Makalani is a 70-year-old man from Malawi. He is small-scale commercial farmer of maize, groundnuts, and soya beans. For the longest time, he has enjoyed the fruits of his labor together with his wife and children who are all married now and living in the city of Lilongwe. Unfortunately, all his farm produce and the small piece of land he had left were sold to raise funds for his treatment. Eight months ago, Makalani started experiencing pain below his abdomen and difficulty passing urine. He sought medical help and was given a catheter. Seven months into his condition, he now experiences bleeding. Makalni decided to seek help at our medical partner's care center, Nkhoma Hospital, where he was diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Doctors determined that he needs a prostatectomy or surgery to remove part or all of the prostate. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $530 to fund this procedure. The treatment is scheduled to take place at Nkhoma Hospital on June 19th and, once completed, it will hopefully improve Makalani's quality of life. Makalani says, "I lost my property and my strength to work due to this illness; I strongly believe I will be helped through this surgery to get my life back.”

Alex is a 31-year-old man from Kenya with a bright future ahead of him. He graduated in 2022 with a degree in Estate Agency Management but has faced challenges finding stable employment. To support himself and his mother, who works as a casual laborer maintaining offices, Alex has taken on various construction jobs. Raised by a dedicated single mother, Alex is her only child, and they have always relied on each other. However, Alex's life took a sudden turn in September 2024 when he began experiencing headaches and neck pain. What started as mild discomfort quickly escalated, and a worrying persistent headache led a friend to take him to a medical facility. After extensive scans, doctors discovered a tumor in his head. They placed Alex on medication to monitor his condition, but just as he was about to be discharged, he suffered a seizure. This turn of events required him to be admitted to the critical care unit for stabilization. Although he eventually stabilized after three days and was moved to high-dependency care, his situation remains critical. Doctors have been draining fluid from his head, but what he truly needs is urgent surgery—a craniotomy—to remove the tumor. Unfortunately, Alex does not have insurance to cover the costs of this life-saving procedure, and he remains in pain, unable to move independently. Fortunately, our medical partner can help. African Mission Healthcare is requesting $1,500 for Alex's medical care that includes surgery, medications, and ICU care. He is scheduled for brain surgery October 16th at AIC Kijabe Hospital. After surgery and recovery, Alex will regain his strength and return to the life he envisions—a life where he can care for his mother and pursue his dreams. Alex says, "I never imagined I would face such a serious condition, but I am determined to fight it and reclaim my normal life."

Somavortey is a four-year-old girl who lives with her parents in Kampong Speu province in Cambodia. Her mother works in a cloth factory, while her father is a rice farmer. Somavortey is currently in kindergarten, and dreams of becoming a nurse when she grows up. Since she was six months old, Somavortey's mother has noticed something different in the position of her daughter's neck. Somavortey has been diagnosed with left torticollis, a condition where the muscles on the left side of her neck are tight, causing her head to tilt to the left, and making it difficult for her to rotate her neck. This condition also causes recurrent neck pain and makes it difficult for Somavortey to sleep. Somavortey and her parents were referred to our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), for evaluation and treatment. On May 8th, surgeons at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre will perform a nerve and tendon procedure to improve the function of her neck, helping Somavortey to attain normal movement of her head, once she has recovered and completed physiotherapy. Somavortey and her family are able to contribute $100 but needs to raise $472 more to fund the procedure and post-operative care. Somavortey's mother shared, "I hope she can move her neck easily and feel more comfortable."

Adriel is a preschooler from Bolivia. He lives with his grandmother, who adopted him and his two sisters after his parents left the country. Adriel attends a day program for children with special needs. He likes playing with his sisters and helping his grandmother. Adriel has a cardiac condition called atrial septal defect. A hole exists between the two upper chambers of his heart; blood leaks through this hole, leaving him weak and unable to grow properly. Adriel also has Down syndrome. On September 18th, he will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, surgeons will insert a device attached to the end of a catheter into his heart, and plug the hole so that blood can no longer leak through it. Adriel's family needs help to fund the costs of cardiac care and surgery. The $1,500 requested by our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, covers cardiac exams and diagnostics, surgical costs, follow-up care, and medications. Adriel's grandmother shared, " I would like to say thank you to everyone who is helping this dear boy to have a healthy heart!"

