John is a 52-year-old small-scale retailer from Kenya. He is a father of two and the family’s main breadwinner. Since his accident, his family has faced significant hardship. His wife has had to take on casual jobs to provide for the household, while also caring for him. John lost his father earlier this year, and on the way back from the burial, he was involved in a grisly road accident, narrowly escaping death. The incident occurred along the Nairobi–Nakuru Highway near Naivasha, when the matatu he was traveling in collided head-on with a bus. John sustained multiple injuries to his head, hands, pelvis, and legs. He was rushed to a district hospital, where he received first aid treatment. However, due to the severity of his injuries and multiple fractures, he sought specialized care at our medical partner's care center, AIC Kijabe Hospital. Upon arrival, scans confirmed the extent of the fractures he sustained. Although he managed to enroll into the national health insurance scheme, it could not cover all the surgeries he requires. Since the accident, John has been confined to a wheelchair and requires assistance to move around. He continues to live in pain and is now reaching out for support so he can undergo an open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) procedure, and continue his recovery journey. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On March 5th, John will undergo a fracture repair procedure to treat his fractures, and help him regain his mobility. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,500 to fund this procedure. John says, “I am in constant pain. I can’t walk, sleeping is difficult, and I rely on pain medication just to get through the day.”

Charles is a 36-year-old father of four from Kenya. Before his illness, Charles operated a small shop selling sausages. Since his injury, he has been unable to run the business effectively, and his wife has taken over the running of the shop to support the family. The income from the business barely meets their basic needs, making it difficult to raise funds for the required surgery. Charles was at his shop in July 2025 when demonstrations broke out, and a crowd raided the building where his shop was located. In an attempt to escape, he was forced to jump from the first floor, landing badly, and severely injuring his right leg. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he underwent a fracture repair surgery. Unfortunately, the wound failed to heal properly. When Charles went to AIC Kijabe Hospital in September 2025, an examination revealed that the wound was severely infected. The metal nail that had been inserted during the initial surgery had to be removed to allow the infection to clear. Since then, Charles has been attending regular follow-up visits for wound cleaning and dressing. During a clinic visit in February 2026, he was finally cleared to undergo another ORIF surgery to stabilize his leg and allow proper healing. Unfortunately, his insurance coverage had already been exhausted and could not cover the required procedure. Charles continues to live in pain. He moves with the help of crutches, and at times the pain becomes unbearable, forcing him to rely on pain medication for relief. He is now reaching out for support so he can undergo surgery and finally heal. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On March 5th, Charles will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help him walk easily again and go back to being a provider for his family Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,500 to fund this procedure. Charles says, “Sometimes my leg swells so much, that it becomes difficult to move, even with crutches.”

11-year-old Allan lives in Kenya with his mother and older brother. His mother, who is a single parent, works as a tailor to support her family. Two years ago, Allan was playing with friends at school, when he tripped. By the next day, his leg was swollen and painful, and he was unable to walk. His mother quickly took him to the nearest dispensary, where he received an injection, but the pain didn't go away. The swelling continued to get worse. Allan was then taken to a district hospital, where an X-ray showed damage to the soft tissue in his leg. He was given medication, but the swelling and pain got even worse, and he began having trouble breathing. Allan was then admitted in another hospital for a week, where he was put on oxygen. He still couldn’t walk, and further scans revealed that he had broken bones. Allan was referred to our medical partner's care center, AIC Kijabe Hospital, where he had a fracture repair surgery in April 2023, to repair the damage. This was followed by another surgery in February 2024 to remove the plates from the first surgery, and to replace them with new ones that would better hold his bones together. Allan was to undergo a bone transport surgery towards the end of 2024, but his wound was severely infected, so he had to undergo several procedures in 2025 to clean and close up his wound, before he could proceed with the bone transport. His wound has been healing well, and he is now set to undergo bone transport surgery. Unfortunately, Allan's national health insurance is now depleted, due to the multiple surgeries. The income that Allan's mother earns barely covers the basic needs for her elder son, who is in high school, and Allan, who has required frequent medical care after his injury. She has been relying on the kindness of others to help with hospital bills, but has not been able to raise enough money for Allan’s upcoming surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is seeking $1,500 to cover the cost of Allan's surgery, which is scheduled to take place on February 4th, at AIC Kijabe Hospital. Allan is looking forward to a time when he will be fully recovered, and can return to school. He said: “My friends go to school, but I stay at home because of my leg injury. I am supposed to be in Grade 7, but for now, I stay at home.”

