Baby Nardos is a cheerful and playful 8-month-old boy from Ethiopia. He enjoys playing with toys and spending time with other children. He lives with his parents and two older sisters. His father works as a carpenter, while his mother is a homemaker who dedicates her time to caring for the family. Baby Nardos was born with a condition called Hirschprung's disease. This is where a portion of the intestine does not have proper nerve function leaving a child with difficulty with bowel function. Doctors explained that he would need surgery but advised the family to wait until he was older and had grown enough to undergo the procedure. When Nardos was five months old, he was referred to our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids at Myungsung Christian Medical Center (BKMCM), for specialized treatment. Although the family initially felt anxious and uncertain, they were relieved to learn that Nardos could receive the care he needed. Surgeons will remove the part of the intestine that is not working properly and reconnect the healthy intestine to restore proper bowel function. Baby Nardos is scheduled to undergo this surgery on October 25th with the help of our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare. The procedure and follow-up care will cost $1,500, and Baby Nardos needs your help. Baby Nardos’s father shares, “I am very happy that my son has this opportunity to receive the medical care he needs. Access to quality healthcare is very important, and I am grateful that my son has received this opportunity at BethanyKids. Thank you so much to BethanyKids and all the staff for welcoming us, supporting us, and giving our family hope. We sincerely appreciate the care and opportunity you have given our son. God bless you all.”

Rama is a 27-year-old day laborer from Cambodia. He is married and lives in Ratanakiri Province with his wife, who is also a day laborer. They have two children; a son in Grade 1 and a three-year-old child. In his free time, Rama enjoys caring for his children and growing vegetables around his home. Two years ago, Rama was involved in a motorcycle accident in Ratanakiri, which caused a fracture of his thighbone. Following the accident, he underwent surgery at a local hospital, where doctors fixed the fracture using a metal plate and screws. A year later, he developed a fistula and had one screw removed at Children's Surgical Centre. However, the remaining hardware has brought on persistent discharging sinus, along with pain and difficulty in walking. The symptoms have also made it difficult for him to continue working as a day laborer, impacting his ability to provide for his family. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On July 1st, Rama will undergo a hardware removal procedure, which will help the wound heal properly, relieve pain, and improve his ability to walk. This will allow him to return to work and care for his family more comfortably. Rama and his family are able to contribute towards the cost of his treatment, but need help raising $303 more to fund the procedure. He said, “I am grateful to have this opportunity for treatment. I hope I can recover well, return to work, and spend time with my children without pain.”

Yoeut is a 69-year-old retired rice farmer from Cambodia. She is an widow, with two sons, three daughters and 10 grandchildren. She lives with her third daughter who is a rice farmer. In her free time, Yoeut likes to attend ceremonies at the pagoda. About three months ago, Yoeut developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her 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. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on her own. When Yoeut learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On October 14th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery, and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Yoeut is contributing to her treatment but needs to raise an additional $238 for the procedure. She says: "I hope that after surgery my eye will see better, and I won't have to worry about my condition anymore. I look forward to joining the ceremonies, recognizing my relatives, and be able to do housework."