Haymanot is a two-year-old girl from Ethiopia. Her father is a soldier who was called to war when her mom was in the early stages of pregnancy. He left before they knew she was expecting. Her mother earns a living by washing clothes. Since birth, Haymanot has had an umbilical hernia, where the intestine protrudes through the abdominal muscles at the belly button. This occurs if the muscles don't fully join together at the midline of the abdominal wall, having a protrusion on the belly button, which is often most noticeable in infants when they cry. Every hospital she visited advised her to take Haymanot to a hospital in Addis Ababa, the capital city, but she didn’t have the money for transportation. Fortunately, Haymanot and her mother were referred to our medical partner's care center, Bethany Kids Hospital, which provided them with funding for transportation and accommodations. On September 4th, Haymanot will undergo hernia repair surgery and our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $487 to fund the procedure. Once completed, doctors expect that Haymanot will grow up to be a happy and healthy girl. Haymanot's mom said, “Now that we have found help, I believe she will become well.”

Devota is a nine-year-old primary school student from Tanzania, the eldest child in a family of three children. Her father, the family's sole breadwinner, describes her as being very responsible, often taking care of her younger siblings. Devota's father works as a small-scale farmer and is also employed as a groundskeeper, while her mother is a homemaker. Devota was diagnosed with bilateral varus, a condition in which legs bow outward. Several factors could cause this condition, such as growth disorders, vitamin deficiencies, or excessive fluoride found in contaminated drinking water. As a result, the knees can be angled inwards or outwards, making it difficult to walk and may cause long-term joint damage. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $810 to fund treatment for Devota. The procedure scheduled to take place on December 3rd will hopefully restore Devota's mobility, allowing her to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease her risk of future complications. Devota's father says: "I hope my daughter will be able to walk comfortably and attend school without difficulty."

Jayden is a baby from Tanzania. He is being raised by a single mother working hard to provide for her family. Jayden's father is not in their life, and his mother has no remaining family members. She has no stable job and she always seeks different jobs, like washing clothes. Jayden was born with his fingers on both of his hands being attached together. His mother tried to seek treatment, however she could not afford to pay for surgery to correct his fingers. Due to his condition, Jayden cannot use his fingers separately. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Jayden receive treatment. On October 13, surgeons at the care center will perform a surgery to help separate his fingers for easier use. Now, their family needs help to fund this $639 procedure. Jayden’s mother says, “I have struggled for a while with my son, I am glad that I have found people who are willing to help him.”

Aye is a 58-year-old woman from Burma. She lives alone in a village in Burma. She used to work as a day labourer and she would also collect and sell tree leaves used to make roofs. However, she has been unable to work since her condition worsened. In her free time, she likes to go to the village temple, to help cook and clean for the monks and worshippers. Since December 2021, Aye has been experiencing lower abdominal and back pain. She has slight numbness in her left leg, dizziness, and other worrying symptoms. Diagnosed with abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB), Aye has been advised to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy, the surgical removal of her uterus and cervix. If left untreated, Aye's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. Fortunately, Aye is scheduled to undergo her hysterectomy on September 12th. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Once recovered, she will no longer experience pain. She said, "I would like to say thank you to the donors and the organisation for paying for my surgery.”

Yan is a 79-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She has four children, five grandchildren, and enjoys listening to the monks pray on the radio in her free time. One year ago, Yan developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Yan learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On October 07, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $211 procedure. Yan said, "I hope that I will be able to see clearly so I can return to the pagoda and be able to recognize my relatives's faces."

Keminagano is 63 years, a widow with six children who are all are married but unemployed. Her husband passed away in 1993 and she doesn’t have any other support apart from the small scale farming she does. Keminagano reports lower abdominal pain associated with long-standing uterine prolapsed for 13 years. She has had difficulty in passing urine and has had poor quality of life and uncomfortable movements. If not treated, she may have persistent prolapsed of the uterus thus complicating her life. Keminagano has never visited a hospital for treatment but luckily she heard of the programs at Nyakibale Hospital and was diagnosed with a uterine prolapse. We expect to improve on her quality of life and halt symptoms.

