Tamirat is a cheerful four-year-old boy from Ethiopia. He lives with his parents, his older brother, and his older sister in a rented house. He loves playing football with his brother and sister. He also enjoys watching movies and cartoons, and one of his favorite activities is praying. His name, Tamirat, means "miracle." His grandmother chose the name because his mother became seriously ill during her pregnancy as a result of heavy physical work. After Tamirat was born, his mother recovered, and the family considered his birth a miracle from God. One day, Tamirat's uncle was helping him get dressed when he noticed that one of his testicles was not in it's place. Concerned, he advised Tamirat's mother to have him examined. At the health center, a doctor examined Tamirat and he also underwent an ultrasound. He was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remain undescended. If left untreated, Tamirat would have an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Tamirat and his mother were referred to a higher-level hospital for further evaluation and treatment, where he was placed on a surgery wait list. Three months later, they were referred to our medical partner's care center, Bethany Kids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre (BKMCM). While Tamirat's mother was relieved that this meant her son would receive treatment soon, it also got her anxious as she knew her family could not afford the cost of surgery. She manually cleans other people's clothes to earn an income, while Tamira's father works as a daily laborer. Despite their hard work, they struggle to provide for their family. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Tamirat receive treatment. On July 20th, he will undergo corrective surgery to treat his condition, and reduce medical risks in the future. Now, Tamirat's family needs help to fund this $754 procedure. Tamirat's mother shared, "I am so happy to have come here to BethanyKids. The welcome we received was wonderful, and all the staff were kind and respectful. Thank you so much. May God bless every one of you. May He continue to bless the work of your hands and reward you for the kindness you show to children like my son."

Phat is a 51-year-old rice and potato farmer from Cambodia. He lives with his wife and daughter in Siem Reap province. Together, they have five children, with only one daughter, age 12 still living at home and attending a local primary school. The other children have moved away for work opportunities and live with their spouses. During his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family and gardening around his home. Two years ago, Phat was in a motorbike accident, which caused severe damage to the nerves and tendons in his left arm. Since the accident, he has lost sensation and movement from the elbow to the fingers, making it difficult for him to work or perform everyday tasks. He needs to undergo a tendon and nerve repair procedure to help regain strength and mobility. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is helping Phat receive treatment. He is scheduled to undergo the tendon and nerve repair procedure on July 7th. This procedure will cost $701, and Phat and his family need your support. Phat shared, "After surgery, I hope that I can get strength back in my arm, and use my hand to make my work easier at the farm and at home."

The past nine months have been filled with worry and uncertainty for Vinet, a 23-year-old young man whose life was turned upside down by sudden tremors, convulsions, and fainting spells. Since his first collapse in March 2024, he has visited multiple hospitals and taken medication to manage his condition, yet he continues to struggle with these debilitating episodes. In May 2024, Vinet came to our medical partner's care center, AIC Kijabe Hospital, where he received the shocking news that a tumor had formed near his brain. The doctors recommended a craniotomy—an urgent surgery that could save his life. However, Vinet's lack of insurance coverage has made it impossible for him to proceed with the treatment. Raised by a single father after the loss of his mother, Vinet is an only child who has always been a source of strength for his family. His father works at a flower farm in Naivasha to keep food on the table. Despite completing high school, Vinet has been unable to pursue further education due to financial limitations. To support his family, he took on construction work, which has become increasingly difficult as his health issues worsen. Since his diagnosis, Vinet and his father have been desperately trying to raise funds for his surgery, but their efforts have not yielded fruit. Vinet collapses up to four times a week, making it hard for him to work or even socialize, as he never knows when the next episode will strike. Yet, amidst these challenges, Vinet remains hopeful. He dreams of studying electrical engineering and is determined to seek help from kind-hearted individuals once he regains his health. To make this dream a reality, Vinet urgently needs your support to undergo this life-saving surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Vinet receive treatment. On November 28th, he will undergo a craniotomy at AIC Kijabe Hospital. The treatment will help him reclaim his health, live a normal life, and work towards achieving his aspirations. Now, Vinet's family need help to fund this $1,500 procedure. Vinet says, "I once collapsed while I was with friends, and ever since that day, I've felt like people tend to avoid being around me because they're afraid I might collapse at any moment. Yet, I believe that with the right treatment, I will regain my health."

