Eyob is a cheerful and playful three-year-old boy from Ethiopia. His joyful personality brightens everyone around him. He loves playing with his toy cars, pretending that chairs are cars and that he is the driver, and watching animated movies. Eyob lives with his mother, aunts, and maternal uncle in a supportive family environment. His mother is a single parent who works part-time as a cleaner to support the family. Eyob was born with hypospadias, a condition that may cause urinary dysfunction and infections. When Eyob was two years old, he became seriously ill with a high fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. During his evaluation at a private clinic, doctors explained to his mother that surgical treatment was necessary. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and will be at risk of future complications. Fortunately, with the help of our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, Eyob is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on August 14th. His family needs help raising $1,293 to cover the cost of his procedure and care. Eyob's mother shared, "Thank you so much for giving my son this opportunity. Your kindness has brought hope to our family. May God bless you abundantly and reward you for changing our lives."

Dah is a 29-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her husband and son in a refugee camp in Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand. Originally from Karen State, Burma, they fled to the refugee camp due to armed conflict in their village in 2023. Her husband is a day labourer outside of the refugee camp, while she is a homemaker and looks after her young son. During her free time, she enjoys cleaning her house and cooking nice meals. In the future, she hopes to return to her village with her family and resume farming. Dah is pregnant, and her doctors recommend that she deliver via a cesarean section because of a high-risk pregnancy. This way, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is helping Dah undergo a C-Section on June 19th. This procedure will cost $1500, and Dah needs your support. Dah shared, “Here I cook, clean the house and take care of my family. I miss my village and my paddy farm, where I used to be a farmer. I hope to go back home.:

Akai is a four-year-old girl from Kenya. She is the third-born in a family of four children. Akai experiences misalignment of her legs, and due to financial challenges, she has not been able to receive treatment for her condition before. Akai's condition was not noticeable until she began walking. Her mother noticed her legs were bowed, which made it difficult for her to run and play comfortably, and has led to isolation from her peers. Her guardian shared that Akai is supposed to start school soon, but due to the stigmatization she has been facing, it might be difficult for her to do so until she receives treatment. Fortunately, Akai was able to connect with our medical partner's hospital for review and treatment. On May 21st, she will undergo surgery to correct her condition and improve her quality of life. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,224 to cover the cost of Akai's procedure and care. Akai's guardian said, "We will be grateful to see her walking like other children."

Hikma is a charming 20-month-old girl who lives with her parents and older brother in Ethiopia. Her parents were small-scale farmers until they were displaced due to war in their area. Now, her mother is a dedicated home maker, and her father works as a daily laborer. As with many other displaced families, it has been difficult for them to afford their daily necessities. Hikma was born with an anorectal malformation, a congenital condition that can lead to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. However, the symptoms were not obvious until she was around one year old. Her mother was deeply distressed by what she observed and immediately informed Hikma’s grandmother, who then began seeking for medical assistance. To avoid social stigma, however, the family tried to keep Hikma’s condition private. Eventually, the grandmother came across a Catholic missionary organization, which connected the family with a field coordinator of our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre (BKMCM). With the support of relatives and the Catholic missionaries, Hikma's family raised funds to travel to Addis Ababa. Upon arrival at the hospital, doctors explained that Hikma would need a series of surgeries to eliminate bowel dysfunction. The family was relieved and encouraged to hear that Hikma could be helped. Presently, Hikma has already undergone the first surgery, a colostomy creation, and recovered well. Now, Hikma needs support for her second surgery, which will occur on April 20th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Hikma's procedure and care. After her recovery, Hikma will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. Hikma’s mother said, “I would like to thank you sincerely for your support and the services you provided. Thank you again. I truly hope my child will grow up to be a wonderful woman.”

Edward is a 10-year-old student from Bolivia who lives with his mother, a homemaker, his father, a driver, and his 17-year-old sister. When Edward was little, his family noticed that he would turn purple when he cried and often became sick. He was diagnosed with a congenital heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) early in childhood and is only now getting the opportunity to have surgery. ToF is a combination of four heart conditions, including a hole between the two lower chambers of the heart, as well as a blockage that affects how blood flows out of the heart. As a result, Edward does not get enough oxygen, leaving him weak and short of breath. On March 25th, Edward will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During the procedure, doctors will close the hole in his heart and remove the blockage so that blood can flow more normally. Edward’s family needs $1,500 to help cover the cost of his care. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, will use these funds to pay for cardiac exams and diagnostics, surgery, follow-up care, and medications. Edward’s mother said, “My boy is a fighter—he wants to keep going to school and be healthy!”

Fabian is from Tanzania and the only child under the care of his guardian. His mother passed away when he was six months old, and he shared that he never knew his father. He was raised by his grandmother before moving in with his current guardian about four years ago. Fabian sustained a burn injury to his left-hand during childhood after falling into a fire during an epileptic episode. He does not recall the incident but has lived with the resulting contractures ever since. Due to epilepsy and social challenges, he never attended school and now supports himself through daily labor on farms. The condition causes pain, blistering, and difficulty gripping tools, limiting his ability to work effectively. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Fabian receive treatment. On February 6th, surgeons at their care center will perform contracture release surgery and skin graft to to enable him regain hand function, work without pain, and improve his independence and livelihood. Now, he needs help to fund this $832 procedure. Fabian says, “I cannot hold farming tools for long because my hand hurts and blisters, yet it is the only work I know.”

Rodas is a cheerful five-year-old boy from Ethiopia. He is passionate about drawing and enjoys playing football with his siblings and friends. He also enjoys studying and shows strong academic potential. His mother runs a small eatery, while his father serves as a full-time priest in the Orthodox Church. Despite their efforts, the family has faced significant economic challenges. Two years ago, they lost their home due to a government project and were forced to move into a rented house. Rodas’s parents learned of his medical condition a year ago when he fell ill with a high fever and gastritis. They took him to a clinic, where the doctor did a full exam and informed them that one of his testicles had not descended. His parents panicked and were confused about how they had missed this. The doctor assured them that surgery would correct it and referred them to a pediatric specialist. At the referral hospital, however, they found a long waiting list and were told the surgery could only be scheduled at least six months into the future. Feeling anxious and unable to afford private care, Rodas's father says, "We prayed and waited for God’s plan to unfold." Recently, they received a call informing them that Rodas had been referred to our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre (BKMCM). They were relieved and excited to go, grateful that their son could receive the care he needed. At the hospital, Rodas's diagnosis was confirmed as cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, he has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Rodas is receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on December 9th. AMH is requesting $754 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Rodas's father expressed, "I hope my child enjoys good health, and I pray that the surgery goes smoothly."