Sineth is 35 years old and a mother of two from Cambodia. Her 12-year-old son has Down syndrome and cannot speak yet. Her husband works in the military, and she stays at home to care for her children, especially her son. Despite limited income and family challenges, she remains devoted to supporting her family. In her free time, she enjoys listening to the news. Since childhood, Sineth had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the eardrum, in her right ear to perforate. For this reason, Sineth experiences hearing loss, recurrent ear discharge, and occasional discomfort. Due to her hearing loss, she has difficulty communicating clearly with others and sometimes cannot hear her children properly. This makes it harder for her to care for her son, who requires special attention, and manage daily responsibilities at home. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is helping Sineth receive treatment. On February 23rd, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in her right ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Her family can contribute $100, but needs help to raise the remaining $263 more to fund her procedure and care. Sineth said, “I hope after the surgery I will be able to hear clearly again, so I can care for my children better and communicate with my family without difficulty. I am very thankful for this opportunity.”

Japhet is a cheerful three-year-old boy from Tanzania. He is the second child in his family and is known for his playful personality and love for football, often trying to kick a ball whenever he sees one. His father, the breadwinner of the family, makes a living as a hired bajaji tricycle driver. Japhet was diagnosed with bilateral genu varus. When Japhet began walking, his family noticed that both of his legs curved outward. At first, relatives described them as “footballer legs,” believing he would outgrow the condition. However, as he continued to grow, the bowing became more noticeable and began affecting his balance. Several factors could cause this condition, such as growth disorders, vitamin deficiencies, or excessive fluoride found in contaminated drinking water. As a result, the knees can be angled inwards or outwards, making it difficult to walk and may cause long-term joint damage. This condition has limited his ability to play with other children, but his parents are hopeful that early treatment will give him a healthy start in life, enabling him to play freely, attend school confidently, and grow without physical limitation. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $810 to fund treatment for Japhet. The procedure is scheduled to take place on March 6th at our medical partner's care center, Kafika House. Treatment will hopefully restore Japhet's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Japhet's mother shared, “He loves to play so much. We hope he will soon run freely like other children.”

Run is 74 years old and lives with her husband in a small neighborhood of Kandal province, Cambodia. Their family is mainly supported by their second child, who works as a laborer, while their first child is married and lives nearby. In her free time, Run enjoys listening to the news and monks’ sermons on the radio. Two months ago, Run slipped and fell while walking around her house, resulting in a fracture of her hip bone. She experiences severe hip pain and has great difficulty walking, standing, and performing daily activities. Initially, she went to a hospital, where an X-ray confirmed the fracture, and surgery was recommended. However, she could not afford the treatment. She then sought traditional Khmer medicine, but her condition did not improve. On February 4th, with the help of our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, Run will undergo a hip hemi-arthroplasty procedure on her left hip. The surgery will help relieve her pain, improve her ability to walk and stand, and allow her to perform daily activities more comfortably. She is able to contribute $100 and needs support for the remaining $612. This cost will cover surgery, medications, post-operative care, and rehabilitation. Run said, “I hope that after surgery I will be able to walk normally again, live without pain, and take care of myself independently.”

Evance is a four-year-old boy from Tanzania. He is the youngest of two children. His mother passed away two weeks after his birth, leaving his father as the sole caregiver. His father works as a motorcycle taxi driver and has limited income, but is committed to securing treatment so that Evance can walk comfortably, play freely, and enjoy a healthy childhood. Evance was diagnosed with bilateral genu valgus. This has caused progressive inward bending of his knees. Several factors could cause this condition, such as growth disorders, vitamin deficiencies, or excessive fluoride found in contaminated drinking water. As a result, the knees can be angled inwards or outwards, making it difficult to walk and may cause long-term joint damage. Evance began experiencing pain and fatigue when walking even short distances. Despite this, he remains active, playful, and attends preschool. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $777 to fund treatment for Evance. The procedure is scheduled to take place on February 6th at our medical partner's care center, Kafika House. Treatment will hopefully restore Evance's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Evance's father says, “When he walks long distances, he complains of pain and gets tired quickly, even though he wants to play and move like other children. I have hope that with his treatment, he will be well enough to play comfortably with the rest of the children.”

