13-year-old Tracy's dream is to be an accountant. Her learning, however, has been marked by challenges beyond her control. She was born with hearing impairment and lived the initial years of her life unable to make out sounds. When she turned five, her mother got concerned and took her to the hospital for medical attention. The medical team recommended fitting of hearing aids, but unfortunately, Tracy's mother, who raises her on her own and earns a modest income working in a salon, could not afford the cost of the hearing aids. She turned to family, friends and well-wishers who helped raise enough funds, and at six years old, Tracy had hearing aids fitted. The treatment marked a turning point in her life. Tracy was able to return to school and, although she had fallen behind her peers, she began making remarkable progress. For the first time, Tracy could hear her mother calling her and respond appropriately. She could also hear her teachers instead of relying solely on lip-reading to follow lessons. More importantly, she gained the ability to interact, communicate and build friendships with other children, giving her a renewed sense of belonging and confidence. Over the years, doctors observed encouraging progress in her development and communication. In January this year, however, Tracy began experiencing complications with her hearing aids. They gradually stopped functioning properly and sometimes produced excessive noise, making it difficult for her to hear and communicate. This setback significantly affected her education, making her miss school and once again experience the isolation she had overcome. Earlier this month, her mother brought her back to AIC Kijabe Hospital for further assessment. Following an examination, the doctors established that her hearing aids had failed and that she urgently required a new pair. Unfortunately, her mother remains unable to meet the cost due to her limited financial resources. Presently, Tracy is struggling to keep up with her peers academically and socially. The loss of her hearing aids has once again placed barriers between her and the world she had begun to experience so fully. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Tracy receive treatment. On October 30th, Tracy is scheduled to have new hearing aids fitted, so she could regain her ability to hear, learn, communicate and interact confidently with those around her. Now, Tracy's family needs help to fund this $1,171 procedure. Tracy says: "Since my hearing aids stopped working, I have been unable to attend school, which has made me fall behind my peers."

Zin is a 36-year-old man from Burma. He lives with his wife, one daughter, and two sons in Mae Sot, Tak Province, Thailand. He works as a part-time teacher in Mae Sot, while his wife is a homemaker. Zin's daughter and one son attend school, while the youngest son is too young to attend school. Unfortunately, Zin had to stop working in June 2026 because of his health issues. For their basic healthcare, the family usually visits Mae Tao Clinic (MTC) in Mae Sot, which provides free healthcare services. Zin 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 backwards. Normal valve function is necessary to prevent long-term damage to the heart and lungs. Currently, Zin is still suffering from breathlessness on exertion and severe shortness of breath that wakes him after falling asleep. He mentioned that since his last visit to Mae Sot Hospital, his symptoms have become more severe. He can only walk a short distance and cannot sleep at night because of the breathlessness. Because of his health condition and inability to work, the family is facing financial difficulties, along with emotional stress and worry. After his surgery, follow-up visits, and full recovery, Zin plans to find a job to support his family’s daily expenses and continue living with his family. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a heart valve replacement for Zin. The treatment is scheduled to take place on September 1st at our medical partner's care center, Kasemrad Prachachuen Hospital, and once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. Zin expressed his gratitude, saying, “Thank you so much indeed to the organisation [BCMF] and the donors for your willingness and kindness in assisting with my surgery costs. I cannot fully describe in words how happy and thankful I am that I now have the opportunity to undergo surgery, which I could not even dream of without your support. I wish all of you good health, long lives, and great prosperity.”

Valery is a 37-year-old father from Haiti. He lives with his partner and their three-year-old daughter in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. Valery works as a documentation officer at the international airport. In his free time, he enjoys playing video games and spending time with his friends. Valery has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation. One of the four valves of his heart does not open and close properly due to an infection he suffered earlier in his life. This has led to heart failure, leaving him weak and short of breath. Valery needs to fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On August 5th, he will undergo heart surgery, during which doctors will remove Valery's damaged valve and implant an artificial replacement. Another organization, Haitian Hearts Foundation, is contributing $12,000 to pay for surgery. Valery's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,500 to cover labs, medications, and check-up and follow-up appointments. This cost also covers securing travel documents for the family and travel costs for the social workers from our medical partner who will accompany Valery's family overseas. Valery said, "I am so grateful to receive this surgery so that I can focus on my future with my family."

Akshay is 18 years old and lives in Palamu, Jharkhand, India. He lives with his parents and elder sister. His father is a farmer. He studied until the 8th grade. When Akshay was six months old, he fell into a traditional cooking stove and burned his right hand. The burn caused a contracture, where the skin healed tightly, and over time, his hand became restricted in movement. He has lived with this since he was a baby. The contracture on his right hand makes daily tasks difficult. At 18, with a father who farms and a family that depends on physical work, this has been a real limitation in his day-to-day life. When Akshay learned about our medical partner, G.S. Memorial Plastic Surgery Hospital and Trauma Center, he and his mother traveled 6.5 hours to receive treatment to release the post-burn contracture of his right hand. On July 1st, specialty surgeons will perform a burn contracture release surgery so he can regain function and mobility in his hand. Now, he needs help to fund this $1,442 procedure. Akshay shared, "I want my hand to work properly so that I can help my family."