Ebenezer is a seven-month-old baby boy from Burundi. As his mother shared the journey that brought them to the hospital, little Ebenezer slept peacefully on her back, calm and unaware of everything happening around him. Ebenezer is the firstborn child in his family. According to his mother, the first days and weeks of motherhood have been far from what she had hoped. She has spent nights awake beside him, facing hospital stays, uncertainty, and the constant fear that his condition could become more serious. She and Ebenezer's father have remained hopeful despite their son's health challenges. The couple work as small-scale farmers to support their family. Soon after his birth, Ebenezer began to experience troubling symptoms, including an inability to pass stool, and his abdomen began to swell. His mother became deeply worried. She took him to a hospital where he was admitted and received treatment, but despite the efforts of the medical team, his condition did not improve. Eventually, the family was referred to our medical partner's care center, Kibuye Hope Hospital, for specialized care. Ebenezer has been diagnosed with Hirschpung disease, a congenital condition where a baby is born missing specific nerve cells in parts of the large intestine, leading to severe bowel blockages. Physicians recommend a laparotomy, which is a surgery that opens up the abdominal cavity to treat his condition. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $467 to fund Ebenezer's surgery. On September 22nd, he will undergo a laparotomy procedure at Kibuye Hope Hospital, allowing him a healthier life. Ebenezer’s mother shared, "Thank you to everyone who has supported us. We could never afford this treatment on our own, and our child needs care before his condition becomes more serious. May God bless everyone helping us and give us the chance to smile again with a healthy child."

Surafel is a 14-year-old boy from Ethiopia. He loves playing football and dreams of becoming a professional football player. He also enjoys learning mathematics and spending time with his younger brother. His mother earns a living by selling vegetables on the street, while his father works as a daily laborer. Surafel was born with hypospadias, a condition in which the opening of the urethra is positioned differently. His mother noticed the condition soon after his birth and sought medical advice. She was told that it could be corrected when he was older. As Surafel grew, however, his mother became increasingly concerned. She visited several hospitals and was advised that he needed surgery, but they could not afford it. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and will be at risk of future complications. Fortunately, Surafel's mother learned about our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre. He is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on September 8th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,293 to cover the cost of his procedure and care. Surafel’s mother said, “Thank you so much for the support you have given us and for your kindness. After many years of worry and uncertainty, I am grateful that my child has this opportunity. I sincerely hope and pray that his surgery will be successful and that he will have a better future.”

Por is a 68-year-old grandmother from Cambodia. She is married and lives with her husband and her fourth child, who works in a factory. She has seven children, all of whom are married and live in nearby provinces. In her free time, she enjoys planting vegetables around her home. One year ago, Por had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the eardrum, in her left ear to perforate. For this reason, Por experiences pain, hearing loss, and ringing sounds (tinnitus) in both ears. Her hearing difficulties make communication with her family more challenging and can make it harder for her to fully participate in conversations and daily activities. The ongoing ear problems have also affected her comfort and quality of life. Por traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On September 2nd, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in her left ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $363 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Por said, “I hope the surgery will help repair my left ear and control the infection so I can hear more clearly and communicate more easily with my family. I want to continue farming and doing my daily activities without being limited by my hearing problems.”