip prosthesis, which causes persistent pain and increasing difficulty with sitting and walking for long periods. Over the past week, her condition has worsened, making daily activities even more challenging. After first seeking care locally, Samen learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, through friends in her village and traveled three hours to reach the hospital. On February 3rd, she will undergo an uncemented hip replacement surgery on her left hip. Samen can contribute $100 and needs support to cover the remaining $1,400 for her procedure and care. Samen said, “After the surgery, I hope that I will no longer have pain and be able to walk properly, so I can go to the pagoda by myself easily.”

Yunus, who is 21 months old, is a happy, friendly little boy, who loves to play with his older brother, and with whatever he finds. Yunus lives with his mother, father, and brother in Ethiopia. While his mother lovingly manages their household, his father tirelessly works as an electrician to provide for the family. The family has faced many problems since Yunus was born. When the city built a new corridor, his father lost his shop, which made it difficult for him to earn enough money to support his family. Yunus was born with hypospadias, a condition that causes urinary dysfunction. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms, and will be at risk of future complications. Fortunately, Yunus is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on December 30th, at BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,293 to cover the cost of his procedure and care. Yunus's mother emotionally said: "I want my child to be as healthy as all the other children. From the depths of my heart, thank you so much for your support."

Charles is a 15-year-old boy from Kenya. He is in the seventh grade and dreams of becoming a teacher in the future. He loves going to church, where he serves as a Sunday school teacher, and enjoys playing football and dancing during his free time. He lives with his single mother, who did all that she could to help her son. Charles was born with a clubfoot on his right leg. His foot curved inward, making walking painful and difficult. “I can’t go anywhere without the special shoe my mom bought from a local cobbler,” Charles shared shyly. His mother added, “To find proper care, we’d have to travel almost 300 miles. It became too expensive, so we stopped going.” Even with all the challenges, Charles shone in school. His intelligence and determination caught the attention of a kind stranger who decided to pay for his education. Charles said, “Some people look at me and just nod their heads and walk away. I feel bad when they do that." Fortunately, Charles traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on November 27th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,286 to fund Charles's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk easily, wear shoes, and continue with his studies uninterrupted. “As a mother, I am really looking forward to seeing my son get better and walk like other children. It has been a long journey, but I believe God will make a way for him to live a normal and happy life,” Charles's mother shared warmly.

Lucia is an eight-year-old student from a small town in the eastern part of Bolivia. She lives with her mom, who works as a clerk in the mayor's office. When Lucia was a baby, she was diagnosed with aortic stenosis—a cardiac condition that occurs when one of the valves in the heart is too narrow. At six months old, she underwent a cardiac catheterization that improved her health for many years. More recently, Lucia began to suffer from dizziness and headaches, and was having trouble gaining weight. As a result, doctors decided she needed surgery to permanently fix her condition. On November 19th, Lucia will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, surgeons will reconstruct the valve so that it opens to a more normal size. Lucia'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. Lucia's mother says, "I jumped for happiness when I heard the doctors can help my child with surgery. I look forward to seeing my daughter healthy after her heart is fixed!"

Daniel is a 50-year-old father of four children. He lives his wife and children, working as a farmer to provide for his family. About 20 years ago, Daniel began experiencing fever and excessive sweating. When he sought medical treatment, he was diagnosed with brucellosis, a bacterial infection often spread through direct contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products. He was started on a course of medication that eventually helped him recover. However, as time passed by, his wife noticed that whenever she spoke to him, it seemed like he was ignoring her. Unbeknownst to them, Daniel was gradually losing his hearing. Upon returning to the hospital, doctors confirmed that the hearing loss was a side effect of the medication he had taken. Since then, Daniel has struggled to hear the people and sounds around him. Despite visiting various health facilities over the years, no treatment was able to restore his hearing. Doctors have recommended the fitting of hearing aids to aid in Daniel's treatment, but unfortunately the cost far beyond his means. Social interactions have become challenging for him, as he often has to ask people to repeat themselves multiple times before he can follow conversations. This has made him feel like a burden, leading him to withdraw and remain quiet. In September 2025, Daniel was referred to our medical partner's care center, AIC Kijabe Hospital. Tests confirmed the diagnosis he received 21 years ago - hearing aids are his only hope for improving his hearing. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Daniel receive treatment. On October 2nd, he is scheduled to be fitted with hearing aids, which will greatly improve his communication, restore his confidence, and help him feel connected to his community once again. Now, Daniel needs help to fund this $1,171 procedure. Daniel says, “Sometimes people think I’m ignoring them, but the truth is, I just can’t hear them. I truly wish I could hear clearly again.”