Meseret is a brave 24-year-old woman from Ethiopia who is independent and works hard in the flower industry to make a living. Since she was two years old, she has lived with the effects of a serious burn accident. Because her family could only provide basic care at home when it happened, her scars have become very tight over the years. This tightness has pulled her skin so much that she can no longer move her arm or hand freely, making her daily manual labor much more difficult. Twenty-two years ago, as a young child, Meseret suffered a traumatic burn after falling into a fire. Due to a lack of immediate medical access at the time, the injury was managed exclusively with traditional home remedies rather than clinical hospital care. Working in the flower industry is physically demanding for Meseret. It requires constant reaching, careful sorting, and a steady hand needed to pluck petals or apply protective chemicals. For this young woman, the tightness in her skin is a major daily hurdle that affects her speed and physical comfort. Even though Meseret has struggled to move easily for a long time, she is incredibly determined. She consistently pushes herself to do extra work, hoping to show her supervisors that she is a hardworking staff member and to ensure her job is secure every single day. When Meseret learned about our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, she traveled for many hours to seek treatment. Fortunately, Meseret will receive treatment on March 19th. The surgeons will perform a burn contracture release surgery to restore a natural range of motion, which will be a life-changing milestone, marking the first time since she was a toddler that her limb has moved without restriction. This change will allow Meseret to fulfill her duties in the flower field without the persistent physical strain caused by the contractures. For her, this surgery is the key to finally working with comfort and moving her body the way it was meant to move. Now, our medical partner is requesting $500 to fund this procedure. "I have lived so long with these struggles that I forgot what it feels like to be whole. I am so excited to finally do the things that used to be impossible for me. I want to work in the fields and move my arm freely, leaving behind the pain and the limits that have defined my life since I was a child," said Meseret.

Ruth is 36 years old and a single mother of three from Malawi. She also has one grandchild from her firstborn. Ruth has experienced multiple family losses. Both of her parents and her two siblings are deceased. The only surviving relative is her uncle, who is physically disabled and fully dependent on her for care and support. She earns a living by selling tomatoes. In 2003, Ruth began to experience troubling symptoms, including a small swelling on the right side of her neck. Over time, the swelling grew bigger and began to affect her health. She developed symptoms including loss of voice, neck pain, headaches, and frequent coughing. After 15 years, she finally sought medical attention and was diagnosed with a goiter, an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland. The thyroid is the gland located in front of your neck and produces thyroid hormones. These hormones are responsible for functions such as metabolism, growth, and other bodily functions. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Ruth receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on May 2nd at our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $1,015, and she and her family need help raising money. Ruth shared, "My only hope is you; I tried all that I could, but failed. I am looking forward to your support."

Kataleya is a sweet 13-year-old girl from Bolivia. Kataleya lives in the northern part of the country with her mother, who is a homemaker; her dad, who works in agriculture; and her younger sister. Kataleya was taken to the doctor with complaints of headaches, and it was during this visit that doctors heard a murmur and discovered her heart problem. Kataleya has a cardiac condition called an atrial septal defect. A hole exists between the two upper chambers of her heart: blood leaks through this hole, leaving her weak and short of breath. On May 20th, Kataleya will undergo heart surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, surgeons will sew a patch over the hole so that blood can no longer leak through it. Kataleya'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. Kataleya's mother shared, "I'm grateful that my daughter is receiving her surgery. They told me the heart murmur was going to close with time, but recently we found out it didn't. I pray she will have a good surgery, and she can feel much better so she can exercise as she wishes."

Qanitah is a three-year-old girl from Tanzania. She is the second-born in a family of three children and lives with her parents and extended relatives. Qanitah sustained burn injuries to both hands at a very young age. The burns mildly affected her right wrist joint and severely involved the fingers of both hands, leading to fusion and restricted movement. As she grew, the condition has increasingly limited her ability to use her hands independently for daily activities. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Qanitah receive treatment. On February 6th, surgeons at their care center, Kafika House, will perform contracture release surgery and a skin graft to restore hand function and allow Qanitah to live a more independent and meaningful life. Without surgical release, the contractures will continue to limit hand function and affect her future independence, including future school participation and self-care. Now, she needs help to fund this $832 procedure. Qanitah's mother says, “She wants to hold things and feed herself like other children, but her fingers cannot open properly, and that breaks my heart.”

Esuphat is an 11-month-old baby girl from Tanzania. She was born into a large family of eleven children. Her father has two wives, and Esuphat lives with her mother alongside her brother and sister. Her family belongs to a pastoral community where livestock keeping is the main source of income. Esuphat's father is well known in the area for raising and grazing cattle, sheep, and goats to support his large household. Esuphat has clubfoot on both feet, a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. The tissues connecting the muscle to the bones are shorter than usual, which may make it difficult for her to walk properly as she grows. Without treatment, it will be a challenge for her to wear shoes, participate in daily activities, and eventually walk the long distances often required to attend school. Doctors have recommended treatment through a series of gentle manipulations and casts, followed by a tenotomy procedure and the use of a Foot Abduction Brace (FAB) until the age of five. On June 19th, Esuphat will start clubfoot treatment, and our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $341 to fund Esuphat's care. After treatment, the position of her feet will be corrected, giving her the best chance of walking comfortably, wearing regular shoes, and living an active and independent life. Esuphat's mother says, "I want what is best for my daughter, and for now her treatment is the first priority."

