Eyob is a cheerful and playful three-year-old boy from Ethiopia. His joyful personality brightens everyone around him. He loves playing with his toy cars, pretending that chairs are cars and that he is the driver, and watching animated movies. Eyob lives with his mother, aunts, and maternal uncle in a supportive family environment. His mother is a single parent who works part-time as a cleaner to support the family. Eyob was born with hypospadias, a condition that may cause urinary dysfunction and infections. When Eyob was two years old, he became seriously ill with a high fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. During his evaluation at a private clinic, doctors explained to his mother that surgical treatment was necessary. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and will be at risk of future complications. Fortunately, with the help of our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, Eyob is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on August 14th. His family needs help raising $1,293 to cover the cost of his procedure and care. Eyob's mother shared, "Thank you so much for giving my son this opportunity. Your kindness has brought hope to our family. May God bless you abundantly and reward you for changing our lives."

Netsanet is a 28-year-old hardworking woman from Ethiopia who supports her seven brothers and sisters. This responsibility led her to work far from home as a domestic worker in Saudi Arabia for two years, with a goal of opening up a business when she returned home. However, this did not go as planned, as she had to send her salary back home every month to care for the family, leaving very little in terms of savings. When she returned home seven months ago, Netsanet secured a new job as a salesperson in a cosmetics shop. Two months ago, she started experiencing uncomfortable symptoms like heavy bleeding, bloating, and increasing pain. The symptoms got worse with time, and she was unable to continue working. Netsanet went to the hospital and was diagnosed with fibroids, which are benign growths in the uterus. She needs to undergo a myomectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove the fibroids. Fortunately, our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, can help. Netsanet is scheduled to undergo surgery on April 9th, and she needs help raising $1,050 to fund her surgery and care. Netsanet says, "I hope to return to work and find my strength again. I wish to be the independent person I’ve always been, someone who can stand on my own two feet and provide for my family’s needs without any limits."

Edward is a 10-year-old student from Bolivia who lives with his mother, a homemaker, his father, a driver, and his 17-year-old sister. When Edward was little, his family noticed that he would turn purple when he cried and often became sick. He was diagnosed with a congenital heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) early in childhood and is only now getting the opportunity to have surgery. ToF is a combination of four heart conditions, including a hole between the two lower chambers of the heart, as well as a blockage that affects how blood flows out of the heart. As a result, Edward does not get enough oxygen, leaving him weak and short of breath. On March 25th, Edward will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During the procedure, doctors will close the hole in his heart and remove the blockage so that blood can flow more normally. Edward’s family needs $1,500 to help cover the cost of his care. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, will use these funds to pay for cardiac exams and diagnostics, surgery, follow-up care, and medications. Edward’s mother said, “My boy is a fighter—he wants to keep going to school and be healthy!”

Brian is 10 years old and a student from Kenya. He is the youngest of four children. He was born with a condition known as Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy (CP), which has greatly affected his mobility. Brian cannot walk and only crawls from one place to another. This has made daily activities difficult for him and his family. After his birth, his mother was referred to a nearby hospital for specialized care. Brian underwent several physiotherapy sessions, hoping to see improvement. Unfortunately, his condition did not get better. As a widow, Brian’s mother works tirelessly, taking on casual jobs like crushing stones into ballast and selling them, to provide for her family. Despite the hardship, she has never given up on finding help for her son. Brian attends a special school within their village that supports children with different disabilities. Brian was diagnosed with clubfoot on his right foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Brian traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on February 20th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,286 to fund Brian's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk on his feet, play with other children, become more independent, and continue with his education without limitations. “When I first learned about my son’s condition, I was in great shock. I did not know what the future would look like for him,” Brian’s mother recalls softly. She added, I hope to see my son receive treatment, walk on his own, play and interact freely with other children, and continue with his education without any challenges.”

Yonas is a quiet and shy 10-year-old from Ethiopia who loves playing football, making handmade crafts, and helping his mother around the house. Yonas lives with his parents and his youngest cousin. His mother is a teacher at a government school, and his father is a security guard at a bank, though he will be stopping work this month. Together, his parents work hard to support the family and meet their basic needs. Most of their income is spent on food, making it challenging to afford medical bills and medication. Yonas was born with hypospadias, a condition that causes urinary dysfunction. His mother was unable to find a health center to address his needs and was advised by relatives to leave the condition as it was. However, when Yonas was four years old, another relative noticed the condition and informed his mother that the symptoms were unusual. Distressed for her son and fearful of the stigma associated with this condition, she felt overwhelmed and hopeless. After moving to Addis Ababa, Yonas's mother took him to a hospital, where they were referred to a pediatric specialty hospital. The doctor reassured her that surgical intervention could correct the condition, which gave her hope; however, they were also informed that there was a waiting list for the surgery. Yonas's mother continued to worry whenever he fell ill, fearing it might be related to his condition. After waiting five months, she finally received a call from the referral hospital informing her that Yonas had been referred to our medical partner's hospital, BKMCM Hospital. Fortunately, Yonas will undergo corrective surgery on January 15th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,293 to cover the cost of his procedure and care. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and will be at risk of future complications. Yonas's mom said, "I wish my child could be as healthy as other children and safely complete his surgery. I long for the day when we can put this ordeal behind us."

Fatuma is a cheerful 17-year-old girl from Migori in Kenya. She is a Grade 7 pupil who enjoys learning, making new friends, and dreams of becoming an orthopedic doctor one day. The 12th born in her family, Fatuma lives with her widowed mother, who works as a fish vendor. Fatuma was born with bilateral club foot, a condition in which the feet are twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Some time ago, Fatuma's brother, Joseph, came across a post on Facebook, about a mobile clinic by our medical partner's care center, AIC CURE Hospital. He told Fatuma and their mother, encouraging them to attend. Fatuma was reviewed and underwent serial casting and reconstruction of her right foot through support from Watsi, which has healed well. She is now in hospital undergoing serial casting in preparation for her left foot surgical repair. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Fatuma receive treatment. On December 9th, she will undergo clubfoot repair surgery, allowing her to walk confidently, wear shoes, boost her self-esteem, and continue with her education without any limitations from the condition. Now, Fatuma's family needs help to fund this $1,286 procedure. Shyly, Fatuma said: “I am so happy that my treatment has started. I look forward to the day I will walk well, wear my shoes, and feel confident like other girls."

Jane is a five-year-old, jovial, and active girl from Kenya. She is the youngest among three children. Her mother is a vendor who operates a small kiosk selling vegetables, while her father works as a laborer at construction sites whenever work is available. Jane was born with bowlegs and requires surgery on her right leg, which has become severely misaligned. Currently, Jane experiences pain, especially during cold seasons. She cannot walk long distances and walks with discomfort. Jane is scheduled to undergo this surgery on November 20th to correct this condition and improve her quality of life. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,224 to cover the cost of Jane's procedure and care. Jane's mother shared, "I am looking forward to seeing her receive treatment and walk. My greatest joy will be to see her walking confidently like other children and going to school."