Sovannareach is a six-year-old first-grade student from Prey Veng Province in Cambodia. He lives with his grandmother, who is a rice farmer, while his mother works as a factory worker to support him. His parents divorced five years ago, and he has remained close to his family. Sovannareach enjoys reading and writing Khmer, and he hopes to become a doctor when he grows up. In his free time, he likes playing football with his friends in the village. His favorite meals are lemongrass sour soup and eggs. Sovannareach was born with scoliosis, a condition in which the spine curves abnormally to one side, often resembling a “C” or “S” shape. As he has grown, his spinal curve has gradually worsened, bending toward the right side. The condition causes him pain and makes it difficult for him to sit comfortably for long periods. As a result, he sometimes struggles to concentrate in class and worries about being teased by his classmates because of his appearance. He also has difficulty walking, which affects his daily activities. In the past, Sovannareach had never received hospital treatment because his family could not afford it. However, a relative told his family about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). They traveled approximately four hours to CSC for a consultation and to seek specialized care. On August 11th, surgeons at CSC plan to implant a metal “growing rod” into his spine to help control the curvature while allowing his spine to continue growing. CSC is requesting $1,500 to cover the costs of his surgery, the implant, and post-operative care, including physiotherapy. Sovannareach's grandmother said, “I hope this treatment will help control my grandson’s spinal curvature as he grows and keep his spine stable. I want him to continue walking, playing, going to school, and enjoying his childhood without his condition limiting his daily life.”

Ethan is a one-month-old baby boy from Kenya. He was born with spina bifida, a condition where the baby's spinal column and spinal cord do not close completely before birth. He was referred to our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital, for specialized care. At four days old, Ethan underwent spinal closure surgery. While Ethan was in recovery, he was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of his condition, Ethan has been experiencing an increasing head circumference. Without treatment, Ethan will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $719 to cover the cost of surgery for Ethan that will treat his hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on June 25th and will drain the excess fluid from Ethan's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, Ethan will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. Ethan's mother shared, "I find it hard to understand why this had to happen to my son. He is going through unimaginable pain. I wish I could bear the pain on his behalf. I am, however, hopeful that this surgery will put an end to his misery."

Tennyson is a playful 11-year-old boy from Kenya. He is currently in grade 3 and loves drawing and playing with friends. His father is a construction worker, while his mother is a home maker. Tennyson has clubfoot of right foot, a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. Tennyson was also born with a hearing impairment. His mother first noticed that his right foot was bending when he was three years old. “He struggled to walk and would often complain of pain, and as he grew, it only got worse,” she recalls. They sought help at a nearby hospital but were informed that the condition could not be treated there. With no clear solution, they returned home. As time passed, the condition worsened. The pain increased, Tennyson's foot began to swell, and walking became more difficult. Eventually, Tennyson had to stop going to school because he could no longer walk. One of his teachers grew concerned and reached out to the family. After learning about Tennyson’s condition, the teacher informed his mother about a mobile clinic by AIC CURE Hospital, where Tennyson could undergo a review. At the clinic, Tennyson was assessed and scheduled for serial casting and a clubfoot surgery. He has been undergoing the casting and is now ready for the repair surgery, which has been scheduled for May 25th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,286 to fund Tennyson's clubfoot repair. After treatment, his foot will gradually straighten and restore his ability to walk. Tennyson's mother says: “I am praying that his foot will be straightened, so that he can walk without pain, go back to school, and live like other children.”

Seven-year-old Bontu lives with her parents in Ethiopia. As an only child, she is the light of her parent's life, and they would do anything for her. About two years ago, Bontu began experiencing fevers, pain, difficulty in swallowing and snoring. Since then, she is often unwell, and her mother constantly needs to stay with her, forgoing the chance to work and to earn money. Bontu's father works long hours as a manual laborer, trying to earn enough to sustain his family. Bontu has been diagnosed with enlarged tonsils, and she needs surgery to treat her condition. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $700 to fund a tonsillectomy for Bontu, which is scheduled to take place on February 11th. Surgeons will remove her tonsils, hopefully relieving Bontu of her symptoms, and helping her to live more comfortably. "We are so excited for this opportunity that will have our daughter attend school every single day, and play happily with her friends. Our hearts long to see her run and laugh without that constant, heavy exhaustion that has kept her so lonely and isolated for so long," said Bontu's parents.

Eh is a 14-year-old girl from Burma who lives in an internally displaced persons camp in Karenni State with her sister’s family. She attends school there, where her sister works as a teacher, and her family relies on her brother-in-law’s work to meet their basic needs. Eh’s health challenges began in October 2025, when she developed persistent skin irritation and loss of appetite. At a local clinic, a physician identified signs of jaundice, including yellowing of her skin and eyes, and referred her for further care. Eh’s brother-in-law took her to a hospital at the end of January 2026, where she was diagnosed with a large cyst in her liver. Her doctor explained that the cyst is putting pressure on her liver and causing her symptoms, and that surgery is needed to remove it. Today, Eh continues to experience jaundice, skin irritation, and occasional headaches and stomach pain. Eh sought treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund. She is now scheduled to undergo surgery on March 24th to remove the cyst. Eh's family is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. This procedure will relieve the pressure on Eh's liver and help resolve her symptoms, allowing her to return to her daily life. Eh's brother-in-law says, “I consider Eh as my own daughter, as she has been living with me for six years, and I feel bad for her that she has to suffer from this disease. I also worry for my wife and my son, who are living in the camp while I accompany her [Eh] for her treatment. Thank you to all the organizations that support us with her treatment.”

