Bisrat is a two-year-old boy from Ethiopia. He has a wonderful mother who stays by his side to take care of him, and a hardworking father who works as a driver to support everyone. He also has three older sisters who love him very much. One year ago, Bisrat started to experience snoring, difficulty breathing, and loss of appetite. This ongoing sickness is deeply worrying for his parents. They are trying their best to manage a large household while giving their son the constant, day-and-night care he needs. Bisrat was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils, which, if not treated, will cause his symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Because he is sick so often, Bisrat cannot run around, play, or grow the way a healthy two-year-old usually does. Instead of enjoying his childhood, he spends much of his time feeling unwell and in pain. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $700 to fund a tonsillectomy for Bisrat, which is scheduled to take place on July 19th. Surgeons will remove his tonsils, hopefully relieving Bisrat of his symptoms and helping him live more comfortably. Bisrat's parents shared, "We hope to give our son the physical freedom to thrive, explore, and enjoy his early childhood with all the energy and life he deserves."

Kenawaka is a playful and cheerful 15-month-old boy from Ethiopia, who enjoys spending time with his older sister. He lives with his parents and sister in a rented home. His father works as an accountant to support the family, while his mother is a homemaker. Kenawaka's mother first noticed that something was different when she took Kenawaka to the hospital for circumcision. After examining him, the doctor told them that he would need specialized assessment and treatment, and referred them to a public referral hospital in the capital city. Following the referral, Kenawaka's parents waited another year due to a long surgical wait list. Though they were increasingly anxious, they could not afford care in a private facility so they continued hoping that they would be attended to soon. Recently, the referral hospital informed Kenawaka's parents to bring him to our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre (BKMCM). Kenawaka was diagnosed with hypospadias, a condition that causes urinary dysfunction. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and will be at risk of future complications. Fortunately, Kenawaka is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on September 25th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,293 to cover the cost of his procedure and care. Kenawaka's father said, “Thank you so much to everyone at BethanyKids. We are truly grateful to all the staff for their kindness and care. Everyone has treated us with so much respect and made us feel comfortable throughout this journey. We are very happy and thankful for the support Kenawaka has received. We love our son so much, and our greatest wish is to see him healthy and happy after his surgery.”

Feyisa is a 74-year-old farmer from Ethiopia who has spent his whole life working the land with his wife, who farms alongside him. Together they raised three children, one son and two daughters. His children are grown now and have built their lives elsewhere, but he remains close to his family and shares his home with his wife and his grandson. One year ago, doctors found cataracts in both of his eyes. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, blurring vision. At the time, his eyes were not ready for surgery, so he had to wait. Through those long months, his sight kept fading. He can no longer judge distances or see clearly where he is going. Walking around his own home has become risky, and he can barely make out the faces of the people he loves. He depends on his wife and his grandson to guide him through each day and care for him. Fortunately, Feyisa is scheduled to undergo cataract surgery on October 28th. Surgeons will remove and replace the blurred lens in both eyes. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is asking for help to raise $300 to fund this procedure. Feyisa's wife shared, "After a long year of waiting in the blur, we look forward to the day he sees clearly again, moves around safely, and lives on his own terms."