Farah is 53 years old and a father of eight from Ethiopia. He lives with his family in a refugee camp in Turkana after fleeing instability in search of safety. Despite difficult conditions, he has worked hard to support and care for his family. Last year, Farah fractured his left leg after slipping during heavy rains that flooded the camp. More recently, he was injured again while trying to avoid a motorbike, resulting in a fracture of his right leg. He is now in pain and unable to move freely, leaving him unable to care for his family. Fortunately, on April 17th, surgeons at our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, will perform surgery to repair his fracture. Farah is raising $1,500 to fund the procedure, which will relieve his pain and help him regain mobility. Farah said, “I am unable to walk, and even sitting for long is exhausting. I long to get better and be able to stand and walk again.”

Agness is 59 years old and a farmer from Malawi. She is married with nine children. Eighteen years ago, Agness began to experience troubling symptoms, including a small lump on her neck that grew bigger over time, causing problems with swallowing meals. She visited the nearest hospitals, where she was given some medications after the diagnosis of goiter was made, yet to no avail. With time, she couldn't carry heavy items on her head, concentrate on farm work, and was always tired. She was then referred to our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center (PIH), for support. Agness was diagnosed with a goiter, an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland. The thyroid is the gland located in front of your neck and produces thyroid hormones. These hormones are responsible for functions such as metabolism, growth, and other bodily functions. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Agness receive treatment. On March 10th, she will undergo a thyroidectomy, where surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $1,015, and she and her family need help raising money. "Words fail me; thank you in advance, you have space in heaven; your care has already given me hope that all will be well in the end," Agness said.

Nazly is a jovial three-year-old girl from Colombia with a smile that brightens the mood of those around her. Although she is still young, she understands the importance of caring for others and dreams of becoming a doctor in the future. Nazly also enjoys listening to music, and aspires to be a dancer too! About a year ago, Nazly was diagnosed multiple deep cavities. Since then, she has been under observation, but the progression of the condition has caused intense and persistent pain, inflammation, episodes of suppuration (presence of pus), and difficulty eating and sleeping. Doctors at our medical partner, Clinica Noel, have determined that Nazly needs to undergo a procedure under general anesthesia, to treat her multiple cavities. This treatment will relieve her physical pain and enable Nazly to have a better quality of life, study better, and live out her dreams. The procedure has been scheduled for February 20th, and Nazly's family needs help to raise $868 for her care. Nazly's mother says, "Thanks to your kind heart, Nazly will be able to receive the treatment she so desperately needs and, with it, regain the smile and quality of life that every child deserves. My daughter's surgery is very important for her health and her future, and your support gives us enormous hope. We will never forget this beautiful gesture."

Neema is a 12-year-old girl from Tanzania. She was brought to our center by her family after concerns were raised about the inward bending of both her feet. Neema has been living with clubfoot since she was a young child, a condition that has affected her ability to move comfortably and independently. Due to her physical challenges, Neema is currently not enrolled in school. Despite this, she is a joyful child who enjoys playing, jumping rope, and participating in games with other children at the care center. Her playful spirit and resilience shine through, even as she faces limitations that no child should have to endure. Neema’s family is deeply concerned about her future, particularly her mobility, independence, and access to education. Fortunately, Neema's family traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Kafika House. Surgeons plan to begin her clubfoot treatment on January 26th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,171 to fund Neema's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will be able to walk more comfortably, wear shoes with ease, and potentially return to school. Neema says, "I can't wait for the day when I'll be able to comfortably wear shoes on both my feet."

Valentina is a 14-month-old girl from Bolivia. She has five older siblings and loves to laugh and play with her family. Her father works as a driver, and her mother sells food. When she was a young baby, Valentina's parents noticed she was always agitated and couldn't breathe normally, so they took her to the doctor who diagnosed a heart condition called ventricular septal defect. This means there is a hole between the two lower chambers of her heart and blood leaks through this hole instead of circulating normally, leaving her weak and short of breath. Valentina also has Down syndrome. On December 3rd, Valentina will undergo heart 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 her heart so that blood will no longer leak through it. Valentina'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. Valentina's father said, "Valentina is a sweet little girl, we hope everything goes well, so she can have a healthy heart!"