Madalo is a 34-year-old woman from Lilongwe District in Malawi. She is married with three children; two of them school-going, and a nine-month-old infant. Madalo did not have an opportunity to complete school and therefore finds it difficult to get a regular job that can support her family. She takes on temporary jobs to sustain her family since her husband is unemployed. Since the birth of her third child, Madalo has been experiencing a swelling in a sensitive area which has been causing pain in her lower abdomen whenever she walks short distances. Madalo gave birth to all her children via C-section and so her friends all told her that the pain was normal. The pain however persisted, making it hard for Madalo to work on household chores or take on casual jobs. She decided to visit our medical partner care center, Nkhoma Mission Hospital, where she was diagnosed with an umbilical hernia, and surgery was recommended. However, Madalo is unable to afford the surgery costs. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Madalo receive treatment. On April 9th, surgeons at Nkhoma Hospital will perform a hernia repair surgery to alleviate pain and prevent complications that could potentially be life-threatening. Now, Madalo needs help to fund this $500 procedure. Madalo says, “I am looking forward to being free of the pain and discomfort. Thank you for your support”

76-year-old Smaoh Bernado is a married man from Mpando Village in Mozambique. He has seven children, all of whom are married and in their respective homes. He lives with his wife and grandchildren. In the past, Smaoh was a farmer who grew maize for consumption and commercial purposes to support his family; however, due to his old age, he now depends on his children for support. Smaoh has been using a catheter for the past year as a result of his inability to pass urine. He experiences pain while attempting to pass urine and much discomfort from the catheter. He has been going to a local health center for regular catheter changes until he opted to seek additional evaluation and treatment at our medical partner's care center Nkhoma Hospital. Smaoh was diagnosed with enlarged prostate, and was scheduled for open prostatectomy surgery. His family is unable to cover the complete expenses of the procedure. If left untreated, he may have recurrent urinary tract infections, and he may have to live with the catheter. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Smaoh receive treatment. On March 12th, surgeons at Nkhoma Hospital will perform open prostatectomy surgery which will relieve him of the pain. Now, Smaoh needs help to fund this $530 procedure. Smaoh says, “I look forward to returning home free from this condition.”

Lydiah is an 18-year-old from Kenya. In February 2022, Lydiah's schooling and aspirations for becoming a doctor had to be put on hold when she began to experience excruciating pain in her right leg and hip. The pain progressed to the point where she could no longer bear weight on her leg, forcing her to leave school. When she was unable to find help in her province, Lydiah moved to live with her aunt in Nairobi. Despite visits to various dispensaries, and attempts to secure medical care, including painkillers, Lydiah's condition did not improve. She and her aunt tried visiting hospitals, but could not afford to pay for the necessary scans. In November 2023, Lydiah developed a swelling on her hip joint. Financial limitations prevented her from accessing care, leaving her in persistent agony. In June 2024, when her condition deteriorated further, Lydia was referred to our medical partner's care center, AIC Kijabe Hospital. Lydiah was diagnosed with osteomyelitis of the right thigh bone and was recommended to undergo sequestrectomy surgery. Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone. The recommended surgery will remove the bone that has died, as a result of the infection. Again, finances have been a challenge, and Lydiah has remained in pain. Currently, Lydiah suffers from a painful, swollen thigh with a draining sinus, intensified by the cold season. Compounding her challenges, Lydiah is the only child of her mother who has been grappling with mental health issues since her husband's passing in 2015. Her aunt is her only hope since she is the one who has been taking care of her since she fell ill. Lydiah’s aunt is a casual beauty laborer, who weaves hair extensions for women, and whose income is precarious. Lydiah’s aunt is also a single mother to three children. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is asking for help to fund the $1,400 needed for Lydiah's surgery, scheduled for July 16th. They hope this intervention will not only alleviate her suffering, but also pave the way for her to pursue her dreams. Lydiah said: “I know that I am advanced in years, but I am willing to continue from Form 2, where I left off, and proceed to pursue my career as a doctor.”

