Yohana is a five-year-old girl from Ethiopia. She is in kindergarten and is an active member of her household, supported by her mother and her father, an electrician and electronics maintenance staff member. Having dealt with chronic tonsillitis since she was a toddler, Yohana has spent over half of her life navigating the difficult challenges of this condition. For three years now, Yohana has been experiencing snoring, fevers, and a painful throat. These recurring infections, filled with frequent fevers and intense pain, have often pulled her away from her first years of school. They have also disrupted the energetic play she should be enjoying with her brother. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $700 to fund a tonsillectomy for Yohana, which is scheduled to take place on April 25th. Surgeons will remove her tonsils, hopefully relieving Yohana of her symptoms and helping her live more comfortably. Yohana's parents shared, "We hope the surgery will allow her to grow up to be active and energetic."

Simon is a 69-year-old jovial man from Western Kenya, but currently living in the central region of Kenya. Simon and his wife are separated, and he takes care of their only child, a daughter who is now 17 years old and recently completed secondary school. Simon earns a small income through casual work such as cleaning and weeding flower gardens at a neighbor’s home, which helps him support himself and his daughter. He says that his parents died when he was very young, and as a result, he never received a formal education. Three months ago, Simon began experiencing pain and intermittent swelling on the right side of his inguinal region. Due to lack of finances, he was unable to seek medical care until the pain became unbearable, prompting him to visit the outpatient surgical clinic at Nazareth Hospital. He was referred to undergo an ultrasound that revealed an inguinal hernia, a condition that occurs when abdominal tissue bulges through a weak spot in the lower abdominal wall into the groin. Simon needs surgery to treat the condition, but he's unable to raise the required funds. If left untreated, he will continue to experience pain and may develop complications such as strangulation. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Simon receive treatment. On January 20th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Now, Simon needs help to fund this $517 procedure. "I have no one to turn to; my daughter fully depends on me. I hope to get help so that I can undergo this surgery. I am looking forward to being treated and back to my job, so that I can help my girl, maybe even take her to college," said Simon.

Markon is a spirited young boy, full of life and energy from Ethiopia. He enjoys playing with his father, engaging with his surroundings, and sharing joyful moments with his brother and family. Living in a modest iron-sheet house, Markon’s family consists of his hardworking father, a daily laborer in home finishing, and his caring mother, a devoted housewife. Together, they navigate the challenges of life with their four children, three sons and a daughter. However, their lives took a difficult turn when Markon’s mother fell gravely ill, forcing the family to sacrifice their home to fund her treatment. Their financial situation became increasingly precarious, and the burden weighed heavily on his father, especially after Markon’s mother lost her eyesight due to her illness. Despite these hardships, Markon’s father persevered, striving to provide for his family’s needs as best he could. Over a year ago, Markon started to complain about discomfort around a sensitive area in his body. Concerned, his parents took him to a local health center, where he was referred to a specialized hospital. Markon was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. He needs surgery to reduce his risks of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Markon will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on February 20th and AMH is requesting $754 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Markon’s father expressed, "I hope for my child to receive the best possible care and lead a joyful life. I am deeply grateful to the staff at BKMCM and to all the generous donors who support children like my son. Helping these children is truly a blessing, and I believe that through this support, they will be empowered to flourish and thrive."