Kila is a sweet 19-month-old boy from Ethiopia. He already loves to play football with his dad and mom. His mom and dad went to school up to grade three and dropped out since the schools were far from their neighbourhood. They now work as casual labourers at a construction site; his mom carries Kila to work and works with him tied on her back. They earn $1.76 per day and live in a rented house. They work hard, but their income is hardly enough to sustain the family and to raise their child. They support each other in the housework too. Dad buys water and carries it on his back for their daily use. They buy charcoal to cook their food. Since birth, Kila has had an inguinal hernia. His parents took him to a health centre, but they were referred to a hospital in another city. A month ago, they heard of an organization around their area that helps families in need who don't have access to surgery because of a lack of funds to support their treatment. They went to the mission organization and communicated with the sisters about the condition of the child and their financial status. The sisters called our local partner's care center Bethany KidsMCM and informed them of Kila's condition. BKMCM arranged accommodation for his family on their treatment stay in Addis Ababa, working in partnership with Missionaries of Charity, and assigned a date and informed the sisters to bring the family on that date. The family is unable to afford Kila's surgery and is requesting financial assistance. This hernia causes him weakness and pain that prevents him from walking. Fortunately, on December 12th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $512 to fund Kila's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live and grow more comfortably and confidently. Kila's dad said, “This is in the hands of God, but I hope with this surgery, the bulge will disappear and he will get normal and free of any complication.”

Samoeun is a widow and retired rice farmer from Kampong Cham province. Currently, she lives with her only son and his family, who now manage the family farm. She likes cleaning the house, taking care of her grandchildren, and listening to the monks pray on the radio. For approximately 30 years, Samoeun has had a lesion on her skull. About five years ago, she had a lesion on her back that was removed, but no biopsy was done. Her current lesion is circular, approximately a 4 cm. x 4 cm. lesion. Because it is on her skull, she can only feel it and does not know for sure if it has grown recently. It does not cause her pain, but it is itchy and she is concerned. Fortunately, a relative told her about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, and the good care given for Cambodians. Samoeun traveled three hours with her son for a diagnosis and surgical excision. On February 13th, surgeons will perform a complex excision of the skull lesion. With concerns looming over the possibility of basal cell carcinoma, they plan to remove as much as feasible, ensuring Samoeun's well-being and peace of mind. The cost of this procedure is $726, which will cover surgical care, recovery in the hospital, medications, and histology analysis of the lesion. Samoeun shared: "I am worried about the results, but hope I have no pain or infection and can take care of myself well, and enjoy my retirement with my family."

Jim is a 21-year-old student from Uganda, confident, outspoken, and sociable. His father is a businessman, and his mother is a farmer. Jim is the second born in a family of four children, with two brothers and one sister currently studying. He is on school break from Senior six and hopes for the best exam results. He previously attended a local college, where he studied math, economics, and entrepreneurship with hopes of becoming an accountant. However, he is concerned about his parents' ability to afford university fees. In his free time, Jim enjoys playing football. Jim presented with a swelling at the back of his neck, which he has had for four years. This swelling causes paralysis of the neck and discomfort and prevents him from turning his neck sideways. It has significantly impacted his quality of life, causing him to no longer enjoy life as he should. Jim had never seen a doctor, but when the symptoms became severe, he sought medical attention. Jim traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On February 8th, surgeons will remove the mass. Now, Jim needs help to raise $188 to fund this procedure. Jim says, “This swelling was never painful, but from the moment it started it feels very serious, and this makes me worried. I hope to get support and undergo my surgery. This will help me regain my future so as to continue studying in good health.”