Leah is 27 years old and a mother of two from Malawi. Her husband is not working at this time. Leah supports her family by selling tomatoes for a living. In 2023, Leah began to experience troubling symptoms, including neck pains, increased mass on her neck, swallowing difficulties, frequent coughs, especially at night, inability to carry heavy items, breathlessness, and weakness. The symptoms affected her daily activities and business, reducing her income. In 2024, Leah underwent surgery that gave her temporary relief from her symptoms. As her symptoms came back, she sought further treatment. Leah was diagnosed with papillary thyroid carcinoma, a type of thyroid cancer, and requires a total thyroidectomy or the removal of her thyroid. 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. If left untreated, it can spread to the lymph nodes and other areas of the body. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Leah receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on January 28th 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. Leah shared, “The symptoms are overwhelming; I just want to be myself again."

Leonardo is a young boy from Bolivia. He lives with his mom and his older sister. His mom is a beautician. When his mom gave birth to him, she noticed he was not breathing well. It was only as a young child that Leonardo went to the hospital after falling down the stairs. Then, the doctors did more tests and they noticed he had a heart condition and needed surgery. Leonardo has a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus. A hole exists between two major blood vessels next to his heart, whereby blood leaks through this hole, leaving him weak and short of breath. On May 21st, Leonardo will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, surgeons will sew the hole so that blood can no longer leak through it. Leonardo'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. Leonardo's mother says, "It has been quite a journey for us. Finally, we are here, and we are grateful the doctors can help my little boy."

Zaw is a 13-year-old student from Burma. He lives in Karen State, Burma, with his grandparents, father, and brother. Zaw’s father used to work in Bangkok, Thailand, but returned to Burma in early 2025 to help look after Zaw. His mother works as a domestic worker in Bangkok and sends money to Zaw’s grandparents every month to cover their daily expenses and pay for basic health care. Zaw’s grandparents are retired and look after him and his brother. Zaw enjoys playing cane ball and football in his free time. Zaw was diagnosed with a heart condition that requires valve replacement. Heart valves control the flow of blood between chambers, but certain conditions may narrow the heart valve or cause the blood to flow backward. Normal valve function is necessary to prevent long-term damage to the heart and lungs. Currently, Zaw sometimes has a rapid heartbeat, and he experiences some fatigue when he plays and walks longer distances. He also needs to take medication regularly. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a heart valve replacement for Zaw. The treatment is scheduled to take place on July 11th and, once completed, will allow him to live more comfortably. Zaw's father said, “When I learned that he could get surgery in Bangkok, I felt hopeless because we don’t have money. Our family’s income is just enough to cover our family expenses. Thank you so much for your support for him and my family.” And Zaw shared, “I want to play football again once I have fully recovered, and I want to become an engineer when I grow up.”

Esayas is an adorable 11-month-old baby boy from Ethiopia. He loves playing with toys and exploring the environment around him. As his parents' first child, he brings immense joy to their lives. His mother is a home maker, while his father works as a mechanic at a local garage. The family lives in a small rented house and struggles to make ends meet, their income being insufficient to meet their daily needs. Esayas's parents noticed something was not quite right when they took him to the local health center for circumcision. He was diagnosed with hypospadias, a condition that causes urinary dysfunction. The doctor at the health center referred them to a larger public hospital for surgical intervention, but they were placed on a six-month waiting list. After six months, they went back to the hospital but were put on another six-month wait list. The alternative option of seeking care in a private facility was way beyond their means. Without treatment, Esayas will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms, and will be at risk of infertility. Devastated, Esayas’s mother left the hospital in tears. On the way home, she met a concerned stranger who approached her. Esayas’s mother shared her situation, and the stranger advised her to visit our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre (BKMCM), for help. The conversation reignited hope in Esayas’s parents, who promptly went to BKMCM to seek treatment. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Esayas receive treatment. On June 13th, he will undergo corrective surgery to relieve his symptoms, and reduce the risk of future medical complications. Now, Esayas's family need help to fund this $1,293 procedure. Esayas’s mother says, "We hope that the surgery will be successful, and that our son's condition will be corrected. We are truly grateful to all the supporters who are helping our son."

