Jonathan and his mother are refugees from Southern Sudan. He is the 1st born in a family of three children. He is a special needs child after being diagnosed with autism when he was young. His mother says he developed jaundice as a neonate, which was not well controlled, which she believes led to brain damage. Hence, she cannot work because Jonathan requires constant support. It takes the help of relatives and friends to help her make ends meet. Since 2021, Jonathan has been experiencing frequent adenoid infections, accompanied by difficulty sleeping, breathing, as well as pain, making him cry a lot. He has been treated many times with not much change. They were introduced to our partner's care centre, Nazareth Hospital, by one of the doctors from South Sudan. After consultation, the surgeon advised to have an adenoidectomy, but the family is not able to raise the fee required. If not treated, Jonathan will have more problems. Our medical partner African Mission Healthcare is requesting help raising the $565 to fund the surgery planned January 28th. Jonathon's mother shared: “It is not easy to bring up or care for a child with autism, but at least I try my best. It is worse when he has a painful or disturbing condition like this. I kindly seek help so that he may be treated and at least I can have one less problem to deal with. I would appreciate it.”

Joseanne is an eight-month-old infant that lives with her parents and four older siblings in Bolivia. Joseanne's father is a day-laborer and her mother is a homemaker. As a young baby, Joseanne struggled to breathe and gain weight. When she was taken to hospital, doctors soon diagnosed her with multiple heart defects; a hole between the two upper chambers, a hole between the two lower chambers, and a hole between two major blood vessels. In addition, Joseanne was diagnosed with Down syndrome, a condition in which a person has an extra chromosome, causing developmental and intellectual delays. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is helping Joseanne receive treatment. On March 20th, she will undergo a congenital cardiac surgery so that blood can flow normally through her heart and body. Now, Joseanne's family needs help to fund this $1,500 procedure. Joseanne's mother says: "Our family has been very worried about our daughter's health, and we are hopeful that after this surgery she can finally gain strength!"

10 year old Nicholas lives with his parents and two younger siblings in Kenya. His parents are farmers, who produce small cash crops of vegetables, maize and beans, which provide income for the family. In December, Nicholas fell out of a neighbor's mango tree, sustaining injuries to both of his hands and arms, and to his left thigh. X-rays showed that both of his arms were fractured, and the doctors also found an open wound on his thigh where the bone protruded through the skin. After undergoing numerous procedures, and infections that required multiple treatments, Nicholas, who is currently bedridden and in pain, is finally ready to have his fractured femur surgically repaired. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,145 to fund Nicholas' surgery, which is scheduled to take place on January 15th, at AIC Kapsowar Hospital. After he has recovered, Nicholas will be able to walk again without pain. Nicholas' mother says: “My son has been unwell for quite a while. I hope he gets well and will be able to go back to school after treatment.”