Oudam is a 6-year-old student and the only child in his family. Oudam's father works as a driver, while his mother is a corn farmer. His parents live far away for their jobs in order to be able to send money home to Oudam and his grandmother, who takes care of him. Oudam likes watching funny movies with his grandmother and helping her sell fish in the local villages. When Oudam recently lost a tooth, he placed it inside his ear and the tooth accidentally fell inside his ear canal. Within two days, he was experiencing pain, hearing loss, discharge, and tension in his right ear. Oudam needs to have the object removed in order to heal the discomfort he is feeling and regain his hearing. Oudam and his grandmother traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On May 19th, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, will remove the mass from his ear. Now, Oudam's family needs help to raise $231 to fund this procedure. Oudam's grandmother shared, "We hope the tooth can be removed so his pain will stop."

Sam is a 12-year-old student from Cambodia, and the third of four siblings in her family. Her mom sells food at the local market and her dad is a tuk tuk driver. She is in grade 6 at her primary school. Sam's best subjects are Khmer and English literature and she wants to be a teacher when she grows up. In her free time she enjoys playing games and watching TV. Five years ago, Sam had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in both ears to perforate. For this reason, Sam experiences pain, ear discharge, and hearing loss. She has difficulty communicating with others and the ear infection occasionally causes her a high fever. She is no longer attending school because of her worsening condition. Sam traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On April 30th, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in both ears. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforations. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $913 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. "I hope that my daughter's surgery will be successful so she can go back to school," Sam's mother said.

Samrong lives in Phnom Penh with his mother and father. His father is a tuk tuk driver, and his mother is a farmer. He is an only child, but has many good friends in school. He is in the second grade and his favorite subject is mathematics. When he is not playing with his friends, he likes to draw cartoons in his sketchbook. Samrong has had several throat and respiratory infections in the past three years. Last week, he started to have severe throat pain and a mild fever. He has difficulty swallowing and eating. His parents brought him to Watsi's Medical Partner CSC, where it was determined he would need a tonsillectomy. Once he recovers from this procedure, Samrong will no longer experience chronic throat pain or tonsillitis, and he will have an easier time sleeping and eating. Sarong's parents said, "We feel worried about his throat, and it has had a big effect on our family, because when he is sick we cannot work. I hope that he recovers quickly from this surgery and goes back to school to enjoy learning."

Karen is a student from Tanzania. She is the youngest in a family of three children. For five years, Karen has been experiencing frequent fevers and illness. This has caused her to often miss school and is affecting her academic performance. Karen was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils, which, if not treated, will cause her symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $633 to fund a tonsillectomy for Karen, which is scheduled to take place on February 8. Surgeons will remove her tonsils, hopefully relieving Karen of her symptoms and helping her live more comfortably. Karen’s mother says, “Supporting my three children by myself has not been easy. Please help my daughter get the needed surgery I have no means of raising up the money needed to cover the cost.”

Uk is a 63-year-old rice farmer from a village in Cambodia. She is married and has one daughter and three grandchildren. She enjoys doing farm work and housework, cooking, and taking care of her grandchildren. About seven years ago, Uk developed a cataract in each eye that led to burning, tearing, cloudy lenses, extreme sensitivity to light, and partial blindness. It is difficult for her to see things clearly, recognize faces, do any work, and go anywhere on her own. Uk learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), from a neighbor in her village. She traveled for three hours with her sister to reach CSC for treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a small incision cataract surgery and an intracoular lens implant implant on January 9. During these procedures, doctors will remove her clouded lenses and replace them. CSC is requesting $292 to fund this procedure. "I hope that I can see more clearly ," says Uk, "so that I can help my daughter do some work on the farm, do housework easily, and go to the pagoda or anywhere else outside by myself."

