Merge is a 3 year-old child from Ethiopia. She is a beautiful young girl who loves to play with toys and her brothers. She loves to wear new clothes and shoes - her dad shared that she is always asking for new clothes and shoes. Merge loves being around people. Her dad is a farmer with a large family, his older children out of the house and living their own lives. Seven children are still with their parents. Her mom spends her day taking care of her child, collecting firewood from the woods, and pouring water from a long distance from a manual well. She carries the water jar and the sticks on her back. They harvest once a year. Their income is limited to sustain the needs of their household. Merge was born with anorectal malformation and she was referred to Addis Ababa referral hospital and underwent two surgeries. But now she developed an incisional hernia. Fortunately, on February 9th, she will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $512 to fund Merge's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably and confidently as she grows. Merge's dad said, “I hope she will heal. That will make me happy. I will send her to school and I want her to become a doctor.”

Rossette is a 35-year-old housewife from Uganda. Her husband works in a retail shop and supports his wife as she has not been able to find a job. During her free time, Rossette enjoys visiting her friends. Rossette is currently expecting her first child. She received antenatal care at Rushoroza Hospital, where her doctors recommended that she deliver via a Cesarean section because of breech presentation at term. This way, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Rossette undergo a C-Section on March 1st. This procedure will cost $214 and Rossette needs your support. Rosette says, “I hope I will have a successful surgery with a positive outcome. After complete recovery, I will continue to search for a job. May God bless you.”

Veasna is a two-year-old toddler from Cambodia. He is an only child, and lives in a multi-generational home with four other family members. His mother sells farm produce in the local market, and his dad is a rice farmer. One of his aunts works at the front desk in a motorbike repair shop. Veasna spends most of his time at home with his grandmother. He loves playing with other kids in the village and watching cartoons. In June 2023, Veasna burned his right index finger on a hot stove. His mother treated the injury at home with cold water and wound dressings. Unfortunately, burn scar contractures have developed, tightening the skin around his burn. It is difficult for him to use his hand, and he experiences much discomfort. When Veasna's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he and his mother traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On April 22nd, surgeons will perform burn contracture release surgery to help restore function in his hand. Veasna's family are able to contribute $100 towards the cost of his treatment and need help raising $395 more to fund the procedure. Veasna's mother says: "I hope he can use his hand easily again in the future, be able to hold objects and play."