Ayami is a 67-year-old father of eight children from Malawi. Four of his children are casual workers, while the rest are school-going. Ayami is a carpenter; however, due to his worsening condition, he has been unable to engage in work, leading to a significant reduction in his daily income. For three years, Ayami has had bilateral inguinal hernia, a condition that occurs when abdominal tissue protrudes through a weak spot in the lower abdominal muscles, causing a bulge in the groin area. At first, the condition was characterized by small intermittent swellings. Over time, however, the frequency of these swelling episodes increased and were accompanied by pain. About five months ago, Ayami sought medical attention and was scheduled for surgical repair. However, his scheduled date of surgery kept changing due to the workload at the public hospital, and Ayami was advised to seek care at our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center (PIH). Upon review at PIH, his diagnosis was confirmed and surgery was recommended. Ayami firmly believes that surgical intervention will restore his health, comfort, and dignity. He hopes that successful surgery will allow him to live the remaining years of his life in peace and good health alongside his children and grandchildren. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Ayami receive treatment. On May 6th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery, allowing him to live a healthier life. Ayami is able to contribute towards the cost of his treatment, but need help raising $667 to fund the surgery. He says: "I can't wait to be better after surgery. I have hope that your support will change my life, and help me to concentrate on my work so I can continue supporting my family."

Kena is eight-year-old energetic boy from Ethiopia. Kena is in the second grade and lives with his parents and his sister, but lately, his presence at school has been missed due to recurring bouts of tonsillitis. This chronic condition has temporarily sidelined him, pausing both his education and playtime. Two years ago, Kena began experiencing snoring, fever and recurring sore throats. This creates a difficult cycle of sick days that keeps him out of class and fun, active games he should be playing with his sister. He also experiences high fevers that keep coming back and a sharp, burning pain whenever he tries to swallow. This makes eating and drinking a daily struggle, often leaving him feeling completely exhausted and without energy. Kena was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils, which, if not treated, will cause his symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Thankfully, our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital can help. They are requesting $700 to fund a tonsillectomy for Kena, which is scheduled to take place on March 4th. Surgeons will remove his tonsils, hopefully relieving Kena of his symptoms and helping him live more comfortably. Kena says "I am so excited for the opportunity to get back to school and play with my friends. I really miss eating the snacks I love! Because of my tonsils, swallowing feels like a sharp fire, which makes eating feel like hard work. I know my mom and dad are worried, and I think the best part for them will be seeing me smile and run around with all my energy again."

Joshua is a 12-year-old boy from Tanzania. He lives with his parents, who are livestock keepers, and is one of five children in the family. Joshua is currently in middle school and is described as a bright and responsible child. He enjoys completing his homework and helping care for animals after school. Joshua dreams of becoming a politician when he grows up. For the last three years, Joshua has experienced limited hand movement, making tasks such as writing, feeding himself, and helping with household chores difficult. His doctors recommend an amputation of Joshua's left hand, which has a burn scar with contractures involving multiple fingers. This will prevent his symptoms from getting worse as he grows. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,088 to fund Joshua's surgery on February 17th. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully help improve his health and quality of life. After recovering, Joshua is looking forward to improved hand function that will enable him to regain independence in daily activities and continue developing his leadership potential without physical barriers. Joshua's father says, “He cannot grip objects well because some fingers are damaged and tight from the scar.”