Ashel is a 31-year-old mother of two children from Uganda. She is a very determined and hardworking woman who lives in Kabale District, where she works as a farmer. To supplement her income, Ashel also sells second-hand clothes. About a month ago, Ashel started experiencing a painful swelling above her navel, which grew worse rapidly until she could no longer continue with her daily work to support her family. She sought medical assistance from a local clinic, and was advised to seek help from a larger hospital. Ashel visited our medical partner's care center, Rushoroza Hospital, where she was diagnosed with a supraumbilical hernia, a bulge that occurs just above the navel due to a weak spot in the abdominal muscles. Doctors have recommended hernia repair surgery, but Ashel is unable to raise the funds needed for treatment. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Ashel receive treatment. On March 3rd, she will undergo hernia repair surgery at Rushoroza Hospital. AMH is requesting for $170 to fund this surgery. Ashel hopes that her dream of healing, regaining her strength, and resuming her daily work will come true. She says, "I hope that I can get the surgery that has been recommended. I believe that if all goes well, I will return to my daily activities after complete recovery, and will be able to continue taking care of myself and family."

Melany is an intelligent, affectionate, and kind girl. She is known for being active and generous, always willing to share. She loves to play and explore the world around her. However, due to a condition in her teeth that appeared when she was just three years old, she has stopped smiling freely for fear of being teased by other children. Despite this, she remains cheerful and has dreams for the future: when she grows up, she wants to become a soccer player. Melany is scheduled for dental surgery on December 17th. Our medical partner, Clinica Noel, is requesting $868 to fund her treatment and care. The dental treatment under general anesthesia will help eliminate deep cavities. It will be performed under general anesthesia, which guarantees pain relief, anxiety control, and safety during the procedure. Before the procedure, a complete medical evaluation will be performed, and after the procedure, Melany will undergo a period of supervised recovery. Melany's parents say, "We are overjoyed to know that our daughter will be able to receive the treatment we have been waiting for. This step will not only help her regain the confidence to smile comfortably, but also improve her physical and emotional health. We cannot find the words to express our gratitude; we are convinced that Melany will be very happy to know that, thanks to your generosity and commitment, we will be able to overcome this condition together that has accompanied her since she was so young."

Amina is a mother of one from Malawi. She is married and used to work as a cook before her condition affected her daily activities. For six months, Amina has been experiencing pain on the right side of her abdomen, accompanied by heavy bleeding. She was diagnosed with uterine fibroids and requires a total abdominal hysterectomy, the removal of the uterus, including the cervix. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Amina undergo surgery on February 26th. Amina needs help to raise $1,363 to fund her procedure and care. The surgery will allow her to resume her daily activities without pain. After surgery, Amina looks forward to working again to support her family. Amina said, "I have suffered, and this time, I want Allah to intervene for me to get better and resume my job as a cook."

Shalo is a 12-year-old boy from Ethiopia. At home, he helps his mother wash clothes and collect firewood. He also helps his father with farming. Shalo’s father is a farmer, while his mother runs a small business selling vegetables on the street. Shalo’s eldest sibling started working as a fisherman to help support the family Shalo was born with hypospadias, a congenital condition that causes urinary dysfunction. They advised the family to wait until he was older before pursuing treatment. Over the years, his parents traveled long distances to seek help at various hospitals, selling a portion of their land and exhausting their savings in the process. Unable to find a solution, they eventually gave up hope. Shalo was finally referred to our medical partner's care center, Bethany Kids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre, and is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery for hypospadias on December 10th. This procedure will address his symptoms, improve his urinary function, and reduce the risk of infertility in the future. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,231 to cover the total cost of Shalo’s procedure and care. “I am hopeful that once we get to this hospital, my child will receive the surgery and heal from it,” shared Shalo’s father.

