Birtukan, a 15-year-old girl from Ethiopia, is locked in a heartbreaking struggle with a chronic illness. Her youth is overshadowed by persistent pain that has tragically barred her from the classroom, leaving her emotionally adrift and isolated. Her mother is a single parent facing insurmountable challenges. She works tirelessly, each hour a testament to her love. Every resource is stretched thin, every penny allocated to the relentless pursuit of medical treatments that could offer a glimmer of hope for Birtukan. Providing basic necessities for the family has become a constant, exhausting battle. Birtukan suffers from osteomyelitis, an infection within the bone which causes inflammation and destroys bone tissue. She needs surgical treatment, but her family is unable to afford the cost of treatment. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is helping Birtukan receive treatment. On March 5th, she will undergo a procedure known as sequestrectomy, where surgeons will remove dead bone and tissue within the infected area. Now, Birtukan's family needs help to fund this $900 procedure. Birtukan says: "I look forward to being able to go back to school, reconnect with my friends, and live a healthier life without pain."

29-year-old Francis lives in a village in Kenya, working in a small retail shop. He studied film making in college, but has so far been unable to find work in this area of study. Francis has been facing a tough battle with chronic kidney disease since 2018, a challenge that arose from high blood pressure and eventually led to kidney failure in 2019. To help his body manage excess fluids, he began dialysis treatments twice a week. Unfortunately, these sessions come with significant discomfort and pain due to the temporary catheter that is used for the procedure. Francis sought help from a surgeon at our medical partner's care center, AIC Kapsowar Hospital, who recommended a new approach: creating a connection between veins and arteries in his forearm. With the support of the medical team through the national health insurance, he successfully underwent surgery. However, despite this hopeful start, his fistula did not fully develop as his veins were weakened from frequent needle insertions during dialysis. During his recent check-up, it was found that his fistula was not functioning properly, and he was advised to have a new one created. This time, the surgeon is able to create a different type of connection using a larger vein and artery. With the help of our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, Francis is scheduled for this important procedure on January 15th at AIC Kapsowar Hospital. Francis needs your help to raise $1,127 to fund this procedure, which will help make his dialysis sessions more comfortable and reduce the chances of complications, giving him a better quality of life. Francis says: "I've been having dialysis twice a week with a temporary catheter for almost six months now, and it causes a lot of discomfort. A fistula would be so much more efficient and reduce my risk of complications. Please help me get this surgery, so that I can start experiencing smoother dialysis sessions and a better quality of life."

Lorna is 60 years old and a widowed mother of five from the Philippines. Lorna works as a staff of a public official under a contract. She lives with her eldest son and his family. During her days off, Lorna enjoys being at church and studying the Bible with her church group. Three years ago, Lorna began to experience troubling symptoms, including fatigue, frequent palpitations, and pain in her head and neck especially when sleeping. She also felt a small lump in her neck so she immediately had it checked. She underwent surgery where doctors removed a part of her thyroid gland. After some time, her symptoms returned. She visited our medical partner's care center, Our Lady of Peace Hospital, where she was diagnosed with papillary thyroid carcinoma and requires a total thyroidectomy or the removal of her whole thyroid gland. Fortunately, our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), is helping Lorna receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on February 8th. A portion of the cost of her treatment is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is raising the remaining $935 to cover the cost of Lorna's procedure and care. Lorna shared, "Thank you very much for the financial support for my operation. I hope you all continue to help other people because you do not change the life of only one person, but also their families and many more who are in need. Thank you and God bless you all."

Alexis is nine years old and a student from Bolivia. His mother cleans houses, while his father works in construction. Alexis has two older siblings. He loves to play and wants to be a goalkeeper. When Alexis was playing at school, his mother noticed his hands turned purple. He also gets tired easily when running and playing with his friends. Alexis has a cardiac condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. This condition involves several related defects including a muscular blockage of one of the valves and a hole between the two lower chambers of the heart. These defects prevent the heart from delivering enough oxygen to his body, leaving him weak and short of breath. On February 5th, Alexis will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, surgeons will remove the muscular blockage from his valve and close the hole in his heart with a patch. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,500 to fund the costs of cardiac care and surgery. Alexis' mother shared, "There is no treatment for my son anywhere near where we live, so we are so glad to be at this hospital so doctors can help my boy! We have traveled a lot, but we are sure he will be a healthy boy after his surgery."

Ishmael is a spirited young boy from Malawi who lights up every room with his energy and enthusiasm for learning. As a Standard 3 student at his local primary school in Nkhoma, he eagerly looks forward to each school day. His proud mother beams as she shares, “He loves school. He never complains about going and always comes home excited to tell us what he’s learned.” However, life has been difficult for Ishmael recently. He has been suffering from an umbilical hernia, a condition that causes him considerable pain. Though the discomfort started small, it has grown much worse over the past three weeks, making it harder for him to wake up early for school or even attend on days when the pain becomes unbearable. This has been a huge worry for his mother, who feels helpless as she watches her son struggle. Ishmael’s mother, a stay-at-home mum, and his father, a builder working away on a contract in another location, do their best to support their family. They manage to cover rent, food, and school fees with what they earn, but the cost of Ishmael’s surgery is simply beyond their reach. Ishmael was recently brought to our medical partner's care center, Nkhoma Hospital, where doctors confirmed the diagnosis and recommended immediate surgery to repair the hernia. The surgery is urgent, but they need financial support to proceed. Today, Ishmael's mother is reaching out with hope. She believes that with your generosity, her son can undergo the life-changing surgery he urgently requires. Your support will help Ishmael return to being the healthy, happy child he once was—able to go to school, free from pain, and full of hope for his future. Fortunately, on November 26th, Ishmael will undergo hernia repair surgery at Nkhoma Hospital to alleviate his symptoms, and hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $421 to fund the surgery. Ishmael's mother says, “Once Ishmael has the surgery and recovers, I expect him to return to school without pain and live the life he deserves—free to play, learn, and dream big just like other children his age.”