Ler Moo is a 32-year-old man from Thailand. He lives with his wife and three daughters in Mae La Refugee Camp, Tak Province. In his free time, Ler Moo likes spending time with his family. Ler Moo experiences abdominal pain, and his condition has not improved with medication. He was diagnosed with gallstones, and his doctor informed him that he requires surgery. Ler Moo has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, Ler Moo's symptoms will continue to worsen and put him at risk for further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), Ler Moo is scheduled to undergo his cholecystectomy on October 4. BCMF is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Ler Moo's procedure and care. “After surgery, if I feel better, I will try support my family as much as I can. I will apply for a suitable job in the camp so I can have an income to support my family,” says Ler Moo.

Sombath is a rice farmer from Cambodia. She has two sons, three daughters, and 23 grandchildren. She likes visiting the local pagoda in her free time. Three months ago, Sombath developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her cloudy vision and photophobia. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Sombath learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On November 12, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $211 procedure. She says, "I look forward to going to the pagoda and spending time with my family."

Faima is a baby from Kenya. Faima’s mother is a stay-at-home mom. Faima has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of her condition, Faima has been experiencing an increasing head circumference. Without treatment, Faima will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $685 to cover the cost of surgery for Faima that will treat her hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on October 4 and will drain the excess fluid from Faima's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Faima will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. “I am praying and hoping Faima will get treated and thrive,” shares Faima’s mother.

Gustavo is an active 17-month-old toddler from Guatemala. He loves playing with his toy cars and older sister. He can be rather serious around strangers, but is always smiling with people he knows. Gustavo was recently diagnosed with malnutrition, a condition that occurs from consuming too little protein, calories, and nutrients. In the short term, malnutrition means Gustavo has little energy to grow, and that his immune system is weak, leaving him vulnerable to diseases that could further compromise his growth. If left untreated, he may also face the long-term consequences of malnutrition, such as increased risk of chronic illness and a lowered IQ. Concerned for his well-being, his mother took Gustavo to our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq, for treatment. Beginning June 12, Gustavo will receive micronutrients and food supplementation, as well as regular growth monitoring. Community health workers will also teach his mother how to create a nutrient rich diet using limited resources. The $492 requested will cover all expenses of his continued treatment, allowing him to gain weight, strengthen his immune system, and catch up with other children his age. "I am very grateful for the help my son is going to receive," says Gustavo's mother.

Rakith is a 22-year-old man from Cambodia who loves to play music and sing songs. In fact, Rakith has shaped his life around this passion—he is a professional DJ. Having a job that relies so heavily on listening has made Rakith’s current medical condition especially difficult. When he was five years old, Rakith had an infection in his left ear that went untreated. He developed a cholesteatoma, an atypical skin growth in the bone behind the eardrum. Although non-cancerous, the cholesteatoma has caused Rakith significant problems. He now experiences hearing loss and ringing or buzzing in the ear. Rakith traveled two hours to our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, where he was told his hearing problems can be fixed with a mastoidectomy. When Rakith undergoes this operation on February 8, surgeons will remove part of his ear’s mastoid bone so that they can remove the cholesteatoma. When the growth is gone, Rakith’s hearing will improve. Rakith and his wife cannot afford to pay for this treatment on their own. For $842, we can fund the procedure he needs, as well as the lab tests and two-day hospital stay necessary to ensure he recovers safely.

Meet Precious, a 15-month-old girl from Tanzania who has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition where excess fluid builds up in her brain cavity. Precious had previously been treated for her hydrocephalus, and received a stunt to reroute the extra fluid in her head to her stomach where it would be reabsorbed into the body. Unfortunately, her shunt malfunctioned and she's now experiencing negative side effects. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), informs us, "Precious is experiencing stomach distention, she has lost her appetite and doesn’t get stool as she should. If not treated, Precious will lose her life." Precious' mother is a single mother of three who is currently depending on her own mother to support herself and her children as she stays home to take care of Precious. For $775 we can fund Precious' treatment to fix her shunt and drain the excess fluid from her brain. After this surgery, AMHF says, "Precious will feel better. Her stomach will go back to a normal size, she will regain her appetite." “I pray that my baby will get well and continue with normal growth. I need to be working so that I can take care of all of my children.” said Precious’ mother.