Kelvin is a 14-year-old bright and thoughtful boy from Tanzania. The fifth of seven children, he is known for his polite nature and quiet strength. Though initially shy, Kelvin opens up with clarity and maturity once he feels comfortable. He recently completed his primary education and hopes to pursue vocational training. However, financial challenges at home have placed his plans on hold. In the meantime, he helps care for the family’s cows and supports his parents, who work as small-scale farmers. Kelvin was diagnosed with right genu valgum, a condition in which his right knee bends inward. This condition can result from growth disturbances, nutritional deficiencies, or environmental factors such as excessive fluoride in drinking water. As the knee alignment worsens, walking becomes painful and may eventually lead to long-term joint damage. For Kelvin, even short distances cause discomfort, making daily tasks and the prospect of returning to school more difficult. On May 28th, Kelvin will undergo a corrective surgical procedure at Kafika House, facilitated by our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare. The treatment aims to improve his leg alignment and relieve his pain, helping him regain mobility and work toward his goals. Now, Kelvin's family needs help to fund this $631 procedure. Kelvin shares, “I look forward to walking more comfortably, and continue with my education once I recover.”

Soriyas is an 18-year-old young female from Cambodia. She has four younger siblings, but currently lives with her mother and two of her younger sisters in Kampong Cham province. Her two younger sisters are both in primary school. Her twin sister and father work in a garment factory in Malaysia to support the family. Soriyas dropped out of school in grade six and used to work with her father in Malaysia, but she returned home about six months ago because of her condition. In her free time, she enjoys sewing clothes for her siblings and mother at home. For about six months, Soriyas experienced pain below the knee of her left leg. She experienced swelling and difficulty walking independently. She was subsequently diagnosed with malignant bone cancer in her left shinbone. This type of tumor is aggressive. It can grow quickly, spread to other parts of the body, and cause serious damage to the bone and nearby tissue. Soriyas needs to undergo an en-bloc resection procedure to remove the malignant tumor and prevent the cancer from spreading further. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $626 to help cover the cost of surgery scheduled for April 22nd. During this operation, surgeons will remove the affected portion of the bone and reconstruct it to restore both strength and function. Surgeons hope to stop the spread of cancer, allowing Soriyas to walk without pain and alleviating her fear of cancer spreading. Soriyas's family shared, "We are looking forward to her surgery. We want her to be able to live comfortably and pain-free."

Both is a six-month-old infant from Cambodia. He is the first baby in his family and lives with his mother, who stays home to care for him, and his father, who works as a salesman in Kampong Cham province. He loves to drink milk, grasp for toys, and fall asleep in his mother's arms. Both was born with amniotic band syndrome, a rare condition that occurs when fibrous bands of the amniotic sac (the lining inside the uterus that holds the fetus) get tangled around parts of the developing fetus. At birth, he had tight constriction bands on the right side of his body, which caused the loss of his right little and ring fingers before birth. His right foot is swollen, with a thin band connecting the foot to the shin bone and a deeper, tight band around the foot. Both's condition requires surgery to ensure proper foot growth and development and prevent future complications. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is helping Both receive treatment. On May 8th, surgeons will perform contracture release surgery to improve his foot's movement, reduce swelling, and allow for better mobility as he grows. Now, he needs help funding this $487 procedure. Both's mother shared, "I hope my son can walk normally when he grows up."

Reaksmey is an adorable four-year-old preschooler from Cambodia. She lives with her parents and older brother in Kampong Spue Province. Her parents are rice farmers, and her brother works at a local garment factory. Since Reaksmay is not old enough to attend school yet, she spends her time at home with relatives or accompanies her parents to the rice paddies. Her favorite meal at home is rice noodle soup, and she enjoys playing with her neighbors in the village. For the past month, Reaksmey has been experiencing difficulty swallowing food, sore throats, and frequent fevers. This condition makes it hard for her to eat well, causing her to feel weak and unhappy. Reaksmey was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, which, if not treated, will cause her symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $265 to fund a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for Reaksmey, which is scheduled to take place on May 16th. Surgeons will remove her tonsils and adenoids, hopefully relieving Reaksmey of her symptoms and helping her live much more comfortably. Reaksmey's mother shared, "I want to see Reaksmey free from fever and able to eat her food better after this operation."

