Five-year-old Eban is from Ethiopia, raised in a loving home by her father, a small-scale broker, and her mother, who manages the household and cares for her and her brother. When she was only one, a mirror fell and cut her left pinky finger. Although she was treated at the time, the finger has since tightened and pulled inward into a curve, causing her parents deep worry. Eban now struggles to grab things, do other activity with her fingers, or play like other children. Sometimes she feels shy because other children her age stare at her finger, which hurts her confidence. In addition to this physical injury, she faces developmental delays that have kept her non-verbal and unable to start school with other children her age. When Eban's family learned about our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, they went there to seek treatment. On May 14th, surgeons will perform a contracture release surgery, which will make it much easier for her to use her hand. She will finally have the freedom to play with her toys, focus on her learning, and do everyday things all by herself. Now, Eban's family needs help to fund this $500 procedure. Her parents say: "We look forward to the day that Eban can straighten her finger."

Ronaldo is a three-year-old boy from Tanzania. He is the youngest of seven children. Ronaldo is a cheerful and energetic kid who loves playing and having fun with those around him. His father works as a casual laborer to support the family. Ronaldo was diagnosed with bilateral genu valgum, a condition that causes his legs to angle inward at the knees. Several factors can 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. As Ronaldo has grown, his parents have become increasingly concerned about how the condition may affect his ability to walk comfortably and participate fully in daily activities. They also worry about the challenges he may face when he starts school in the future. Ronaldo's family is seeking care in the hopes that undergoing treatment will give Ronaldo the best possible start in life and allow him to grow, play, and attend school without difficulty. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Ronaldo undergo treatment on June 2nd. This treatment will restore Ronaldo's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. AMH is requesting $777 to fund his surgery. Ronaldo's mother said, "We want Ronaldo to grow up strong, walk comfortably, and one day go to school like his brothers and sisters."

Kelemua is a hardworking widow from Ethiopia who, at 80 years old, still supports her five sons by farming the land. However, she is losing her independence because of severe cataracts. Her vision is severely clouded, causing light sensitivity and making it difficult for her to move around safely. Her daily farm work and household chores now pose a risk of injury with her limited eyesight. And she is no longer able to contribute to the family’s income or do the work she loves. Two years ago, Kelemua developed a cataract in both eyes, causing her pain, blurry vision, and tearing. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, blurring vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. Fortunately, Kelemua is scheduled to undergo cataract surgery on June 10th, when surgeons will remove and replace the blurred lens in both eyes. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly and resume her daily activities. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $300 to fund her procedure. "My greatest hope is to regain my sight so I can move around safely again. I miss working on the farm and helping out at home, and I want to get back to contributing to my family’s life," said Kelemua.