Japhet is a cheerful three-year-old boy from Tanzania. He is the second child in his family and is known for his playful personality and love for football, often trying to kick a ball whenever he sees one. His father, the breadwinner of the family, makes a living as a hired bajaji tricycle driver. Japhet was diagnosed with bilateral genu varus. When Japhet began walking, his family noticed that both of his legs curved outward. At first, relatives described them as “footballer legs,” believing he would outgrow the condition. However, as he continued to grow, the bowing became more noticeable and began affecting his balance. 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. This condition has limited his ability to play with other children, but his parents are hopeful that early treatment will give him a healthy start in life, enabling him to play freely, attend school confidently, and grow without physical limitation. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $810 to fund treatment for Japhet. The procedure is scheduled to take place on March 6th at our medical partner's care center, Kafika House. Treatment will hopefully restore Japhet's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Japhet's mother shared, “He loves to play so much. We hope he will soon run freely like other children.”

Tafach is active and cheerful six-month-old boy from Ethiopia. He lives with his parents and his older brother. His mother works as a daily laborer, washing clothes and fetching water for neighbors, while his father farms on other people’s land. Despite their hard work, they often struggle to provide for their family, facing frequent food shortages and relying on the kindness of neighbors for support. Tafach's mother first noticed something was wrong when Tafach was only four days old. He began vomiting and was unable to pass stool, prompting his concerned parents to take him to a nearby hospital. Tafach was diagnosed with an anorectal malformation, a congenital abnormality that leads to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. Tafach’s mother was devastated and broke down in tears, as the family had never encountered such a condition before. However, the doctor reassured them that Tafach’s condition could be corrected through a series of procedures to eliminate bowel dysfunction and promptly referred them to a larger public hospital. At the referral hospital, Tafach underwent a colostomy to help create a temporary route for his bowel movements, and the family was given a follow-up appointment. They returned home feeling hopeful yet anxious. A few days later, a neighbor informed them about our medical partner's care center, Bethany Kids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre (BKMCM). Tafach’s parents reached out and took him to BKMCM for further evaluation. Tafach is now scheduled to undergo surgery to correct his condition on January 6th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,500 to cover the cost of Tafach's procedure and care. After his recovery, Tafach will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. Tafach's mother expressed hope, saying, "I pray for my child's surgery to be safe and successful, envisioning him thriving like his older brother. I aspire for him to become a dedicated student and a remarkable individual."

Gift is nine years old and a fifth grader from Kenya. She is the third born in a family of four. She loves playing, singing, and dreams of becoming a doctor one day. Gift was only two years old when her legs first started curving outward. As the severity of her condition became clearer, her father began a desperate search for answers. He took her from one hospital to another, hoping someone would explain what was happening. But every visit ended the same; doctors could not identify the cause or offer a solution. “At that time, I didn’t know how bad it could become,” her father said. Mbithi said. The hospital trips drained not only the family’s hope but also their finances. After many consultations, he was finally told that surgery was needed. Even though he wanted the best for his daughter, the cost of the treatment was far beyond what he could afford. Gift was diagnosed with genu varus, a misalignment of her knees, affecting the position of her legs and feet. As she grew older, her legs worsened, and every step became painful. Walking to school was a struggle, and sometimes her friends would run ahead, leaving her behind in tears. “It was heartbreaking to see Gift walking like that,” her father shared. Hope finally came when a friend told him about our medical partner's care center, AIC CURE International Hospital. There, Gift underwent surgery to correct her right leg, and the results brought great relief to her family. She is now back at the hospital for another surgery to correct her left leg, bringing her one step closer to walking without pain and living the life she dreams of. Gift is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on December 5th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,224 to cover the cost of Gift's procedure and care. Gift's father shared, “My prayer is that she gets well and has her legs straightened so she can live a normal life. After treatment, I hope she will continue with school and achieve her dreams in the future.”

Win is a 48-year-old man from Burma. He lives with his wife in a refugee Camp in Phop Phra District, Tak Province, Thailand. They have lived in the refugee camp since 2011. Win is a homemaker, as he is unable to work due to a leg injury he sustained in 1997 when he was arrested by the Burmese Army and forced to be a porter and laborer for them. While cleaning outside the camp one day, he hit a mine, which injured his leg. Win's wife is a day laborer, but her work is inconsistent, as she only works when employers come to the camp and announce that they need help. Since 2019, Win has had a right inguinal hernia. Currently, he continues to experience pain in his lower abdomen. The pain is worse when he sits up, so he must stay in a supine position. Fortunately, on November 5th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at Mae Sot General Hospital, our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund Win's hernia repair surgery. Aside from the physical symptoms, Win says, “I feel useless. Even if I couldn’t work before I was admitted to the hospital, I could cook and clean and take care of the house. Now I can’t even do that.”

Jane is 46 years old and a mother of four children from Malawi. She sells traditional drinks and fritters, but had to stop working due to her condition. For seven years, Jane has been experiencing severe bleeding. She has been diagnosed with uterine fibroids. Jane was reviewed by a gynecologist at our medical partner's care center, Partners In Hope Medical Center, and was informed of the need for a Total Abdominal Hysterectomy (TAH), a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Jane remains hopeful that surgery will restore her health. She believes that being well again is vital so she can continue providing for her four children, who depend on her entirely. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,363 to fund Jane's surgery. On October 7th, she will undergo gynecological surgery, which will address her symptoms. Once recovered, Jane will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Jane shared, "I have suffered enough; I now just want to get well after surgery and continue taking care of my children as a single mother."