Spridon is a cheerful eight-year-old boy from Embu County, Kenya, with a love for books and big dreams of becoming a doctor one day. His mother tells us he enjoys reading so much that they sometimes have to take books away just to encourage him to play with his friends! You can always spot Spridon with a book in hand, sharing his joy for learning. He’s currently in grade 5 and lives with his mother, who works hard as a casual laborer picking tea leaves to provide for their family. Unfortunately, Spridon was born with bilateral cavovarus, a foot condition that causes both feet to twist out of shape, making walking and wearing shoes challenging. His treatment journey began when he was just three days old, with serial casting that lasted for the first two years of his life. However, when his mother returned to school, Spridon stayed with his grandmother, and they lost touch with his healthcare team. Tragically, Spridon lost his grandmother. In 2022, a teacher noticed Spridon’s unusual way of walking and reached out to his mother. This led them to the local district hospital, where he began receiving care again. Although he was scheduled for surgery last year, the family faced financial obstacles and couldn’t afford the procedure without health insurance. Spridon's mother was determined to give her son the help he needs and recently learnt about our medical partner's care center, AIC CURE International Hospital. She took him to the hospital's mobile clinic in Embu, and is hopeful that this is where Spridon will finally get the surgery that could transform his life. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare is helping Spridon receive treatment. Presently, he is undergoing serial casting at the hospital to prepare for clubfoot repair surgery. On December 6th, surgeons will perform a procedure to correct Spridon's feet. This surgery will enhance his mobility, allowing him to engage in activities like playing football and helping him continue his education without difficulties. Now, Spridon's family needs help to fund this $1,286 procedure and post-treatment care. Spridon's mother says: "I am truly hopeful that my son will recover well, walk like other children, and finally realize his dream."

Dgylanie is a 22-year-old woman from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, where she lives with her parents. Before falling ill, she worked as a seamstress, sewing clothes to support herself and her family. She dreams of returning to her profession once she regains her health. Dgylanie has a congenital heart condition called ventricular septal defect, which means she was born with a hole between the two lower chambers of her heart. This condition causes blood to leak through the hole, leading to weakness and eventually heart failure. Dgylanie will be traveling to the United States to receive life-changing treatment. On December 6th, she is scheduled to undergo cardiac surgery at Baylor Scott and White Heart Hospital, where surgeons will sew a patch over the hole in her heart to stop the blood from leaking. Baylor Scott and White Heart Hospital is contributing $28,000 to cover the cost of the surgery. However, her family also needs help funding additional costs related to surgery preparation. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,500 to cover the cost of lab tests, medications, check-ups, and follow-up appointments. The funds will also support securing travel documents for the family and travel expenses for social workers who will accompany Dgylanie and her family overseas. Dgylanie shares, “I am excited to be able to focus on my future instead of worrying about my heart.”

Michelle, 37 years old, is a single mother from the Philippines. She lives with her mother as Michelle is hearing and speech impaired. The family relies mostly on government assistance and occasional support from other family members to cover food and utility expenses. About a year ago, a lump formed on the side of Michelle's face. Concerned, they took her for a check-up where the doctor recommended a biopsy and ultrasound. Unfortunately, they were unable to proceed with these tests due to financial constraints. Michelle was referred to our medical partner's care center, Our Lady of Peace Hospital, where she was told she needed a parotidectomy, a surgery to remove partial or all of the parotid gland. She is scheduled for surgery on December 19th and our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines, is requesting $1,500 to cover the cost of Michelle's treatment, diagnostics, and care. Michelle's mother shared, "We are very grateful and we appreciate the organizations and individuals dedicated to helping those in need. The amount for this operation is a handful, especially for us who mostly rely on help from others. Thank you very much for helping us."

Frola is a farmer from Malawi. She is married and a mother of two boys. Her husband works in South Africa. Frola enjoys caring for her children and eating local meals. Two months ago, Frola began to experience troubling symptoms, including a small swelling on the right side of her neck. She visited the nearest clinic for support and was treated for tonsillitis, yet there was no change. The swelling started growing faster than expected, and she started experiencing painful swallowing which led to less eating in fear of pain. Frola visited our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center, where she was diagnosed with nodular goiter, an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland. The thyroid is the gland located in front of your neck and produces thyroid hormones. These hormones are responsible for functions such as metabolism, growth, and other bodily functions. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Frola receive treatment on January 28th. She will undergo a thyroidectomy where surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $1,015 and she and her family need help raising money. “I can’t eat enough due to pains during swallowing, I have hope that surgery will resolve my problems,” said Frola.