Hawi is a young student from Ethiopia. At 17 years old, this 9th-grade student is at a very important time in her school life. She works hard at her studies while also taking care of her two younger siblings and helping with chores at home. Because she grew up in a hardworking farming family, she knows how important it is to be strong and active. However, a painful bump on her right hand is now making it very difficult for her to get her work done and keep up with her daily tasks. About a year ago, Hawi started feeling pain in her right hand that made simple movements difficult. Since then, the pain has grown much worse, making it nearly impossible for her to move her hand easily. She feels a constant pressure blocking her movement Hawi traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On March 19th, surgeons will perform an excisional biopsy to remove the mass. Now, Hawi needs help to raise $750 to fund this procedure. Hawi said, "I look forward to being able to write and do my chores without pain and discomfort."

Chu is a 44-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her sister and niece in Mae Sot District, Tak Province, Thailand. She left her home in Yangon Region, Burma, to escape violence after a military coup in 2021. Chu and her sister work at a church in Mae Sot, where they cook and clean for daily events and handle behind-the-scenes tasks for weddings, funerals, and parties. They rely on donations from the church and have no formal salary. The income she receives is enough to cover basic expenses for the family, including food and healthcare. In her free time, she loves to cook and bake desserts. After surgery, she wants to continue to make snacks and potentially start a business selling them on her own. Since 2023, Chu has been experiencing troubling symptoms, including right lower back pain and right lower abdomen pain. The pain worsens when Chu stands or sits for long periods of time. Her symptoms are exacerbated at work, but she continues her duties, taking oral painkillers to manage the pain. Doctors plan to perform a ureteroscopy, a procedure used to diagnose and treat kidney stones or ureteral blockages by passing a small, fiberoptic scope through the urethra and bladder into the ureter. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 for this procedure. The treatment is scheduled to take place on April 10th. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully alleviate her symptoms. Chu said, "I had nowhere else to look for money. After your organisation agreed to help me, I felt relieved. I have fled from my home and left my family to come here. However, I feel warm and supported by my church with basic needs. Thank you for helping me.”

Darlene is a three-month-old baby girl from Bolivia, who lives with her parents and one older brother. Her mom works as an entertainer at children's birthday parties, while her dad is a day laborer. When she was born, Darlene's mother noticed that she had difficulty breastfeeding and took her to the pediatrician, who discovered a heart problem. Darlene has a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus; a hole exists between two blood vessels next to her heart. This condition prevents Darlene's blood from circulating properly, causing her weakness and leaving her at risk of heart failure if the condition goes untreated. On February 11th, Darlene will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, surgeons will sew the hole closed so that blood can no longer leak through it. Darlene's family needs help to fund the costs of her cardiac care and surgery. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, requests $1,500 to cover the cost of her exams and diagnostics, surgical costs, follow-up care, and medications. Darlene's mother says: "I'm grateful for all your help. I want to help children in the future as you helped mine."