Eliab is a three-year-old boy from Ethiopia. He enjoys playing with toy cars and spends quality time with his older sister watching car-related movies. Eliab lives with his parents, his older sister, and his younger brother. His mother is a dedicated homemaker, and his father teaches driving license courses. Despite their efforts to support the family, they live paycheck to paycheck and struggle to save money, especially after the birth of their new baby boy. Eliab was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remain undescended. If left untreated, Eliab has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Eliab’s parents were unaware of his condition until he was one and a half years old. They took him to the nearby Health Center, where he was advised to undergo surgery. This revelation caused considerable stress and panic for his parents. However, the doctor reassured them that it was a straightforward procedure, offering comfort and providing a referral to a specialized hospital. Eliab will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on December 11th. AMH is requesting $754 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Eliab's father expressed his heartfelt gratitude, "Words cannot fully convey my appreciation. I was deeply concerned for my child, and your support has been invaluable. Please continue this vital service; many children are enduring great suffering, and we are immensely grateful for your assistance during this challenging time."

Rai is a 15-year-old boy from Cambodia. He lives in Siem Reap Province with his parents and siblings, where they share a modest home. His entire family works together as construction workers, putting in long, physically demanding hours each day to support one another and make a living. In his free time, he enjoys playing football and helping his parents with work. His favorite meal is sour fish soup with fried vegetables. When he was seven years old, Rai had a severe burn on his left arm in an accident involving hot glue at his parents’ worksite in Thailand. After the injury, he developed a burn scar contracture on his left arm, which limits his movement and sometimes causes pain. This makes it difficult for him to carry out physical work and affects his daily activities. When Rai's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, they traveled for eight hours seeking treatment. On March 19th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to improve movement in his arm, reduce pain, and allow him to work more comfortably. Now, he needs help to fund this $652 procedure. Rai's mother said, “After the surgery, I truly hope my son will recover well, regain full movement in his arm, and live without pain so he can work comfortably and have a better, brighter future.”

Napris is a six-year-old student from Svay Rieng province, Cambodia. He lives with his parents, who are garment factory workers. He stays with his grandmother while his parents are at work. He is in the second grade, and his favorite subject is math. Napris dreams of becoming a teacher when he grows up. He enjoys playing with other children in the neighborhood and likes eating prawns and chicken soup. Napris was born with left torticollis, a condition that causes a twisting of the neck due to a tight sternocleidomastoid muscle. While some children can improve with physical therapy alone, others may need surgery to lengthen the muscle. Because of this condition, Napris has difficulty turning his head and neck and often experiences shoulder pain. Over time, it has also caused postural problems. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is helping Napris receive treatment. On February 3rd, surgeons will perform a contracture release surgery to restore normal movement of his neck, relieve pain, and allow him to grow and focus on his studies like other children. Now, he needs help to fund this $572 procedure. Napris's mother said, “After the surgery, I hope my son will have a normal neck like other children and no longer have difficulty moving his head, so he can grow up healthy and enjoy his studies.”

Fadhili is a three-year-old boy from Tanzania. His father is a small business owner, and his mother is a housewife. Fadhili was brought to the hospital by his father because of burn scar contractures affecting his left hand. Fadhili's injury occurred last year when he succumbed to a burn on the fourth and fifth fingers of his left hand. Initially, the family managed the wound at home due to limited access to healthcare. As a result, Fadhili struggles to open his hand fully and has difficulty holding objects or feeding himself. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Fadhili receive treatment. On February 17th, surgeons at their care center will perform contracture release surgery and a skin graft to help restore Fadhili's hand movement and prevent long-term disability. This early intervention will allow Fadhili to grow and develop without functional limitations. AMH is requesting $832 to fund this procedure. Fadhili's father says, “His burned fingers are tight and cannot open well, so he cannot hold things like other children.”

Valentina is a 14-month-old girl from Bolivia. She has five older siblings and loves to laugh and play with her family. Her father works as a driver, and her mother sells food. When she was a young baby, Valentina's parents noticed she was always agitated and couldn't breathe normally, so they took her to the doctor who diagnosed a heart condition called ventricular septal defect. This means there is a hole between the two lower chambers of her heart and blood leaks through this hole instead of circulating normally, leaving her weak and short of breath. Valentina also has Down syndrome. On December 3rd, Valentina will undergo heart 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 her heart so that blood will no longer leak through it. Valentina'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. Valentina's father said, "Valentina is a sweet little girl, we hope everything goes well, so she can have a healthy heart!"

Grace is a six-month-old baby girl who lives with her parents in Kenya. Though Grace has experienced her share of health challenges, she is a joyful baby whose laughter lightens her parents' burdens. Her father works as a delivery driver, while her mother cares for Grace full-time. Grace's symptoms were first noticed on her mother's third-trimester pregnancy scan. Shortly after birth, Grace was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. Complications during pregnancy also led to feeding issues once Grace was born, and she had to be kept under observation until she could have shunt insertion surgery at three weeks old. Following the surgery, Grace contracted meningitis, which further delayed her recovery and hospital discharge. A few weeks later, Grace’s mother noticed her head increasing in size at an alarming rate and brought her back to BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital, our partner's medical care center. Doctors discovered that the shunt had malfunctioned, and Grace is now scheduled for another shunt insertion surgery. However, Grace's prior treatments have depleted the family's medical insurance for the year. Without timely treatment, Grace will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $719 to cover the cost of surgery for Grace that will treat her hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on November 24th and will drain the excess fluid from Grace's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Grace will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. Grace's mother says, “My only wish is to see my daughter’s head stop increasing in size. I would be truly happy if she didn’t have to undergo another surgery, because it breaks my heart every time.”

