17-month-old Tesfanesh is a cheerful and playful baby girl from Ethiopia. She lives with her grandparents, aunts, uncles, and her father, making her the beloved granddaughter of the family. Shortly after her birth, Tesfanesh's parents separated. She was left in the care of her grandmother, who soon began to notice signs of an intestinal blockage. Tesfanesh was referred to our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre. Filled with hope, the family travelled to seek treatment. Tesfanesh was diagnosed with an anorectal malformation, which leads to a complete or partial blockage of the intestines and bowel dysfunction. She needs to undergo several surgeries to completely treat her condition. The first surgery has been completed, reducing her abdominal bloating and improving her overall health. Tesfanesh is scheduled to undergo a second surgery to correct her condition on May 8th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Tesfanesh's procedure and care. After her recovery, Tesfanesh will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. Tesfanesh's grandaunt said, “I have great hope that the surgery will be successful, and that she will grow up to be healthy."

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!"

Paris is 51 years old and a widowed father of three from the Philippines. He works as a tricycle driver and takes on electrical work as a side job to supplement his income and provide for his family. With the support of his siblings and relatives, he is able to send all his three children to school. During his free time, Paris plays billiards and loves watching TV with his children. Early last year, Paris was diagnosed with an umbilical hernia. He had a swelling on his stomach, felt pain, and could sense the movement of his intestines. In January 2025, Paris sought medical treatment at our medical partner's care center, Our Lady of Peace Hospital. On February 8th, Paris will undergo hernia repair surgery that will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. A portion of the cost of Paris's treatment is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation. Our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines, is raising the remaining $1,103 to cover the cost of his surgery and care. Paris shared, "A free surgery would be a tremendous help to me, as it would alleviate the financial burden of the procedure. This would allow me to use the money for my family’s basic needs, particularly food and educational expenses. So I am truly grateful for all the people who will make this surgery possible for me."

Selina is a 55-year-old woman from Kenya. She is the mother of four children between the ages of 20 and 35, and previously worked as a small scale retailer. In January 2022, Selina was hit by a bicycle while crossing the road in Busia. She fell to the ground, and the rider, along with his passenger, landed on her, causing the bicycle's pedals to hit her left leg, injuring it. She was rushed to a local hospital, but instead of improving, her condition worsened each day, eventually leading to the deterioration of her leg. She decided to seek treatment at our medical partner's care center, AIC Kijabe Hospital According to Selina, her life since the accident has been one of constant pain, with frequent hospital visits and a series of surgeries. Selina's leg has endured severe infections, requiring four debridement surgeries to treat the infection. She also had a surgical hardware device inserted to help her bones heal. Before the accident, Selina and her husband operated a shop, but they had to close it after spending all their money on her medical treatment. She is currently not able to walk using the injured leg. The surgery costs have exhausted her insurance coverage, and her family is struggling to cover the mounting medical expenses. Her two older children are married but unemployed, making it difficult for them to support their mother's medical care. The family has contacted friends and relatives for help, but their efforts have been unsuccessful. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Selina receive treatment. On January 6th, she will undergo a debridement and skin graft procedure to treat her wound. The surgery will provide her an opportunity to walk again and improve her quality of life. Now, Selina needs help to fund this $1,185 procedure. Selina says, "It’s been almost three years since I last walked independently. I pray every day for my leg to fully heal so that I can walk again."

Elizabeth is a 4th grade student from Kenya. She is the oldest in her family, with two younger siblings. When Elizabeth was little her parents separated and her mother left, so Elizabeth now lives with her grandmother. Elizabeth has clubfoot on the left foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape which causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. This condition has affected her ability to walk comfortably and complete daily activities. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), can help. Elizabeth will undergo clubfoot surgery on November 12th. AMH requests $1,286 to fund this procedure. After treatment and recovery, she will be able to walk properly, which will help her continue her education and boost her self-confidence. This journey means so much to Elizabeth and her family. Soon, she will be able to focus on her studies and live her life fully for a brighter future by becoming a doctor. “I am looking forward to walking confidently, continuing with my education, and achieving my dream career of becoming a doctor in the future. I pray God to help me achieve this so that I can help needy patients with different conditions,” Elizabeth shared.

