Melissa is a 16-year-old girl who resides in Sanawari, Arusha region and currently lives with her grandparents. Her parents are based in another region due to work commitments, and they diligently strive to send money to cover Melissa’s living expenses as well as assist with other financial needs. At school, Melissa especially likes her art classes. Melissa suffers from a condition called bilateral varus, causing stress on her knees and lower limbs. She was diagnosed with bilateral genu varus, a condition that developed six years ago. The condition causes stress on her knees and lower limbs. Her legs are not severely bent, but she endures considerable pain when standing for prolonged periods and walking extended distances, leading to easy fatigue. As a result, Melissa experiences pain when walking long distances. Previous attempts at medical intervention involved a visit to the hospital, where she was prescribed medication, vitamin D, and calcium. Unfortunately, they had to discontinue the treatment after one month due to financial constraints. Melissa's family discovered our medical partner's care center, Kafika house occurred during a hospital visit for treatment, where a doctor directed them to the center. They travelled to the facility and were assessed. Surgical treatment is deemed necessary to improve her condition so she can have a full life ahead. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery and treatment for Melissa at their care center Kafika House. The procedure is scheduled to take place on January 16th. Treatment will hopefully restore Melissa's mobility, allow her to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease her risk of future complications. Melissa's grandmother says: “I hope after this treatment, my granddaughter will be free from pain when she walks.”

Win is a 32-year-old father from Burma. He resides with his wife and six-year-old daughter. Win runs a small jam shop with his wife. During his free time, he enjoys using social media and playing football with his friends. Win was diagnosed with a heart condition that requires valve replacement. Heart valves control the flow of blood between chambers, but certain conditions may narrow the heart valve or cause the blood to flow backwards. Normal valve function is necessary to prevent long term damage to the heart and lungs. Win experiences chest pain, palpitations, and difficulty sleeping due to night sweats. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a heart valve replacement for Win. The treatment is scheduled to take place on December 13th at Kasemrad Prachachuen Hospital. Once completed, Win will hopefully live more comfortably and with such high risk from his cardiac condition. Win said, “Thank you for your assistance with my treatment. I’m glad and thankful for the support from BCMF."

Faith, who is 29 years old, lives in Kenya with her young son. Both of her parents died when she was young, and she was raised by her grandmother. She was unable to pursue her education due to financial constraints, so today she washes clothes for a living. As her husband passed away two years ago in a traffic accident, she works hard to support herself and her son. Faith has lived with severe hearing loss throughout her whole life. Sadly, her grandmother couldn't afford to get Faith the help that she needed. But when Faith brought her son in to get care to address his hearing loss, the doctors determined that Faith needed help, as well. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is seeking $1,171 so that Faith can get hearing aids to treat the condition she has lived with for so long. She will be receiving care from AIC Kijabe Hospital. Faith says: “I have struggled with hearing loss since birth. I never had a chance to get treatment due to financial constraints. I hope to be able to hear well.“

Jeremy is a seven-year-old playful boy from Kenya. He is the second and the last born in the family and a hard working grade 1 student; his mother shared that despite his challenges he likes riding bikes and playing football. The family hails from a semi-urban area in the capital city. His mother is a housewife, caring for the home and family, while his father works as a laborer in the infrastructure department of their county. Jeremy has clubfoot of both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape because the tissues connecting the muscles to the bone (tendons) are shorter than usual. Jeremy was examined at our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. The doctors determined that Jeremy could be helped, hopefully enabling Jeremy to eventually walk like other children he knows. The surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on October 18th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,286 to fund Jeremy's bilateral clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk much more easily and live a higher quality life free from disability. Jeremy's mother said, “I will be happy to see my son walking like other children.”

Rajabu is a bright-eyed 4-year-old boy. He resides in the heart of Mpanda with his loving family in Tanzania. As the firstborn in his family, he harbors dreams of a promising future, yet his path has been obstructed by a devastating accident. Rajabu’s parents work tirelessly as farmers and have been diligently striving to provide for their family. However, life took an unexpected turn in 2020 when Rajabu was involved in a motorcycle accident that resulted in a severe leg injury. Rajabu’s leg was fractured, necessitating four weeks with a cast at Morogoro Regional Hospital. Regrettably, despite their utmost efforts, his leg did not heal as anticipated, and he developed a condition known as wind-swept deformity. This condition impedes his mobility and threatens to undermine his future prospects. Medical experts have strongly advised a second surgery to reset his leg and recast it to ensure the proper healing of his bones. Fortunately, Rajabu's family traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, The Plaster House NGO. There, the team will begin treatment on September 14. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $935 to fund Rajabu's surgery. After treatment, he will be able to gain mobility. Rajabu’s father says, “I wish to see him get treatment that will make his life easier.”