Beatrice is a 32-year-old woman from Uganda. She and her husband are farmers, growing maize and beans on other people’s land to support their three children. Beatrice is pregnant, and her doctor recommends that 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, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Beatrice undergo a C-Section on December 23rd. This procedure will cost $207, and Beatrice needs your support. Beatrice says, "I am happy and grateful for connecting me to the donor program. I kindly appeal for assistance. I hope I will have a successful surgery. After delivery, I will continue practicing farming, and I will take good care of my family.”

Channy is a 21-year-old university student from Pursat province, Cambodia. She is the middle child of three siblings. Her older brother sadly passed away two years ago, and her younger brother, age 18, works in a clothing factory. Her father is a security guard, and their mother stays home to manage the household. Channy is in her third year at the Royal University of Phnom Penh, majoring in Khmer literature. In her free time, she enjoys reading books and helping with household chores. When Channy was 14, her parents took her to a clinic because they thought her back looked abnormal and she was in pain after sitting for long periods in school. At that time, she was diagnosed with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis - an abnormal curvature of the spine that appears in late childhood or adolescence - but her parents could not afford any further care for her. These symptoms interfere with her ability to focus on her studies and affect her participation in academic life. Additionally, she has faced discrimination from classmates due to her physical appearance, which has been challenging both emotionally and socially. After a local clinic suggested she visit our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, Channy is scheduled to undergo surgery on August 11th. This surgery will correct her spinal deformity, relieve her pain, and restore her confidence. Channy’s family can contribute $100; they still need help raising $1,400 to cover the full cost, including the surgery, implants, hospitalization, post-operative care, and physiotherapy. Channy said: "After the surgery, I hope that I will no longer have pain so that I can finish my degree. I hope this surgery will improve my back, and I can find a job to help my family."

Molika is a three-year-old girl from Cambodia. She lives with her mother, four-year-old brother, and grandmother in Takeo province. Her mother earns a living by selling fruit in the market, while her grandmother sews clothes to support the family. Molika loves playing with her brother and drinking milk. Two years ago, Molika accidentally burned her right hand with a hot pot. The burn caused tightening of the skin around her right fingers, particularly in the web space between them. This has made it difficult for her to move her fingers freely and use her hand for daily tasks. Molika was brought to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, to seek treatment. On May 6th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to improve the function of her right hand. Now, she needs help to fund this $495 procedure. Molika's grandmother shared, “I hope my granddaughter will be able to use her hand easily after the surgery.”

Channy is a 10-year-old girl from Cambodia. She lives with her single mother and three siblings in Kampong Cham province. Her mother sells pork in the market to support the family. Channy is in fifth grade and enjoys reading. At home, she likes playing with her siblings and making fresh orange juice. When she was four, Channy had an ear infection. This infection caused a cholesteatoma, or an abnormal skin growth, to develop in the middle ear behind the eardrum. For this reason, Channy experiences hearing loss, tinnitus, and ear discharge. It is difficult for her to hear at school, and she is often absent from class due to discomfort and ear discharge. On June 23rd, Channy will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure in her left ear. During this procedure, ENT surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $477 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Channy said, "I hope I can stop the discharge from my ear and hear more clearly at school."

Bitaniya is a three-year-old child from Ethiopia. She lives with her mother who works as a domestic worker, and an older sibling. Since her birth, Bitaniya has been suffering from shortness of breath and snoring during sleep. Additionally, her mother has noted that Bitaniya has been experiencing restlessness. Upon review at the hospital, Bitaniya was diagnosed with enlarged tonsils, which, if not treated, will cause her symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $700 to fund a tonsillectomy for Bitaniya, which is scheduled to take place on January 26th. The procedure will hopefully relieve Bitaniya of her symptoms and help her live more comfortably. Bitaniya's mother says: "I am hopeful that my baby will stay healthy, allowing me to resume work and provide for my family's needs."

Ishmael is a spirited young boy from Malawi who lights up every room with his energy and enthusiasm for learning. As a Standard 3 student at his local primary school in Nkhoma, he eagerly looks forward to each school day. His proud mother beams as she shares, “He loves school. He never complains about going and always comes home excited to tell us what he’s learned.” However, life has been difficult for Ishmael recently. He has been suffering from an umbilical hernia, a condition that causes him considerable pain. Though the discomfort started small, it has grown much worse over the past three weeks, making it harder for him to wake up early for school or even attend on days when the pain becomes unbearable. This has been a huge worry for his mother, who feels helpless as she watches her son struggle. Ishmael’s mother, a stay-at-home mum, and his father, a builder working away on a contract in another location, do their best to support their family. They manage to cover rent, food, and school fees with what they earn, but the cost of Ishmael’s surgery is simply beyond their reach. Ishmael was recently brought to our medical partner's care center, Nkhoma Hospital, where doctors confirmed the diagnosis and recommended immediate surgery to repair the hernia. The surgery is urgent, but they need financial support to proceed. Today, Ishmael's mother is reaching out with hope. She believes that with your generosity, her son can undergo the life-changing surgery he urgently requires. Your support will help Ishmael return to being the healthy, happy child he once was—able to go to school, free from pain, and full of hope for his future. Fortunately, on November 26th, Ishmael will undergo hernia repair surgery at Nkhoma Hospital to alleviate his symptoms, and hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $421 to fund the surgery. Ishmael's mother says, “Once Ishmael has the surgery and recovers, I expect him to return to school without pain and live the life he deserves—free to play, learn, and dream big just like other children his age.”