Kiya is a five-year-old boy from Ethiopia. His parents both work as shop staff members. He is in kindergarten and has two older brothers. Kiya has dealt with chronic tonsillitis since he was one year old. Tonsillitis is a condition where the inflammation of the tonsils, usually caused by viral or bacterial infections, causes a sore throat and painful swallowing. Recently, Kiya's tonsils have been enlarged, which will result in these symptoms persisting and potentially worsening over time if not treated. Kiya will undergo a tonsillectomy on April 25th. Surgeons will remove his tonsils, hopefully relieving Kiya of his symptoms and helping him live more comfortably. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $700 to fund this procedure. Kiya's parents shared, "We hope he will finally be able to attend school and play with his brothers without pain. We know this surgery will give him the strong physical foundation he needs to grow."

Chilina is an eight-year-old girl from Cambodia. She is the only child in her family and lives with her parents in Battambang Province. Her father is an army, and her mother stays at home to manage household tasks. She is in the third grade and enjoys painting and reading fairy tales. Her favorite subject is mathematics, and she hopes to become a nurse when she grows up. Chilina was born with polydactyly of her right hand. This means that she was born with an extra thumb on her right hand. The extra thumb and stiffness of her right thumb make some hand movements more difficult. Although she can grip and pinch objects, the condition affects the appearance of her hand and causes her to feel shy when classmates and friends tease her. Fortunately, on July 21st, surgeons will perform a polydactyly repair procedure to remove the extra digit. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $379 to fund this procedure. After surgery, the removal of the extra thumb will improve the appearance and function of her right hand. She will be able to use her hand more comfortably, feel more confident, and participate in daily activities without feeling different from other children. Chilina's mother said, “Seeing my daughter feel shy because of her hand breaks my heart. I hope this surgery will help her feel confident and happy as she grows up.”

Sarai is 56 years old and a mother of four from Malawi. She works as a handicraft worker, while her husband is a retired teacher. She traveled over 200 kilometers seeking surgical support for a thyroid condition that has severely affected her quality of life. Ten years ago, Sarai began to experience troubling symptoms, including a swelling on her neck. Since it caused no discomfort at the time, she did not seek medical attention. However, in 2024, the swelling grew bigger and started to cause pain. She started to experience difficulty swallowing, restricted neck movement, and challenges with daily activities, including climbing stairs. Sarai was referred to our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center (PIH), where she was diagnosed with a goiter involving the swelling of both thyroid lobes. The thyroid is the gland located in front of your neck and produces thyroid hormones. These hormones are responsible for functions such as metabolism, growth, and other bodily functions. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Sarai receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on October 2nd at PIH, where surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $1,015, and she and her family need help raising money. Sarai said, "I can't swallow and breathe well. Your support will save my life."