Sineth is a 13-year-old 8th grade student from Kampong Cham Province in Cambodia. She lives with her parents and younger sister, who is in Grade 4. Her parents are rice farmers and work hard to support their family. Sineth enjoys studying Khmer literature, which is her favorite subject at school, and hopes to become a doctor in the future. In her free time, she likes listening to music and chatting with her friends. Her favorite food is fried pork with ginger. Sineth has scoliosis, a condition in which the spine curves abnormally to one side, often resembling a "C" or "S" shape. Her spinal curve has gradually worsened over the past three years and is now approximately 50 degrees in the thoracolumbar region. Although she does not currently experience pain, the increasing curvature affects her posture and makes it difficult for her to sit comfortably for long periods. This can make it harder for her to stay comfortable and concentrate during class, and the curvature may continue to worsen as she grows. Sineth's family was referred to our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), by another hospital. They traveled approximately four hours from Kampong Cham to seek specialized care. On August 17th, surgeons at CSC plan to perform posterior spinal fusion to help straighten and stabilize her spine and prevent the curvature from worsening. She needs $1,500 in support to cover the cost of her surgery and related medical care. This treatment will help support her spinal health as she continues to grow and allow her to remain active and continue her education. Sineth's parents said, “We hope that this surgery will help straighten and stabilize our daughter’s spine and prevent her scoliosis from getting worse. We wish for her to grow well, stay active, and continue her studies and daily activities with confidence and comfort.”

Yohannes is a cheerful and active young boy from Ethiopia. He loves visiting new places, playing with other children, and asking his mother many questions. He also enjoys watching cartoons and spending time with his friends. His father works as a taxi driver, while his mother is a homemaker who cares for the family. Yohannes's mother first noticed something unusual shortly after his birth. Doctors diagnosed him 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, Yohannes is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on June 25th at our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre (BKMCM). Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,293 to cover the cost of his procedure and care. Yohannes’ mother: “I am very happy to come to BKMCM. I received good service, and I hope my baby will be in good condition after the surgery.”

Bunrong is a 13-year-old boy from Cambodia. He is in Grade 6 and is the only child in his family. His father works as a rice farmer, and his mother runs a small grocery business to support the household. He enjoys studying English, playing football with his friends, and dreams of becoming a police officer in the future. About one year ago, Bunrong developed a mass over his right wrist after sustaining an injury while playing volleyball. At that time, he received treatment with an X-ray examination and wrist immobilization in a cast for 21 days. Although the initial treatment was completed, he continued to experience pain in his wrist. Over time, the mass gradually increased in size, causing ongoing discomfort and making it difficult for him to write his lessons and complete schoolwork comfortably. After being referred to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled three hours with his family to seek specialized care. Doctors diagnosed him with a right wrist tumor and scheduled an en bloc resection procedure to remove the tumor on May 20th. This surgery is expected to relieve pain, restore wrist function, and allow him to return to school and daily activities without discomfort. Now, Bunrong needs help to raise $841 to fund this procedure. Bunrong's grandmother said, “I have been worried watching him live with pain and discomfort in his wrist. I pray this surgery will remove the problem, relieve his pain, and help him use his hand normally again so he can study, play volleyball, and enjoy life without difficulty.”

Seven-year-old Bontu lives with her parents in Ethiopia. As an only child, she is the light of her parent's life, and they would do anything for her. About two years ago, Bontu began experiencing fevers, pain, difficulty in swallowing and snoring. Since then, she is often unwell, and her mother constantly needs to stay with her, forgoing the chance to work and to earn money. Bontu's father works long hours as a manual laborer, trying to earn enough to sustain his family. Bontu has been diagnosed with enlarged tonsils, and she needs surgery to treat her condition. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $700 to fund a tonsillectomy for Bontu, which is scheduled to take place on February 11th. Surgeons will remove her tonsils, hopefully relieving Bontu of her symptoms, and helping her to live more comfortably. "We are so excited for this opportunity that will have our daughter attend school every single day, and play happily with her friends. Our hearts long to see her run and laugh without that constant, heavy exhaustion that has kept her so lonely and isolated for so long," said Bontu's parents.

Faith is an 18-year-old girl from Kenya. She is in her third year in High School and and enjoys singing in her church choir and reading. Faith hopes to become a lawyer so she can help others seek justice. Faith has bilateral genu varum, a bowing of both legs. This makes walking painful and causes swelling in her legs, especially after long distances. She has not been able to access treatment due to financial and geographic barriers. With the support of her school caregiver, Faith was able to visit a hospital, where she is scheduled to receive corrective surgery on her right leg. Her left leg will be treated at a later time. This treatment will allow Faith to walk without pain and participate more fully in school and daily activities. Faith is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on March 26th, which will correct the position of her legs and greatly improve her quality of life. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,224 to cover the cost of Faith's procedure and care. "I am really looking forward to walking without pain and moving freely. I hope that after my surgery, I will be able to go to school comfortably, play with my friends, and one day become a lawyer to help people who need justice," Faith shared.

