Christie is a four-year-old girl from Haiti, who lives with her parents and two older siblings in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. She is in preschool, and is learning to read. She loves dressing up and playing with her friends. Christie has a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus. A hole exists between two major blood vessels next to her heart; blood leaks through this hole, leaving her weak and short of breath. Christie will fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On May 13th, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which doctors will use a device on the end of a catheter to plug the hole so that blood can no longer leak through it. Another organization, International Cardiac Alliance, is contributing $4,000 to pay for surgery. Christie'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 Christie's family overseas. Christie's mother says: "Our family is so thankful that our daughter has this chance to travel and to get her heart healed!"

Mark is a 32-year-old man from the Philippines. He is the oldest of seven siblings and helps support his family. His father works as a construction laborer, while his mother stays at home. Mark recently started work assisting with solar insulation, but his job is not yet stable. In his free time, he enjoys cooking and playing basketball. Three months ago, Mark began to experience troubling symptoms, including abdominal pain and difficulty breathing. He has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, his symptoms will continue to worsen and put him at risk for further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), Mark is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy on April 10th. A portion of the cost of the procedure is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is requesting the remaining $1,031 to cover the cost of Mark’s surgery and care. Mark shared, “I am truly grateful for the chance to receive this operation, as it will ease my financial burden and allow me to focus on recovery. My heartfelt thanks to those who will give their support and kindness.”

Ilhaam is a seven-year-old girl from Tanzania. She lives with her parents and her younger sister, the only surviving children after her parents tragically lost their first set of twins shortly after birth. Ilhaam is a cheerful child who enjoys playing with other children in her neighborhood. She loves singing and dancing. Ilhaam’s father works as a primary school teacher and is the sole provider for the family. Although he works hard to support his household, the cost of surgery is beyond what he can afford. Her parents are hopeful that with support, their daughter will receive the treatment she needs to walk comfortably and return to enjoying childhood activities. Ilhaam has been diagnosed with unilateral left valgus, a condition where the left knee angles inward. Several factors could cause this condition, such as growth disorders, vitamin deficiencies, or excessive fluoride found in contaminated drinking water. As a result, the knees can be angled inwards or outwards, making it difficult to walk and may cause long-term joint damage. Over time, Ilhaam's condition has worsened, and she has begun experiencing pain while standing or walking for long periods. Her parents first sought help at a nearby health facility where they were told that her bones might be weak and she was given calcium supplements. Despite following the advice, her condition did not improve. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $631 to fund treatment for Ilhaam. The procedure is scheduled to take place on March 10th at our medical partner's care center, Kafika House. Treatment will hopefully restore Ilhaam's mobility, allow her to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease her risk of future complications. Ilhaam's father says, "I only wish to see my daughter walk, dance and play without pain, and grow up like other children."

Alisse is a three-month-old baby girl from Bolivia. She lives in southwestern Bolivia with her mom and dad, who both work in a small convenience store. Her parents noticed she was not growing properly and frequently became sick, and took her to the local doctor, who discovered a heart murmur; she was then referred to La Paz to see the cardiologists there. Alisse has a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus. A hole exists between two blood vessels next to her heart. This condition prevents Alisse's blood from circulating properly, causing her weakness and leaving her at risk of heart failure if the condition goes untreated. On July 22nd, Alisse will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, surgeons will sew the hole closed so that blood can no longer leak through it. Alisse'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. Alisse's father shared, "We just pray our little girl can have a successful surgery; we came from far away seeking help."

Grace is a 35-year-old woman from Uganda. She currently engages in small-scale farming together with her husband. Two years ago, Grace began to experience troubling symptoms, including lower abdominal pain, which has prevented her from carrying out her farming activities because she is unable to bend. She visited different clinics but was only given painkillers that did not help. She also tried using local herbs, but all was in vain. Grace attended a community outreach program, where she received information that her condition could be treated at our medical partner's care center, Rwibaale Health Center. At the hospital, she was diagnosed with an ovarian mass. Physicians recommend surgery to remove the mass. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $230 to fund Grace's surgery. On February 13th, she will undergo mass removal surgery, which should greatly improve her quality of life. Grace says, "I hope to get rid of pain and resume my duties as a farmer."

Dave is 31 years old and a farmer from the Philippines. He is the sole caregiver for his father, who has hypertension and gout. He works as a farmer, raising chickens and planting root crops. He admits that his work does not earn much, and his limited income makes it hard for him and his father to meet their daily needs. At times, his siblings help by giving money to pay for electricity, water, and his father’s medicines. Dave first noticed swelling and pain when he was in high school. By the time he reached college, the pain was unbearable. It comes and goes, and each time it happens, he finds it difficult to walk and carry out his daily activities. Dave was diagnosed with an inguinal hernia and needs surgery. Fortunately, our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines, can help. On January 28th, Dave will undergo hernia repair surgery to address his symptoms and allow him to live more comfortably. He needs help to raise $1,121 to fund his procedure and care. Dave shared, "I have always worried that my hernia would get worse. With surgery, I hope I will no longer feel afraid every day. I want to work properly again and be free from the heavy feeling of constantly wondering when my hernia will act up."

