Biruk is a 13-year-old boy from Ethiopia. Biruk loves to write and enjoys physical activity. His favorite subjects are Amharic and Math. He also loves singing and enjoys playing volleyball with his friends. Biruk's father is a farmer. Biruk and his five siblings help their father by engaging in casual work and helping on the farm. Biruk was born with hypospadias, a condition that causes urinary dysfunction. As the cost of the surgery and travel to the hospital was too much for their family, Biruk has not had surgery to correct his condition. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and may be at risk for other health complications. Biruk's father heard about Bethany Kids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre and its services from a relative whose son was also treated in the hospital. Fortunately, Biruk is scheduled for surgery on April 23rd. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, requests $1,293 to cover his procedure and care costs. Biruk's father said, "If we did not get this chance, we would not have found a treatment. I hope he undergoes surgery successfully and returns home safely."

Oun is a 58-year-old grandmother. She and her husband are farmers in a rural area about two and a half hours from the capital Phnom Penh. They are parents to two sons and one daughter and proud grandparents of three grandchildren. In her free time, she likes to watch Khmer dramas on TV. Oun has spent the majority of her life outside, which has exposed her to sunny, dusty, sandy, and windy conditions which has contributed to her condition. Seven years ago, Oun developed a pterygium in her right eye, which is a non-cancerous growth of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage, wind or dust and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. This causes her irritation and burning. The condition has significantly impacted her vision. It is difficult for her to engage in social activities, read, watch television, or even recognize faces. When Oun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. Oun needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. The total cost of her procedure is $225. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for March 8th. Oun said, "I hope after surgery my eye will not be red or irritated. I hope to have no worry and go back to planting rice."

Luz is a three-year-old girl from a mining town in central Bolivia. Her mother is a farmer and her father sadly passed away from a heart attack soon after she was born. Luz has a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect, in which a hole exists between the two lower chambers of her heart. Blood leaks through this hole without passing through her lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving her weak and dependent on an external oxygen tank. Fortunately, our medical partner, The International Cardiac Alliance can help. Luz is scheduled to undergo heart surgery on March 21st. Our medical partners are requesting $1,500 to fund her procedure. Luz's mother says, "I am looking forward to my daughter being able to play normally and start preschool after her surgery!"