Brian is a 17-year-old boy from Kenya. His father is a primary school teacher. Brian is due to start school and is worried about missing lessons and falling behind in the syllabus. Education is very important to him, and he hopes to resume his studies as soon as possible. Three weeks ago, Brian experienced a convulsion and fell into a fire. As a result, he sustained severe burns to his leg. He was eventually brought to the hospital, where the surgical team assessed him. The surgeon managed his injuries through multiple dressing changes, surgical debridement, and, due to the severity of the burns, amputation of one toe. Brian was later placed on a wound vacuum (VAC) to support healing. At present, his condition is stable, and he is doing relatively well. However, he still requires a skin graft to achieve proper wound coverage and complete healing. On January 6th, Brian is scheduled to undergo a skin graft procedure, and our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,183 to fund his procedure and care. Brian says, "I hope that after the skin graft, my hospital stay will be reduced. I should be in form four, and I don't want to fall behind, especially with the syllabus. My goal is to take after my father, be a teacher, and aim higher to head a teachers' organization in the future. Please help me. "

Valentina is a 14-month-old girl from Bolivia. She has five older siblings and loves to laugh and play with her family. Her father works as a driver, and her mother sells food. When she was a young baby, Valentina's parents noticed she was always agitated and couldn't breathe normally, so they took her to the doctor who diagnosed a heart condition called ventricular septal defect. This means there is a hole between the two lower chambers of her heart and blood leaks through this hole instead of circulating normally, leaving her weak and short of breath. Valentina also has Down syndrome. On December 3rd, Valentina will undergo heart surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, surgeons will sew a patch over the hole in her heart so that blood will no longer leak through it. Valentina'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. Valentina's father said, "Valentina is a sweet little girl, we hope everything goes well, so she can have a healthy heart!"

Choy is a 38-year-old mother of three from Cambodia. She lives in rural Ratanakiri province with her husband and their three children, all of whom are students in a nearby school. Both Chey and her husband work as cashew farmers to support the family. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her children, listening to music, and watching TV. In July 2025, Choy fractured her hand in a motorbike accident after swerving to avoid a dog on the road. Since the accident, her left hand has remained painful and difficult to use. This limits her ability to help on the farm, and carry out her daily household activities. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On October 1st, Choy will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $600. The treatment will relieve her pain and restore function in her hand, allowing her to return to work, take care of her family, and manage her daily activities more easily. Choy's husband said, "I hope that my wife's condition will improve, and she will no longer have pain."

Dickson is a four-year-old boy from Tanzania. For him, communication is shaped by his cultural background, as he speaks only the Maasai language. Despite this, he finds ways to express himself, and his quiet yet observant nature allows him to connect deeply with those who understand him. Dickson’s family lives a traditional pastoralist lifestyle, relying primarily on livestock for survival. Their livelihood revolves around cattle and goats, which provide milk and, occasionally, income through sales. Dickson was diagnosed with bilateral genu varus, a condition that has affected the strength and alignment of his legs. 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. With the surgery, Dickson will have the chance to run and play more freely with other children, bringing hope to his family for a stronger and healthier future. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $810 to fund treatment for Dickson. The procedure is scheduled to take place on August 19th at our medical partner's care center, Kafika House. Treatment will hopefully restore Dickson's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Dickson's father says, "I hope my boy will be able to walk our cattle just like his older brothers because it's our wish for him to be part of our culture."

