Zakaliya is 53 years old, married with five children. from Malawi. He used to work as a machine operator in one of the brick molding companies around the industrial area, but he had to stop working due to his current health condition. He now engages in farming to support his family. Fourteen years ago, Zakaliya started experiencing a swelling in his left inguinal region. He has visited several hospitals, but has not received the surgery he needs. An inguinal hernia is a condition in which soft tissue protrudes through a weak point in the abdominal wall, causing pain, especially during strenuous activities such as farming. If left untreated, it may lead to serious incarceration and strangulation. Zakaliya is very optimistic that surgery will help him change his life for the better and enable him to resume his work as a machine operator. Fortunately, on January 13th, Zakalilya will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $575 to fund Zakaliya's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Zakaliya shared, "The pains and discomforts I experience have taken all my peace of mind; I am very positive that your surgery support will bring back my joy."

Ananiya is nine years old and a second-grade student from Ethiopia. His mother is a homemaker, caring for him and his brother. His father works tirelessly in various labor roles, serving as the sole provider for the family. When he was two years old, Ananiya started to experience snoring, fevers, and struggling to breathe. He is a naturally joyful boy, but the onset of pain often triggers mood swings that confuse his peers. Because his parents cannot afford the surgery he so desperately needs, they have had to turn to traditional herbal treatments to try and ease his suffering. These persistent infections and high fevers do more than just disrupt his education; they place an immense financial and emotional strain on the family. His father’s modest wages are increasingly consumed by medical costs, leaving the family in a vulnerable struggle to balance urgent healthcare with their basic survival and the future of both children. Ananiya was diagnosed with enlarged tonsils, which, if not treated, will cause his symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $700 to fund a tonsillectomy for Ananiya, scheduled to take place on December 20th. Surgeons will remove his tonsils, hopefully relieving Ananiya of his symptoms and helping him live more comfortably. Ananiya's mother shared, "We hope for a permanent end to our son's suffering. We dream of a future where he is finally free from this constant pain and no longer has to miss school. Our only wish is to see him healthy and happy every day."

Glen is a four-year-old boy from Kenya. Glen’s father was recently employed as a city council member, while his mother does casual work in restaurants from time to time. Their combined income is barely enough to meet their basic needs. Just three months after birth, Glen’s father noticed a bulge near Glen’s belly button, which raised concerns that something might be wrong. The family immediately opted to take him to a nearby medical facility, but no diagnosis was given. When Glen turned two, the swelling started to cause him pain. He was given painkillers and was told he needed to wait until he was older to receive surgery. Glen's family finally sought help at our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital. He was diagnosed with an umbilical hernia and needs surgery to address his symptoms. Fortunately, on November 27th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $585 to fund Glen's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. “We have watched Glen struggle with pain for so long, and it breaks our hearts knowing there is a solution we cannot afford. All we want is for our son to get this surgery and grow up healthy, without the constant worry of what might happen if the hernia gets worse,” says Glen’s father.

Evelyne is a 50-year-old woman and a mother of two from Uganda. She engages in small-scale farming to support her family. Ten years ago, Evalyne's husband noticed a swelling on her neck. The swelling increased and was accompanied by other symptoms, including pain and breathlessness. She visited several health facilities, but did not receive any help. Evalyne was diagnosed with a goiter and needs a thyroidectomy. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Evelyne receive treatment. On November 6th, she is scheduled to undergo surgery, where surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $333, and she and her family need help raising money. Evalyne says, "I hope the surgery treatment will stop complications from setting in, and I will be able to perform my day-to-day activities, and I hope to live comfortably for the rest of my life span."

Phyu is a 35-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her husband and her daughter in Mae Sot District, Tak Province, Thailand. She is a teacher, while her husband looks after their daughter at home. In her free time, she plays with her daughter and cleans her house. In early January 2025, she noticed a small mass in her right breast. By October, the mass grew bigger, prompting her to seek medical care. She underwent a biopsy, which revealed she has early-stage breast cancer. Doctors recommend she undergo surgery to remove the mass, which will help prevent the cancer from spreading. Phyu sought treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund. She is scheduled to undergo mass removal surgery on January 20th. She is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Phyu said, "I am worried and want to receive surgery as soon as possible. I would like to say thank you to donors and BCMF for supporting my treatment cost while I cannot do it by myself."

