Tasmiya is a bright, curious five-year-old girl from India. Tasmiya's father works in the carpet industry; her mother is a homemaker. Her favourite fruit is mango, and like any child her age, she wants to run, play, and go to school with her friends. She is the second of four daughters, and her father describes her as a girl who loves to study. Her face lit up whenever school was mentioned, but her injury made it difficult for her to continue her education. About a year ago, Tasmiya was playing with a friend when she accidentally fell into hot water, causing severe scald burns. The burns covered a large area of her chest, affecting both sides, including tissue near her breasts and chest wall, as well as her right thigh. As the burns healed, they left thick, raised scarring across her chest and thigh, and most disabling of all, a scar contracture at her right elbow that has pulled the joint out of its normal position. The contracture in the right elbow has left her unable to fully extend or use her arm normally. Simple daily tasks like writing, dressing, and carrying a school bag are difficult for her right now. Tasmiya has not been able to go to school or continue her education, something her father says weighs on her, since she loves learning. As she grows, the scarring on her chest also carries the risk of restricting normal development if left untreated. Tasmiya's family learned about our medical partner, G.S. Memorial Plastic Surgery Hospital and Trauma Center, and sought treatment. On September 2nd, specialty surgeons will perform a burn contracture release surgery. This will release the contracture and help restore use of her arm, allowing her to write and carry a school bag, dress herself, and do everyday things other five-year-olds do without a second thought. Now, she needs help to fund this $1,442 procedure. Tasmiya's father shared, "I am happy that she will have her surgery done, and I am confident because my neighbour, who had severe contractures, was treated here and is fully healed. I have full faith in Tasmiya's recovery."

Bekam is an active and curious seven-year-old boy from Ethiopia. He loves playing football and riding his bicycle. Bekam is a Grade 2 student and lives with his mother in a rented house. His mother is a kindergarten teacher and a single parent. When Bekam was seven days old, his mother had taken him to clinic when a doctor diagnosed him with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. Bekam and his mother were referred to a higher-level hospital for further evaluation and treatment. At the hospital, Bekam was examined and underwent an ultrasound scan. He was then placed on a waiting list for surgery. After about a month, Bekam’s mother was referred to our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre (BKMCM). Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Bekam receive treatment. He is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on September 7th, and needs $754 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Bekam’s mother said: “Thank you so much to everyone at BethanyKids for giving my son this opportunity to receive the care he needed. I am very grateful for your support and for giving families like ours this chance. I wish Bekam good health and a bright future. I also wish peace and successful surgery for Bekam and all the children who will come after him. May God bless everyone at BethanyKids for the wonderful work you are doing.”

Rabecca is 26 years old and a mother of one from Malawi. Her husband is a cook, while she runs a small business. A year ago, Rabecca began to experience troubling symptoms, including a hoarse voice, frequent coughs, and painful swallowing. Her symptoms have gotten worse, affecting her ability to do daily tasks. She went to a hospital and was diagnosed with a goiter, the swelling of the thyroid gland. The thyroid is the gland located in front of your neck and produces thyroid hormones. These hormones are responsible for functions such as metabolism, growth, and other bodily functions. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Rabecca receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on August 19th at our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $1,015, and she and her family need help raising money. Rabecca shared, "I wish I could get better to enable me to continue doing my business in good health and concentrating on family support rather than spending on hospital visits."