Stacy is a 10-year-old girl from Kenya. Since she was young, Stacy has grown up living in a children's home because neither of her parents is in her life. She shared that it was hard when she first arrived, but eventually Stacy started opening up and finding joy in the small moments, playing with her friends, and even enrolling in school. Currently in Grade 3, life has been a journey that has had lots of ups and downs. For years, Stacy has had an umbilical hernia, which is a tissue bulge in the belly button area, occurring due to a weak spot in the abdominal wall. Stacy has been experiencing on-and-off pain at the site and was on pain medication, which did not provide lasting relief. One day, the home management came across information online about our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital (BKKH). After a call to BKKH, Stacy was brought to the hospital, where she underwent a series of tests. Stacy's diagnosis was confirmed, and she has now been scheduled for hernia repair surgery on August 10th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Stacy receive treatment. The procedure will cost $585, and once completed, Stacy will live a healthier life, free from her painful symptoms. Stacy says, "I have had to stay back many times as my friends went to school because of the pain. I hope that after surgery, I won't have to skip school anymore."

Flor is a three-year-old girl from Bolivia. She lives with her mother, who helps her with physical therapy every day so that she will be able to learn to walk despite having cerebral palsy. Flor has a cardiac condition called a ventricular septal defect. A hole exists between the two lower chambers of her heart. Blood leaks through this hole instead of circulating normally, leaving her weak and short of breath. When she was a baby, she had heart surgery to stabilize her heart with a pulmonary artery band until the hole in her heart could more safely be closed. Now that she is older, she is ready for a second surgery to remove the band and completely repair her heart defect. On September 30th, Flor will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, surgeons will sew a patch over the hole in Flor's heart, so that blood will no longer leak through it. Flor's family needs help to fund the costs of cardiac care and surgery. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, requests $1,500 to help cover the cost of cardiac exams and diagnostics, surgical costs, follow-up care, and medications. Flor's mother said, "I'm glad my daughter can have her heart surgery now. We have been waiting a long time for her to be completely healthy, but I'm grateful, and I pray that all goes well!"

Kanha is a four-year-old girl from Cambodia. She is the middle of three children and lives with her parents and two brothers in Kompong Thom Province. Her father repairs cars, while her mother sells groceries. Her older brother is 8 years old, and her younger brother is 12 months old. She enjoys eating fried pork and chicken and spending time playing with her toys. About five months ago, Kanha suffered extensive burns to both feet in a house fire. She was initially treated at a governmental hospital before being referred to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), for continued care of the burn scars and resulting contractures. Severe burn scar contractures have developed on both feet, restricting their movement and previously making it difficult for her to walk. The tight scars have affected the position and function of her feet and make it difficult to wear shoes. On September 15th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help release the tight scars and support better positioning of both feet, making it easier for her to move and walk as she continues to recover. Now, she needs help to fund this $652 procedure. Kanha's mother said, “I hope this surgery will help my daughter’s feet heal in a better position and make it easier for her to walk. She is still very young, and I want her to be able to move freely, play with other children, and grow up without being limited by her injuries.”

Aliza is a nine-year-old student from Cambodia. She is from Takeo province, where she lives with her parents and two older siblings. Her father works in construction, and her mother is employed at a clothing factory to support the family. Aliza is in 4th grade, and her favorite subject is Khmer. In her free time, she likes doing homework and helping her mother cook. When Aliza was two years old, she accidentally touched a hot pan, burning her right hand. The burn caused thickened scar tissue on her index finger, which prevents her from straightening it fully and using her hand for every day activities, including writing. She also feels shy about the way it looks, especially around other children. When Aliza learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On October 8th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to release the burn contracture to help her straighten her finger again and restore its normal appearance and function. Now, she needs help to fund this $652 procedure. Aliza's grandmother said: "After the surgery I hope that my granddaughter will be able to focus more on school and stop worrying so much."

Gift is nine years old and a fifth grader from Kenya. She is the third born in a family of four. She loves playing, singing, and dreams of becoming a doctor one day. Gift was only two years old when her legs first started curving outward. As the severity of her condition became clearer, her father began a desperate search for answers. He took her from one hospital to another, hoping someone would explain what was happening. But every visit ended the same; doctors could not identify the cause or offer a solution. “At that time, I didn’t know how bad it could become,” her father said. Mbithi said. The hospital trips drained not only the family’s hope but also their finances. After many consultations, he was finally told that surgery was needed. Even though he wanted the best for his daughter, the cost of the treatment was far beyond what he could afford. Gift was diagnosed with genu varus, a misalignment of her knees, affecting the position of her legs and feet. As she grew older, her legs worsened, and every step became painful. Walking to school was a struggle, and sometimes her friends would run ahead, leaving her behind in tears. “It was heartbreaking to see Gift walking like that,” her father shared. Hope finally came when a friend told him about our medical partner's care center, AIC CURE International Hospital. There, Gift underwent surgery to correct her right leg, and the results brought great relief to her family. She is now back at the hospital for another surgery to correct her left leg, bringing her one step closer to walking without pain and living the life she dreams of. Gift is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on December 5th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,224 to cover the cost of Gift's procedure and care. Gift's father shared, “My prayer is that she gets well and has her legs straightened so she can live a normal life. After treatment, I hope she will continue with school and achieve her dreams in the future.”