“Thea developed a cataract in each eye four years ago," our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), tells us. "This causes her to be partially blind and experience tearing and irritation. She can't see everything clearly, do work well, or go anywhere outside." Thea is a 68-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She is married with one son. She spends her free time working around her home and visiting the pagoda to listen to the monks pray. A cataract is a medical condition where the lens of the eye becomes progressively opaque, resulting in blurred vision. Thea needs surgery in order to restore her sight. For $225, CSC doctors will remove the cloudy lenses from Thea’s eyes and replace them with clear implants. “I hope my eyes will be able to see clearer so I can do things like work on the farm or do housework," Thea shares. "I will also be able to go outside by myself to the market or the farm fields."

Joseph was born in Tanzania just four days ago! Joseph's family works as small-scale farmers, selling maize and beans. Joseph’s mother also sells bananas at the local open market for supplemental income. Joseph was born with myelomeningocele, a type of spina bifida, as well as hydrocephalus, which involves cerebrospinal fluid buildup within the brain. Myelomeningocele is a defect in which a part of the spinal cord protrudes out of the body through an opening in the back. Thus, Joseph is currently living with a lesion on his lower back that is continuously leaking cerebrospinal fluids into various part of his body, including his brain. If left untreated, this leakage can lead to infection, muscle weakness, or paralysis. If the fluid reaches the brain, it can eventually cause blindness, seizures, or brain damage. Often times myelomeningocele can also result in a loss of sensation, particularly in the feet or legs, because the nerves in the spinal column fail to function properly. For only $1,100, doctors will be able to move Joseph’s exposed spinal cord back inside of his body and cover it with muscle and skin. This procedure will prevent the cerebrospinal fluid leakage, reduce Joseph’s risk of infection or any further complications, and allow him to live a healthy newborn life. Joseph’s mother was scared when she became aware of Joseph’s condition. Her family’s small agricultural business does not make enough money to pay for a spina bifida treatment and her third child, born only a year earlier, had the same condition as Joseph and passed away after birth. “I just pray that my son will survive and grow like the rest of my children,” says Joseph’s mother.

Meet 66-year-old Mahamud, a father of eight from Kenya. “In 2008, Mahamud’s neighbors were attacked by robbers while in their home,” reports our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). “Hearing their screams, people from the neighborhood rushed to their aid. Among them was Mahamud.” “As they drove out the thieves, Mahamud sustained severe cuts and an injury to his right arm. He was rushed to a hospital, where he was informed that his right hand was in need of surgery,” continues AMHF. “Mahamud didn’t have the money required to get surgery. He has been in and out of different hospitals, one in which he was mismanaged.” Mahamud’s injuries have resulted in severe pain and an inability to use his right hand, harming Mahamud’s ability to provide for his family. “He has a camel named George that he uses to give tourists rides on the beach for a fee. Before Mahamud got hurt, he had 15 camels,” explains AMHF. “His trips to the hospital have left him with only one camel. His sons help him with business because he cannot use his hand to work.” For $1410, Mahamud will receive an open reduction and internal fixation surgery that will realign his severe fracture, and place an internal fixation device on the bone. This cost covers the procedure, hospital stay, medication, follow-up lab work, imaging, and physiotherapy. “This treatment will enable him to get back to work to support his family,” says AMHF. Mahamud hopes to return to his daily life as soon as possible. “I can work! I love my business and I love my camel George,” he tells us. “Once my hand is healed, I shall go back to being active in my business. Maybe I shall be able to get more camels.”

“I love my twins and I pray that Eliashibu will get well and continue with normal growth,” says the mother of Eliashibu, who, along with his twin sister, was born in Tanzania less than two months ago. Eliashibu has a congenital disorder known as hydrocephalus, a condition in which there is an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain. “Eliashibu’s head circumference has started to increase due to increased intracranial pressure,” reports our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). “Eliashibu is experiencing some seizures which can affect the brain. If not treated, Eliashibu may lose his vision and become dependent.” Eliashibu and his twin sister have two older siblings. His mother, a homemaker, and his father, a small-scale farmer, have already spent a lot of money on hospital care for Eliashibu and his mother. As a result, they have no funds for the required operation, which involves the placement of cerebral shunts to drain the excess CSF from Eliashibu’s brain to other body cavities where it can be resorbed. For $690, Eliashibu can receive surgery, a five-day hospital stay, and two weeks of post-operative care. AMHF expects that Eliashibu’s head circumference will no longer increase abnormally. “He will not lose his vision and he will not become dependent.” Let's help make it happen!