Esnath is a 53-year-old farmer from Malawi whose life has been profoundly touched by loss. She is a devoted mother who has tragically lost all her own children but now finds strength in caring for six of her late sister’s children. Despite the challenges of raising these children alongside her husband, who also farms, Esnath struggles to feed her family and often relies on whatever food is available. For the past five months, Esnath has faced a serious decline in her health, marked by significant weight loss, a lack of appetite, and abdominal swelling. Concerned for her well-being, her loved ones noticed her rapid deterioration and urged her to seek help. Esnath made the long journey from Nkhotakota district, accompanied by two friends, to reach our medical partner's care center, Partners In Health (PIH) Medical Center, where she had been told she could find support. At PIH, Esnath was seen by a gynecologist who conducted the necessary tests to uncover the cause of her suffering. She was diagnosed with uterine fibroids, a condition that requires urgent medical attention. Esnath needs a hysterectomy, a procedure that will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Esnath receive treatment. On October 12th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at PIH Medical Center. Once recovered, Esnath will be able to resume her daily activities free of the symptoms, allowing her to continue caring for her family. Now, Esnath needs help to fund this $1,363 surgery. With tears in her eyes, Esnath shared, “It is hope that brought me from Nkhotakota to this place. I truly believe that God will help me recover so I can return home in good health.”

Diana is a student from Bolivia. She lives with her mother, a law student, in a neighborhood of La Paz. She is at the top of her class in school and is reading at a very high level for her age. She likes to read and play with her friends from school. Diana has a cardiac condition called coarctation of the aorta. A major blood vessel connected to her heart is too narrow; this causes blood to back up into the heart, causing heart failure. On September 18th, she will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, Surgeons will inflate a balloon inside her aorta to stretch it to a more normal size so that blood can flow through it more freely. Diana'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. Diana's mother shared, "Our family is so happy to know that after this procedure, our daughter will be able to be healthy!"

Almarie is a 42-year-old single mother of three from the Philippines. Almarie works hard to support her children. In the mornings, she works as a laundry woman and in the afternoons, she collects garbage in their community. Six months ago, Almarie began to experience troubling symptoms, including abdominal pain which radiates through her back and lasts the whole day. Even though she was in extreme pain, Almarie did not stop working. She reminded herself her children will not be able to go to school and eat if she does not work. Almarie has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, her symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), Almarie is scheduled to undergo surgery on August 17th. A portion of the cost of the procedure is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, but Almarie needs our help to raise $1,128 to cover the remaining cost of surgery and care. Almarie says, "I am very grateful to all of you. You will not only help me, but also my children because I only work and live for them. Thank you for giving me this chance to continue helping my children achieve their dreams. Thank you very much."

Neisha is a toddler from Haiti. She lives with her parents and older brother. Her father works in construction and her mother is a homemaker. She likes playing with the other children in her neighborhood and helping her mother make food. Neisha has a cardiac condition called Tetralogy of Fallot, where a hole between the two lower chambers of the heart and a muscular blockage of one of the valves are present. These prevent blood from circulating through her lungs, leaving her weak and short of breath. Neisha will fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On July 17th, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will patch the hole in her heart and remove the blockage from her valve. Another organization, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is contributing $8500 to pay for surgery. Neisha's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. They need $1,500 for labs, medicines, checkups, and follow-up appointments. It also supports securing travel documents for the social workers from our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Neisha's family overseas. Neisha's mother says, "Our family is so glad to know that we will soon be able to stop worrying so much about our daughter's heart!"

Biyana is a toddler from Ethiopia who loves to play with his mom and other children. He loves to play with balls and toy cars. His mom is a daily laborer who washes clothes for a living. She is a single mom who works hard to support her mother and Biyana. Biyana was born with hypospadias, a condition that causes urinary dysfunction. His mother knew about his condition at birth and was informed that surgery could be done when the child was seven years old. However, she later heard that kids as young as Biyana were going to Addis Ababa, the capital city, for treatment. After securing support for transportation, Biyana was brought to our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre. There, doctors confirmed Biyana's condition and scheduled him for surgery. Fortunately, Biyana is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on June 18th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,293 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. The surgery will relieve Biyana of discomfort and pain, and reduce the risk of future health complications. Biyana's mother said, “After the surgery, we hope he will be healthy and grow up like other children.”

Noelanie is a playful preschooler from Haiti who loves music and dancing. She lives with her parents and two older siblings in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince; Noelanie has a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus. A hole exists between two major blood vessels near her heart; blood leaks through this hole, leaving her weak and short of breath. The care Noelanie needs is not available within Haiti so she will travel to the United States to receive treatment. On February 9th, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which doctors will use a device attached to the end of a catheter to fill the hole. Another organization, Gift of Life New York, is contributing $4000 towards her surgery. Noelanie's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep, travel, and follow up medical care. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and follow-up appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Noelanie's family overseas. Noelanie's mother says, "Our family has been praying for years that Noelanie's heart would be fixed one day, and we are so happy to know it is happening."