Seth is a three-year-old boy from Kenya who expects to start school next year. However, he is presently in hospital under the care of his aunt who stays by his side, comforting him as he endures pain and repeatedly asks for his mother. Seth’s family was on their way to join their relatives for the holidays when tragedy struck, abruptly cutting their journey short. Their vehicle was involved in a devastating accident that claimed eight lives, including Seth’s mother and sister. Although Seth and his father survived, they sustained significant physical and emotional injuries. They were brought to our medical partner's care center, AIC Kijabe Hospital, stabilized, but both still require further surgical care. Seth suffered a deep head injury near his eye that required stitching, and he also sustained a fracture in his left leg. His father’s identification documents were lost in the accident, leaving them unable to access support through the national health insurance. The extended family is in shock, mourning the loss of two loved ones while also struggling financially as they work to organize the burials. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On December 4th, Seth will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. Seth’s aunt is now reaching out for support so he can undergo the surgery he needs, find relief from his suffering, and begin the long journey of healing, not only from his injuries but also from the heartbreaking loss of his mother and sister. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,115 to fund this procedure. Seth’s aunt said, “Seth is in so much pain. He cries through the night, calling for his mother. I just hope the surgery will ease his suffering.”

In is a 24-year-old furniture factory worker from Cambodia. In lives in rural Kampong Chhnang province with his parents and two siblings. In and his older brother have been working in a furniture factory to support the family, and his younger sister is still in high school. Both of his parents earn a small income by working as rice farmers. At home, In enjoys checking his social media and playing volleyball in the village. In late 2023, he was in a motorbike accident, which caused a nerve injury in his right arm and shoulder. He underwent an operation, which has improved his arm function. However, he is unable to move his fingers, which makes it difficult for him to use his hand. He also experiences pain in his wrist. He has reduced his working hours and finds it difficult to carry out everyday tasks. When In learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for four hours seeking treatment. On August 7th, surgeons at CSC will perform a wrist fusion procedure. This procedure will alleviate the pain in his wrist and enhance his everyday function. In can contribute $100 but needs help to raise the additional $559 needed for his surgery. In shared, "I hope I can use my hand without pain and work more in the factory to support my family."

Socheat is a nine-year-old student from Cambodia. He lives in rural Kampong Chnang province with his parents and younger sister. His parents work as farmers, growing corn and beans. Socheat is in fourth grade, and his favorite subject is Khmer. He dreams of becoming a doctor when he grows up. In his free time, he enjoys cycling with his friends and playing outdoors. His favorite meals are stir fried beef and fish soup. When Socheat was a baby, he fell and injured his right leg. A local clinic administered several injections of pain-killers in his right thigh. Since then, his knee gradually became stiff, and he developed difficulty bending his right leg. He has difficulty walking, playing with friends, and doing every day tasks. When Socheat learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On September 1st, surgeons at CSC will perform a quadricepsplasty procedure of his right leg The treatment will help him bend his knee more comfortably and walk more easily. Now, Socheat needs help to fund this $579 procedure. Socheat said, "We hope our son can use his leg more easily so that he can play and focus more on his studies at school."