Neath is an 18-year-old high school student from Cambodia. She lives in Kampot province with her parents and siblings. She has a large family, with seven siblings, grandparents, and in-laws that live nearby and visit often. To support the family, her father works as a security guard, and her mother is a rice farmer. In her free time, Neath likes reading and painting. She would like to pursue a career in the fine arts or another creative field after graduating from high school. When she was three years old, Neath had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the eardrum, in both ears to perforate. For this reason, Neath experiences pain in her ears, recurrent discharge, hearing loss, and tinnitus. This makes it difficult to understand the lessons in her classes, leading to poor concentration and fatigue. She also finds it challenging to communicate with her friends and family. On September 10th, with the help of our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, Neath will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in both ears. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforations. Her family can contribute $100 but needs help to raise $382 more to fund Neath's procedure and care. Neath's mother shared, "I hope that she has surgery to improve her hearing, and she can focus on her schoolwork."

Srey Pich is a two-year-old girl from Cambodia. She lives in Takeo province with her 17-year-old sister and parents. Her mother works in a shoe factory, and her father works in a cigarette factory in the province. Srey Pich is not old enough to attend school, so she stays home with relatives while her parents work. She likes to play with other children in the village, watch cartoons, and enjoys her mother's fish soup with fresh vegetables. Srey Pich was born with polydactyly of both of her feet. This means that she has six toes on each foot. Her older sister has the same syndrome, but her mother had not sought care for either child until she heard about Children's Surgical Centre from a colleague and its supported care for children. It is difficult for Srey Pich to wear her favorite shoes, and her mother worries that she might get teased by other children when she starts school. Her older sister experienced teasing when she started school. Fortunately, on July 9th, surgeons will perform a polydactyly repair procedure to remove the extra digit. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $379 to fund this procedure. After surgery, She will be able to wear shoes when necessary and be confident when she starts school. Srey Pich's mother says: "I hope that after this surgery, my daughter can wear shoes and her feet will look like other children's."

Benjamin is a seven-month-old baby boy from Bolivia. He is his parents' first child. His mom is studying to become a speech therapist, and his dad works in a call center. Benjamin was born with a heart condition called coarctation of the aorta. His aorta has a passage that is much narrower than normal, causing blood to back up and placing strain on his heart. On November 25th, he 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. Benjamin'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. Benjamin's mother shared, "I'm grateful that the children's hospital has these kinds of surgeries so that the doctors can help him here."

Naw is a 39-year-old woman from Burma. She lives in the dormitory together with other students in one of the migrant schools in Tak Province, Thailand. She applied to be a teacher at the school for this school year. In March 2025, Naw started to experience frequent urination and low back pain, causing her to struggle to sit for long periods. She also feels stressed about both her condition and the cost of treatment. She has been diagnosed with multiple myomas and was advised to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy, the surgical removal of her uterus and cervix. If left untreated, Naw's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. Fortunately, Naw is scheduled to undergo her hysterectomy on June 6th. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Once recovered, she should be able to live more comfortably. Naw expressed her gratitude, saying, “Thank you to the donors and BCMF for helping to cover my surgery costs. I plan to be a teacher after I am fully recovered, as teaching is my favorite thing to do.”

Myo is a 51-year-old man from Burma. He lives with his wife, four children, and father-in-law in a refugee camp in Thailand. His wife is a homemaker, his father-in-law, who is retired, and his children. Myo is a teacher in the refugee camp. For the past five years, Myo has had a right inguinal hernia. This hernia causes him pain, a burning sensation, and aching in his right groin. Due to the pain and discomfort he experiences, he cannot focus when he teaches. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1468 to fund Myo's hernia repair surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on October 9th and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. Myo said, “I would like my discomfort to disappear, and I would like to be able to work properly. I am hoping that my condition will be resolved after surgery.”