Vania is a sweet toddler from Bolivia. She lives with her dad, who works in construction, her mom, who is a homemaker, and her older sister. She likes to play with dolls. Vania's parents noticed she was not gaining weight properly and took her to the local doctors, who discovered her heart condition called an Anomalous Right Coronary Artery from the Pulmonary Artery. One of her coronary arteries connects to the blood vessels near her heart in an anatomically abnormal location. This leads to poor blood flow to the heart and causes heart failure over time. On August 26th, Vania will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, surgeons will detach the coronary artery and reattach it in the appropriate location. Vania'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. Vania's mother says, "I pray my little daughter has a successful surgery; she is my sunshine."

Tennyson is a playful 11-year-old boy from Kenya. He is currently in grade 3 and loves drawing and playing with friends. His father is a construction worker, while his mother is a home maker. Tennyson has clubfoot of right foot, a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. Tennyson was also born with a hearing impairment. His mother first noticed that his right foot was bending when he was three years old. “He struggled to walk and would often complain of pain, and as he grew, it only got worse,” she recalls. They sought help at a nearby hospital but were informed that the condition could not be treated there. With no clear solution, they returned home. As time passed, the condition worsened. The pain increased, Tennyson's foot began to swell, and walking became more difficult. Eventually, Tennyson had to stop going to school because he could no longer walk. One of his teachers grew concerned and reached out to the family. After learning about Tennyson’s condition, the teacher informed his mother about a mobile clinic by AIC CURE Hospital, where Tennyson could undergo a review. At the clinic, Tennyson was assessed and scheduled for serial casting and a clubfoot surgery. He has been undergoing the casting and is now ready for the repair surgery, which has been scheduled for May 25th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,286 to fund Tennyson's clubfoot repair. After treatment, his foot will gradually straighten and restore his ability to walk. Tennyson's mother says: “I am praying that his foot will be straightened, so that he can walk without pain, go back to school, and live like other children.”

At five years old, Angel is currently in preschool in Colombia, and stands out as a curious child, with a strong academic performance, and remarkable personal motivation. From a very young age, he has proudly expressed his dream of becoming a doctor when he grows up. However, his daily life has been affected by a problem that goes beyond the physical: constant pain and oral discomfort have interfered with his concentration, his eating habits, and the normal development expected for his age. About six months ago, Angel was first examined by a pediatric dentist, who diagnosed multiple deep cavities. Since then, he has been monitored regularly, but the progression of the disease has been evident. The intense and persistent pain, accompanied by swelling and marked difficulty eating, has begun to significantly impact Angel's quality of life. After assessing the extent of the lesions, the number of affected teeth, and the patient’s young age, the medical team determined that the best and safest option is to perform treatment under general anesthesia. This decision aims not only to ensure comprehensive and effective care, but also to protect the child’s emotional well-being. The proposed treatment, scheduled for April 28th at Clínica Noel, represents an opportunity for relief and recovery. Beyond resolving a dental problem, it will allow Angel to smile again without pain, eat properly, improve his academic performance, and resume his play and learning with peace of mind. Above all, it will give him the chance to continue dreaming of saving lives and becoming, one day, a renowned doctor. Now, Angel's family needs help to fund the $1,109 treatment. Angel's mother said: "As a mother, I sincerely hope that my son can finally feel at ease when it’s time to eat. For a long time, he hasn’t been able to enjoy his favorite food because of the pain and discomfort caused by the cavities he’s currently dealing with. Watching him suffer has been very difficult for me. I want to express my sincere gratitude, because thanks to people with such big hearts like you, families and children have hope again. I cannot find enough words to thank you for everything you are doing for my son. Your support and generosity mean so much to us, and make a huge difference in my little one’s life."

