Sisay is a healthcare worker from Ethiopia. At just 26 years old, this young man is a vital heartbeat for the healthcare center where he works. As a key member of the staff, he serves as the bridge between the clinic and the community. At home, he is the pillar for his two siblings, balancing the roles of breadwinner and protector. However, a grueling battle with chronic tonsillitis is slowly silencing the very voice he needs to build his career, and has made it challenging to do his work. Sisay shares how heartbreaking it is when the illness breaks his focus, keeping him from the job he loves. About one and a half years ago, Sisay began experiencing a difficulty in breathing, fever, pain, and exhaustion. Every day is a grueling battle against a searing sore throat, transforming his essential duties, from warmly greeting patients to managing a relentless stream of phone calls, into a profound and painful struggle. Sisay was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils, which, if not treated, will cause his symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Despite the constant pain, he continued to serve at his local health station. He knew a tonsillectomy was necessary, but a lack of specialized doctors and medical equipment in his area kept that relief out of reach. The moment he heard about a new opportunity for care at our medical partner's care center, he was filled with hope. He arrived at Saglan Waje General Hospital, clutching his referral papers, ready for a second chance. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $700 to fund a tonsillectomy for Sisay, which is scheduled to take place on March 7th. During the procedure, surgeons will remove his tonsils, hopefully relieving Sisay of his symptoms, and allowing him to go back to work with ease. Sisay says: "I am so excited for the opportunity to interact freely with my siblings again, instead of just collapsing into bed exhausted every night. I feel ready to truly show up for my patients as well as my siblings, and build the stable, happy future we all deserve together."

Alan is a nine-year-old boy from Colombia. He dreams of becoming a police officer to help people. He is a curious child who performs well academically. However, constant pain and oral discomfort have affected his concentration, attendance, and participation in school activities. About a year ago, he was examined for the first time by a pediatric dentist, who diagnosed multiple deep cavities. Since then, he has been under observation, but the progression of the disease has been associated with intense and persistent pain, inflammation, infection, and difficulty eating and sleeping. On January 21st, Alan will undergo dental surgery under general anesthesia with the help of our medical partner, Clinica Noel. He needs help to raise $868 to fund his procedure and care that will allow him to live more comfortably. Alan's mother says, "I would like to express my sincere gratitude for helping my son. We have been waiting to undergo this procedure for some time. I thank you from the bottom of my heart."

John is a 52-year-old small-scale retailer from Kenya. He is a father of two and the family’s main breadwinner. Since his accident, his family has faced significant hardship. His wife has had to take on casual jobs to provide for the household, while also caring for him. John lost his father earlier this year, and on the way back from the burial, he was involved in a grisly road accident, narrowly escaping death. The incident occurred along the Nairobi–Nakuru Highway near Naivasha, when the matatu he was traveling in collided head-on with a bus. John sustained multiple injuries to his head, hands, pelvis, and legs. He was rushed to a district hospital, where he received first aid treatment. However, due to the severity of his injuries and multiple fractures, he sought specialized care at our medical partner's care center, AIC Kijabe Hospital. Upon arrival, scans confirmed the extent of the fractures he sustained. Although he managed to enroll into the national health insurance scheme, it could not cover all the surgeries he requires. Since the accident, John has been confined to a wheelchair and requires assistance to move around. He continues to live in pain and is now reaching out for support so he can undergo an open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) procedure, and continue his recovery journey. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On March 5th, John will undergo a fracture repair procedure to treat his fractures, and help him regain his mobility. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,500 to fund this procedure. John says, “I am in constant pain. I can’t walk, sleeping is difficult, and I rely on pain medication just to get through the day.”

Chakriya is a 39-year-old man from Takaeo province, Cambodia. He lives with his wife and two children. His oldest child is in kindergarten, and his youngest child is two years old. His wife stays at home to look after the children and manage household tasks. In his free time, he enjoys planting vegetables around his home and listening to music. For the past 14 years, Chakriya has been living with ankylosing spondylitis - a chronic inflammatory arthritis primarily affecting the spine, causing back pain, stiffness, and inflammation, especially the base of the spine and pelvis. Around one year ago, Chakriya began experiencing pain in his right hip, which has caused difficulty walking and limited his ability to perform daily tasks independently. He had previously undergone a total hip arthroplasty on his left hip in 2014 with the help of our medical partner. Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). Chakriya decided to travel back to CSC for treatment on his right hip. On January 16th, he will undergo a hip replacement procedure, which will cost $1500, including surgery and post-op care. Chakriya and his family can contribute $50, and need support for the remaining cost. Surgeons will operate on his right hip to relieve pain and improve mobility, allowing him to move comfortably and return to work. Chakriya said, "After the surgery, I hope that I will be able to walk easily and no longer have hip pain, so I can do my job properly."