The past nine months have been filled with worry and uncertainty for Vinet, a 23-year-old young man whose life was turned upside down by sudden tremors, convulsions, and fainting spells. Since his first collapse in March 2024, he has visited multiple hospitals and taken medication to manage his condition, yet he continues to struggle with these debilitating episodes. In May 2024, Vinet came to our medical partner's care center, AIC Kijabe Hospital, where he received the shocking news that a tumor had formed near his brain. The doctors recommended a craniotomy—an urgent surgery that could save his life. However, Vinet's lack of insurance coverage has made it impossible for him to proceed with the treatment. Raised by a single father after the loss of his mother, Vinet is an only child who has always been a source of strength for his family. His father works at a flower farm in Naivasha to keep food on the table. Despite completing high school, Vinet has been unable to pursue further education due to financial limitations. To support his family, he took on construction work, which has become increasingly difficult as his health issues worsen. Since his diagnosis, Vinet and his father have been desperately trying to raise funds for his surgery, but their efforts have not yielded fruit. Vinet collapses up to four times a week, making it hard for him to work or even socialize, as he never knows when the next episode will strike. Yet, amidst these challenges, Vinet remains hopeful. He dreams of studying electrical engineering and is determined to seek help from kind-hearted individuals once he regains his health. To make this dream a reality, Vinet urgently needs your support to undergo this life-saving surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Vinet receive treatment. On November 28th, he will undergo a craniotomy at AIC Kijabe Hospital. The treatment will help him reclaim his health, live a normal life, and work towards achieving his aspirations. Now, Vinet's family need help to fund this $1,500 procedure. Vinet says, "I once collapsed while I was with friends, and ever since that day, I've felt like people tend to avoid being around me because they're afraid I might collapse at any moment. Yet, I believe that with the right treatment, I will regain my health."

Choeun is a 41 year-old rice farmer. He lives in Prey Veng province with his wife and two daughters. His wife also works in the rice fields, and his oldest daughter recently got a job in a clothing factory. His youngest daughter is in 9th grade. When Choeun has downtime, he earns extra income by working as a motorbike taxi driver. At home, he likes spending time with his family and watching the nightly news. About 6 months ago, Choeun developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him photophobia, itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, so it is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. When Choeun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On December 4th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $253 procedure. He shared, "I hope after surgery my left eye can see more clearly so I it will be easier for me to drive and work in the rice fields."

Phorn is a 42-year-old vegetable vendor. She is married with three sons, three daughters, and two grandchildren. She lives with her husband who is also a vegetable vendor and onion farmer. At home, she helps to care for her grandchildren and watches the news on her phone. Five years ago, Phorn developed a pterygium in her left eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Phorn learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two hours seeking treatment. Phorn needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. The total cost of her procedure is $225. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for October 13th. She shared, "I hope after surgery my eye stops tearing and burning. I want to do housework, not be ashamed of my eye, and go back to selling vegetables."

Maria is a 59-year-old lady from Kenya. She is married and has six children; all grown up and working manual jobs to support themselves. Maria and her husband depend on their small farm. For over 5 years Maria has had abdominal pains, especially in the epigastric region. She has been treated many times in different hospitals. This year the pain became much worse and a scan showed a she has cholelithiasis. She came to Nazareth Hospital and our partner surgeon advised her to have a laparotomy. Unfortunately, due to hereconomic status, Maria and her family cannot manage to raise the $788 cost for this treatment. If not treated, Maria will continue to have the pain and may have more complications like pancreatitis or gall bladder obstruction. “I have stayed in pain for many years and even my children are tired of taking me to the hospital every time. I am kindly hoping to have this sponsorship so that I can be treated once and for all so that my life can be normal again. My family lives a life of struggle, we cannot make it to pay for this surgery, so I will appreciate and thank God if helped,” said Maria quietly.

Guy is an 8-year-old student from Haiti. Her lives with his parents and younger brother and sister in the outskirts of Port-au-Prince. He likes going to school and dressing up for church. Guy has a cardiac condition called atrial septal defect. A hole exists between the two upper chambers of his heart; blood leaks through this hole without properly circulating through his body, leaving him sickly and weak. Guy will fly to nearby Dominican Republic to receive treatment as the care he needs is not currently available in Haiti. On February 28th, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will sew a patch over the hole in his heart so that blood can no longer leak through it. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is contributing $8000 to help pay for his surgery. Guy's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and his check-up and follow-up appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner who will accompany Guy's family overseas. His mom is relieved that his surgery is finally happening and shared: "I am looking forward to seeing my son gaining weight and strength after his surgery!"

Emmanuel is a student from Haiti. He lives with his mother and younger sister in a small village in the mountains of southwest Haiti. He enjoys going to school and would like to be an engineer. Emmanuel has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation. One of the four valves of his heart is damaged due to an infection he suffered earlier in childhood; as a result, it cannot circulate blood through his body effectively. Emmanuel will fly to Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On May 28, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will remove his damaged valve and implant an artificial replacement. Another organization, The Mitral Foundation, is contributing $8,000 to pay for surgery. Emmanuel's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Emmanuel's family overseas. He says, "I am looking forward to this surgery so that I can start school again!"

Musiimenta is a small-scale farmer from Uganda. She is married with six children. Two years ago, Musiimenta has been experiencing lower abdominal pain and backache. She has been diagnosed with cervical fibroids. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $208 to fund Musiimenta's surgery. On March 26, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center. Once recovered, Musiimenta will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Musiimenta says, “I hope to live a better life after surgery and continue with cultivation for the support to my family.”