Maria Fernanda is a 10-year-old student from Colombia. She is known for being intelligent, charismatic, and very friendly. She is a sweet, kind-hearted girl full of dreams who enjoys spending time with others and leaves a special impression on everyone she meets. Her optimistic spirit and her ability to face challenges with courage are an inspiration to her family and to those who accompany her on her journey. Three years ago, Maria Fernanda was diagnosed with an umbilical hernia, a condition in which a small portion of abdominal tissue protrudes through the navel. Umbilical hernias usually cause mild tenderness or discomfort around the navel, which becomes more noticeable when the child cries, coughs, or exerts himself. Surgery has been recommended to correct the hernia and prevent possible future complications. On October 20th, Maria Fernanda will undergo hernia repair surgery, and our medical partner, Clinica Noel, is requesting $1,005 to fund Maria Fernanda's surgery. Once completed, this procedure should allow her to live more comfortably. Maria Fernanda's mother said, "I want to express my deepest gratitude to the people who are supporting her surgery. Thank you for extending your generous hand without even knowing her personally; that gesture is, without a doubt, one of the purest expressions of human kindness. May God abundantly bless your life and that of your family. Your support not only helps us meet a medical need but also restores our hope and peace of mind, knowing that María Fernanda will be able to receive the care she needs. We will always be grateful for this act of love and solidarity."

Nidhi is a 16-year-old girl from India. She lives in Mirzamurad, a village near Varanasi in northern India. She lives with her parents, two sisters, and a brother. Her father works as a halwai, preparing traditional Indian sweets to support the family. Nidhi is currently in the 9th grade and loves dancing. When she was just 2½ years old, Nidhi accidentally fell into a container of hot sugar syrup being used to make gulab jamuns, a sweet dessert. She sustained severe burns to her right chest and arm. Although she received wound care at the time, her family was unable to access reconstructive surgery. As Nidhi grew, the burn scars tightened and developed into contractures, affecting her right breast and elbow. These scars have restricted movement and altered her appearance during adolescence, a time when many young people become increasingly aware of their bodies and self-image. Nidhi's family learned about our medical partner, G.S. Memorial Plastic Surgery Hospital and Trauma Center, and sought treatment. On June 19th, specialty surgeons will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help release the tight burn scars on Nidhi’s right chest and elbow, improving both movement and comfort. The procedure is expected to increase the range of motion in her arm, making everyday activities such as dressing, writing, carrying schoolbooks, and participating in household tasks easier. The surgery will also address the contracture affecting her right breast, allowing for more normal development and reducing the physical discomfort and asymmetry caused by the scar tissue. By reducing the limitations caused by her burn scars, the surgery will allow Nidhi to participate more freely in school, social activities, and her favourite hobby, dancing. Now, she needs help to fund this $1,442 procedure. Nidhi shared, "I hope this treatment will make everyday activities easier for me."

Kena is eight-year-old energetic boy from Ethiopia. Kena is in the second grade and lives with his parents and his sister, but lately, his presence at school has been missed due to recurring bouts of tonsillitis. This chronic condition has temporarily sidelined him, pausing both his education and playtime. Two years ago, Kena began experiencing snoring, fever and recurring sore throats. This creates a difficult cycle of sick days that keeps him out of class and fun, active games he should be playing with his sister. He also experiences high fevers that keep coming back and a sharp, burning pain whenever he tries to swallow. This makes eating and drinking a daily struggle, often leaving him feeling completely exhausted and without energy. Kena was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils, which, if not treated, will cause his symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Thankfully, our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital can help. They are requesting $700 to fund a tonsillectomy for Kena, which is scheduled to take place on March 4th. Surgeons will remove his tonsils, hopefully relieving Kena of his symptoms and helping him live more comfortably. Kena says "I am so excited for the opportunity to get back to school and play with my friends. I really miss eating the snacks I love! Because of my tonsils, swallowing feels like a sharp fire, which makes eating feel like hard work. I know my mom and dad are worried, and I think the best part for them will be seeing me smile and run around with all my energy again."

Chepkat is an 11-year-old girl from Kenya. She comes from a pastoralist family whose livelihood has always depended on keeping goats and cattle. Due to the harsh, isolated nature of their residence, Chepkat has never had the opportunity to attend school. Her parents survive through livestock keeping, but recently their family suffered a major setback when raiders attacked their homestead and drove away their cattle, leaving them with nothing. One afternoon, while trying to pick fruit from a tree, Chepkat accidentally stepped on a dry branch that suddenly broke beneath her. She fell heavily to the ground and immediately experienced severe pain. Due to the remoteness of their home, the family had to travel nearly two hours to reach the nearest health facility. At the first facility, she was immobilized and later referred to another hospital, where she was managed conservatively with bed rest and pain medication. However, her condition did not improve, and her pain persisted. Chepkat was referred to our medical partner's care center, AIC Kapsowar Hospital, where an x-ray revealed a fracture of the head of her hip bone, a serious injury that requires urgent surgical intervention. She needs an urgent Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (ORIF) to stabilize and repair the bone. On March 11th, Chepkat will undergo a fracture repair procedure. She needs help so that she can receive the operation she needs and regain the chance to walk and live a healthy and active life. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,247 to fund this procedure. Chepkat's mother says, "My child is in pain and cannot stand, please help her so she can regain her mobility."

