Nellie, who is 41 years old, lives in Malawi. She and her husband have six children, ranging in age from 5 to 24 years old. Nellie relies on tomato selling as her main source of income. In 2018, Nellie began to experience troubling symptoms, including a small lump on her neck. At that time, the lump did not interfere with her daily activities, and she did not seek medical attention. In 2022, the swelling increased in size, and was accompanied by neck pain, frequent coughing, and persistent tiredness. She sought medical care at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre, where she was diagnosed with a goiter. Over time, her condition progressively worsened. She began experiencing breathlessness, difficulty swallowing, persistent neck pain, and reduced physical capacity, including difficulty carrying heavy items and climbing steps. These symptoms severely limited her ability to work and to function normally. On March 29th, while at the market in Lilongwe, Nellie was advised to seek care at our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center (PIH), for possible surgical assistance. At the hospital, the initial diagnosis of goiter was confirmed, which is an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland. The thyroid is the gland located in front of your neck and produces thyroid hormones. These hormones are responsible for functions such as metabolism, growth and other bodily functions. Nellie needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Nellie receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on April 14th at Partners in Hope Medical Center, during which surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. Nellie is contributing towards the cost of her treatment, but needs help in raising $1,015 more to fund the procedure. Full of hope, Nellie says: "I count it a blessing to have found at PIH. I am hopeful that my health issues will soon come to an end after surgery. This is my year of favor, and I am patiently looking forward to your generous support."

Jane is a 45-year-old woman from Kenya. She works as a domestic worker, washing clothes for others to support her family. Her husband is a construction worker, and they have three children together. In 2012, people began to notice that Jane could not hear well. She was diagnosed with hearing loss and advised to use hearing aids, but she could not afford them. Jane has learned to cope with her condition. She avoids public spaces and prefers to stay at home with her family, who understand and support her. In 2023, Jane visited our medical partner's care center, AIC Kijabe Hospital, hoping to receive help, but when she discovered that she still could not afford the hearing aids, she returned home discouraged. Since then, she has largely kept to herself, praying for an opportunity to hear clearly again and live a normal life. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, can help. On January 14th, Jane will be fitted with hearing aids, and she needs help to raise $1,171. With this support, she hopes to be able to reconnect with her community and live a better life. Jane says, “I’ve lost so many friends. I always feel like a burden asking people to repeat themselves or speak louder so I can understand.”

Erick is a calm and polite 15-year-old boy from Kenya. He loves watching movies and playing football, though his feet have limited his ability to play to the fullest. Recently, Erick completed Grade 9 and is eagerly waiting to join Grade 10. He dreams of becoming an IT expert one day. Erick was brought to our medical partner's care center, AIC CURE Hospital, by his cousin. His parents recently traveled to Saudi Arabia seeking greener pastures, after struggling for many years without employment. Erick has clubfoot in both feet, a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Living with the condition for close to 16 years, Erick has faced daily challenges, including criticism and mockery from friends at school whenever he walked. This made him feel left out and discouraged, but he never gave up hope. Hope came when one of the principals at his school connected his family with AIC CURE Hospital. Upon review, Erick was scheduled to begin serial casting in preparation for surgery, starting with his right foot. The treatment will improve his foot position and strengthen his mobility. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Erick receive treatment. On December 11th, he will undergo clubfoot repair surgery, getting him closer to his dream to walk better, run, and play football confidently. Now, Erick's family needs help to fund this $1,286 procedure. “I have lived with this condition for so long, but now I hope to walk, run, and play football like other kids. I want to show my friends that I can do it too,” Samuel shared.