Sokkry is a 22-year-old rice farmer who lives with his mother and younger sister. Sadly, his father passed away a few years ago. Since then, he and his mother support the family by working in the nearby rice fields. In his free time, he likes to play soccer with his friends in the village. Two years ago, Sokkry fell off a wall while he was training for the army and fractured his right femur. He was immediately transferred to a nearby military hospital where doctors used nails and screws to align the bone and heal the fracture. Now that the fracture is healed, the hardware is causing problems. It is difficult for him to walk, and he is in pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On February 21st, Sokkry will undergo a hardware removal procedure, which will cost $304. This procedure will help him walk easily again and stop the risk of infection. After surgery, he hopes he is no longer in pain and will be able to walk normally and play soccer again.

Cristian is a 21-month-old boy from Bolivia. He is an only child who lives with his mother, who operates a small grocery store out of the front of their home. They are from a mining city in the mountains of central Bolivia. Cristian has ventricular septal defect, a heart condition where a hole exists between the two lower chambers of his heart. Because of this, blood leaks through this hole, leaving him weak and short of breath. On June 19th, Cristian 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 so that blood can no longer leak through it. Cristian's family needs help to fund the costs of cardiac care and surgery. The $1,500 requested by our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, covers cardiac exams and diagnostics, surgical costs, follow-up care, and medications. Cristian's mother shared, "I am looking forward to seeing my son grow healthy and strong once his heart is fixed!"

Kyu is a 43-year-old teacher from Burma. She lives with her mother, husband, and two sons in Yangon Division, Burma. Kyu’s mother is retired, and her two sons are students. Kyu’s husband works as a motorcycle taxi driver. Kyu is a high school teacher who conducts classes from her home. Their combined monthly income is sufficient to cover their basic living expenses but they are not able to save money. When they have health issues, they rely on a nearby clinic for medical attention. In her free time, she enjoys reading books and she'd like to be able to continue teaching her students at home once she feels better. Kyu was born with an atrial septal defect (ASD), a condition in which a hole exists between the two upper chambers of the heart. Sometimes ASDs may close on their own during development, but sometimes this condition requires surgery to repair the hole and prevent long-term damage to the heart and lungs. Kyu is scheduled to undergo heart surgery on February 4th to correct the atrial septal defect and improve her quality of life. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to support the cost of Kyu's procedure and care. Kyu said “Since my heart condition worsened, I couldn’t teach my students due to my fatigue. Now I felt very happy when I learned that the BCMF organisation would support my surgery. Without the help of these donors, I couldn’t afford the treatment. I would like to be thankful to all donors and BCMF for supporting my surgery.”

Curtis is a second grade student from Kenya. Curtis is accompanied by his grandmother at the hospital. He is jovial and inquisitive. Curtis is the only child in his family and is being raised by his grandmother. His mother left him with his grandmother when he was 3 years to work in the Middle East. His father works at a timber yard splitting wood earning an inconsistent income. Curtis was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, Curtis has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Curtis will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on January 5th. AMH is requesting $646 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Curtis' grandmother says: “He needs treatment to be healthy in the future.”

Lillian is a 63-year-old farmer from Kenya. She is a mother of three children. She has been a widow for more than 12 years now, and since the passing of her husband, she has found it hard to make ends meet to raise her children. A few years back, she raised some chickens that lay eggs for sale to provide for the family. She also farms and sells arrow roots to get some extra cash. Two of her children have now finished school, and one has moved out. She shared that they are not well off financially and thus Lillian cannot afford for her treatment costs. She is appealing for financial assistance. A recent CT scan revealed a swelling in her uterus. After a biopsy test was done, Lillian was diagnosed with malignant neoplasm of the uterus. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1260 to fund Lillian's surgery. In November, she will undergo surgery at our medical partner's care center. Once recovered, Lillian will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Lillian says, “It has not been easy for me because I have had to change how I live. Thank you for your support.”