Linus is a 29-year-old man from Kenya. Born in a large family of 12 children, Linus was not able to complete his studies as his parents could not afford school fees for Linus and his siblings. He was working as a casual laborer, but jobs were tough and inconsistent. Through hard work, he was able to purchase a second-hand public service vehicle, which provides him with a modest but honest living. Linus has two children, but they are living with their mother, with whom Linus is no longer in communication. On January 13th, Linus's life changed dramatically. He was assaulted with a machete and sustained multiple severe injuries. He suffered fractures of the left distal radius and ulna, open infected fractures of the left distal tibia and fibula, and cortical disruption of the right tibia. He received first aid treatment and was transferred to our medical partner's care center, AIC Kapsowar Hospital, for further care. Surgeons were able to treat his wounds and fractures on his arm, hand, and ankle. However, Linus still needs contracture release and a skin graft surgery to facilitate healing and regain strength and mobility. He has used up his government medical insurance because of his multiple procedures, and now needs help to raise funds. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Linus receive treatment. On February 16th, surgeons will perform a contracture release surgery to help him use his hand easily again. Now, he needs help to fund this $1,239 procedure. Linus says, "I am in the hospital fighting alone, the people that assaulted me are well known to me, I don't know why they did that to me. I thank God they didn't kill me. Hoping for recovery, please help me."

Aprilann is 39 years old anda hardworking mother from the Philippines. She and her husband once worked as street vendors to support their family. Since her husband was diagnosed with tuberculosis and began treatment, she now relies on her mother and siblings to help meet their daily needs, especially the expenses for her children’s education. She spends most of her time at home, managing household chores and running errands. Before falling ill, Aprilann enjoyed playing volleyball. Aprilann has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Without treatment, the cancer may spread to other organs. A mastectomy, a surgery to remove breast tissue, has been suggested to rid her body of breast cancer and to prevent the cancer from metastasizing. Fortunately, our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), is helping Aprilann receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a mastectomy on January 17th at our medical partner's care center, Our Lady of Peace Hospital. A portion of the cost of her treatment is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is raising $990 to cover the remaining cost. After treatment, Aprilann will hopefully return to a cancer-free life. Aprilann shared, "I hope to be able to work again and take care of my children like before. A full recovery means so much not only for me but also for my family. I can live normally again without thinking about what could go wrong because of my illness."

Lonah is 33 years old and a mother of seven children from Kenya. She and her siblings did not finish schooling after their father passed away, leaving their mother struggling to support the family. She comes from a very hot region where farming is difficult, except for a few pawpaw trees she tends. To supplement the family income, she does casual domestic work. Lonah slipped and sustained an injury on her upper left arm. She thought it was just a simple wound and waited for it to heal. However, the wound was infected, causing her pain. Lonah developed necrotizing fasciitis and needed to undergo a procedure to clean the wound. She was referred to our medical partner, AIC Kapsowar Hospital, where they cleaned and treated her wound. She still needs a contracture release and skin graft for her wound to heal completely. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Lonah receive treatment. On December 10th, surgeons at their care center will perform a contracture release surgery to help her regain the use of her arm and return to caring for her family. Now, she needs help to fund this $1,239 procedure. Lona says, "I had given up and wanted to go home to continue with wound care, but God provides in miraculous ways. Imagine being away from home for three weeks, and my children are really suffering. Please help me so that I can go home a happy mother. I look forward to complete healing so that I can use my hands to work as usual."

Hser is a 60-year-old man from Burma. He lives with his wife, children, and grandchildren in a refugee camp in Sob Moei District, Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand. His daughter is a teacher, and one of his sons is a day laborer. Hser and his wife run a small grocery shop in the camp. Every month, they receive money on a cash card from a charity organization in the camp. They also raise chickens and a pig for their own consumption. They receive free basic healthcare in the refugee camp. Since 2021, Hser has had an inguinal hernia. Hser is in a lot of pain. He experiences swelling, as well as a burning and aching sensation, preventing him from performing his daily tasks. Fortunately, on November 10th, he 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 Hser's hernia repair surgery. Once completed, Hser will be able to live more comfortably. Hser said, “I would like my discomfort to disappear, and I would like to be able to work properly. I hope my problem will be treated after my surgery."