Roth is 32 years old and lives with his parents in Kampong Speu province, Cambodia. His four siblings have all married and moved out of the family home. Roth helps his parents in the rice fields. In his free time, Roth likes exercising and checking his social media. One year ago, Roth began experiencing pain in his right hip, which has made it difficult for him to walk and to go about his daily activities. The condition appeared to develop naturally, without trauma or accident. He had previously undergone a total hip arthroplasty on his left hip in 2012 at our medical partner's care center, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). Roth decided to travel back to CSC for treatment on his right hip. On November 10th, Roth will undergo a hip replacement procedure. His family can contribute $100, but needs help to raise $1,400 more to fund his procedure and care. After his surgery, Roth should be able to walk without pain and return to work. Roth said: “I hope that I will be able to walk easily and no longer have hip pain, so I can help my parents in the fields again.”

Roy is a baby boy from Bolivia. He lives with his mother, who works on a farm, two older brothers, and an older sister. His mom noticed he used to cry a lot, and he was tired when breastfeeding, so she took him to a doctor who discovered his heart problem. Roy has a cardiac condition called the Tetralogy of Fallot. This condition involves several related conditions, including a hole between the two lower chambers of the heart and a muscular blockage of one of the valves. This prevents Roy's body from getting enough oxygen, leaving him weak and short of breath. On October 15th, Roy will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, Surgeons will sew a patch over the hole in his heart and remove the muscular blockage from the valve. Roy's family needs help to fund the costs of cardiac care and surgery. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, requests $1,500 to cover the cost of cardiac exams and diagnostics, surgical costs, follow-up care, and medications. Roy's mother shared, "I just want the best for my child. Thankfully, his surgery will be soon and then we can go back home with him!"

Win is a 46-year-old widow from Burma. She lives with her 18-year-old son in Tak Province, Thailand. She used to work as an agricultural day laborer, but had to stop because she started experiencing back pain in April 2024. Win experiences lower back pain which intensifies with prolonged sitting. Due to the pain, she sometimes has trouble sleeping. Physicians at our medical partner's care center, Maharaj Nakron Chiang Mai Hospital, diagnosed Win with kidney stones. She needs a percutaneous nephrolithotomy, which removes kidney stones from the body, to relieve her of the pain and discomfort she feels. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1500 to fund this procedure. The treatment is scheduled to take place on September 15th and once completed, it will hopefully improve Win's quality of life. Win said, “I would like to say thank you to the donors who are helping me with my treatment. I cried when I heard that I needed surgery because I cannot afford it. Now, I am full of joy that I will have the chance to receive treatment with the help of you. Once I recover, I will work alongside my son. I do not want to be a burden to him.”

Ah is a 25-year-old man from Burma. He and his wife are agricultural day labourers in Thailand. In his free time, Ah likes fishing, watching videos, and listening to music on his phone. On July 30th, 2025, Ah was on his motorcycle and hit a rock on the side of the road, causing him to lose control of his motorcycle. Ah fell and broke his right femur. He cannot move his right leg and is unable to walk without the support of crutches. Due to the pain, he has difficulty sleeping at night. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Ah will undergo surgery to reset his fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for August 14th and will cost $1,500. Ah will be able to walk, live pain-free, and return to work. Ah said, “I do not have any other means of earning an income if I cannot work so, I feel like a burden. I was worried that I would never walk again as I do not have money to pay for my surgery. Knowing that you will cover my treatment cost, I feel so relieved.”

Fabienne, a 15-year-old student, lives with her parents and sister in a small town in central Haiti. She is in the ninth grade and aspires to become a nurse or doctor when she grows up. Fabienne has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation. One of the four valves of Fabienne's heart is severely damaged as a result of an infection she suffered earlier in childhood. This has rendered her heart incapable of pumping blood normally through her body. Fabienne will fly to the Dominican Republic, where, on July 15th, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will either repair her damaged mitral valve or remove it and implant an artificial replacement. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is contributing $6000 to pay for the surgery. Fabienne's family also needs $1,500 to help fund the costs of pre-surgery preparation, lab tests, medications, and follow-up visits. This money will also help secure travel documents for the family and cover travel costs for the social workers who will accompany Fabienne and her family on their trip. Fabienne said: "I am looking forward to this surgery, so that I will have more energy, and can stop worrying about my heart!"