Linn's Baby is a four-day-old girl who lives with her parents and three older sisters in a village in Thailand. She is so young, that she is not yet named. Her parents are day laborers. Linn's Baby was born with multiple health challenges including Down syndrome and congenital heart disease. In addition, her mother noticed that she wasn't passing stool, and when the doctors examined her, they discovered that she also has a condition known as imperforate anus. What this means is that Linn's Baby was born without an opening, which is a birth condition that occurs while the fetus is still developing in the womb. To address her condition, Linn's Baby will undergo surgery on August 4th at Mae Sot General Hospital, to place a colostomy, that will allow her to pass stool until she grows bigger and stronger, and better able to tolerate additional surgeries. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is seeking $1,500 to cover the costs of this procedure. Her mother said: "I cannot watch my daughter suffer from these conditions. I think she is crying because she wants breastmilk. She is my first baby born with such conditions. My other daughters are all healthy. I feel very sad for her.”

Gift is a 5-year-old playful boy from the coastal region of Kenya. He is the youngest of three children, and they all live with their mother. Gift's mother is a casual labourer, often vending sweet potatoes, arrow roots and vegetables to earn a living for her children. Gift desires to be a doctor, and his mother says he loves reading. Gift sustained a fracture on his left humerus (upper arm) and was taken to a nearby hospital, where a cast was applied. However, the factured arm did not heal properly. Doctors determined that Gift needs a left derotational surgery osteotomy to heal his fracture, meaning that doctors will cut the bone and realign it properly. The corrective surgery will allow Gift to use his arm with ease, continue playing with other children, and grow up active and healthy. Our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH) will perform this surgery on July 17th and is requesting $1,224 to fully fund the procedure. Gift’s mother shared, “I am looking forward to seeing him progress with life like other children.”

Keyler, who is nine years old, lives in Bolivia and is in need of heart surgery. His mother passed away when he was only four years old, and since then, he has been raised by his grandmother. He accompanies her every day as she goes about selling sodas and cleaning houses, in order to make a living, and as a result, grandmother and grandson have become inseparable. Keyler was born with a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect, in which a hole exists between the two lower chambers of his heart. Blood leaks through this hole without passing through his lungs and obtaining oxygen, leaving Keyler weak and short of breath. He also has Down syndrome. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is seeking $1,500 to fund the surgery that Keyler needs to correct his heart condition. The procedure, which is scheduled for May 18th, at Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría, will enable Keyler to live a happier and more comfortable life. Keyler's grandmother said: "I am so happy that Keyler can have this surgery, so he will be healthy and strong."

Maylin, who is 14 months old, lives with her parents and two older siblings in the mountains of central Bolivia. Her father is a truck driver, while her mother is a farmer and a homemaker. Maylin was born with Down syndrome and a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect, in which a hole exists between the two lower chambers of her heart. Blood leaks through this hole without passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving her weak and short of breath. Maylin will need surgery to correct her cardiac defect. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is seeking $1,500 to fund Maylin's surgery, which is scheduled to take place on May 16th at Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. This surgery will enable Maylin to lead a healthy and happy life. Maylin's mother said: "Our family would like to say thank you to everyone who is helping our daughter get better!"

Khu is a 65-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her nephew in a village in Karen State. Khu is a missionary while her nephew raises pigs and chickens for their own consumption. In her free time, she likes to read the Bible and pray. She also enjoys talking about her religious beliefs with her community. Khu has gallstones. She feels bloated and she cannot eat a lot of food. If she tries to eat more, she vomits. She experiences a burning sensation and pain in her abdomen and on the right side of her back. Her back pain intensifies when she sits for long periods of time and walks long distances. Khu has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, Khu's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), Khu is scheduled to undergo her cholecystectomy on April 19th. BCMF is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Khu's procedure and care. "Thank you so much BCMF organization for supporting my treatment’s cost. I want to recover and become more active in my missionary work,” said Khu.