Rafael is an adorable ten-month-old boy who lives with his parents and four older siblings in Ethiopia. As the youngest child, Rafael brings immense joy to his family, and his birth filled their home with happiness. He loves playing with his siblings and watching other children play football. Rafael's mother is a dedicated housewife, while his father is a truck driver and the family's sole provider. Shortly after birth, Rafael's mother noticed something different about Rafael's body. She brought him to a health center, where he was referred to a larger hospital. There, Rafael was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remain undescended. If left untreated, Rafael has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Unfortunately, there is a significant wait for surgery, and Rafael's family left the hospital without a surgery date. Months later, they received a call that Rafael could be seen at our partner's medical care center, BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre (BKMCM). He is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on March 9th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $754 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Rafael's mother shared, "May God bless each of you. Your support for our child will be rewarded, as God watches over those who lend a helping hand. Thank you all very much."

Franklin is a 13-year-old student from Haiti. He lives in a rural agricultural area with his parents, who are both farmers, and six older siblings. He enjoys going to school and playing soccer. Franklin has a heart condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation. One of the four valves in his heart was severely damaged by an infection he suffered earlier in childhood, and now cannot adequately pump blood through his body. Franklin will fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On March 23rd, he will undergo surgery, during which surgeons will attempt to repair his damaged valve; if they are unable to do so, they will remove it instead and implant an artificial replacement. While another charity, Mitral Foundation, is funding Franklin's surgery, his family will also need help with the costs associated with his surgical preparations. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,500 to cover labs, medicines, and check-up and follow-up appointments. It will also support securing travel documents for the family and paying travel costs for the social workers who will accompany Franklin's family overseas. Franklin's mother shared, "We are so thankful to everyone who is making this surgery possible for our son!"

Anaki is eight years old and a student from Malawi. He loves school and spends most of his free time playing with friends, laughing, and running as children do. He is the second-born of three children. His parents grow and sell vegetables. One week ago, while at school, Anaki climbed onto the wall of an incomplete structure and fell, landing badly on his left arm. He was in great pain and was taken home to his mother, who immediately brought him to the nearest health center. With limited resources, the health workers could only place his arm in a sling and refer him to our medical partner's care center, Nkhoma Hospital, for further care. It was seen that Anaki sustained a supracondylar fracture of his left forearm. Doctors determined that he would need an open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) procedure to properly repair the injury and restore full use of his arm. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, can help. Anaki will undergo fracture repair surgery on February 3rd, and he needs help to raise $525 to fund this procedure and care. Anaki's mother said, “I pray that after this surgery, my son will heal well and return to school. We are very thankful to everyone willing to help us."