John is five years old and the youngest of four children from Uganda. At home, he is very active and participates in domestic chores such as sweeping the compound, collecting firewood, cooking, and cleaning the house. When asked what he wants to be when he grows up, he firmly says, “A farmer.” He proudly shares that he owns a small hoe and has a small maize garden at home. He also enjoys playing football. Since birth, John has had an umbilical hernia. Initially, it appeared on and off, but recently it has become constant and more painful. This makes it difficult for him to bend, sit, or stand for long periods. He complains of pain every time he eats, even small amounts of food. Doctors advised that he needs a herniorrhaphy surgery, his mother broke down in tears, explaining that she could not afford the cost. Fortunately, on January 13th, John will undergo hernia repair surgery with the help of our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare. John needs help to raise $230 to fund his procedure and care. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. John's mother says, “It really hurts me seeing my baby in pain just because of limited finances. I can’t afford his surgery and therefore kindly appeal for your support."

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.”

Amanuel is a cheerful nine-year-old boy from Ethiopia, who loves caring for animals. He also likes riding his bicycle and playing with other children, especially his younger sister. Amanuel lives with his parents and his youngest sister and is the third child in the family. His older brother and sister live with the family's relatives. Amanuel’s father works as a daily laborer in construction, while his mother is a home maker. Although his father tries to support the family, they sometimes struggle to meet medical expenses. To help with household needs, Amanuel’s mother occasionally bakes injera, a traditional bread, for sale. Amanuel’s mother was unaware of his condition until he was three years old. During a visit to a health center, the doctor noticed that Amanuel’s right testicle had not descended. He explained the condition to Amanuel’s mother, and advised waiting to see if the testicle would descend naturally. If it did not, a hospital referral would be necessary. At the time, Amanuel’s mother was overwhelmed, as she had just given birth to her youngest daughter, and felt anxious about the situation. As a result, she did not take him to the hospital. Over the next five years, she worried about her son’s condition, hoping for the right opportunity to seek help. Eventually, she returned to the health center, and after further consultations, they were referred to a larger hospital. After a six-month wait, Amanuel’s mother received a call from the referral hospital informing her that they needed to go to our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre (BKMCM) for further evaluation. After a thorough assessment by the BKMCM staff, the hospital scheduled a surgical appointment for Amanuel, marking a hopeful step toward addressing his condition. Amanuel was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, Amanuel has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Amanuel is receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare. He is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on December 18th at BKMCM. Now, Amanuel's family needs help to raise $754 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Amanuel's mother said, "I hope that my child will be healthy, allowing me to sleep peacefully. I am deeply grateful to BKMCM and the generous donors for their incredible service in making this possible."

Neema is a six-month-old baby girl from Kenya. Her life has already been marked by significant medical challenges. At birth, she was diagnosed with spina bifida and hydrocephalus. Neema's mother brought her to our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital, to treat Neema's hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of her condition, Neema has been experiencing discomfort, frequent crying, and occasional vomiting. Without treatment, Neema will experience severe physical and developmental delays. The initial surgery was not successful. Neema needs to undergo a shunt insertion surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $719 to cover the cost of Neema's hydrocephalus surgery. The procedure, which will drain excess fluid from Neema's brain, reducing intracranial pressure, is scheduled to take place on November 25th. With proper treatment and care, Neema will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. “Seeing my daughter get better is my greatest joy. I pray that this surgery will be successful and free from complications. I want to take my baby home in her healthiest state,” shares Neema’s mother.

Manich is a seven-year-old student from Phnom Penh, Cambodia. She is the youngest of three children, with her older brother in university and her older sister in 9th grade. Manich's father works in construction, and her mother runs a small grocery business in front of their home. Manich enjoys studying, and her favorite subject is Khmer history. During her free time, she enjoys playing outdoor games with her friends in the village and eating her favorite food - her mother's fried pork with rice. Manich was born with torticollis, a condition characterized by an involuntary contraction of the neck muscles, which causes her head to tilt or turn to one side. This condition can cause pain, stiffness, and an abnormal head position, making her neck appear rotated at an angle. Manich feels shy about her appearance, and her mother is concerned about potential health complications in the future. After hearing about Children's Surgical Center from a villager, her mother brought her to our medical partner's hospital, hoping to find treatment. Manich must undergo a tendon and nerve repair procedure to help regain strength and mobility. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Center, is helping Manich receive this tendon and nerve repair treatment on October 17th. The procedure costs $701, and Manich and her family need your support. Manich's mother said, "After the surgery, I hope that my daughter will have a normal neck like other children so that she can be confident, and I won't have to worry about future problems."