Surjeet is a 26-year-old man from India. He drives an electric auto rickshaw as a daily wage earner. When Surjeet was four years old, he sustained burns while sitting around a bonfire during winter. For around two months, he was treated at home by a nurse working at a government hospital. Twelve years ago, Surjeet, who lives in Bihar, travelled over 300 kilometers to visit our medical partner, G.S. Memorial Plastic Surgery Hospital and Trauma Center, for specialized care. He had extensive post-burn contractures or tightening of the skin around the neck, arms, hands, and lower lip. He has undergone two surgeries for the release of his neck and left axillary contractures. Surjeet needs another surgery to help him regain strength and mobility in his right wrist and hand. On April 16th, he will undergo burn contracture release surgery, and he needs help raising $1,442 to fund his treatment and care. Surjeet has high hopes that this surgery will help him regain the function of his right hand. Surjeet's father shared, "With the help of G S Memorial Plastic Surgery Hospital, I hope that my son will be able to study further with the promise of a better future after this surgery."

James is a 13-year-old boy from Kenya. When our medical partner met James's mother, worry etched across her face as she struggled to hold back tears while sharing their experience. Born in 2012, James had a wonderful childhood. However, in 2021, something happened that changed James's life completely as they knew it. Towards the end of September, James started experiencing excruciating stomach pain. His condition was so bad, such that James was unable to sleep, and would throw up whenever he ate. His parents took him to a nearby hospital for medical assistance. No diagnosis was made; instead, they were sent back home with a prescription for painkillers and antibiotics. They left the hospital, hopeful that their son would recover. True enough, James got better, and soon enough, they forgot their worries. A few months later, however, the pain was back, and this time, worse than before. James's parents took him to hospital, only to be sent back home with painkillers again, but with no diagnosis. At this point, James was losing weight as well, and throwing up whenever he ate. With the help of the medication given, he got better, and an improvement in his feeding pattern was noted. This was, however, short-lived. Within a few months, the pain recurred. It's been a difficult three years for James, until his family decided to seek care at our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital (BKKH), in September 2025. At the hospital, doctors found James to be malnourished, and he was placed on nutritional care so he could be strong enough to handle treatment. He was in hospital for a month before a laparotomy surgery was scheduled. The successful surgery that followed restored hope back into the lives of his family. Presently, James is scheduled for a follow up colostomy closure surgery to restore bowel function and prevent future complications. After a long journey of James's treatment, his family is unable to raise funds for his upcoming treatment. James's father works informal jobs to sustain the family, while his mother takes care of the family. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,020 to cover the cost of a colostomy closure for James. The surgery is scheduled to take place on March 11th and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live a healthier life. James's mother says, "My son is going through so much pain, seeing him like that breaks my heart. As his mother, I wish I could take the burden of pain off his body. However, I am hopeful that with your help, this condition will be a thing of the past very soon."

Caroline is 49 years old and a mother of one from Kenya. She has been battling kidney failure since 2017 and has been on medication and dialysis since then. In 2023, she began experiencing progressive weakness in her legs, which eventually left her unable to walk. She has not been able to work since 2017 and has relied on the support of friends and well-wishers to survive. She has one son, who has his own family and depends on casual jobs to make ends meet, limiting his ability to support her financially. Caroline was diagnosed with hyperparathyroidism resulting from kidney failure. This condition has caused mass buildup in her thyroid glands, leading to limb weakness and her inability to walk. Doctors have recommended surgery, which would help restore strength in her limbs and give her the chance to walk again. Unfortunately, Caroline’s insurance does not cover this procedure. With no source of income, she is unable to meet the cost of the surgery. Caroline is therefore reaching out for support to undergo this procedure, recover her mobility, and reduce the level of dependency she is currently experiencing. On February 6th, Caroline will undergo surgery with the help of our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare. She needs help to raise $1,500 to fund her procedure and care. Caroline says, “I would really like to walk again so I can do simple things on my own, like walking to the washroom without help.”

Dah is a 21-year-old young man from Burma. He lives with his mother, his wife, two daughters, and other family members in a refugee camp in Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand. They moved to the camp due to conflict happening between armed groups in their village in Burma. His wife is a homemaker, and Dah is a day laborer. During his free time, he likes to play volleyball with his friends in the camp. Two days ago, Dah began to experience troubling symptoms, including abdominal pain, accompanied by a fever. He was diagnosed with appendicitis and now needs surgery to prevent his condition from worsening. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is helping Dah receive treatment. He is scheduled to undergo an appendectomy, a surgery to remove the appendix when it becomes infected, on January 16th. This procedure will cost $1500, and Dah and his family need your support. Dah said, “I never experienced pain like this before. I would like my pain to go away.”

Luc is a toddler from Haiti. He lives in northern Haiti with his father, a teacher, his mother, a homemaker, and one older brother; he likes to help his mother around the house and feed the family's chickens. Luc has a cardiac condition called a ventricular septal defect. A hole exists between the two lower chambers of his heart; blood leaks through this hole without passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him weak and short of breath. Luc will fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On December 17th, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will sew a patch over the hole so that blood can no longer leak through it. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is contributing $ 6,000 toward surgery costs. Luc's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. They need help to raise $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 Luc's family overseas. Luc's mother shared, "Our family has faith that this surgery will go well and our son's heart will be healed!"

Jhovana is 12 years old and a young student from Bolivia. She is in the ninth grade, and loves to play soccer with her friends. She lives in the southern part of Bolivia with her dad, who works in the fields; her mom, who takes care of a herd of llamas; and six siblings. Last year, Jhovana had a nosebleed that wouldn't stop, so her parents took her to the doctor, who detected a heart murmur and sent her to a cardiologist for diagnosis. Jhovana has a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus. A hole exists between two blood vessels next to the heart. This condition stops Jhovana's blood from circulating properly, causing weakness and leaving her at risk of heart failure if the condition is not treated. On November 11th, Jhovana will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, surgeons will sew the hole closed so that blood can no longer leak through it. Jhovana'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. Jhovana's father shared, "I just want my daughter to be healthy like her other brothers and sisters, so she can have a healthy life!"