Chanthy is a 46-year-old wife and mother from Cambodia. Her husband works in construction, and together they have three children; the eldest is employed in Thailand, the second works as a waitress, and the youngest has a disability that prevents them from walking or speaking properly. In her free time, Chanthy enjoys growing vegetables around her home to help support the family. About seven years ago, Chanthy developed a small mass on the left side of her upper jaw. It initially appeared to be a small acne-like lesion but rapidly increased in size, eventually causing pain and difficulty breathing. She underwent surgery with the help of our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), to remove the mass, followed by a reconstructive surgery for her lower eyelid. Though these surgeries were successful, Chancy later developed tightness around her left eye, causing discomfort and vision problems. Fortunately, CSC will help Chanthy undergo a second reconstructive surgery on June 16th. Chanthy’s family has raised some of the funds, but needs help raising $847 to fully fund the surgery. Following surgery, Chanthy is expected to experience reduced tightness around the left eye, improved comfort, enhanced vision, and overall improved quality of life. Chanthy said, “I have been struggling with this condition for many years and have already undergone treatment before, but I still feel discomfort and difficulty with my eye. I hope this surgery will help reduce my tightness, improve my vision, and finally give me lasting relief.”

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!”

Brian is 10 years old and a student from Kenya. He is the youngest of four children. He was born with a condition known as Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy (CP), which has greatly affected his mobility. Brian cannot walk and only crawls from one place to another. This has made daily activities difficult for him and his family. After his birth, his mother was referred to a nearby hospital for specialized care. Brian underwent several physiotherapy sessions, hoping to see improvement. Unfortunately, his condition did not get better. As a widow, Brian’s mother works tirelessly, taking on casual jobs like crushing stones into ballast and selling them, to provide for her family. Despite the hardship, she has never given up on finding help for her son. Brian attends a special school within their village that supports children with different disabilities. Brian was diagnosed with clubfoot on his right foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Brian traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on February 20th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,286 to fund Brian's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk on his feet, play with other children, become more independent, and continue with his education without limitations. “When I first learned about my son’s condition, I was in great shock. I did not know what the future would look like for him,” Brian’s mother recalls softly. She added, I hope to see my son receive treatment, walk on his own, play and interact freely with other children, and continue with his education without any challenges.”

Loudmia is a preschooler from Haiti. She lives in a small coastal village in northwest Haiti with her four siblings and her parents, who both fish and farm. She enjoys going to preschool and playing with the children in her neighborhood. Loudmia 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 without passing through her lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving her weak and short of breath. Loudmia will fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On January 21st, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will sew a patch over the hole so that blood no longer leaks through it. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is contributing to pay for surgery. However, Loudmia's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. They need help raising $1,500 to cover labs, medicines, and check-up and follow-up appointments. This also supports securing travel documents for the family and travel costs for the social workers from our medical partner, who will accompany Loudmia's family overseas. Loudmia's mother shared, "I am hopeful that after this surgery we can stop worrying about our daughter's health so much!"

Ellen is a 50-year-old nurse from Malawi. She is a single mother of two boys aged 22 and 16. Each month, she earns about $420, which covers household needs and her children’s school fees. For about 21 months now, Ellen has been experiencing abdominal pain accompanied by uncomfortable gynecological symptoms. Since August 2024, she has undergone numerous tests, which were costly and strained her finances. She has been diagnosed with Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia grade III (CIN III), the most severe form of precancerous cervical cell changes. If left untreated, it can progress to invasive cervical cancer. Removing the affected tissue prevents this progression. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,363 to fund Ellen's surgery. On December 10th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center. Once recovered, Ellen will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain, and prevent future medical complications. Ellen says, “With your support to undergo surgery, I know I will get better, continue caring for my children as their breadwinner, and keep serving the nation as a health worker.”

Mary is 47 years old and a farmer from Malawi. She is married and has five children. Together with her husband, she depends on farming for their livelihood. Her two eldest children are married with families of their own, while she lives with her three younger children, who are still in Primary Seven and Primary Five. Since 2017, Mary has been experiencing abdominal pains associated with severe bleeding. Initially, she assumed it was normal, but the condition worsened in November 2024, prompting her to visit the hospital. The condition has greatly affected her health and left her too weak to concentrate on farming, the family’s only source of income. She has been diagnosed with uterine fibroids. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,363 to fund Mary's surgery. On November 8th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center. Once recovered, Mary will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Mary shared, "The discomfort from abdominal fullness is too much. l wish I could be well again, and regain my strength."