Biruk is a charming eight-year-old boy from Ethiopia. He and his two siblings are raised by their single mother, who works as a domestic cook, pushing herself to the limit every day to put food on the table and pay for schooling. She is now extremely worried because of the cost of her son's medical bills, and her small daily earnings, which she works so hard for, are quickly disappearing, swallowed by the cost of his treatment. Two years ago, Biruk came down with a fever and loss of appetite. He had a hard time breathing, caused by tonsillitis. If not treated, this 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 Biruk, which is scheduled to take place on November 27th. Surgeons will remove his tonsils, which should relieve Biruk of his symptoms and help him live more comfortably. Biruk's mother said, "Life itself is draining—even before the burden of medications and surgery. After two years of sleepless nights, all I want is his health and freedom."

Besufikad is a cheerful and affectionate boy from Ethiopia. He loves helping his father at work, whether maintaining the house or managing the door. He enjoys playing with his two sisters and, as the first boy in the family, brings immense joy to their lives. His father works as a daily laborer, selling gum by the roadside, while his mother takes on various daily jobs, such as washing clothes for neighbors, to help support the family. Shortly after he was born, Besufikad was diagnosed with an umbilical hernia, a condition caused by weakness in the abdominal wall. Children with umbilical hernias often experience irritability, loss of appetite, and discomfort, and if left untreated, the condition can lead to serious complications such as incarceration, making surgery the only safe option. Worried about her son’s health, Besufkad’s mother took him to a nearby health center, where they were referred to a referral hospital. After an ultrasound, doctors confirmed he needed surgery and placed him on the waiting list. For eight long months, they waited for a call. During that time, his mother’s anxiety deepened; she often cried and prayed earnestly for his recovery, haunted by the memory of losing another child due to a medical error during childbirth and terrified of losing Besufkad to the same fate. Finally, after months of waiting, she received a call stating that Besufkad would receive care at our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre. Fortunately, on October 16th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery, and our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $512 to fund Besufikad's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will, hopefully, allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Besufikad's mother expressed her heartfelt gratitude and said, "We are hopeful about our child's health and well-being. We dream of a future where he grows up to be a compassionate individual, dedicated to supporting his country and making a positive impact in the world."

Janaika is a 33-year-old woman from the Philippines. Her partner is a motorcycle delivery driver. When opportunities arise, he also takes on construction jobs to supplement his income. Five years ago, Janaika was diagnosed with mixed hemorrhoids. She continues to experience discomfort, pain, and bleeding. She finds it difficult to move in and out of bed. Janaika needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Fortunately, our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), is helping Janaika receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a hemorrhoidectomy on November 8th. The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation is covering a portion of the cost of her treatment, and WSFP is raising the remaining $1,257 to cover Janaika's procedure and care. Janaika says, "I am very grateful because you are giving others like me a chance to have surgery who cannot afford it due to the high cost. Thank you for being a bridge that allows us to create a better future —one that will allow me to work again and improve myself."

Oliver is a young student from Haiti. He lives with his parents and younger brother in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. He is in the second grade, and enjoys his math and science classes. Oliver has a cardiac condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. This condition involves several related defects, including a hole between two chambers of the heart and a muscular blockage of one of the valves. These defects make it difficult for his body to receive enough oxygen, leaving him weak and short of breath. Oliver will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On December 3rd, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will sew a patch over the hole in his heart, and remove the blockage from his valve. Another organization, HeartGift Foundation, is contributing $16,000 to pay for his surgery. Oliver's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,500 to cover labs, medicines, and check-up and follow-up appointments. It also supports securing travel documents for the family and travel costs for the social workers from our medical partner, who will accompany Oliver's family overseas. Oliver's mother shared, "Our family is praying that after this surgery, our son will be healthy and able to play with his friends."