Towela is a 45-year-old woman from northern Malawi. She is married and has seven children. Towela supports her family by farming vegetables, onions, beans, and tomatoes, while her husband works as a veterinary assistant. About 14 years ago, Towela began to experience troubling symptoms, including a swelling in her neck. It caused no pain or major problems at first; however, in recent years, her condition worsened, and she began experiencing troubling symptoms: neck heaviness, breathlessness, difficulty climbing steps, inability to carry items on her head, and even struggling to manage her farm work. These symptoms have significantly reduced her productivity and income, as she can now only cultivate a much smaller area than before. Last year, when her symptoms intensified, Towela sought care from nearby hospitals, but unfortunately, due to overwhelmed surgical theaters and long wait lists, she was unable to receive treatment. In August this year, Towela learned about Partners in Hope (PIH), our medical partner's hospital, and made the long journey. Upon arrival, she was reviewed by the surgeon and underwent tests to diagnose her condition as a goiter, which is an abnormal swelling of the thyroid gland. The thyroid is the gland located in front of your neck and produces thyroid hormones. These hormones are responsible for functions such as metabolism, growth, and other bodily functions. Towela needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Towela receive treatment. On September 3rd, she will undergo a thyroidectomy at Partners in Hope. During this procedure, surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. Towela contributed a co-pay and needs assistance raising $1,015 to fund the remaining cost of her treatment. Towela said," I can't breathe well. I am hence looking forward to your support for me to be well again."

Vortey is a 26-year-old receptionist from Cambodia. She lives with her father, five siblings, her husband, and her 6-month-old daughter in Phnom Penh. Her father is an army officer, and her husband works as a police officer. Her siblings have different jobs in the city to support the family, while her youngest brother is still studying in grade 12. Vortey currently works as a receptionist at a small medical clinic in Phnom Penh, and enjoys spending time with her baby at home. When she was around 15 years old, Vortey had an ear infection. This infection caused a cholesteatoma, or an abnormal skin growth, to develop in the middle ear behind the eardrum. For this reason, Vortey experiences tinnitus, ear pain, and occasional bleeding from her ear. This condition makes it difficult for her to hear, especially on the left side, which affects her daily conversations and causes discomfort. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is helping Vortey receive treatment. On May 12th, she will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure in her left ear. During this procedure, ENT surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. Her family can contribute $50 but needs help to raise $876 more for Vortey's procedure and care. Vortey shared, “I hope I can solve this issue so I can take better care of my family and do my job better."

Hong is a 24-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He lives in Kampong Cham province with his parents and one younger brother. His mother works in a garment factory, and his father is a rice farmer. Hong drives a rice combine machine that cuts, threshes, and winnows rice in one operation, which improves the efficiency of rice harvesting for the family. When he was 10 years old, Hong had an ear infection. This infection caused a cholesteatoma, or an abnormal skin growth, to develop in the middle ear behind the eardrum. For this reason, Hong experiences frequent pain and discharge from his left ear. About 10 days ago, an insect entered his left ear, which worsened the condition, causing increased pain and discharge, and required him to seek immediate treatment. On April 8th, Hong will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure in his left ear. During this procedure, ENT surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. Hong's family can contribute $100, but our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, needs help to raise $826 more to cover the cost of medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Hong shared: "I hope to have no pain and be able to understand other people after this operation."

Abby is a 10-year-old Grade 4 student from Kisumu County in Kenya. “I want to be a professional footballer like Messi,” says Abby with a big smile. He loves football so much that he plays every chance he gets, even though his foot hurts. His mother sometimes gets worried when she sees him running and playing, but Abby never gives up. Abby is the youngest in a family of four. His mother is a vegetable seller who works hard to care for her children. In 2018, Abby fell and injured his right knee. He was taken to hospital, where doctors found he had an infection called septic arthritis. He underwent an arthrotomy washout procedure to treat it. After the surgery, his foot became weak and later developed a deformity. Now, Abby walks on his toes. He feels pain when walking and is unable to do so for long distances. One day, Abby and his mother met a kind stranger who noticed his limp and told them about our medical partner care center, AIC Cure Hospital, where children with foot and bone problems are treated. Abby’s mother decided to take him there. At the hospital, Abby was reviewed and was diagnosed with acquired clubfoot, a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape, making it hard to even wear shoes and causing walking difficulties. Abby will need corrective surgery. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Abby receive treatment. On April 23rd, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery to relieve his pain, improve his leg's function and help him work towards his dream of becoming a great footballer—just like Messi. Now, Abby's family needs help to fund this $1,286 procedure. "I can’t wait for my foot to be corrected so I can walk normally and play football without pain," Abby shared with a smile.