Falesi is 43 years old and a mother of six children from Malawi. She lives with four of her children. As a single mother, she works as a domestic worker, doing all she can to provide for her children and keep them in school. In January 2026, Falesi began to experience troubling symptoms, including a small lump on the right side of her neck. At first, she did not think much of it, but over time it grew larger. As it increased in size, it began to affect her daily life. She started experiencing chest pains and frequent headaches. At times, she struggled to eat and swallow properly, making even simple meals difficult. Worried about her condition, she went to the hospital, where doctors examined her. She was diagnosed with a thyroid cystic mass. The thyroid is the gland located in front of the neck and produces thyroid hormones. These hormones are responsible for functions such as metabolism, growth, and other bodily functions. Falesi needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $491 to fund Falesi's treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on April 16th at our medical partner's care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland to restore her health. Falesi said, “I believe this surgery will improve my life greatly. I want to be strong again so I can continue caring for my children. This support gives me hope that I will be well again.”

Denis is a young boy from Malawi. He is in second grade at a local primary school in Ntcheu District. He lives with his family alongside his five siblings. His mother works as a patient attendant, and his father runs a small business to support the household. For most of his life, Denis has had an inguinal hernia. Over the years, it has caused him discomfort, especially when walking long distances, sitting for long periods, or riding a bicycle. Despite this, his condition went untreated. Recently, his pain became much worse. After returning from the market on his father’s bicycle, Denis experienced severe discomfort that left him in agony. This moment pushed his parents to seek medical attention. They brought him to Nkhoma Hospital, where doctors assessed him and confirmed the condition. He was advised that surgery is needed to correct the problem and prevent further complications. He was referred to the SAFE program for financial assistance because they expressed that their financial situation did not allow them to afford surgery for Denis. Denis now waits for the chance to receive treatment so he can move freely, return to school comfortably, and enjoy life without pain. Fortunately, on April 29th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at Nkhoma Hospital, our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $421 to fund Denis's hernia repair surgery. Once completed, it will hopefully allow Denis to live more comfortably. Denis' mother said, “I want my child to be free from this pain and live like other children. Seeing him suffer made us realize we needed help. We are hoping he can receive this treatment and be well again.”

Brian is 10 years old and a student from Kenya. He is the youngest of four children. He was born with a condition known as Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy (CP), which has greatly affected his mobility. Brian cannot walk and only crawls from one place to another. This has made daily activities difficult for him and his family. After his birth, his mother was referred to a nearby hospital for specialized care. Brian underwent several physiotherapy sessions, hoping to see improvement. Unfortunately, his condition did not get better. As a widow, Brian’s mother works tirelessly, taking on casual jobs like crushing stones into ballast and selling them, to provide for her family. Despite the hardship, she has never given up on finding help for her son. Brian attends a special school within their village that supports children with different disabilities. Brian was diagnosed with clubfoot on his right foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Brian traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on February 20th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,286 to fund Brian's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk on his feet, play with other children, become more independent, and continue with his education without limitations. “When I first learned about my son’s condition, I was in great shock. I did not know what the future would look like for him,” Brian’s mother recalls softly. She added, I hope to see my son receive treatment, walk on his own, play and interact freely with other children, and continue with his education without any challenges.”