Jana is a four-year-old young girl from El Bagre, Colombia. She is an active, cheerful preschooler who loves spending time with her family and enjoys music and dancing. Even at a young age, Jana shows a caring heart and dreams of becoming a doctor one day so she can help people, or animals, in need. Unfortunately, Jana has developed severe dental caries and infections. Because of her young age, she requires extensive dental treatment under general anesthesia to safely address the problem. At times, Jana feels sad because other children tease her about her teeth, and she hopes her teeth can be fixed. Our medical partner, Clinica Noel, is requesting $868 to fund treatment for her infection and severe tooth decay under general anesthesia on March 20th. Doctors hope this care will allow Jana to grow up healthy, free from pain, and able to smile with confidence. Jana's mother shares, "To anyone who wants to do their bit to help my daughter, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. We are a low-income family; I am a single mother, I do odd jobs, and unfortunately, I do not have the financial means to cover the treatment she needs, as it is very expensive. God bless every person who can help make this surgery possible. My daughter dreams of the day when she can smile without fear or pain. She always tells me, 'Mom, when I have my pretty teeth, I'm going to laugh all the time, and they won't hurt anymore.' That is her greatest wish, and hopefully we will see it come true very soon. May God reward you for your support, solidarity, and prayers."

Lekiberu is a four-year-old boy from Ethiopia. He is active, sociable, and loves being around people. He enjoys watching other children, learning spelling, and playing with his sister. He is very attached to people and loves spending time with others. Lekiberu lives with his parents, aunt, and sister in a rented house. His mother sells vegetables to support the family, while his father works as a daily laborer in construction. Lekiberu was born prematurely at seven months because his mother was seriously ill during pregnancy due to a blood-related condition. When Lekiberu turned four years old, he started losing his appetite. His mother first visited a pharmacy, where the pharmacist advised her to take him to a private hospital. At the hospital, the doctor examined Lekiberu, explained his condition, and prescribed supplements. His family became anxious, frustrated, and heartbroken because they could not afford surgery at a private hospital. After returning home, Lekiberu’s mother asked relatives for advice about his condition. They suggested taking him to our facility, BethanyKids. At first, she could not believe the service was real because of their difficult financial situation. However, they later visited, where Lekiberu was examined, and his condition was confirmed. Lekiberu was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remain undescended. If left untreated, Lekiberu has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. The medical team also discovered that he had low iron levels and was underweight, so his surgery was postponed for two months while he received treatment and nutritional support. Now, Lekiberu’s hemoglobin and iron levels are in good condition, and his health has improved. His mother shared, “My spirit also became better and relieved after coming to BethanyKids.” Lekiberu will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on May 29th. AMH is requesting $754 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Lekiberu’s mother expressed her gratitude, saying, “I have no words to express my feelings. People may not understand the situation we went through, but God knows everything. God bless you all, and glory to God. I know you sacrificed so much for Lekiberu, and I thank God for using you to support and help our family.”

Sok Chea is a 50-year-old construction worker from Prey Veng province. He is married and has two daughters and one son. His wife is also a construction worker, and his children are students. After a day of working, Sok Chea likes to tend to his vegetables around his house. About five months ago, Sok Chea developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, so it is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so he is not able to go places on his own. When Sok Chea learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On June 9th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. He can contribute $25, but needs help raising $238 more to fund his procedure and care. Sok Chea said, "I hope after surgery, my eye can see well again. I can go back to work well, and I can support my children's studies."