Aye is a six-year-old boy from Burma. He lives with his parents, who are small-scale farmers. They sell their extra vegetables and livestock for additional income every couple of months. Aye and his sister are both students in the village. In his free time, Aye plays games on his mother's phone and enjoys playing football with his friends. He dreams of becoming a professional footballer when he grows up, just like his idol Ronaldo. In 2024, Aye's mother noticed a small mass on the left side of his neck. Over the next four months, she watched it grow in size. Currently, the mass measures 15 cm and continues to grow despite previous treatment. Aye feels no pain and is not impaired in any way, but his mother is deeply worried about what it could be and anxious about the cost of his care. Fortunately, on April 22nd, our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, will help Aye undergo mass removal surgery. This procedure will cost $1,500, and Aye needs your support to fund the surgery. Aye's mother said, “I hope that once he recovers, I can send him back to school. I hope he becomes a teacher in the future since there is a shortage of teachers in our village. Thank you for your help.”

Altiya is a lively baby girl with boundless curiosity from Ethiopia. She is always exploring and playing with anything she can find around her. Toys and other items captivate her, reflecting her joyful spirit. The name “Altiya” means “happy” in Afan Oromo, and her family was overjoyed when she was born. Altiya lives in a single room with her parents and her paternal grandparents. Her mother is a dedicated housewife, while her father works as a farmer, providing for the family through agricultural activities. Farming sustains both her immediate family and her father’s extended relatives. Altiya was born with an anorectal malformation, a congenital abnormality that leads to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. When her mother first noticed Altiya’s condition, panic set in, and she struggled to believe that a surgical solution was possible. It took two months, but with the support of their family, her mother eventually decided to seek medical help. After visiting a local hospital, they were referred for further treatment. However, upon learning about the high costs involved, Altiya's mother felt overwhelmed and began to lose hope, unsure of how to proceed. After reaching out to those around her, Altiya's mother learned about Mother Teresa Mission from a neighbor and decided to seek help there. The MOC staff provided invaluable support, helping them travel to Addis Ababa for advanced treatment. They arranged accommodation, meals, and other essential services, and guided them to the Bethany kids center. This collaboration opened doors for Altiya, enabling her to receive the necessary care without the burden of financial stress. Her first surgery was remarkable and successful, restoring hope for the future. With deep gratitude, her mother expresses sincere appreciation for the support they have received and looks forward with hope to the success of the upcoming procedures. Altiya is scheduled to undergo another surgery to correct her condition on March 24th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Altiya's procedure and care. After her recovery, Altiya will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. Altiya's mom said, "I am truly grateful for your incredible support. After this treatment journey, I feel happy knowing that my child will be healthy following the surgery. Please continue to provide your support; it means the world to us."

Pan Ei is a 24-year-old woman from Burma. Pan Ei’s father is a farmer. Her mother is receiving kidney dialysis treatment and cannot work. Her siblings help their father on the farm. In her free time, she enjoys playing with children and loves playing football. In the future, she hopes to work hard so she can support her family. Pan Ei was diagnosed with a heart condition that requires valve replacement. Heart valves control the flow of blood between chambers, but certain conditions may narrow the heart valve or cause the blood to flow backwards. Normal valve function is necessary to prevent long-term damage to the heart and lungs. Currently, Pan Ei suffers from fatigue, insomnia, and pain in her finger joints. Aside from her symptoms, she worries about her health condition and the financial burden of repaying debts. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a heart valve replacement for Pan Ei. The treatment is scheduled to take place on January 17th and, once completed, will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably. Pan Ei expresses her gratitude, saying, “Thank you for helping me with financial support. When I heard that your organization and your donors would provide financial support for me, I felt deeply grateful. Thank you so much for helping with the surgery cost.”

Albert is a nine-year-old boy from Tanzania. He is full of potential and quiet courage. As the firstborn in his family, he carries a deep sense of responsibility for his siblings and supports his mother in household and farming tasks. Albert’s father left the family years ago, leaving his mother to raise the children alone. She farms a small plot of land to feed them. Albert recently started primary school, but his path has been difficult. Albert has clubfoot on both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. The tissues connecting the muscle to the bones are shorter than usual, and this causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Albert has lived with pain and limited mobility all his life. He walks long distances with great effort, determined not to let his condition stop him from pursuing education. Fortunately, Albert's family traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Kafika House. Surgeons will begin clubfoot treatment on December 16th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,119 to fund Albert's clubfoot repair. After treatment, Albert’s future would drastically change, giving him the ability to walk without pain, attend school more confidently, and build a life defined not by his disability. Albert’s mother says, “I want to make sure my boy grows up happy and healthy."

Hser is a 60-year-old man from Burma. He lives with his wife, children, and grandchildren in a refugee camp in Sob Moei District, Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand. His daughter is a teacher, and one of his sons is a day laborer. Hser and his wife run a small grocery shop in the camp. Every month, they receive money on a cash card from a charity organization in the camp. They also raise chickens and a pig for their own consumption. They receive free basic healthcare in the refugee camp. Since 2021, Hser has had an inguinal hernia. Hser is in a lot of pain. He experiences swelling, as well as a burning and aching sensation, preventing him from performing his daily tasks. Fortunately, on November 10th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at Mae Sariang Hospital, our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,468 to fund Hser's hernia repair surgery. Once completed, Hser will be able to live more comfortably. Hser said, “I would like my discomfort to disappear, and I would like to be able to work properly. I hope my problem will be treated after my surgery."

