Rabiya is a 19-year-old bright and determined university student from Ethiopia. Rabiya shares that being in university is a truly exciting chapter of her life. Between her university studies and being a rock for her two brothers, she stays incredibly busy. But lately, a cyst on her left wrist has been causing her much discomfort. Five months ago, Rabiya felt a sudden, distracting tingling and itchy sensation in the wrist. What started as minor swelling quickly took a turn for the worse; within just a month, the discomfort transitioned into severe, persistent pain. For a busy college student, the pain is affecting even the simplest tasks. Typing up a paper, scribbling notes during a lecture, or carrying heavy textbooks across campus became difficult, which has affected her studies. Rabiya traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On March 14th, surgeons will perform an excisional biopsy to remove the mass. Now, Rabiya needs help to raise $750 to fund this procedure. She says: "More than anything, I’m looking forward to the freedom of moving my wrist without a second thought. I can’t wait to dive back into my studies and my role as a sister, fully present and pain-free."

Emmanuel is a 45-year-old hardworking father from Philippines. He previously worked as driver to support his family, but is currently unemployed, which is challenging while raising two school-going children. His wife is also unemployed, and with no steady income, the family often skip meals and mainly depend on partial repayments of debts from relatives, and occasionally borrow money from the children's uncle. Six years ago, Emmanuel began to experience troubling symptoms, including intense chest pains that radiate to his back, which prevented him from sitting or lying down. He made repeated attempts to seek treatment in public hospitals, but these were unsuccessful due to overcrowding. Emmanuel is growing increasingly worried about not being able to provide for his family, yet he remains hopeful that the surgery could alleviate his painful symptoms and reduce the financial strain on his family. Emmanuel has been diagnosed with cholelithiasis, which are hardened pieces of bile that form in the gallbladder. Doctors have advised him to undergo a cholecystectomy, which the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, his symptoms will continue to worsen and put him at a risk of future health complications. Emmanuel is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy on April 11th, through our partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP). A portion of the cost of the procedure is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is raising the remaining $1,031 to cover the cost of Emmanuel's surgery and care. Emmanuel says: "Despite our current struggles, I remain optimistic about our future. Once I receive treatment for my condition, I'll return to work so I can provide for my family again. My wife and children keep me strong."

Eyobel is a two-year-old boy from Ethiopia. He is very active, loves playing, and is also very sociable. He is a happy child who enjoys being around people, and he especially loves football. His mother is a homemaker, while his father works as a driver to support and care for the family. Eyobel was born 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, Eyobel is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on May 7th at our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,293 to cover the cost of his procedure and care. Eyobel’s mother said, “Thanks to God for this opportunity. Thank you to Bethany Kids and everyone who supported us. I am very grateful for the chance to receive this treatment. I hope my baby will be okay during the surgery.”

Madina is a lively three-year-old girl from Tanzania. She is the last-born child in a family of six children and lives with both her parents. From the moment you meet Madina, her joyful spirit is unmistakable. Her mother describes her as an enthusiastic and social child who interacts easily with other children and brings happiness to those around her. Madina loves playing with dolls and often imitates a classroom setting when playing with her dolls at home. Madina was diagnosed with bilateral genu valgus, a condition that has affected alignment of her legs, causing her to have knocked knees. The condition has made walking increasingly difficult for Madina. 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. As Madina becomes more active, her parents have noticed that the condition is limiting her movement and causing her discomfort. They worry about how this will affect her ability to play, attend school and pursue her dreams. Madina requires a bilateral distal femoral osteotomy (DFO) surgery, which will help straighten her legs and allow her to grow and develop normally. However, her parents are unable to afford the cost of the procedure. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $777 to fund treatment for Madina, which is scheduled to take place on January 12th at our medical partner's care center, Kafika House. Treatment will hopefully restore Madina's mobility, allow her to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease her risk of future complications. Madina’s father says, "We are hopeful that through this treatment, Madina will be able to walk, play and learn without pain, giving her a fair chance to enjoy her childhood."