Devan is a five-year-old boy whose family hails from Elgeyo Marakwet County in Kenya. Devan lives with his aunt, who has been his primary caregiver since he was two years old. His aunt shared that Devan is the second-born child of her brother, and during Devan's early childhood, he and his sibling experienced significant neglect. Their parents were constantly in conflict and eventually separated, during which time the children were reportedly left without adequate food and care. This is when Devan's aunt chose to adopt and take responsibility for the two children. Devan's aunt is a single mother who separated from her husband about ten years ago. She has three biological children of her own and is now raising a total of five children. After leaving her marital home, she relocated to her maternal village, where she lives in a small rented house. To support her household, she earns a small income by washing clothes for neighbors. Despite her efforts, she reports that life has been extremely difficult, and meeting basic needs remains a daily struggle. Devan is currently enrolled in PP2 at a local school. While at school one day, he slipped and fell, sustaining an injury to his hand. He was initially taken to a nearby health facility; however, due to limited equipment and capacity, he was referred to our medical partner's care center, AIC Kapsowar Hospital. Upon arrival, Devan’s hand was swollen, painful, and he was unable to use the affected limb. An X-ray done showing a fracture of the upper arm bone. An orthopedic surgeon has recommended an open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) procedure for proper management of the fracture. Devan's aunt, however, has no financial capacity to meet the cost of the required surgical procedure and associated hospital bills. She is therefore requesting financial support to enable Devan to receive the necessary treatment. Presently, it is difficult for him to use his hand, and he is in pain Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On January 19th, Devan will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. The procedure will alleviate his pain and treat his condition. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $861 to fund this procedure. Devan's aunt says, "My nephew just had a fall, I didn't know it would come to a point when he would need surgery. Please help him so that when he fully recovers, he can go back to school."

Celestine is a 28-year-old single mother of one child, living in Elgeyo Marakwet County in Kenya. She works as an informal teacher at a nearby primary school, under the Parents Teachers Association. Her income is KES 10,000 per month which she uses to support herself, her family and her child. Despite the challenges, she saves whenever possible and has a dream of one day she will be be formally employed, buy a cow and start practicing farming to improve her livelihood. For the past month, Celestine has been confined to a hospital bed. Her illness began after she slipped and injured her leg while crossing a river on her way home. Believing the injury to be minor, she did not seek urgent care and instead visited a nearby dispensary where her leg was dressed, and she was given some medications. Three days later, her leg became increasingly swollen and painful. She sought care at another facility, but as her condition worsened, she finally went to our medical partner's care center, AIC Kapsowar Hospital, where she was diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis, a rapidly progressive inflammatory infection that kills the body's soft tissues. Celestine was taken urgently to the theatre and underwent surgical debridement of the infected limb, and the procedure was successful. Postoperatively, she was managed in the ward with regular wound care and placed on a wound vacuum to promote healing. A further debridement was planned, and her wound has since become clean and suitable for definitive coverage with a flap and skin graft to allow proper healing and recovery. Unfortunately, Celestine's prolonged hospital stay has accumulated significant medical bills. Celestine is therefore seeking support to help her complete her treatment, regain her health, and return to caring for her child and rebuilding her life. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Celestine receive treatment. On January 6th, surgeons at their care center will perform a contracture release surgery and skin graft, to promote wound coverage and bring her closer to discharge. Now, Celestine needs help to fund this $1,239 procedure. Celestine says, "I thank God for bringing me this far, and I see that I am approaching full closure of my wound. My doctor and the team are dedicated to make sure that my wound is getting better. I am hopeful that this will bring me closer to healing. I look forward to getting better so that I go back to teaching."

Faith is a 15-year-old 5th grader from Kitui County in Kenya, the firstborn in a family of two children. Her mother, who is a single parent, works as a hawker, selling shoes to support the family. Despite challenges, Faith and her mother have always remained hopeful. Faith loves plaiting and braiding hair, and she dreams of one day being able to stand and walk like other children. Faith was born with diplegic Cerebral Palsy (CP) and clubfoot (CTEV), conditions that have limited her mobility since childhood. She cannot stand on her own and uses a wheelchair to move around. Faith was brought to our medical partner's care center, AIC CURE Hospital by her grandmother. At the moment, she is undergoing serial casting in preparation for club foot surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Faith receive treatment. On December 9th, she is scheduled to undergo repair surgery, providing her the opportunity to stand, walk on her own and gain independence. Now, Faith's family needs help to fund this $1,286 procedure. Faith's grandmother says: “My prayer is to see Faith stand and walk like other children, and to continue with her education without any challenges."

Joshua, who is 49 years old, lives with his wife and two children in Kenya. He works as a farmhand for a neighbor, while his wife stays home to care for their children. On November 18th, while he was working on the farm, the vehicle he was driving lost its brakes, went out of control, and overturned. Unfortunately, it landed on Joshua’s left leg, causing a fracture-dislocation of his ankle. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On November 25th, Joshua will undergo a fracture repair procedure called an open reduction and internal fixation, at our medical partner's care center, Nazareth Hospital. This treatment will alleviate pain and enable him to heal properly. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,048 to fund this procedure. "My wish is to get help to have this surgery so that my leg can heal well so that I will be able to go back to my job to continue supporting my family," said Joshua.