The past nine months have been filled with worry and uncertainty for Vinet, a 23-year-old young man whose life was turned upside down by sudden tremors, convulsions, and fainting spells. Since his first collapse in March 2024, he has visited multiple hospitals and taken medication to manage his condition, yet he continues to struggle with these debilitating episodes. In May 2024, Vinet came to our medical partner's care center, AIC Kijabe Hospital, where he received the shocking news that a tumor had formed near his brain. The doctors recommended a craniotomy—an urgent surgery that could save his life. However, Vinet's lack of insurance coverage has made it impossible for him to proceed with the treatment. Raised by a single father after the loss of his mother, Vinet is an only child who has always been a source of strength for his family. His father works at a flower farm in Naivasha to keep food on the table. Despite completing high school, Vinet has been unable to pursue further education due to financial limitations. To support his family, he took on construction work, which has become increasingly difficult as his health issues worsen. Since his diagnosis, Vinet and his father have been desperately trying to raise funds for his surgery, but their efforts have not yielded fruit. Vinet collapses up to four times a week, making it hard for him to work or even socialize, as he never knows when the next episode will strike. Yet, amidst these challenges, Vinet remains hopeful. He dreams of studying electrical engineering and is determined to seek help from kind-hearted individuals once he regains his health. To make this dream a reality, Vinet urgently needs your support to undergo this life-saving surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Vinet receive treatment. On November 28th, he will undergo a craniotomy at AIC Kijabe Hospital. The treatment will help him reclaim his health, live a normal life, and work towards achieving his aspirations. Now, Vinet's family need help to fund this $1,500 procedure. Vinet says, "I once collapsed while I was with friends, and ever since that day, I've felt like people tend to avoid being around me because they're afraid I might collapse at any moment. Yet, I believe that with the right treatment, I will regain my health."

Ma Khin is a 54-year-old day laborer who lives alone in a rural village in Tak Province, Thailand. She moved from Burma two years ago in search of better job opportunities but has since lost contact with her daughter and two sons, who remain in Burma. Before falling ill, Ma Khin worked as an agricultural laborer, but due to her condition, she has been unable to work for the past three months and has had no income during this time. Occasionally, a neighbor would provide her with food, offering rice and vegetables, but she is struggling to cover her living expenses and cannot afford the healthcare she desperately needs. In June 2024, Ma Khin began experiencing severe pain in her lower right abdomen. She struggles to eat, as her abdomen becomes bloated after meals, often forcing her to vomit. In addition, she suffers from breathing difficulties, frequent headaches, and persistent pain in both her abdomen and back, which have left her deeply concerned about her health. After seeking medical advice, she was diagnosed with a right ovarian tumor. Doctors have recommended a total abdominal hysterectomy, a procedure to remove her uterus and cervix. Without this treatment, Ma Khin’s symptoms will likely worsen, putting her at greater risk of severe health complications. Fortunately, Ma Khin is scheduled to undergo her hysterectomy on October 8th. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Once recovered, she will no longer experience pain or discomfort. She will be able to eat and sleep well and be able to return to work. Ma Khin shared, “Without the BCMF and the donors, I would have seen no way out of my suffering. I am very thankful to you for saving my life and I will never forget that.’’

Kanika is a thirteen-year-old girl from Cambodia. She lives with her mother and younger brother in Pursat Province, near the border with Thailand. Kanika's mother sells groceries at home, and her father works at a factory in Korea to support the family. Kanika is currently in seventh grade and enjoys her geography class. She has shared that she wants to work in Korea like her father when she is older. At home, Kanika's favorite meal is fried fish with rice, and she likes doing her homework and helping take care of her younger brother. Kanika has been diagnosed with both Marfan syndrome and scoliosis, which are complex conditions leading to pronounced spinal deformities. These conditions affect her physical appearance, making her fingers and toes long and slender and causing a sunken chest. Marfan syndrome also impacts her heart function. Her scoliosis results in severe double curves in the thoracic and lumbar regions. These conditions make her feel uncomfortable at school, and in social situations, impacting her daily life. Kanika and her mother were referred by a public hospital in Phnom Penh to our medical center, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), for spine treatment. On September 4th, specialized spinal surgeons will perform a fusion surgery to stabilize and correct Kanika’s severe spinal curvature. The surgeons will use implants and bone grafts to join the vertebrae together. Kanika’s mother can only afford $100 toward her daughter’s care and needs your help to raise the remaining $1,400 for the surgery, hospitalization, implants, post-operative medication, and physiotherapy. This procedure will help relieve Kanika’s discomfort, improve posture, and prevent future complications. Kanika's mother shared, "I hope that my daughter will be able to live comfortably and continue her schooling."

