Meet Arebu, a four-year-old boy from Ethiopia. Arebu has Hirschsprung disease -- a condition characterized by missing nerve cells in the large intestine. This essentially paralyzes part of the colon, which makes it very difficult to pass stool. “After suffering for several months at home, Arebu's family went to a hospital and a colostomy (a temporary stool passage hole in his tummy) was done for temporarily relieving the condition," shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). "Arebu has been passing stool per colostomy but Arebu and his family are suffering from issues related to the colostomy. Arebu's family can not even send him to school while he is passing stool via a colostomy.” As a farmer, Arebu’s father does not make enough income to pay for his hospital bills. “The medical care that Arebu has received so far was free treatment at government hospitals and funded by different NGO’s,” notes AMHF. But we can help--for $1,500, we can fund a treatment that will remove the affected part of Arebu’s colon and help restore its functionality. “We expect after surgery, Arebu will be able to pass stool normally," shares AMHF. "Arebu will have a chance of attending school and getting a better life in future."

Kiran is a 12-year-old boy from Nepal with rheumatic heart disease. His condition causes severe chest pain and limits his ability to live a normal life. Luckily, Kiran’s heart can be repaired with valve replacement surgery. Kiran is the second of five children. He is in the fifth grade and his favorite subject is Nepali. During his free time Kiran likes to play soccer and cricket with his friends, but he has to refrain from too much physical activity because of the severe chest pain he experiences when he plays. Kiran wants to become a driver when he grows up because he loves cars. He hopes to one day earn enough money to support his mother. Let’s help Kiran get the surgery he needs to live a normal, healthy, 12-year-old boy life!