Sifen is a bright and playful two-year-old girl from Ethiopia who loves playing with friends and drawing. Her father works hard as a laborer, and her mother used to sell food on the street to support their family of five children. But with Sifen's condition worsening, her mother has been unable to work for the past four months, leaving the family in a difficult situation. Sifen was born with an umbilical hernia, a condition in which the intestine protrudes through the abdominal muscles at the belly button. The condition can be painful and uncomfortable, and it's causing her family a lot of stress. Her mother is worried about Sifen's surgery and the days leading up to it, and she's not getting much sleep because of her fears. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Sifen receive treatment. On January 23rd, she will undergo hernia repair surgery to give her a chance for a healthy and pain-free life, and bring peace of mind to her family. Now, Sifen's family needs help to fund this $591 procedure. Sifen's mother says, "After the surgery, I hope my child gains strength and returns home healthy. I have faith that God will make this happen."

Mato is a 10-year-old second-grade student who lives with his grandmother and uncle in Kampong Cham province. His uncle works as a blacksmith, while his parents are employed far from home in factories near Phnom Penh. At school, Mato enjoys studying Khmer and playing soccer with his friends. He aspires to be a police officer when he grows up. Mato was born with a mass on the left side of his face. Over time, it has extended across his cheek, affecting his nose and causing asymmetry in his facial features. Additionally, he has visible café-au-lait spots on his skin, which are characteristic of neurofibromatosis, a genetic condition that causes changes in skin pigment and tumors on nerve tissue. Due to its increasing size, the mass has been causing Mato significant discomfort when speaking and eating. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, is helping Mato receive tretament. On November 28th, he will undergo a debulking procedure on the left side of his face, where the mass will be significantly reduced. This surgery will improve his appearance, functionality, and overall quality of life. Mato’s family is able to contribute $100 for his treatment, and needs your support to raise the remaining $626. This amount will cover the costs of surgical care, hospital recovery, medications, and histological analysis. Mato’s uncle shared: “I hope the mass will be removed and he will feel better, so he can go back home, and back to school.”

Makara is a 10-year-old boy and the only child in his family. He lives with his parents and his 65-year-old grandmother in Cambodia. His mother works in a factory, and his father is a tuk-tuk tricycle driver. Makara is currently in grade 3 and his favorite subject is mathematics. At home, he likes to eat rice with sour soup, and he enjoys spending his free time playing with his friends. Makara had a traumatic birth and had to have a blood clot removed from his brain when he was one month old. Since then, he has suffered from hemiplegia - a paralysis of one side of his body that results from injury to the motor centers of his brain. Recently, his parents visited our medical partner, Children's Surgical Center, for consultation. While he can walk on his own, Makara faces ongoing challenges, including wrist drop, foot drop, and limited movement on the left side of his body. His wrist and elbow are bent, making it hard for him to use his hand for writing, playing, and other activities. On October 18th, Makara will undergo a flexor carpi radialis (FCR) and flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU) neurectomy procedure performed by our specialized surgeons, which will help improve the function and mobility of his left wrist and hand. Makara's parents can afford to contribute $100 towards his medical care. They need help raising the remaining $472 in funds for this complex procedure. This amount will cover the costs associated with the surgery, including post-operative care, medication, and rehabilitation. After the surgery and rehabilitation, Makara's parents hope he can use his arm more, improving his ability to play and perform everyday activities. Makara's mother shared, "I hope that after the surgery, Makara will be able to live happily and attend school regularly."