Rabecca is a single mother of two children from Malawi. She works as a household helper and sometimes she gets support from her daughter who does business selling firewood. Rabecca likes chatting with children and enjoys eating nsima, a local porrdige, served with fresh fish. For four years, Rabecca has been experiencing a growing lower abdominal distention which was easily mistaken for pregnancy and was associated with pain and dizziness. This affected her day-to-day activities, reducing her income. She visited our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center, and a scan was done. Rabecca was 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 Rabecca's surgery. On August 21st, she will undergo gynecological surgery, and once recovered, Rabecca will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Rabecca said, “I will be a very happy woman after going through surgery to get rid of the disturbing symptoms for me to concentrate on my job as a maid and continue supporting my children as a single mother.”

Yin is a 65-year-old retired grandmother from Thailand. She lives with her husband, son, sister-in-law and granddaughter. She enjoys reading the Bible and visiting church during her free time. In February 2024, Yin noticed a small lump on the right side of her neck. She tried to treat it with traditional medicine, but the lump grew larger., Yin began to experience troubling symptoms, including pain in her neck, arm, and back, along with discomfort from the mass. She was diagnosed with goiter, an 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. Yin needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is helping Yin receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on August 10th at Mae Sot General Hospital. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $1,500, and she and her family need help raising money. Yin said, “I was worried about receiving surgery, but if I do not receive this treatment, I also worry that it will become cancer in the future. Now I am so happy to receive treatment for free, and I would like to say thank you to BCMF and Watsi. I want to be healthy because I am old, and I don’t want to cause any problems or add more work for my family.”

Abduselam is a playful two-year-old boy from Ethiopia. His mother is a home-maker who lost her parents when she was a child, and was brought up by relatives. She left Ethiopia at the age of fifteen, worked in Saudi Arabia for twelve years, and built the house where she and her family currently reside using the money she earned abroad. She built an additional three rooms that she presently rents out, and uses the income to support her family's basic needs. Abduselam's father farms in the family's ancestral land, and his parents live together with his wife and children in one household. For fun, Abduselam enjoys playing in the mud with other with other children in the neighborhood. Abduselam was born with hypospadias, a condition in which the urinary opening is not at the usual location, causing urinary dysfunction. Abduselam was born while his family was living as internally displaced persons during the war in Tigray, and his mother noticed the condition when he was three months old. She took him to local hospitals and he was put on long treatment waiting lists. While waiting for her son to receive treatment, Abduselam's mother heard that another child with the same condition had received treatment at our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Center (BKMCM). She managed to get connected to a social worker at BKMCM, and a relative paid for their transportation to the hospital. Abduselam's mother is presently worried, but is hopeful that her child will receive the medical treatment he needs. Without surgical correction, Abduselam will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms, and is at risk for infertility. Fortunately, Abduselam is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on June 25th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,293 to cover the cost of his procedure and care. Abduselam's mother says, “I hope he will get the surgery that he needs and fully recover, so that he can have a normal childhood.”

Vuthy is a 23-year-old air conditioner technician from Cambodia. He lives with his parents, two siblings, his uncle, and his uncle's wife in Krong Kampong Cham. They are all farmers, growing rice and potatoes, while his youngest brother is in 1st grade. In his free time, he enjoys checking his social media and playing soccer with his friends. When he was four years old, Vuthy had an ear infection. This infection caused a cholesteatoma, an abnormal skin growth that developed in the middle ear behind the ear drum. For this reason, Vuthy experiences hearing loss and discomfort with occasional episodes of ear discharge. This condition makes it difficult for him to hear at work and communicate with his customers, family, and friends. On May 30th, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, will help Vuthy undergo a mastoidectomy procedure in his left ear. During this procedure, ENT surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. Vuthy and his family are able to contribute $150 but need $776 more to fund this procedure. After surgery, he hopes for improved hearing and to return to work without any problems.