Four-year-old Agustín lives with his family in Vereda La San José, Colombia. Although he has not yet started formal schooling, Agustín is a curious, active child, with a vivid imagination. He dreams of becoming a doctor, which reflects his sensitivity and dedication to helping others. For about a year, Agustín has had severe tooth decay that causes him constant pain, fear when eating, and a high risk of infection. This condition has significantly affected his quality of life, impacting his nutrition, rest, and emotional well-being. The community where Agustin and his family live has limited resources, with only a basic health center, which has made it difficult to access specialized dental care. Due to the complexity of Agustin's case, he was evaluated by a pediatric dentist, who determined that the treatment should be performed under general anesthesia to ensure his safety and well-being. The procedure will include extensive dental restorations and will be performed in a hospital setting, under full anesthetic monitoring, by a specialized medical team. This intervention represents a crucial opportunity to improve Agustín's oral health and to restore the peace of mind that every child deserves. Our medical partner, Clinica Noel, is seeking $868 to fund Agustin's surgery, which is scheduled for August 22nd. Agustin's mother said: "I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the person who makes it possible for Agustin's smile to live on, not only in the hearts of my family, but also in his life. Smiling is a way of telling the world that happiness is possible. Good oral health not only allows us to show joy, but also to express the tenderness and innocence that are so lacking in these times. Because a genuine smile has the power to transform someone's day, to brighten dark moments, and to sow hope where there seems to be none. Thank you for giving my little boy back the ability to smile freely."

Three-year-old Rouss lives in the western part of Bolivia with her parents and an older sister. Her mother works as a food vendor, while her father is a mechanic. Rouss and her family are also expecting a baby brother soon, as her mother is currently pregnant and due to deliver in the near future. Two days after she was born, Rouss was admitted to the hospital due to breathing difficulties. Upon examination, doctors discovered she was suffering from a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect and patent ductus arteriosus. These conditions resulted in a hole between the two lower chambers of her heart, causing blood to leak through without passing through her lungs for oxygen, which leaves Rouss weak and short of breath. Additionally, there is a second hole between two major blood vessels next to her heart. The doctors informed her mother that Rouss required urgent open-heart surgery. Rouss also has Down syndrome. Because the family lives in a very rural area of Bolivia, it has taken a long time for Rouss to access the surgery she needs. Fortunately, on April 2nd, she will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During the procedure, surgeons will sew a patch over the hole to close it, so that blood can no longer leak through it. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,500 to cover the cost of Rouss's cardiac exams and diagnostics, surgical costs, follow-up care, and medications. Rouss's mother says: "We are so glad to be here, and to know there is a solution for her heart problem. I love her and only want the best for her!"

Joy is a six-year-old girl, the second-born child in a family of four. She and her family live in Homabay County in Kenya. Her mother is a homemaker while her father works as a 'Jua kali' artisan. Joy was born with two medical conditions: spina bifida and clubfoot in both feet. She received surgery treatment for spina bifida at a regional hospital and was then taken to another hospital for clubfoot treatment, where casting was done. However, her condition worsened, leaving her mother worried. One day, Joy's mother was informed by her neighbor about an orthopedic medical team from AIC Cure Hospital that would be visiting during a mobile clinic at Homabay County. She brought Joy to the clinic, and after examination, was advised that Joy would need serial casting followed by surgery, to treat her condition. Joy has clubfoot of both feet, a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape causing difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Joy receive treatment. On June 10th, she will undergo clubfoot repair surgery to treat her condition and improve her mobility. Now, Joy's family need help to fund this $1,286 procedure. Joy's mother says, "I believe that my daughter will one day walk on her own two feet. Watching her condition improve gives me hope, and I trust that with continued treatment and God's help, she will grow to live a full and happy life."

Chit is a 26-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her husband, her daughter, two siblings, and her parents in an internally displaced camp in the Karenni State, Burma. Her brother and sister are still attending school in the camp. Their family income is just enough to cover their household expenses. Additionally, they harvest vegetables from the jungle sometimes for their consumption. During her free time, Chit loves cooking. Chit is currently expecting her second child. Her doctors recommend that she deliver via a caesarean section because of a high-risk pregnancy. This way, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child. The hospital at the camp is not equipped to perform c-sections. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is helping Chit undergo a C-section on May 2nd at their care center, Mae Sariang Hospital. This procedure will cost $1,500, and Chit needs your support. "I am excited to bring joy to my family with the arrival of my baby boy and to also open a shop in the IDP camp after I give birth," Chit said.