Zoe is a seven-year-old student who lives in central Haiti with her parents and younger brother. Her mother supports the family as a vendor. Zoe is in the second grade and likes arts and crafts. Zoe was born with a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect. A hole exists between the two lower chambers of her heart, causing blood to leak through the hole without passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen. This leaves her weak and short of breath and puts her at risk of heart failure in the future. Zoe needs to fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On June 24th, she will undergo heart surgery, during which surgeons will sew a patch over the hole in her heart so that blood can no longer leak through it. Another organization is paying for the surgery, but Zoe’s family also needs help with the costs of surgery prep. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $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 Zoe's family overseas. Zoe’s mother shares, “Our family is so happy that Zoe was finally chosen for surgery; we have been waiting since she was a very small child!”

Akai is a four-year-old girl from Kenya. She is the third-born in a family of four children. Akai experiences misalignment of her legs, and due to financial challenges, she has not been able to receive treatment for her condition before. Akai's condition was not noticeable until she began walking. Her mother noticed her legs were bowed, which made it difficult for her to run and play comfortably, and has led to isolation from her peers. Her guardian shared that Akai is supposed to start school soon, but due to the stigmatization she has been facing, it might be difficult for her to do so until she receives treatment. Fortunately, Akai was able to connect with our medical partner's hospital for review and treatment. On May 21st, she will undergo surgery to correct her condition and improve her quality of life. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,224 to cover the cost of Akai's procedure and care. Akai's guardian said, "We will be grateful to see her walking like other children."

Dion is 18 months old and the only child in his family from Bolivia. He lives with his mom, who is studying IT, and his dad, who works as a small entrepreneur. Dion's mother noticed that he has problems gaining weight and frequently gets colds. After a medical consult, Dion was diagnosed with a heart condition called a ventricular septal defect. A hole exists between the two lower chambers of his heart: blood leaks through this hole instead of circulating normally, leaving him weak and short of breath. On April 22nd, Dion will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, surgeons will sew a patch over the hole in his heart so that blood can no longer leak through it.. Dion'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. Dion's mother shared, "We are very grateful my child can receive this lifesaving surgery; we are so thankful."

Altiya is a lively baby girl with boundless curiosity from Ethiopia. She is always exploring and playing with anything she can find around her. Toys and other items captivate her, reflecting her joyful spirit. The name “Altiya” means “happy” in Afan Oromo, and her family was overjoyed when she was born. Altiya lives in a single room with her parents and her paternal grandparents. Her mother is a dedicated housewife, while her father works as a farmer, providing for the family through agricultural activities. Farming sustains both her immediate family and her father’s extended relatives. Altiya was born with an anorectal malformation, a congenital abnormality that leads to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. When her mother first noticed Altiya’s condition, panic set in, and she struggled to believe that a surgical solution was possible. It took two months, but with the support of their family, her mother eventually decided to seek medical help. After visiting a local hospital, they were referred for further treatment. However, upon learning about the high costs involved, Altiya's mother felt overwhelmed and began to lose hope, unsure of how to proceed. After reaching out to those around her, Altiya's mother learned about Mother Teresa Mission from a neighbor and decided to seek help there. The MOC staff provided invaluable support, helping them travel to Addis Ababa for advanced treatment. They arranged accommodation, meals, and other essential services, and guided them to the Bethany kids center. This collaboration opened doors for Altiya, enabling her to receive the necessary care without the burden of financial stress. Her first surgery was remarkable and successful, restoring hope for the future. With deep gratitude, her mother expresses sincere appreciation for the support they have received and looks forward with hope to the success of the upcoming procedures. Altiya is scheduled to undergo another surgery to correct her condition on March 24th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Altiya's procedure and care. After her recovery, Altiya will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. Altiya's mom said, "I am truly grateful for your incredible support. After this treatment journey, I feel happy knowing that my child will be healthy following the surgery. Please continue to provide your support; it means the world to us."