Kelly is a 23-year-old Business Administration student from Kenya. Her family members assist in offering her with living support, especially since her father passed away in 2022, and her mother suffers from a condition that requires constant care. In January 2024, Kelly's left knee was struck by a door, leading to swelling and pain in the area. Subsequently, the swelling burst, resulting in pus formation. She sought medical attention at a nearby hospital, but unfortunately, her condition did not improve. Kelly was taken our medical partner's care center, AIC Kijabe Hospital, where she was diagnosed with a small, proximal tibia sequester. Surgery was recommended, without which there was a risk she could lose her leg. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Kelly receive treatment. On April 8th, surgeons at AIC Kijabe Hospital will perform a sequestrectomy debridement external fixation to prevent the infection from spreading, and save her leg. Now, Kelly's family needs help to fund this $1,500 procedure. Kelly says: “I stopped going to college because of the infection. I cannot walk or use my leg because of the infection. I am requesting for treatment support to help preserve my leg.”

Donnalyn is a hardworking woman from the Philippines. She works as a factory worker and currently resides with her partner. Even though her partner is also working, their combined income is only enough for their household expenses. One year ago, Donnalyn began to experience troubling symptoms, including excruciating stomach pain and frequent acid reflux. She was diagnosed with gallstones and kidney stones. She could not afford the surgery and treatment at the local hospital. Donnalyn has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, her 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), Donnalyn is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy on March 9th. 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 Donnalyn's surgery and care. Donalynn shared: "I have not availed of the free surgery yet but I am already very grateful to everyone who will help me. I will never be able to avail the needed surgery even if I borrow money from everyone I know, so I am truly grateful."

Ruhama is a beautiful two month old baby girl, who lives with her parents in Ethiopia. Both of her parents are quite young, and due to their having left school early, both work as day laborers, earning limited wages. Ruhama was born with an anorectal malformation, which is a congenital abnormality that leads to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. She needs to undergo a series of procedures to eliminate her bowel dysfunction and help her grow up healthy. Ruhama is scheduled to undergo surgery to correct her condition on February 1st, at BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Ruhama's procedure and care. After her recovery, Ruhama will no longer experience bowel dysfunction, or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. Ruhama's mother said: “I will leave her at the hands of God. I can’t say she will heal or not, but it’s all God’s will."

10 year old Nicholas lives with his parents and two younger siblings in Kenya. His parents are farmers, who produce small cash crops of vegetables, maize and beans, which provide income for the family. In December, Nicholas fell out of a neighbor's mango tree, sustaining injuries to both of his hands and arms, and to his left thigh. X-rays showed that both of his arms were fractured, and the doctors also found an open wound on his thigh where the bone protruded through the skin. After undergoing numerous procedures, and infections that required multiple treatments, Nicholas, who is currently bedridden and in pain, is finally ready to have his fractured femur surgically repaired. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,145 to fund Nicholas' surgery, which is scheduled to take place on January 15th, at AIC Kapsowar Hospital. After he has recovered, Nicholas will be able to walk again without pain. Nicholas' mother says: “My son has been unwell for quite a while. I hope he gets well and will be able to go back to school after treatment.”

Jecinta is a delightful 4-year-old girl from Kenya. She is playful and jovial. Born with a birth condition her journey began at Kiambu Hospital, where dedicated healthcare professionals initiated a treatment plan to address the condition. She was prescribed braces as part of her comprehensive care to correct her clubfeet. With the support of her mother, she embarked on a hopeful journey towards improved mobility and a future filled with possibilities. The braces played a role in maintaining the corrections achieved through casting and other interventions. However, along the way, and because of the hardships, Jecinta, like many children, faced challenges in using the braces. Unfortunately, she lost to follow-up at Kiambu Hospital, and the regular monitoring and follow-up appointments ended. Over more than a year with no follow-up, Jecintas deformity recurred. Currently she tiptoes as she walks and feels pain. Fortunately, Jecinta and her mother traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,286 to fund Jecinta's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she be able to walk well, with no pain and discomfort. Her self-esteem will also improve, and she will continue with her education without any hardship. “I will appreciate if consider my daughter to undergo surgery so that she can stand on her feet and walk confidently like other children,” Glory, Jecinta’s mother, told us.

Grace is a 25-year-old nurse from Malawi. She the second-born in a family of six children and the only school graduate to date. She graduated from nursing college in 2022 and is now proudly a registered nurse. Currently, she is unemployed, and all her younger siblings are in school. Grace's father is a builder who works in one of the government departments, and her mother is a homemaker. Grace started having pain in her neck back in 2013. In October, the pain increased, affecting both shoulders, and the swelling on her neck grew. On November 11th, Grace met the surgeon who confirmed the diagnosis of a goiter and the need for a surgical procedure called a thyroidectomy, which is the removal of part or all of the thyroid gland. Grace was referred to our medical partner's program due to financial instability. Grace believes that the surgery will help her get back to everyday life and that she can actively search for employment. Grace said, "I just want to get rid of the pain and tumor so that I can be active in job searching."