Neang is an 83-year-old retired rice farmer from Kampong Cham province, Cambodia. She is a widow as her husband died 5 years ago due to kidney failure. She has two sons and five grandchildren. She lives alone near her oldest son, who is a farmer. Neang likes to go to the pagoda and join the ceremony. About two years ago, Neang developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her 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. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so she is not able to go places on her own. When Neang learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On May 11th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. She can contribute $50, but needs help raising $213 more to fund her procedure and care. Neang said, "I hope after surgery, my eye can see better, so I can easily recognize my relatives and go out."

Benjamin is a six-year-old boy from Tanzania. He is the third-born in a family of three children, and lives with his parents, whose livelihoods depend on small-scale business activities to sustain their household. Benjamin's family describes him as a bright and curious child, who enjoys learning and playing with other children in the community. Benjamin has been diagnosed with bilateral genu varus or "bow legs," a condition where the knees curve outward while the feet and ankles touch. 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 potentially causing long-term joint damage. The condition has affected Benjamin's posture and mobility, making prolonged standing and walking increasingly difficult. Without treatment, the condition could continue to worsen as he grows, potentially limiting his movement and participation in school and daily activities. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $810 to fund treatment for Benjamin. The procedure is scheduled to take place on March 24th at our medical partner's care center, Kafika House. Treatment will hopefully restore Benjamin's mobility, allowing him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decreasing his risk of future complications. Benjamin's father said: "I wish for his legs to be strong, so that he can walk independently with his friends to school, without us worrying about his well-being."

Lekiberu is a four-year-old boy from Ethiopia. He is active, sociable, and loves being around people. He enjoys watching other children, learning spelling, and playing with his sister. He is very attached to people and loves spending time with others. Lekiberu lives with his parents, aunt, and sister in a rented house. His mother sells vegetables to support the family, while his father works as a daily laborer in construction. Lekiberu was born prematurely at seven months because his mother was seriously ill during pregnancy due to a blood-related condition. When Lekiberu turned four years old, he started losing his appetite. His mother first visited a pharmacy, where the pharmacist advised her to take him to a private hospital. At the hospital, the doctor examined Lekiberu, explained his condition, and prescribed supplements. His family became anxious, frustrated, and heartbroken because they could not afford surgery at a private hospital. After returning home, Lekiberu’s mother asked relatives for advice about his condition. They suggested taking him to our facility, BethanyKids. At first, she could not believe the service was real because of their difficult financial situation. However, they later visited, where Lekiberu was examined, and his condition was confirmed. Lekiberu was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remain undescended. If left untreated, Lekiberu has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. The medical team also discovered that he had low iron levels and was underweight, so his surgery was postponed for two months while he received treatment and nutritional support. Now, Lekiberu’s hemoglobin and iron levels are in good condition, and his health has improved. His mother shared, “My spirit also became better and relieved after coming to BethanyKids.” Lekiberu will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on May 29th. AMH is requesting $754 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Lekiberu’s mother expressed her gratitude, saying, “I have no words to express my feelings. People may not understand the situation we went through, but God knows everything. God bless you all, and glory to God. I know you sacrificed so much for Lekiberu, and I thank God for using you to support and help our family.”