Ruhama is a beautiful two month old baby girl, who lives with her parents in Ethiopia. Both of her parents are quite young, and due to their having left school early, both work as day laborers, earning limited wages. Ruhama was born with an anorectal malformation, which is a congenital abnormality that leads to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. She needs to undergo a series of procedures to eliminate her bowel dysfunction and help her grow up healthy. Ruhama is scheduled to undergo surgery to correct her condition on February 1st, at BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Ruhama's procedure and care. After her recovery, Ruhama will no longer experience bowel dysfunction, or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. Ruhama's mother said: “I will leave her at the hands of God. I can’t say she will heal or not, but it’s all God’s will."

Srey Vin is a newly married 22-year-old and a mother of a four-month-old son. Her family lives some distance from Phnom Penh, where she and her husband both work in a garment factory that produces name-brand shoes and athletic wear. Srey Vin loves spending time with her baby and listening to the radio or watching music videos on YouTube. While she was pregnant, a large mass suddenly grew around Srey Vin's mandible, or jawbone. She went to a clinic near her home but was not able to receive help. The clinic suggested that Srey Vin travel two and a half hours to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), for consultation. At CSC, Srey Vin was diagnosed with a giant cell granuloma - a benign tumor that grows from bone cells. They most often occur in the front portion of the lower jaw. These tumors can grow rapidly, cause pain and destroy bone. The tumor has grown very large in Srey Vin's jaw. As a result, she experiences discomfort and difficulty eating and talking. She worries about the tumor growing even larger. Fortunately, the surgeons at CSC can help Srey Vin. On November 7th, Srey Vin will undergo surgery to remove the mass and place a bone graft from her left fibula onto her mandible. Hopefully, this procedure will decrease the pain and discomfort Srey Vin experiences and improve her ability to talk and eat. Her family needs help to fund the $726 operation. Srey Vin shared, "I hope I can remove this growth so I stop worrying all the time and can take care of my son."

Elizabeth is a child from Kenya. Elizabeth is the youngest in a family of three children. Her parents separated a few weeks after she was born, and they returned to their ancestral home to stay with their grandparents. They are now living in Gataka town, where they have rented a single-roomed house. To earn a living, her mother sells watermelons to provide for them. Elizabeth injured herself while playing, waiting for her friends to go home after school. She was not in pain at the moment and went home. When she got home, the pain intensified suddenly, and her mother had to rush her to a nearby hospital. She was in excruciating pain and could not use her right hand. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On February 13th, Elizabeth will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. She will heal properly and continue with schooling. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to fund this procedure. Elizabeth’s grandmother says, “After all we have been through, it is very painful to see Elizabeth having an injured arm. We really want her to be treated and be well.”