Neema is a two-month-old girl from Tanzania, the second-born child in her family. She lives with both her parents, who rely on farming to provide for their household. Her parents are grateful for their daughter and dream of seeing her grow into a healthy, active, and independent young girl. Neema has clubfoot on right foot, 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 with mobility. To correct her foot and give her the best chance of a healthier future, Neema requires treatment through a series of manipulations and casts, followed by a tenotomy procedure. Afterward, she will need to wear a Foot Abduction Brace (FAB) until the age of five to help maintain the correction and prevent the condition from recurring. Fortunately, Neema's family traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Kafika House, where doctors will begin clubfoot treatment on June 23rd. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $341 to fund Neema's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will be able to run, play with other children her age, and participate fully in daily activities. Neema's mother says, "I hope she will be able to play and participate in activities with other children, without me having to worry how she will be able to walk and run."

Maligelita is a 42-year-old mother of six from Malawi who is married to a farmer. Before her illness, she worked as a tailor, using her skills to provide for her family and contribute to their daily needs. Six years ago, Maligelita noticed a small, painless swelling on her neck. Because it did not interfere with her daily life, she did not seek medical care at the time. As time passed, the swelling grew larger, and she began to experience pain when swallowing, tightness in her throat, and difficulty breathing. These symptoms gradually became so severe that she could no longer concentrate on her tailoring, causing her to step back from her business. In 2025, she was diagnosed with a goiter, an enlargement of the thyroid gland in the neck. The thyroid gland is responsible for producing hormones that support metabolism, growth, and other essential functions in the body. After experiencing episodes of choking at night, Maligelita returned to her local hospital and was recently referred to Partners in Hope Medical Center for urgent treatment. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is facilitating support to help Maligelita receive the care that she needs. Maligelita is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on March 10, which will cost $1,015. The surgery will hopefully help prevent further medical complications and allow her to return to her daily activities without worry. "I am very afraid. Kindly support me." said Maligelita worriedly.

Talia is a sweet and soft-spoken 11-year-old student from Kenya. Her father is a construction worker, and her mother is a homemaker. Despite health challenges, Talia is a determined girl who works hard in school and dreams of becoming a pilot one day. When Talia was very young, her parents noticed delays in her development. She needed therapy to learn how to walk and did not begin speaking until she was three years old. Around that time, she was diagnosed with hearing loss, but her parents could not afford hearing aids. Without them, school has been difficult for Talia, and she has begun to fall behind her classmates. This has made her dream of becoming a pilot feel increasingly out of reach. Her hearing loss also affects her speech, making her hesitant to express herself for fear that others might laugh at her. About three months ago, Talia and her family visited our partner’s medical care center, AIC Kijabe Hospital, where doctors recommend hearing aids for Talia. Our partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,171 to fund Talia’s hearing aids, which will be fitted on April 28th. This amount will cover the purchase, programming, and fitting of the hearing aids. With these hearing aids, Talia will finally be able to hear, to learn, and to thrive. Now, Talia's family needs your support to have a fair chance at a brighter future. Talia shared, “When I try to speak, and the words don’t come out right, other children laugh at me. It makes me feel very sad.”

Filisitiya is 47 years old and a mother of five from Malawi. Her husband takes on casual jobs as a builder, while she molds clay pots for a living. Seven months ago, Filisitiya started to experience pain and abnormal bleeding. She has been diagnosed with uterine fibroids and needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Her symptoms affect her ability to perform her daily tasks and her work. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,363 to fund Filisitiya's surgery. On June 8th, she will undergo gynaecological surgery at our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center. Once recovered, Filisitiya will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Filisitiya shared, "Concentration on my business is now poor, hence, reduced my monthly income; Your support will help me get better and care for my children better."

Marietou is a young woman from Mali. She is a stay-at-home mother who cares for her two-year-old daughter. During her free time, she enjoys being with her family. Marietou is pregnant, and her doctors recommend that she deliver via a caesarean section because of a high-risk pregnancy. This way, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, Muso, is helping Marietou undergo a C-Section on April 28th. This procedure will cost $259, and Marietou needs your support. Marietou shared, "With your support, I hope my baby will be healthy."

Sokha is a 63-year-old woman from Cambodia. She lives on the outskirts of Phnom Penh with her sister, who works as a cleaner. She has one son who works at a motorbike company. In her free time, she enjoys cooking and doing household chores. In April 2025, Sokha was involved in a road traffic accident that caused a fracture to her left wrist. She was treated at a government hospital, where she underwent surgery to stabilize the fracture using a metal plate and screws. Since then, she has experienced persistent pain in her wrist and fingers, making it difficult to perform daily tasks like cooking and household chores, and significantly affecting her independence and quality of life. Fortunately, on April 22nd, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, will help Sokha undergo a hardware removal procedure — a surgery to remove the plate and screws from her wrist, which will allow her to use her hand more comfortably again. She can contribute $50, but needs help to raise $328 more to fund her procedure and care. Sokha said, “Since the accident, I have had constant pain in my wrist and fingers, and it makes it very hard for me to do my daily work. I hope that after treatment, I can use my hand normally again without pain and return to my everyday life.”

Phoeun is a 56-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia who lives in Siem Reap Province with her husband. They have three children, all married, who live nearby and visit occasionally. She enjoys planting vegetables around her home. Two months ago, Phoeun slipped and fell in her backyard, resulting in a fracture of her left humerus. She is experiencing pain and is unable to lift her left arm, which limits her daily activities and work on the farm. Fortunately, on April 8th, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. Phoeun will undergo a fracture repair procedure that will relieve her pain and help her regain movement in her left arm, allowing her to return to her normal daily life and farming activities. She can contribute $50, but needs help raising $550 more to fund her procedure and care. Phoeun said, “I’ve been in pain for two months and can’t lift my left arm. I’m hoping this surgery will finally relieve my pain and help me regain movement so I can return to my normal daily life.”