Modester is a small-scale farmer from Malawi. She is married with five children and comes from rural Dedza, about 86.9 km from Lilongwe. She never attended school. Since 2025, Modester has been experiencing uncomfortable gynecological symptoms. Hospital assessments confirmed uterine fibroids. Despite various medications and a tubal ligation in 2015, her symptoms persisted. She managed for some years, but in September 2025, the symptoms returned, this time with severe lower abdominal pain, backache, and extreme weakness. Her condition has greatly affected her ability to work, reducing the income she relies on for her family. She was referred to our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center (PIH), for possible surgical support. She has been diagnosed with uterine fibroids and needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,363 to fund Modester's surgery. On March 7th, she will undergo gynecological surgery, and once recovered, Modester will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. "This condition has threatened my life. The good news is that PIH can help me, and I am here today seeking support. Kindly help me," Modester pleaded during the assessment.

Elizabeth is a business lady from Malawi. She is married and has one child aged 28. She runs a small grocery shop. For about one year, Elizabeth has been experiencing pain on the right side of her abdomen. She visited the hospital and received pain‑relieving medication. However, the pain persisted, accompanied by a sensation of abdominal fullness. Six months later, further assessments were carried out. Her condition has significantly affected her ability to run her business, resulting in reduced income that is barely enough for her upkeep. Her husband is unemployed and also depends entirely on her shop. Elizabeth was diagnosed with uterine fibroids, which are abnormal growths that develop in a woman’s uterus. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,363 to fund Elizabeth's surgery. On February 7th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center. Once recovered, Elizabeth will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Elizabeth shared, "I wish I could get better to get rid of my pains because I need to concentrate on my business."

Gabriel is 17 months old and the youngest of two children from Bolivia. He lives with his dad, who works in a cookie factory, his mom, who is a homemaker, and his older sister. Gabriel loves to play with his older sister. Gabriel was born prematurely. He needed oxygen while in the incubator. While caring for him in the hospital, doctors noticed a heart murmur and diagnosed Gabriel with a ventricular septal defect. A hole exists between the two lower chambers of his heart: blood leaks through this hole instead of circulating normally, leaving him weak and short of breath. On January 7th, Gabriel will undergo cardiac 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 his heart so that blood can no longer leak through it. Gabriel'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. Gabriel's mother shared, "I have a lot of faith that this surgery will be alright, and my child will have a healthy heart!"

Theresia is a 15-year-old girl from Tanzania. Theresia’s mother currently lives in Oldeani, Karatu, where she works as a small-scale farmer cultivating maize to support the family. Theresia always loved school, but the increasing pain and difficulty walking forced her to drop out. The long distances to school, uneven paths, and the social challenges that came with her condition made it impossible for her to continue. It was a heartbreaking decision for her and her mother, who has always encouraged her education. Theresia has clubfoot on her right foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. The tissues connecting the muscle to the bones are shorter than usual, and this causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Theresia's family traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Kafika House. Surgeons will begin clubfoot treatment on December 5th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,119 to fund Theresia's clubfoot repair. Her mother dreams of seeing her daughter walk comfortably again, free from pain, and return to school to continue chasing the future she deserves. Theresia says, "It has been painful trying to work at home, go to school, and be independent. I wish for this to change and the pain to stop."

Mary is 47 years old and a farmer from Malawi. She is married and has five children. Together with her husband, she depends on farming for their livelihood. Her two eldest children are married with families of their own, while she lives with her three younger children, who are still in Primary Seven and Primary Five. Since 2017, Mary has been experiencing abdominal pains associated with severe bleeding. Initially, she assumed it was normal, but the condition worsened in November 2024, prompting her to visit the hospital. The condition has greatly affected her health and left her too weak to concentrate on farming, the family’s only source of income. She has been diagnosed with uterine fibroids. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,363 to fund Mary's surgery. On November 8th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center. Once recovered, Mary will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Mary shared, "The discomfort from abdominal fullness is too much. l wish I could be well again, and regain my strength."