Eyuel is a bright and joyful three-year-old boy from Ethiopia. He loves to run and play football, his favorite sport, with other neighborhood kids. He is currently in kindergaten and enjoys going to school every day. Eyuel lives with his mother, father, and his eight-month-old baby sister. His mother is a home maker, while his father works as a farmer on a rented land, earning wages once a year from the farm’s harvest. Their income is very limited and barely covers the family’s basic needs.To supplement his farming income, Eyuel’s father also takes on extra casual work to support the household. About a year ago, Eyuel's parents noticed something was not quite right, and there was difference in how he was passing urine. They took him to a government referral hospital, where, unfortunately, he was placed on a long waiting list for surgical care. Sometime later, he was referred to our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre (BKMCM). Despite the challenges of waiting for care, Eyuel’s parents have remained strong. They shared: “We will do everything we can to get him treated. We reached out to friends and family, but we could not afford the surgery. We pray for support on this journey. It hurts us to see him suffer, but we cannot question God. We accept it and hope for his healing.” Eyuel was diagnosed with hypospadias, a condition that causes urinary dysfunction. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and will be at risk of future complications. Fortunately, Eyuel is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on February 24th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,293 to cover the cost of his procedure and care. Eyuel's father says: "We hope that our son will get the surgery and get better. I really wish to see him heal and thrive. I came here praying for his healing and that is what I am hoping for."

Dave is 31 years old and a farmer from the Philippines. He is the sole caregiver for his father, who has hypertension and gout. He works as a farmer, raising chickens and planting root crops. He admits that his work does not earn much, and his limited income makes it hard for him and his father to meet their daily needs. At times, his siblings help by giving money to pay for electricity, water, and his father’s medicines. Dave first noticed swelling and pain when he was in high school. By the time he reached college, the pain was unbearable. It comes and goes, and each time it happens, he finds it difficult to walk and carry out his daily activities. Dave was diagnosed with an inguinal hernia and needs surgery. Fortunately, our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines, can help. On January 28th, Dave will undergo hernia repair surgery to address his symptoms and allow him to live more comfortably. He needs help to raise $1,121 to fund his procedure and care. Dave shared, "I have always worried that my hernia would get worse. With surgery, I hope I will no longer feel afraid every day. I want to work properly again and be free from the heavy feeling of constantly wondering when my hernia will act up."

Po is a 79-year-old man from Burma. He lives with his daughter and three grandchildren in a refugee camp, in Mae Hong Song Province, Thailand. Originally farmers from a village in Hpapun, Karen State, Burma, Po and his daughter relocated to the camp in 2021 following nearby conflict. Now retired, Po relies on food allowance provided by an international aid agency in the camp. They also receive free accommodation and basic healthcare in the camp which is enough to meet his family’s basic needs. In 2011, Po has had inguinal hernia. Po continues to experience frequent, manually reducible swelling in his left scrotum, with pain and discomfort that worsens when standing, walking, or lifting objects, and particularly when urinating. Fortunately, on December 18th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at Mae Sariang Hospital, our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,468 to fund Po's hernia repair surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on December 18th and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. Po shares, “This pain and discomfort have been with me for more than a decade, and I’ve grown used to them. I am grateful that soon I might be free from them. At my age, I cannot work again after my treatment, but being pain-free will make my daily life easier. My family will no longer be burdened. Thank you to the donors and BCMF for your help.”

Apphia is a 26-year-old woman from Kenya. As the firstborn in a family of three children, Apphia has always borne significant responsibility for her younger siblings. Her parents rely on small-scale farming to support the family. In 2019, Apphia noticed that she was beginning to lose her hearing. She does not recall any unusual event leading up to her condition, only that sounds gradually faded away until, one day, she could not hear at all. At the time, Apphia was in her third year in high school. Despite the challenges, she continued attending school, but struggled to follow the lessons and keep up with her classmates, which affected her performance in the final examinations. Still determined, Apphia enrolled into a secretarial studies course. Despite facing significant communication barriers, she completed the short course, but has unfortunately not been able to secure employment due to her challenges in hearing and understanding others. Apphia went to our medical partner's care center, AIC Kijabe Hospital, in March this year. She was diagnosed with severe hearing loss and hearing aids were recommended. Since then, she has tried raising funds from friends and relatives for her treatment, unsuccessfully. Over time, she has become increasingly withdrawn, avoiding social spaces and preferring to stay alone. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Apphia receive treatment. On November 12th, she will be fitted with hearing aids to improve her hearing, help her find meaningful employment, and build her life with confidence and independence. Now, Apphia needs help to fund this $1,171 treatment. Apphia says: "I feel as though the world keeps moving forward while I remain held back. It's tough when I have to keep asking people to repeat themselves, I now prefer staying at home."