Laysing is a two-year-old boy from Preah Sihanouk Province in Cambodia. He lives with his parents and his four-year-old sister. His father works for a private company, while his mother stays at home to care for the children. He enjoys playing with toys alongside his sister, and his favorite meal is soup, especially lemongrass sour soup. Laysing was born with scoliosis, a condition in which the spine curves abnormally to one side. His parents first noticed the condition when he began walking. As he has grown, the scoliosis has caused him to tire easily when walking or playing. The condition makes everyday activities difficult and sometimes causes discomfort. Laysing's parents are concerned about his posture and possible complications in the future. Laysing's family heard about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), and traveled four hours to attend a consultation. After extensive testing, doctors recommended that Laysing have spinal surgery. Without treatment, Laysing's symptoms will continue, and he will be at risk of future complications. On March 23rd, surgeons at CSC will implant a metal "growing rod" into Laysing's spine to help correct the curve and allow for further spine growth. CSC is requesting $1,500 to cover the costs of his surgery, the implant, and post-operative care, including physiotherapy. This treatment will help him stand taller, move more comfortably, and reduce fatigue. After recovery, he should be able to play, walk, and participate in daily activities more easily, improving both his quality of life and his confidence. Laysing's mother shares, “I pray that after the surgery, my child will feel stronger, stand taller, and live freely without discomfort, embracing a future full of hope and happiness.”

Eyuel is a bright and joyful three-year-old boy from Ethiopia. He loves to run and play football, his favorite sport, with other neighborhood kids. He is currently in kindergaten and enjoys going to school every day. Eyuel lives with his mother, father, and his eight-month-old baby sister. His mother is a home maker, while his father works as a farmer on a rented land, earning wages once a year from the farm’s harvest. Their income is very limited and barely covers the family’s basic needs.To supplement his farming income, Eyuel’s father also takes on extra casual work to support the household. About a year ago, Eyuel's parents noticed something was not quite right, and there was difference in how he was passing urine. They took him to a government referral hospital, where, unfortunately, he was placed on a long waiting list for surgical care. Sometime later, he was referred to our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre (BKMCM). Despite the challenges of waiting for care, Eyuel’s parents have remained strong. They shared: “We will do everything we can to get him treated. We reached out to friends and family, but we could not afford the surgery. We pray for support on this journey. It hurts us to see him suffer, but we cannot question God. We accept it and hope for his healing.” Eyuel was diagnosed with hypospadias, a condition that causes urinary dysfunction. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and will be at risk of future complications. Fortunately, Eyuel is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on February 24th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,293 to cover the cost of his procedure and care. Eyuel's father says: "We hope that our son will get the surgery and get better. I really wish to see him heal and thrive. I came here praying for his healing and that is what I am hoping for."

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."

Po is a 79-year-old man from Burma. He lives with his daughter and three grandchildren in a refugee camp, in Mae Hong Song Province, Thailand. Originally farmers from a village in Hpapun, Karen State, Burma, Po and his daughter relocated to the camp in 2021 following nearby conflict. Now retired, Po relies on food allowance provided by an international aid agency in the camp. They also receive free accommodation and basic healthcare in the camp which is enough to meet his family’s basic needs. In 2011, Po has had inguinal hernia. Po continues to experience frequent, manually reducible swelling in his left scrotum, with pain and discomfort that worsens when standing, walking, or lifting objects, and particularly when urinating. Fortunately, on December 18th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at Mae Sariang Hospital, our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,468 to fund Po's hernia repair surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on December 18th and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. Po shares, “This pain and discomfort have been with me for more than a decade, and I’ve grown used to them. I am grateful that soon I might be free from them. At my age, I cannot work again after my treatment, but being pain-free will make my daily life easier. My family will no longer be burdened. Thank you to the donors and BCMF for your help.”

Brenda is 14 years old and a fifth-grader from Kenya. She is the second of six children in her family. Brenda dreams of becoming a teacher one day. Brenda has clubfoot on both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. She previously had surgery on her left foot, and is now being prepared to have surgery on her right foot. Walking has been challenging for her, as her foot naturally turns inward, making every step uncomfortable. With ongoing treatment, she is gradually moving closer to walking comfortably and confidently. On November 26th, Brenda will undergo clubfoot correction surgery at our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,286 to fund Brenda's procedure and care. After treatment, she will be able to walk without pain, play freely, and pursue her dream of becoming a teacher. Brenda shared, "I can’t wait to walk on my two feet properly. I will be so happy and look forward to continuing my education without any challenges."