Patrocenio is a 63-year-old man from the Philippines. Two years ago, Patrocenio consulted a doctor about persistent abdominal pain. At times, the pain was so severe that he could not walk or perform simple daily chores. The attacks came without warning, leaving him uncertain about when the next episode would occur. After examination, the doctor explained that Patrocenio had gallstones and advised that they be removed through surgery. Patrocenio tried to seek help from different hospitals, but has not been able to undergo the surgery he needed. Fortunately, our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines, can help. On January 29th, Patrocenio will undergo gallbladder removal surgery to address his symptoms and allow him to live more comfortably. He needs help to raise $1,325 to fund his procedure and care. Patrocenio shared, "Work had always been on my mind ever since my condition became worse. I want to move normally as I did before - working, doing house chores, and going out more to enjoy even the simplest of things."

Alex is a 29-year-old single man from Kenya. He is an orphan and lives with his grandmother. HIs mother passed away when he and his twin brother were seven years old. He completed his education up to secondary level, but his grandmother was unable to support him to continue to college. Currently, Alex works as a conductor to earn a living. He enjoys playing football, and this accident has left him feeling devastated. Three days ago, while on his way to work, Alex was accidentally hit by a motorbike and sustained an injury to his left leg. He was taken to our medical partner's care center, Nazareth Hospital, where an X-ray revealed a double fracture of the left tibia. He needs surgery to ensure proper healing. On December 16th, Alex will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This treatment will restore his strength and mobility on his leg, and will allow him to play football again, which he deeply loves. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,048 to fund this procedure. Alex shared, "I am very disappointed because I will be out of the field. I hope my leg will be treated and I get well soon. I can't wait to go back to what I love to do most; play football."

Rosemary is five years old and the youngest of three children from Kenya. Her mother works as a domestic helper, while her father earns a living by carrying luggage for travelers. Rosemary has experienced health challenges since she was six months old. She was frequently in and out of hospitals, and she experienced significant developmental delays. Rosemary did not sit on her own until she was two years old and only began walking at the age of four. Her mother was finally relieved to see Rosemary slowly catching up with her peers. However, Rosemary has never been able to speak. Rosemary is now five years old and still cannot talk. Her mother had hoped that, just like her other milestones, speech would eventually come, but it never did. This year, Rosemary was enrolled in school, believing that being around other children might encourage her to open up and begin talking. Unfortunately, there was no improvement. When Rosemary’s teachers raised concerns about her lack of progress in class, her mother started taking her to different hospitals. Due to financial constraints, her parents could not afford the scans and tests needed to determine what was wrong. In November 2025, Rosemary was brought to our medical partner's care center, AIC Kijabe Hospital, where she was finally diagnosed with hearing loss. She needs hearing aids, and our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,171 to raise money for hearing aids. Rosemary’s mother says, “I hoped that joining school would help her begin to speak, but she is not progressing. It pains me to watch her peers move forward while she remains behind, unaware of how much the other children are learning.”

Srey Chum is a 9-year-old girl from Cambodia. She lives in Phnom Penh with her parents. Her father is a police officer and her mom works in a garment factory, earning just enough money to remain in the capital city, where the best schools are located. Srey Chum's favorite subject is Khmer, and she enjoys playing outdoor games with her friends in the village. Srey Chum was born with a cleft lip and palate. She had surgical repair as a baby, first to repair the lip, and then a second surgery to repair the cleft palate. But there is still a gap in her upper gum, where teeth should be. Without treatment, her permanent teeth will not grow properly, and she will struggle with chewing, speaking, and smiling with confidence. Doctors at our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, explained that Srey Chum now needs an alveolar bone graft. This surgery will place bone in the gap of her upper gum, giving her teeth the support they need to come in straight and strong. Her surgery is scheduled for October 8th. Her parents cannot afford the $665 cost of this procedure and post-op care, and need help to pay for her surgery. For Srey Chum, this surgery is the next step toward a healthy smile and a future where she can speak and eat without difficulty. Srey Chum's grandmother said, "I hope she can go back to school soon and feel healthy and happy."