Glory is a six-year-old girl from Tanzania. She lives with her mother, while her father is rarely present due to unstable family circumstances. Glory is the only surviving child in her family following the tragic loss of her three older siblings, which makes her especially precious to her mother and extended family, who now surround her with care and protection. For the last six years, Glory has experienced an unusual swelling on the ring finger of her left hand. When she was younger, it did not appear to cause pain, and her family hoped it would improve as she grew. Instead, the finger gradually became thicker and darker in color, accompanied by persistent itching, excessive sweating, and increasing pain. Over time, the condition has begun to interfere with Glory's ability to use her hand comfortably for everyday activities such as holding objects, playing, and learning basic tasks at home. Despite these challenges, Glory is a bright and gentle child who enjoys being around other children and is eager to attend school regularly. Her mother shares that Glory often attempts to use her affected hand but quickly pulls back due to discomfort. Simple activities like gripping a pencil or helping with light chores have become increasingly difficult as Glory grows, and her doctors recommend an amputation of her left-hand ring finger to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,088 to fund Glory's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully help improve her health and quality of life. After recovering, Glory is most looking forward to no longer being in pain and using her hand more freely as she continues to grow and learn. Glory’s mother says, “My daughter tries to use her hand, but the pain in her finger stops her from holding things or writing. I just want her to be free from pain and able to learn and play like other children.”

Mili is a five-month old baby girl from Bolivia. She lives with her mother, who is a homemaker; her father, who is a truck driver; and two older siblings in a neighborhood of La Paz. When Mili was born prematurely, doctors informed her family that she had Down syndrome and a heart condition. Since then, Mili has had difficulty breathing and gaining weight, and needs this surgery to become healthy. Mili has a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus. A hole exists between two blood vessels next to the heart. This condition prevents Mili's blood from circulating properly, causing her weakness, and leaving her at risk of heart failure if the condition is not treated. On January 13th, Mili 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. Mili'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. Her mother says: "I trust my child will have a successful surgery. I'm grateful for the kindness that people at the hospital have shown me; the doctors and nurses and everybody here are very nice to me and my daughter!"

Ar is a 40-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her husband and their six children in a refugee camp in Tha Song Yang District, Tak Province, Thailand. Ar and her family have been living in the camp for around nine years. Her husband helps his brother as a shopkeeper, while their children go to school in the camp. During her free time, she enjoys watching movies on her phone and spending time with her children. Ar is pregnant, and the doctors at the camp recommend she deliver via a c-section due to a high-risk pregnancy. This way, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is helping Ar undergo a C-Section on December 16th. This procedure will cost $1500, and Ar needs your support. Ar said, “When I heard that my baby is in the wrong position and needs surgery to deliver him, I started feeling worried and stressed. I asked my brother-in-law to let me borrow money, but he told us that he cannot, as he does not have much either. I do not know what to do, which makes me more stressed and worried when it is closer to my due date. Finally, I am very happy to hear that there will be an organization that will help pay for my surgery cost. Thank you so much to BCMF and all your donors for your kind support. I still do not know where to look for money without your support. Thank you so much for helping me.”

Chantha is a 55-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He is from Prey Veng province and grows and sells rice with his wife. They have one son, who works as a civil officer. In his free time, Chantha enjoys watching the news on his phone and chatting with friends in the village. Chantha has had right hip pain for about three years due to avascular necrosis, which can occur when blood supply to the ball of the hip joint is disrupted, leading to bone cell death and the collapse of the femoral head. This pain has worsened over the last four months, affecting his walking and ability to perform daily tasks. It is worse at night, preventing him from sleeping well and leaving him tired in the morning. Fortunately, Chantha learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. On November 14th, surgeons will perform a total hip replacement to relieve Chantha of his pain and allow him to walk easily. Chantha can contribute $50, but needs help to raise $1,185 more to fund his procedure and care. Chantha said, "After the surgery, I hope to no longer have hip pain, and I will be able to work in the rice fields and do daily tasks."

