Bopha is a nine-year-old girl from Cambodia. She is a third-grade student and lives in Kampong Thom Province with her parents, who are rice farmers, and her four siblings. She is the fourth child in the family. Her oldest brother serves in the army, her second brother is a car repairman, and her younger siblings are students. She enjoys playing hide-and-seek with her friends, her favorite subject is mathematics, and she dreams of becoming a police officer. Bopha was born with weakness in her right arm after a difficult delivery, which damaged the nerves controlling her arm. She has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on her right side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. She has difficulty lifting and moving her right arm, using her hand, holding and grasping objects, writing, dressing herself, and performing daily activities independently. Bopha traveled to our medical partner's care center, Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, to receive treatment. This is the only center in the whole country where this treatment is available. On July 21st, she will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, she will be able to use her arm more easily for school, play, and daily activities, helping her become more independent. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $737 to fund this procedure. Bopha's mother said, “I hope this surgery will help my daughter use her arm better so she can enjoy school, play with her friends, and grow up with confidence.”

Emily is five-year-old student who lives with her family in Medellin, Colombia. Her joy and curiosity shine through every day at preschool, where she interacts with her classmates with enthusiasm and tenderness. Her energy is contagious, and her sweetness leaves a special impression on those around her. When she grows up, she dreams of becoming a firefighter or a veterinarian. Emily was born with an inguinal hernia, a condition in which a small portion of abdominal tissue protrudes through the abdominal wall near the groin. This condition causes discomfort and tenderness, especially when coughing or exercising. Because she has to be cautious with her movements, Emily has begun to feel insecure, particularly during physical education classes and when playing at the park. Without surgery, Emily will continue to experience symptoms, will have difficulty fully enjoying her childhood, and will be at risk of future complications. Fortunately, on April 27th, Emily will undergo repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, Clinica Noel, is requesting $1,005 to fund the surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably. Emily's mother shared, "I want to express my deepest gratitude to the people that will support her surgery. Thank you for extending your generous hand without even knowing her personally. This gesture is, without a doubt, one of the purest expressions of human kindness. May God bless you abundantly, may He multiply your generosity with blessings in your life, and may He continue to guide every endeavor you undertake. Your support not only covers a medical need but also fills our hearts with hope and peace. Thank you for giving us hope that Emily can once again live out her childhood with freedom and confidence."

Wisnaida is a 16-year-old student who lives in central Haiti with her parents and three younger siblings. Her father is a music teacher, and her mother is a merchant. In her free time, Wisnaida enjoys singing. When Wisnaida was younger, she developed an infection that damaged her heart and led to a cardiac condition known as rheumatic mitral regurgitation. Because of this condition, one of the valves of her heart does not open and close properly, causing backwards blood flow, poor circulation, and fatigue. Without treatment, Wisnaida is at risk of valve enlargement and early heart failure. Thankfully, Wisnaida will fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On March 24th, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will first attempt to repair the valve so that it functions more normally. If they are unable to do so, they will remove it and implant an artificial replacement. Another organization, Mitral Foundation, is contributing $10,000 to pay for surgery. Now, Wisnaida's family needs help to fund the costs of related care. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,500 to cover labs, medicines, and check-up and follow-up appointments. It also supports securing travel documents for the family and travel costs for the social workers from our medical partner, who will accompany Wisnaida's family overseas. Wisnaida shares, "I am praying that this surgery goes well so that I feel stronger and healthier!"

Michael is a 10-year-old student from Kenya. When his mother was pregnant with him, she went through a very hard time. She had married into a different tribe, and this brought her a lot of pain. “I was rejected because I was seen as a foreigner,” she said quietly. “This made my pregnancy very difficult. Then my only son was born with clubfoot, and life felt too heavy to bear.” Clubfoot is a condition where one or both feet turn inward, affecting the bones and muscles. Michael lived with this condition on both of his feet for almost ten years without treatment. As he grew older, walking became painful and tiring. “My feet are very sensitive,” Michael said. “I cannot walk without my slip-on shoes. I want to walk fast or even run, but I cannot.” Many times, he leaned on walls for support while watching other children walk and play freely. His mother's pain grew deeper when her in-laws rejected her and her husband, saying their child was cursed. Michael’s father supported them at that time. But after everything they went through, they stopped looking for treatment, and Michael grew up with the condition. Even so, they still hoped that one day things would change. In 2025, that hope came back when they moved to a new village. A neighbor told Michael's mom about CURE Children’s Hospital of Kenya. Fortunately, Michael traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. At the clinic, the doctors examined Michael and quickly scheduled him for surgery. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on March 25th. While Michael is scheduled for surgery, his family cannot afford it. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,286 to fund Michael's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk easily and attend school without disruptions. "I am looking forward to getting better so that I can continue with my studies and engage with my friends in playing football," Michael told us.