Kayo is a bright and cheerful boy from Ethiopia. He finds joy in his surroundings and shares a deep bond with both his mother and sister. His mother diligently manages their home, while his father, a hardworking daily laborer and mason, works to provide for the family. Kayo was born with a right inguinal hernia, a congenital defect caused by a weakness in the abdominal wall. The condition becomes more noticeable during activities such as crying, running, or playing. It often causes irritability, reduced appetite, and discomfort, including burning or aching sensations. Surgical intervention is essential to prevent severe complications such as incarceration and to relieve any psychological distress. Kayo’s mother first noticed the condition when he was just six months old, but the family’s financial situation prevented them from seeking medical care. As time went on, the swelling became increasingly visible, even through his clothes. Kayo was referred to our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre, where he will undergo hernia repair surgery on November 25th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $512 to fund Kayo's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Kayo's mum expressed her heartfelt gratitude, saying, "I want to extend my deepest thanks to everyone involved who is supporting my child. I sincerely hope my child will be healthy after the surgery."

Htet is a 17-month-old baby boy from Burma. He lives with his mother and father in Karen State where his father is a taxi driver while his mother is a home maker. His parent's combined income is often not enough to cover their daily expenses, so sometimes they borrow money from their relatives. Htet underwent a colostomy, a procedure that creates an opening in the colon that lets stools pass from the body without going through the regular way. This surgery is often performed to bypass bowel malformations, but is usually temporary and may need a reversal. In Htet's case, his colostomy requires reversal in order to restore bowel function and prevent future complications. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the cost of a reverse colostomy for Htet. The surgery is scheduled to take place on September 9th and once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Htet’s mother said, “Your help means a lot to our family. We have been struggling to afford food, and it is hard to save any money. Fewer people are coming to Myawaddy now, so my husband has fewer taxi customers, which means we earn less income. If there are words that mean more than thank you, I would tell them many times.”

Lisa is nine years old and a third-grader from Cambodia. She lives with her parents and younger brother, who is three years old. Her mother works at a clothing factory, and her father works as a tuk-tuk tricycle driver. Lisa enjoys learning Khmer and playing with her friends at school. She wants to become a nurse when she grows up. At home, she likes playing with her brother, and eating stir-fried vegetables with rice. For the past five weeks, Lisa has been experiencing swollen tonsils and illness, which makes it difficult to swallow and eat full meals. She also snores while sleeping, feels tired, and has trouble breathing through her nose and mouth. This condition causes her to miss school, and she is unable to keep up with games and play with her friends. Lisa was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, which, if not treated, will cause her symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $345 to fund a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for Lisa, which is scheduled to take place on July 15th. Surgeons will remove her tonsils and adenoids, hopefully relieving Lisa of her symptoms and helping her live much more comfortably. Lisa's mother shared, "After surgery, I hope that my daughter will be able to sleep comfortably and not miss so many days of school."

Sokuntheary is 14 years old and an eighth-grade student from Pursat Province, Cambodia. She is the youngest of two siblings and has one older brother who is currently unemployed. After her parents divorced when she was just one year old, Sokuntheary has been living with her aunt, who works as a farmer. She enjoys studying literature, which is her favorite subject at school, and she hopes to become a teacher in the future. In her free time, she likes to read books and help with housework. Her favorite food is spicy stir-fried chicken. Sokuntheary was born with scoliosis, a condition in which the spine curves abnormally to one side, often resembling a "C" or "S" shape. As she has grown, her spinal curve has worsened, bending toward the right side. This condition often causes her pain and makes it difficult for her to sit for long periods. As a result, she struggles to concentrate in class when the teacher is speaking and worries about being teased by her classmates because of her appearance. Additionally, she experiences difficulty walking, which impacts her daily life. In the past, Sokuntheary had never sought hospital treatment because her family could not afford it. However, a relative informed her aunt about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). They traveled four hours to attend a consultation. On August 11th, surgeons at CSC will implant a metal "growing rod" into her spine to help correct the curve and allow for further spine growth. CSC is requesting $1,500 to cover the costs of her surgery, the implant, and post-operative care, including physiotherapy. Once she recovers, her spine will be straighter, her pain will be reduced, and she should be able to participate fully in school and everyday activities without fear or discomfort. Sokuntheary's aunt said: "After the surgery, I hope that Sokuntheary will no longer have any pain so that she can do a good job at school and focus on her studies."