Habib is a bright and curious 13-month-old boy from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He is the only child of his parents and loves exploring his surroundings and playing with other children. As their firstborn, he brought immense joy and hope to his family. His father works as a daily laborer in construction, doing his best to provide for the family, while his mother stays at home to care for him. When Habib was about four months old, a visiting relative noticed something unusual while his mother was bathing him. She gently pointed out that Habib’s genital area looked similar to her own child’s condition and advised Habib’s mother to take him to a hospital for evaluation. At the hospital, doctors diagnosed Habib with hypospadias — a congenital condition that causes urinary dysfunction. The doctors explained that Habib would need surgery to correct the condition, or he would continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and be at risk of complications in the future. However, they advised waiting until he reached 10 kilograms in weight. Once Habib met the weight requirement, he was placed on the surgery waiting list. Months went by without any updates. His mother visited the hospital twice, anxiously inquiring whether the waiting time had shortened, but each time she was told that the list was still long. Feeling helpless and worried, she began to lose hope that her son would get the treatment he needed. Fortunately, Habib’s mother was later referred to our partner’s medical care center, BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre (BKMCM). Overjoyed, Habib’s mother traveled with her son to BKMCM, where they were warmly received and the doctors conducted detailed assessments. Now, Habib is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on October 21st. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,293 to cover the cost of his procedure and care. Habib’s mother said, “I pray that God will heal my child completely, help him recover well from the surgery, and bless him with full health.”

Violetta is a 5-year-old student from Colombia. Her parents describe her as a happy girl full of light and joy, who spreads tenderness, kindness, and peace to those around her! Violetta is loving, playful, and deeply empathetic. Violetta has an umbilical hernia, which is a condition that causes mild discomfort or tenderness in the belly button area, especially when crying, coughing, or straining, and can include visible swelling. Although it does not usually cause severe pain, hernias cause discomfort that prevents children from carrying out their daily activities, such as playing, jumping, and enjoying their childhood. It can also cause risk complications if left untreated. Fortunately, on September 30th, Violetta will undergo repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, Clinica Noel, is requesting $786 to fund Violetta's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will allow her to live more comfortably. Her family shared: "Seeing that someone, without knowing her personally, has decided to sponsor her is a gesture that moves us deeply. It is a true example of kindness, empathy, and humanity. Their support not only transforms her life, but also fills us with hope."

Four-year-old Agustín lives with his family in Vereda La San José, Colombia. Although he has not yet started formal schooling, Agustín is a curious, active child, with a vivid imagination. He dreams of becoming a doctor, which reflects his sensitivity and dedication to helping others. For about a year, Agustín has had severe tooth decay that causes him constant pain, fear when eating, and a high risk of infection. This condition has significantly affected his quality of life, impacting his nutrition, rest, and emotional well-being. The community where Agustin and his family live has limited resources, with only a basic health center, which has made it difficult to access specialized dental care. Due to the complexity of Agustin's case, he was evaluated by a pediatric dentist, who determined that the treatment should be performed under general anesthesia to ensure his safety and well-being. The procedure will include extensive dental restorations and will be performed in a hospital setting, under full anesthetic monitoring, by a specialized medical team. This intervention represents a crucial opportunity to improve Agustín's oral health and to restore the peace of mind that every child deserves. Our medical partner, Clinica Noel, is seeking $868 to fund Agustin's surgery, which is scheduled for August 22nd. Agustin's mother said: "I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the person who makes it possible for Agustin's smile to live on, not only in the hearts of my family, but also in his life. Smiling is a way of telling the world that happiness is possible. Good oral health not only allows us to show joy, but also to express the tenderness and innocence that are so lacking in these times. Because a genuine smile has the power to transform someone's day, to brighten dark moments, and to sow hope where there seems to be none. Thank you for giving my little boy back the ability to smile freely."