Hikma is a charming 20-month-old girl who lives with her parents and older brother in Ethiopia. Her parents were small-scale farmers until they were displaced due to war in their area. Now, her mother is a dedicated home maker, and her father works as a daily laborer. As with many other displaced families, it has been difficult for them to afford their daily necessities. Hikma was born with an anorectal malformation, a congenital condition that can lead to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. However, the symptoms were not obvious until she was around one year old. Her mother was deeply distressed by what she observed and immediately informed Hikma’s grandmother, who then began seeking for medical assistance. To avoid social stigma, however, the family tried to keep Hikma’s condition private. Eventually, the grandmother came across a Catholic missionary organization, which connected the family with a field coordinator of our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre (BKMCM). With the support of relatives and the Catholic missionaries, Hikma's family raised funds to travel to Addis Ababa. Upon arrival at the hospital, doctors explained that Hikma would need a series of surgeries to eliminate bowel dysfunction. The family was relieved and encouraged to hear that Hikma could be helped. Presently, Hikma has already undergone the first surgery, a colostomy creation, and recovered well. Now, Hikma needs support for her second surgery, which will occur on April 20th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Hikma's procedure and care. After her recovery, Hikma will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. Hikma’s mother said, “I would like to thank you sincerely for your support and the services you provided. Thank you again. I truly hope my child will grow up to be a wonderful woman.”

Edward is a 10-year-old student from Bolivia who lives with his mother, a homemaker, his father, a driver, and his 17-year-old sister. When Edward was little, his family noticed that he would turn purple when he cried and often became sick. He was diagnosed with a congenital heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) early in childhood and is only now getting the opportunity to have surgery. ToF is a combination of four heart conditions, including a hole between the two lower chambers of the heart, as well as a blockage that affects how blood flows out of the heart. As a result, Edward does not get enough oxygen, leaving him weak and short of breath. On March 25th, Edward will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During the procedure, doctors will close the hole in his heart and remove the blockage so that blood can flow more normally. Edward’s family needs $1,500 to help cover the cost of his care. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, will use these funds to pay for cardiac exams and diagnostics, surgery, follow-up care, and medications. Edward’s mother said, “My boy is a fighter—he wants to keep going to school and be healthy!”

Melau is an eight-year-old girl from Tanzania. She is the fifth child in a large family, and her parents depend on livestock and farming for income. Access to specialized care has been limited due to distance and cost. When she was younger, Melau accidentally got burned by hot milk. She now has a severe burn scar affecting her right wrist and hand. The injury led to deep burns and later severe tightening of the scar, leaving her wrist stiff and her hand function reduced. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Melau receive treatment. On February 17th, surgeons at their care center will perform contracture release surgery and a skin graft to give her a chance for improved independence and daily function. Now, she needs help to fund this $832 procedure. Melau's father says, “Her wrist is very tight and painful, and she cannot use her hand normally for playing or helping at home.”

Loudmia is a preschooler from Haiti. She lives in a small coastal village in northwest Haiti with her four siblings and her parents, who both fish and farm. She enjoys going to preschool and playing with the children in her neighborhood. Loudmia has a cardiac condition called a ventricular septal defect. A hole exists between the two lower chambers of her heart; blood leaks through this hole without passing through her lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving her weak and short of breath. Loudmia will fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On January 21st, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will sew a patch over the hole so that blood no longer leaks through it. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is contributing to pay for surgery. However, Loudmia's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. They need help raising $1,500 to cover labs, medicines, and check-up and follow-up appointments. This also supports securing travel documents for the family and travel costs for the social workers from our medical partner, who will accompany Loudmia's family overseas. Loudmia's mother shared, "I am hopeful that after this surgery we can stop worrying about our daughter's health so much!"

Lonah is 33 years old and a mother of seven children from Kenya. She and her siblings did not finish schooling after their father passed away, leaving their mother struggling to support the family. She comes from a very hot region where farming is difficult, except for a few pawpaw trees she tends. To supplement the family income, she does casual domestic work. Lonah slipped and sustained an injury on her upper left arm. She thought it was just a simple wound and waited for it to heal. However, the wound was infected, causing her pain. Lonah developed necrotizing fasciitis and needed to undergo a procedure to clean the wound. She was referred to our medical partner, AIC Kapsowar Hospital, where they cleaned and treated her wound. She still needs a contracture release and skin graft for her wound to heal completely. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Lonah receive treatment. On December 10th, surgeons at their care center will perform a contracture release surgery to help her regain the use of her arm and return to caring for her family. Now, she needs help to fund this $1,239 procedure. Lona says, "I had given up and wanted to go home to continue with wound care, but God provides in miraculous ways. Imagine being away from home for three weeks, and my children are really suffering. Please help me so that I can go home a happy mother. I look forward to complete healing so that I can use my hands to work as usual."

Jeremiah is a 27-year-old young man from Kenya. He is the third-born in a family of four children. Jeremiah is educated and has completed a catering course, but after struggling to find a job in his field, he began taking on various casual jobs. He currently works as a casual storekeeper at a company in Nairobi. Although he is not married, Jeremiah works hard to sustain himself and avoid depending on his parents. A few days ago, while walking home, Jeremiah was hit by a speeding car that was overtaking another vehicle. He sustained injuries to his right leg and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where first aid was administered. An X-ray revealed an open fracture of the fibula and a dislocation of the ankle joint. He was advised to undergo an Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (ORIF) procedure, but was unable to afford the cost. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On November 11th, Jeremiah will undergo a fracture repair procedure. This treatment will reduce the risks of developing complications such as delayed bone healing, deformity, or even the permanent loss of function in his leg. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,048 to fund this procedure. Jeremiah shared, "I am still young and hope to have my own family in the future. I am requesting for support so that my pain can be relieved, and I can be treated, get well and be able to continue working and sustaining myself, rather than be dependent on others."