Chakriya is a 39-year-old man from Takaeo province, Cambodia. He lives with his wife and two children. His oldest child is in kindergarten, and his youngest child is two years old. His wife stays at home to look after the children and manage household tasks. In his free time, he enjoys planting vegetables around his home and listening to music. For the past 14 years, Chakriya has been living with ankylosing spondylitis - a chronic inflammatory arthritis primarily affecting the spine, causing back pain, stiffness, and inflammation, especially the base of the spine and pelvis. Around one year ago, Chakriya began experiencing pain in his right hip, which has caused difficulty walking and limited his ability to perform daily tasks independently. He had previously undergone a total hip arthroplasty on his left hip in 2014 with the help of our medical partner. Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). Chakriya decided to travel back to CSC for treatment on his right hip. On January 16th, he will undergo a hip replacement procedure, which will cost $1500, including surgery and post-op care. Chakriya and his family can contribute $50, and need support for the remaining cost. Surgeons will operate on his right hip to relieve pain and improve mobility, allowing him to move comfortably and return to work. Chakriya said, "After the surgery, I hope that I will be able to walk easily and no longer have hip pain, so I can do my job properly."

Erick is a calm and polite 15-year-old boy from Kenya. He loves watching movies and playing football, though his feet have limited his ability to play to the fullest. Recently, Erick completed Grade 9 and is eagerly waiting to join Grade 10. He dreams of becoming an IT expert one day. Erick was brought to our medical partner's care center, AIC CURE Hospital, by his cousin. His parents recently traveled to Saudi Arabia seeking greener pastures, after struggling for many years without employment. Erick has clubfoot in both feet, a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Living with the condition for close to 16 years, Erick has faced daily challenges, including criticism and mockery from friends at school whenever he walked. This made him feel left out and discouraged, but he never gave up hope. Hope came when one of the principals at his school connected his family with AIC CURE Hospital. Upon review, Erick was scheduled to begin serial casting in preparation for surgery, starting with his right foot. The treatment will improve his foot position and strengthen his mobility. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Erick receive treatment. On December 11th, he will undergo clubfoot repair surgery, getting him closer to his dream to walk better, run, and play football confidently. Now, Erick's family needs help to fund this $1,286 procedure. “I have lived with this condition for so long, but now I hope to walk, run, and play football like other kids. I want to show my friends that I can do it too,” Samuel shared.

Toe is a retired 68-year-old man from Burma. He lives with his wife, two sons, his daughter-in-law, and his grandson in the refugee camp in Sob Moei District, Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand. One of Toe's sons is enrolled in school, and his daughter-in-law works as a nutritionist in a hospital in the camp. The family also receives monthly cash support from a charity at the camp. In 2022, Toe began suffering from burning and aching pain caused by an irreducible inguinal hernia. His hernia has grown larger and become increasingly painful. Now, Toe needs surgery to live more comfortably and regain his quality of life. Fortunately, on November 10th, Toe will undergo hernia repair surgery at Mae Sariang Hospital, our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,468 to fund the procedure. Toe shared, “I would like my discomfort to disappear. I cannot do whatever I want to do, and I cannot walk properly.”

Lema is a 24-year-old broker from Ethiopia. He lives alone, but he supports his family, including his six siblings. Every day is driven by the pressure to work to keep everyone afloat. But for the past year, he’s been battling a serious medical condition—one that not only affects his health but also threatens his ability to earn a living. What started as a personal health issue has now become a critical threat to his entire future. Lema has a mass on the upper part of his thigh. The symptoms began about a year ago, causing persistent pain and discomfort. He faces a double burden: financial hardship and chronic illness. For the past year, his stability has been deeply shaken by a benign soft tissue tumor that causes constant pain and limits his movement. As a broker, his work depends on being physically active and quick on his feet—making the job nearly impossible. Each day is a struggle, filled with emotional stress and anxiety, as he tries to manage his health, keep his business running, and continue supporting his family. Fortunately, our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, can help. On October 11th, surgeons will perform an excisional biopsy to remove the mass. Now, Lema needs help to raise $750 to fund this procedure. Lema said, "I hope to finally be free from the pain and physical limitations I’ve endured for the past year, so I can return to my work at full capacity—without the fear of relapse or recurring symptoms."

Alejandro is a 57-year-old retired farmer and father of six from the Philippines. He and his wife currently live in his son’s rented apartment. His son, a gym instructor, supports the family financially and also helps his siblings who are still in school. Because of Alejandro’s condition, his son has had to reduce his work hours to care for his father. Alejandro’s eldest son, who runs a small sari-sari store, occasionally contributes rice and food to help the household. Alejandro worked for many years as a farmer but can no longer plow the fields because of his health. For more than twenty years, he has lived with an inguinal hernia, a bulge in the groin caused by abdominal contents pushing through a weak spot in the abdominal muscle. He has been experiencing pain in his lower abdomen and occasionally in his stomach. Fortunately, on September 20th, Alejandro is scheduled to undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner’s care center, Our Lady of Peace Hospital. A portion of the cost will be covered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and our medical partner is raising the remaining $1,038 to fund his surgery and care. This procedure will relieve his discomfort and allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. “This support will greatly ease my family’s financial burden. Thank you to the donors for helping us,” Alejandro shares.