Warren is an 10-year-old determined boy from Kenya. He dreams of becoming a mechanic in the future. His father shared with us that Warren is always curious about electrical things at home. “Sometimes he even opens up the radio, removes the wires, and fixes it to work better,” his father told us. Warren is the fifth and lastborn in his family. He comes from a village in Homa Bay County and is a grade five student. His father earns a living by operating a bodaboda motorcycle taxi within the village, while his mother sells fish to support their family. Warren was born a healthy child, but when he was three-years-old, he was diagnosed with malaria and taken to the hospital. After receiving treatment, his foot later developed a deformity. Due to a lack of finances and information, Warren has lived with the condition ever since. It has affected his mobility, self-esteem, and even his education. Thanks to the CURE Hospital mobile clinic in Homa Bay, Warren was identified and scheduled for treatment. He is now undergoing a casting procedure in preparation for surgery. Surgeons will perform foot surgery on October 14th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,286 to fund Warren's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk, run, play football, and pursue his education. “I pray that I will get well soon so that I can walk, play, run, and even play football. I want to continue with my education, and most of all, I want to play with my friends,” Warren told us.

Martiket is five-year-old preschooler from Ethiopia. He has a younger sister that he loves to play with, but playtime often gets interrupted by painful tonsils, that leave him weak and tired. His parents are low-income healthcare workers, who sometimes have to miss work to take care of Martiket. Martiket's symptoms started one year ago, with difficulty in swallowing, snoring, fever and loss of appetite. His condition makes it hard for him to play with his friends, and if not treated, will cause his symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $700 to fund a tonsillectomy for Martiket, which is scheduled to take place on September 14th. Surgeons will remove his tonsils, hopefully relieving Martiket of his symptoms and helping him live more comfortably. Martiket's parents say: "We hope that our son can thrive and be free from this constant illness. We wish for a future where he can run and play without pain and where we, as a family, can be free from our worries."

Four-year-old Agustín lives with his family in Vereda La San José, Colombia. Although he has not yet started formal schooling, Agustín is a curious, active child, with a vivid imagination. He dreams of becoming a doctor, which reflects his sensitivity and dedication to helping others. For about a year, Agustín has had severe tooth decay that causes him constant pain, fear when eating, and a high risk of infection. This condition has significantly affected his quality of life, impacting his nutrition, rest, and emotional well-being. The community where Agustin and his family live has limited resources, with only a basic health center, which has made it difficult to access specialized dental care. Due to the complexity of Agustin's case, he was evaluated by a pediatric dentist, who determined that the treatment should be performed under general anesthesia to ensure his safety and well-being. The procedure will include extensive dental restorations and will be performed in a hospital setting, under full anesthetic monitoring, by a specialized medical team. This intervention represents a crucial opportunity to improve Agustín's oral health and to restore the peace of mind that every child deserves. Our medical partner, Clinica Noel, is seeking $868 to fund Agustin's surgery, which is scheduled for August 22nd. Agustin's mother said: "I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the person who makes it possible for Agustin's smile to live on, not only in the hearts of my family, but also in his life. Smiling is a way of telling the world that happiness is possible. Good oral health not only allows us to show joy, but also to express the tenderness and innocence that are so lacking in these times. Because a genuine smile has the power to transform someone's day, to brighten dark moments, and to sow hope where there seems to be none. Thank you for giving my little boy back the ability to smile freely."

Poe is a 16-year-old boy from Burma. He lives with his mother, stepfather, four siblings, and a nephew in Karen State, Burma. His mother is a homemaker, and his stepfather is a subsistence farmer. Poe dropped out of school to learn how to be a mechanic. He helps his father, who drives for the monastery. Poe occasionally receives some money from his father. In his free time, Poe enjoys playing cane ball and football with his friends. On June 30th, 2025, Poe and a friend drove a motorbike to visit his father. As it was raining when he drove uphill, the motorbike skidded, and they fell off. Poe lost consciousness and could not recall the incident. He broke both of his left upper and lower jaw as well as his left clavicle. Due to limited finances, Poe didn't receive surgery right away. He continues to experience pain in his left jaw and left clavicle. He cannot open his mouth, speak, or chew; he can only eat soft food. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), Poe will undergo surgery to reset his fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for July 21st and will cost $1,500. This surgery will help Poe be able to eat and chew properly again, and he will no longer be in pain. Poe said, “I hope that I can recover soon so that I can play with my friends again. I also plan to learn to fix cars.” Poe’s mother is thankful to BCMF and the donors. She said, “I do not know what to say, but without your help, we will have to borrow a lot of money. Thank you for helping us.”

Martha is a 45-year-old woman from Malawi. She is a single mother with three children, aged 22, 18 and 15. Martha practices farming to support her family. In her free time, she shared that she enjoys chatting with her children and eating whatever is available! For four years, Martha has been experiencing uterine fibroids. Initially, she managed the condition with medication, as the fibroids were too small to require surgery. However, in 2024, she began to experience worsening symptoms that led to the development of anemia. Mary experienced weakness and abdominal pains and needed a blood transfusion. Uterine fibroids are a condition in which abnormal growths develop on a woman's uterus. If left untreated, fibroids continue to grow, both in size and number, worsening a person's symptoms. As Martha needed urgent care, she was referred to our medical partner's center for assessment. The surgeons determined she needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. On February 21st, she will undergo gynecological surgery at the care center. Martha contributed a co-pay to her care and needs help raising $1,363 to fund her surgery. Once recovered, Martha will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. She is looking forward to being able to continue supporting her children as a single mother. She shared: "I am ready to live without a womb and live peacefully without the bleeding that has stolen my joy."