Edeau, who is 13 years old, lives in a farming community in southwest Haiti, with his godmother and his godmother's family. He is in the seventh grade. Earlier in his childhood, Edeau suffered from rheumatic fever, which severely damaged one of the four valves of his heart, making it difficult for his heart to pump blood through his body. Edeau requires surgery to correct his condition. On February 6th, surgeons at Welcare Hospital will replace Edeau's damaged valve with an artificial one, a $6,000 procedure, which is being subsidized by Gift of Life International. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is seeking $1,500 to cover the costs associated with the pre-operative and post-operative care that Edeau will need, and the travel expenses for Edeau and his family. From Edeau: "I would like to say thank you to everyone who is helping me to get this surgery."

Alex is the 3rd born in a family of four children and hails from Longonot, Naivasha, in Nakuru county. His mother told us he likes playing with other kids at home. Alex came to Cure Hospital accompanied by his mother, Grace, a housewife, and his father, farmer. Alex was born with multiple disabilities - spina bifida, hydrocephalus, and bilateral foot deformity. He underwent treatment for spina bifida when he was five days old, and hydrocephalus treatment was done at the age of eight months. Currently, he tiptoes as he walks and often falls. He is scheduled to undergo bilateral serial casting and then foot reconstruction surgery. The treatment will be impactful to the young boy because he will be able to walk, run, and play like other children and continue with his education uninterrupted. Alex's mother said, "I believe the joy of a mother is to see her children growing well and not with challenges, and therefore, I would love to see Alex walking normally like other children if given assistance."

Jonah is a 7-year-old active and inquisitive primary school student from Kenya. He and his twin sister are the third born in a family of 5 children. His mother is a laborer tending farms and washing clothes for a living, while his father works as a security guard. In June 2019, Jonah slipped into boiling tea. He was rushed to a nearby hospital for first aid after sustaining serious burns on his back, thigh and hand. He was treated in the hospital for several months, but now burn scar contractures have developed, tightening the skin around the burn. He is unable to hold anything with the affected hand. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Jonah receive treatment. On October 2nd, surgeons will perform a burn contracture release surgery so that Jonah will be able to use his hand with ease again. AMH is asking for $1,500 to fully fund the procedure and medical care. Jonah's mother says, “Jonah cannot use his left hand at all because of the burns. He is only dependent on the right hand. He needs this procedure to be able to use his hand.”

Eduardo is a 55-year-old father from Philippines. He works as a tricycle driver and as an on-call painter to provide for his family. Despite his diligent efforts, his income is barely sufficient to meet their basic needs. In 2022, Eduardo began to experience troubling symptoms, including severe abdominal pain, shortness of breath, restlessness, and weight loss. Unable to tolerate his pain and discomforts, he sought a medical consultation. After an examination and laboratory tests, it was determined that he was suffering from chronic calculous cholecystitis, which is a condition characterized by inflammation of the gallbladder due to the presence of gallstones. Eduardo has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, his symptoms will continue to worsen and put him at risk for further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), Eduardo is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy on August 12th. A portion of the cost of the procedure is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is raising the remaining $1,128 to cover the cost of Eduardo's surgery and care. Eduardo shared how grateful he is to be one of the beneficiaries. He said, "This free surgery is a big help for me. I'll be eternally grateful to Watsi and World Surgical Foundation Philippines for their generosity."

Charles is a 6-year-old boy and the third-born child in a family of five. He has a twin sibling with whom he enjoys playing with and has an undeniable bond. The mother is a stay-at-home wife, while the father is a farmer who relies on agriculture for sustenance and income to cover their day-to-day expenses. However, due to the current climate changes, the returns from his farming activities have been quite minimal. Consequently, he has had to find another day job to earn some extra money. Charles was recently diagnosed with bilateral genu varus. A condition where both of his legs are bowed outward. It began when he was 2 years old and has continued to worsen over the years. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, the bowing of his legs has made him walk with a side-to-side gait. Charles quickly becomes tired when engaging in activities that require mobility. Despite the parents’ efforts to seek treatment for his condition, living in a remote area has made it difficult for them to access the appropriate treatment. To address his condition, Charles requires corrective surgery, known as bilateral Sofield-Miller osteotomy to improve the alignment and functionality of his legs. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), has been able to diagnose Charles and create a treatment plan. The procedure is scheduled to take place on August 1st. Treatment will hopefully restore Charles's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. AMH is now requesting $880 to help fund the corrective surgery for Charles. Charles says: “I wish to get better and for my legs to look normal. Hopefully, after this treatment, my legs will be fine.”

Wilson is a charming 2-year-old toddler from Kenya. He was born with bilateral clubfoot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. Without treatment, Wilson can experience difficulty walking or wearing shoes. When Wilson was born, the hospital referred Wilson's family to our medical partner's care center. He started casting treatment when he was a month old but did not respond to treatment. On July 10th, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery that will allow Wilson to walk easily as he grows. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $1,286 to fund this surgery. Wilson's father shared, "Any support to help my son walk with his feet is highly appreciated."

Sam Neang is a 50-year-old Tuk Tuk driver, who lives with his wife and three children in Cambodia. His wife is a homemaker, caring for their children, who are still in school. After he finishes work for the day, Sam Neang likes playing cards with his friends and spending time with his family. In 2008, a large stone fell on Sam Neang's back. Despite the medications he takes, Sam Neang lives in constant pain and would like to find a way to permanently ease his suffering Sam Neang learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, and sought their help. On February 1st, surgeons at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre will perform an L5-S1 fusion procedure, which will secure Sam Neang's spine, improve his mobility, and decrease his level of pain. Now, Sam Neang needs your help to fund this $1,035 procedure. Sam Neang says: "I don't want to be in pain anymore."

Ann is a 16-year-old student from Kenya. Ann was orphaned when her father took his and her mother's life. Fortunately, Ann, who aspires to become an architect, now lives with relatives who adopted her. In October 2022, Ann was also in a horrible incident and one of her fingers was cut in half. She was rushed to the hospital for treatment, where she underwent surgery. While the right middle finger has healed, it developed a contracture during the healing process. The contracture is causing Ann to experience difficulties when she uses her hand - keeping her from writing and drawing. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Ann receive treatment. On May 3rd, surgeons at AIC Kijabe Hospital will perform contracture release surgery, which should improve Ann's grip and her ability to hold things, aiding in her aspirations to become an architect. Now she needs your help to fund this $1,500 procedure. Ann says, “Architects draw building designs; this is what I want to do. I have been through a lot, but I am determined.”

Beatrice is a one-month-old baby from Kenya. She is the youngest in a family of nine children. Due to the ongoing rain shortage, the parents have had to go out of their way to do casual jobs to provide for the family. The family has no insurance and cannot raise the required funds for her surgery. Beatrice was born at home, and immediately, her mother noticed she had swelling on her back. Referred by a friend to BethanyKids, her family traveled for two days and brought her in for an examination. Beatrice was born with spina bifida, a type of neural tube defect in which the spine does not properly close around the spinal cord. Without treatment, Beatrice is at risk of lower-limb paralysis, infection of the exposed nervous tissue, development of tethered cord syndrome, and possible developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,151 to cover the cost of Beatrice's spina bifida closure surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on March 8th. This procedure will hopefully spare Beatrice from the risks associated with her condition, allowing her to grow and develop along a healthy trajectory. Beatrice’s mother says, “I was confused when I first saw the condition my child has, and I did not know what to do. I’m really looking forward to her surgery.”