Legan is a lively and curious 3-year-old from Tanzania. When he arrived at our medical partner's care center, he wasted no time settling in -- his playful nature lit up any room that he entered, and he eagerly made friends, laughing along with other children as if he had known them for years. As small-scale farmers, Legan's parents work hard to provide for their family of 5 children, using most of their harvest for daily sustenance and selling only a small portion to earn a modest income. Legan was diagnosed with genu varus, a condition in which his legs bow outward so that his knees cannot touch. 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. Though cheerful and full of energy, Legan is having difficulty walking without discomfort. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $810 to fund treatment for Legan. He will undergo surgery on April 9th to help restore his mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Legan's father said: "Legan is an active boy, but this condition worries us because he gets less active as he grows older. I hope this is not how he will live his entire life."

Dawit is a charming three-year-old boy from Ethiopia. He delights in playing with other children, especially enjoying his toy cars. He often immerses himself in imaginative play, pretending to be a skilled driver. As the second child in his family, Dawit brings immense joy to his parents. He shares a close bond with his older sister, who treats him with kindness and affection. Dawit's mother is a devoted housewife, while his father works as a taxi driver using a rented vehicle. Dawit was born 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. Dawit's parents first noticed his condition when he was one year old. Initially, his mother hoped the condition would resolve on its own as he grew. However, a concerned neighbor urged her to seek medical attention. After visiting several hospitals, Dawit was finally referred to our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Center. On July 8th, Dawit will undergo corrective surgery, and our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,293 to cover the cost of his procedure and care. Dawit's mother said, "My heartfelt gratitude goes to you for the exceptional service you provided. I am truly thankful to God for this opportunity. You have treated me with the same respect as others, and I bless you all for that. I pray that God grants you the wisdom to care for my child, and I hope that he will grow up healthy and happy."

Naw is a 39-year-old woman from Burma. She lives in the dormitory together with other students in one of the migrant schools in Tak Province, Thailand. She applied to be a teacher at the school for this school year. In March 2025, Naw started to experience frequent urination and low back pain, causing her to struggle to sit for long periods. She also feels stressed about both her condition and the cost of treatment. She has been diagnosed with multiple myomas and was advised to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy, the surgical removal of her uterus and cervix. If left untreated, Naw's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. Fortunately, Naw is scheduled to undergo her hysterectomy on June 6th. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Once recovered, she should be able to live more comfortably. Naw expressed her gratitude, saying, “Thank you to the donors and BCMF for helping to cover my surgery costs. I plan to be a teacher after I am fully recovered, as teaching is my favorite thing to do.”

Min is a 38-year-old man from Burma. He is a farmer and lives in Mae Sot District, Tak Province, Thailand. In June 2024, Min started to experience occasional stomach aches that usually lasted about three days before they went away on their own. In March 2025, he had another stomach ache, but this time, it did not go away. It worsened over time, prompting Min to visit a clinic where he was diagnosed with a pancreatic cyst. Doctors recommended surgery to remove the cyst. Currently, he is feeling severe abdominal and stomach pain, and is unable to walk or sleep. Min traveled to our medical partner's care center, Mae Sot General Hospital, to receive care. On May 6th, surgeons will remove the cyst. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1500 to fund Min's procedure and provide him relief from the impact of the cyst. “Once I am healthy, I would like to work and save up money and go back to Burma,” Min said.

Flossy is 47 years old and a single mother of two from Malawi. She sells secondhand clothes and, sometimes, works in construction. For five years, Flossy has been experiencing abdominal pains, backache, and heavy bleeding. She was diagnosed with uterine fibroids. But since the fibroids were very small, she was sent back home. The pain and bleeding have gotten worse, and doctors have advised her to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, requests $1,363 to fund Flossy's surgery. On April 5th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center. Once recovered, Flossy will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Flossy said, "I am tired of these symptoms since they are disturbing my daily activities. I don't have as much energy as before, and I need your support to get back on my feet."

In August 2024, Kennan's family began to notice that something wasn't quite right. When they spoke to him, the six-year-old boy often seemed distracted, staring off into space, only responding when someone touched him. At first, his mother and grandmother thought he was being difficult, and they would scold him, urging him to pay attention. But their concern deepened when they received a call from the school. Kennan was having trouble hearing his teachers and classmates, which explained why he struggled to communicate like other children his age. At school, Kennan relies on lip-reading, watching his teachers closely and occasionally asking classmates to repeat what was said. It became clear to his family that his difficulties went beyond a lack of interest, prompting them to seek help. But it hasn’t been an easy journey for Kennan’s family. His father tragically lost his life in a road accident in 2023, leaving behind a deep void. Now, Kennan's mother works hard selling oranges at the market, while his grandmother is unemployed. His mother struggles to provide for Kennan and his younger sister, who is just 4 years old. Each day, she works tirelessly just to put food on the table. Kennan's grandmother is especially worried about him. She often fears for his safety when he plays outside, anxious that he may not hear an approaching vehicle or motorbike. Her heart breaks knowing she can’t do more to help her grandson. Recently, Kennan's grandmother brought him to our medical partner's care center, AIC Kijabe Hospital, where he was diagnosed with reduced hearing. The good news is that hearing aids can provide the help he needs to thrive and connect with the world around him. However, the cost of these hearing aids is a barrier for Kennan’s family. They are now reaching out for support to help provide Kennan with the hearing aids he desperately needs. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Kennan receive treatment. On February 6th, he will be fitted with hearing aids, allowing him to hear, learn, and grow. Now, Kennan's family needs help to fund the $1,171 treatment. Kennan says: "When I'm in class, I often have trouble hearing the teacher, so I rely on my friends to fill me in by telling me what's going on."