Sokuntheary is 14 years old and an eighth-grade student from Pursat Province, Cambodia. She is the youngest of two siblings and has one older brother who is currently unemployed. After her parents divorced when she was just one year old, Sokuntheary has been living with her aunt, who works as a farmer. She enjoys studying literature, which is her favorite subject at school, and she hopes to become a teacher in the future. In her free time, she likes to read books and help with housework. Her favorite food is spicy stir-fried chicken. Sokuntheary was born with scoliosis, a condition in which the spine curves abnormally to one side, often resembling a "C" or "S" shape. As she has grown, her spinal curve has worsened, bending toward the right side. This condition often causes her pain and makes it difficult for her to sit for long periods. As a result, she struggles to concentrate in class when the teacher is speaking and worries about being teased by her classmates because of her appearance. Additionally, she experiences difficulty walking, which impacts her daily life. In the past, Sokuntheary had never sought hospital treatment because her family could not afford it. However, a relative informed her aunt about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). They traveled four hours to attend a consultation. On August 11th, surgeons at CSC will implant a metal "growing rod" into her spine to help correct the curve and allow for further spine growth. CSC is requesting $1,500 to cover the costs of her surgery, the implant, and post-operative care, including physiotherapy. Once she recovers, her spine will be straighter, her pain will be reduced, and she should be able to participate fully in school and everyday activities without fear or discomfort. Sokuntheary's aunt said: "After the surgery, I hope that Sokuntheary will no longer have any pain so that she can do a good job at school and focus on her studies."

Lissa is a beautiful and brave 3-year-old girl from Tanzania. Her smile lights up every room she enters. She is the firstborn in a family of two children, and her parents describe her as curious, playful, and incredibly sharp for her age. Lissa already attends preschool, where she enjoys singing, drawing, and interacting with other children. Her father, a hardworking Bajaji tricycle driver, is deeply devoted to his daughter. Lissa was diagnosed with bilateral varus; her legs bend outward at the knee so that they do not touch. Several factors could cause this condition, such as growth disorders, vitamin deficiencies, or excessive fluoride found in contaminated drinking water. As a result, the knees can be angled inwards or outwards, making it difficult to walk and may cause long-term joint damage. She has difficulty walking for long distances. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $810 to fund treatment for Lissa. The procedure is scheduled to take place on December 5th at our medical partner's care center, Kafika House. Treatment will hopefully improve Lissa's mobility, allow her to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease her risk of future complications. Lissa's father dreams of seeing his daughter walk freely and confidently, without pain or difficulty, especially as she grows older and continues with school. He said, "I often imagine Lissa running around without complaint of pain and discomfort, just like other children her age."

Grace is a six-month-old baby girl who lives with her parents in Kenya. Though Grace has experienced her share of health challenges, she is a joyful baby whose laughter lightens her parents' burdens. Her father works as a delivery driver, while her mother cares for Grace full-time. Grace's symptoms were first noticed on her mother's third-trimester pregnancy scan. Shortly after birth, Grace was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. Complications during pregnancy also led to feeding issues once Grace was born, and she had to be kept under observation until she could have shunt insertion surgery at three weeks old. Following the surgery, Grace contracted meningitis, which further delayed her recovery and hospital discharge. A few weeks later, Grace’s mother noticed her head increasing in size at an alarming rate and brought her back to BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital, our partner's medical care center. Doctors discovered that the shunt had malfunctioned, and Grace is now scheduled for another shunt insertion surgery. However, Grace's prior treatments have depleted the family's medical insurance for the year. Without timely treatment, Grace will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $719 to cover the cost of surgery for Grace that will treat her hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on November 24th and will drain the excess fluid from Grace's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Grace will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. Grace's mother says, “My only wish is to see my daughter’s head stop increasing in size. I would be truly happy if she didn’t have to undergo another surgery, because it breaks my heart every time.”

Ana María is a five-year-old intelligent student from Colombia. She has many friends and enjoys playing with them, and also spending time with her family. For about a year now, Ana María has had umbilical hernia, a condition in which a small portion of abdominal tissue protrudes through the navel. The condition has been causing her swelling and discomfort in the navel area, especially when she's coughing or involved in physical activities. A surgical procedure has been recommended to treat the condition and prevent possible future complications. Fortunately, our medical partner, Clínica Noel, is helping Ana María receive treatment. On October 17th, she will undergo hernia repair surgery to alleviate her symptoms and improve her health. Now, Anna María's family needs help to fund this $786 procedure. Ana María's mother says: "I wish to express my deepest gratitude to everyone supporting my daughter's treatment. May God bless you and reward you for this noble gesture. As Ana's mother, I cannot thank you enough; there is no way to repay what you are doing for us, but I will always carry your help and solidarity in my heart. Thank you so much!"

Liza is a ten-year-old student from Cambodia. She is from Battambang province and is the middle child of three siblings. Her 15-year-old brother dropped out of school last year and now works as a cleaner. Her younger sister, who is eight, is in grade three. Liza's parents divorced two years ago, and she currently lives with her mother, who sells groceries to support the family. Liza is in grade five, and her favorite subject is Khmer history. She dreams of becoming a nurse when she grows up. In her free time, she enjoys playing outdoor games with her friends in the village. Her favorite dish is lemongrass sour soup. When she was four years old, Liza was shocked by electricity on her left hand. The injury caused a wound on her palm and her 4th finger. Her parents could not afford care at the provincial clinic, and visited a Khmer traditional healer for care. Subsequently, she developed a contracture in her hand and finger. The contracture makes it difficult for her to grasp objects. She feels embarrassed and ashamed about the appearance of her hand. Liza traveled five hours to reach our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. On September 5th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to remove the contracture in her finger, making it easier to hold objects and give her confidence to use her hand without feeling shy about her appearance. Now, she needs help to fund this $652 procedure. Liza's mother said: "I hope that my daughter's finger can look like the other children, and she can use her hand well."