Martha is a 39-year-old mother from Kenya, the sole caregiver of her three children. Her daily work involves doing manual laundry for members within her community to support her family. Martha is very social and enjoys spending time with friends. On 17th March, Martha was crossing the road near her home when she was hit by a speeding vehicle. She sustained injuries on the left side of her body from her head, neck and hand, and an X-ray showed a closed fracture on her tibia and fibula (lower leg fractures). A CT scan of the head was done, and luckily there was no bleeding or skull fracture, only soft tissue injuries. The surgeon recommended an open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) procedure, which is a type of surgery used to stabilize and heal a broken bone. Unfortunately, Martha is unable to pay for this treatment. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Martha receive treatment. On March 21st, Martha is scheduled to undergo ORIF which will aid in joining the bones together and reduce the pain, restoring the functionality of her leg. The procedure will also prevent complications like malunion, or deformity. Now, Martha needs help to fund this $1,049 procedure. Martha says, "I will appreciate the assistance very much. I have no one to help me and help my children, so I appeal for support so that I can receive treatment, be able to walk again and resume my duty of taking care of my children.”

Phannit is a ten-year-old girl who lives with her parents, her twin sister, an older sister, and grandparents in Kampong Thom Province. Her mother is a factory worker, and her father is a waste collector. Her grandparents are rice farmers. Phannit is currently in the 4th grade. Her favorite subjects are Khmer and English, and she wants to become a teacher when she grows up. At home, she likes to eat garlic fried with rice, and she enjoys reading her school books. Phannit was born with Fallot’s Tetralogy, a congenital condition where the heart did not develop properly in the womb. In addition, she has a nasal deformity, leading to an abnormal nose shape. These conditions significantly affect her daily life, causing difficulty in breathing and disrupting her ability to sleep soundly through the night. Phannit and her family were referred by friends from their village and traveled nearly four hours to our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), for nasal reconstruction. Since November 2023, she has been undergoing monthly insertion of a forehead expander. This process has continued for six months, after which she will be ready to undergo nose surgery using a forehead flap to improve her condition. This procedure will help her breathe more easily. Pannit's family is able to contribute $75 but needs help to raise $258 more to fund the procedure and post-op care. Phannit said, "I want to feel more comfortable going to school and sleeping through the night."

Miriam is a sociable four-year-old girl from Arusha Tanzania, the first born child in a family of two children. Miriam's father works casual day jobs to earn a living, while the mother is a homemaker. Despite financial challenges due to limited income, the parents work diligently to ensure their family's well-being. Miriam was brought to our medical partner's care center, Kafika House, by her mother following a burn incident she experienced in May 2023. A pot of boiling beans tipped off and the hot water spilled on Miriam, causing burn injuries. She was first taken to a nearby healthcare center for wound care, and it took a month for her wounds to heal. During the healing process, her skin developed a burn contracture on her elbow, which was left untreated as the health center did not have the capacity to handle such cases, and the family did not have the financial resources to seek treatment in a larger institution. Sometime later, Miriam's mother met one of Kafika House's staff members who advised her to go to the facility for an assessment, with hope for treatment, as the condition was already limiting Miriam's ability to perform her daily activities. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Miriam receive treatment at their care center Kafika House. On April 2nd, surgeons will perform a burn contracture release surgery to restore the functionality of her hand. Now, she needs help to fund this $874 procedure. Miriam’s mother says: “Please help my daughter get this treatment. I hope she will grow up with her arm fully functional.”

Titus is a hardworking 24-year-old from Kenya. He is the only child to his single mother, who sells tea and porridge at the market. Due to their financial situation, Titus was compelled to drop out of high school and do casual labor jobs to support his mother. Together with his mother, they live in his uncles’ home who is a small-scale farmer. Titus also helps his uncle with farm work. A month ago, Titus fell at work and his hand was cut by a sharp object. Titus went to a nearby facility where his wound was sutured because the fracture was open, and a splint was applied in order to stabilize the fracture. Now he cannot work using his hand and therefore he depends entirely on his mother. When he realized that there was no improvement of his injury, Titus visited a nearby facility where he was referred to our medical partner's care center Kapsowar Hospital. On physical examination, the surgeon told him that he required an urgent surgery in order to repair his tendon and fix his fracture which had taken time to heal. Titus has no medical insurance and is worried about how he can pay for the care he needs. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On September 27th, Titus will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. Titus will be able to go back to his work and continue to earn a living. He will be able to assist his mother. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $941 to fund this procedure. Titus says, “I get my income through working with my hands. Now that I cannot use them, I feel so bad. I don’t want to burden my mother who is also struggling. Kindly help me.”