Mdoe is a 14-year-old boy from Kenya. Shortly after his birth, Mdoe showed signs that his intestines were not working properly. He was brought to several hospitals, but was not given a clear diagnosis. Mdoe's condition worsened. He was visibly in pain, restless, and crying constantly. Mdoe's mother was determined to find help. She took him to a larger facility, where doctors explained that his intestines were intertwined and that he would need surgery. He would require a colostomy bag to help him pass stool. After a few days of monitoring, they were discharged. But only days later, complications arose, and Kinago underwent surgery at the same hospital. Life after surgery was far from easy. His mother took him for clinic checkups several times, striving to remain consistent with his care. But back at home, reality pressed in. Both parents engage in small-scale farming, stretching each harvest to provide for their eight children. Eventually, the cost of continued clinic visits became impossible to sustain. Now fourteen, Mdoe has never been able to attend school. It breaks his heart to watch children his age walk to class while he remains at home. His condition requires him to change his colostomy bag regularly, yet he has been using the same one since early childhood. Some schools refused to admit him. Over time, discouraged and burdened by school fees, his mother stopped trying. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, can help. On February 12th, Mdoe will undergo abdominal surgery that will improve Mdoe's quality of life. His family needs help raising $1,081 to fund his procedure and care. Mdoe's mother shared, “It is painful when your child asks you why he cannot go to school like other children. I see the longing in his eyes, and I wish I could take this condition away from him. I may not have wealth, but I have never stopped fighting for him, even when the journey felt too heavy for my shoulders.”

Matheo is a three-year-old preschooler from Haiti. He lives with his parents in a suburb of Port-au-Prince; his father is a police officer and his mother runs a small shop. In his free time Matheo enjoys singing. Matheo has a cardiac condition called pulmonic stenosis - one of the four valves of his heart is too narrow, and as a result blood cannot flow normally through his heart and body. If left untreated, this could lead to heart failure. Matheo will fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On May 6th, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will use a balloon on the end of a catheter to stretch the valve open to a more normal size. Another organization is contributing to pay for surgery. Matheo's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,500 to cover labs, medicines, and check-up and follow-up appointments. It also supports securing travel documents for the family and travel costs for the social workers from our medical partner, who will accompany Matheo's family overseas. Matheo's mother said, "Our family would like to say thank you to everyone who is making it possible for Matheo to be healthy!"

Htee is a 10-year-old girl from Burma. She lives with her family in a refugee camp in Mae Hong Son province, Thailand. Htee and her two siblings were born and raised in the camp. Her parents met and married there after relocating in 2006 due to conflicts between armed groups in their village. Htee’s mother is a homemaker, while her father works as a day laborer. She is currently enrolled in the camp school and is in Grade 5. Additionally, Htee's four cousins live with the family and also attend school. In her free time, Htee enjoys playing with her brother and friends. For two days, Htee has been experiencing troubling symptoms, including severe pain at right lower part of abdominal, high fever, vomiting and lethargy. She is currently admitted at Mae Sariang Hospital, where she was diagnosed with appendicitis. She needs urgent surgery to prevent her condition from getting worse. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is helping Htee receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo an appendectomy, a surgery to remove the appendix when it becomes infected, on April 20th, at Mae Sariang Hospital. This procedure will cost $1500, and Htee and her family need your support. Htee’s father said, “My daughter is an active child. She loves to go to school and never missed attendance. Now she is in severe pain, and I hope that she gets better after treatment.”