Emily is a 10-year-old girl who lives in Medellín, Antioquia, with her mother and grandmother, who have been fundamental pillars in her upbringing. She stands out for her intelligence, education, and strong values, especially her respect for others. Her empathy makes her a great friend, always willing to listen and understand those around her, and her shy nature makes her even more charming. Passionate about dancing, Emily finds in music a way to express herself freely. And if there is one thing that makes her smile just thinking about it, it's pasta: her favorite food. Emily is a student and stands out at school as an exemplary student: she is attentive, active, and committed to all her duties. Her dedication and curiosity make her a student admired by her teachers and classmates. One year ago, Emily was diagnosed with an umbilical hernia, a bulge at the belly button caused by abdominal contents pushing through a weakness in the abdominal muscle wall. The condition has been causing her discomfort and tenderness in the navel area, especially when crying, coughing, or doing any strenuous activity. The discomfort has made it difficult for her to play, jump, or participate in physical activities, limiting her ability to fully enjoy her childhood. Fortunately, our medical partner, Clinica Noel, is helping Emily receive treatment. On September 26th, she will undergo repair surgery, alleviating her symptoms and enabling her to live a healthier life. Now, Emily's family needs help to fund this $786 procedure. Emily's mother said, "Thank you so much for your generosity and support. Your act of kindness will make a huge difference in my daughter's life and in our family. We are deeply grateful for your compassion, for supporting us at a time when we need it most. Thank you for believing in Emily, and for helping us give her a fuller childhood, with opportunities that will shape her future."

Juan José is a four-year-old student from Colombia. He deeply enjoys family time and especially values the company of his younger sister, with whom he shares moments of great joy. From the age of two and a half years-old, Juan José has had an umbilical hernia. Despite this preventing him from performing certain activities and causing him frequent pain, he faces each day with courage. Some activities and games cause him more discomfort, so he must avoid them, but that does not stop him in his daily efforts to achieve his dreams and desires. Fortunately, on June 26th, Juan José will undergo repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, Clínica Noel, is requesting $786 to fund Juan José's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. Juan José's mother shared, "I want to express from the bottom of my heart my most sincere gratitude to the person who, without knowing my son, has decided to donate the necessary resources for his surgery. Your unconditional support comes at a time when we need it the most, and I do not have enough words to describe the gratitude I feel. I will always wish you blessings, and I will be eternally grateful for giving my son the opportunity to regain his health and live free of pain. Thank you so much for this generous and humane gesture!"

Godwill is a 10-year-old boy and a fifth-grader from Kenya. He is the firstborn in a family of two children. His mother has a small-scale catering business and his father is a mechanic. When Godwill was two years old, his mother was changing his diaper and noticed that one of his testes was not in the right place. He had surgery then but, three years ago, it appears the condition reoccurred. Godwill was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, Godwill has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Godwill will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH). He is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on November 28th and AMH is requesting $483 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Godwill's mother shared, “We hope our son can be treated so that he can have a healthy life.”

Vicent is an 11-year-old primary school student from Tanzania. He comes from a loving family of seven children, and despite facing challenges with mobility, Vicent cherishes every moment at school, where he learns and grows alongside his friends. His parents work as small-scale farmers, tending to their crops and caring for livestock to provide for their family. They sell milk and eggs, but their modest income only covers basic living expenses, leaving little room for the medical treatment Vicent urgently needs. Vicent was diagnosed with bilateral genu valgus, a condition in which legs bow inward such that knees touch. Several factors could cause this condition, such as growth disorders, vitamin deficiencies, or excessive fluoride found in contaminated drinking water. The condition makes it difficult for Vincent to walk and may cause long-term joint damage. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $777 to fund treatment for Vicent. The treatment is scheduled to start on November 6th at our medical partner's care center, Kafika House. The treatment will hopefully restore Vicent's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Vicent says: "I would like to be able to play with my friends again without feeling pain."