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.”

U Sanda is a 32-year-old monk from Burma. He has been a monk for over 15 years, and lives with other monks at a monastery. He does not earn an income, and relies on food donated at the monastery by local people. When he becomes ill, his best friend helps cover the cost of his basic medical treatment. U Sanda was born with an atrial septal defect (ASD), a condition in which a hole exists between the two upper chambers of the heart. Sometimes ASDs may close on their own during development, but sometimes this condition requires surgery to repair the hole and prevent long-term damage to the heart and lungs. U Sanda is scheduled to undergo heart surgery on September 21st at Kasemrad Prachachuen Hospital to correct his atrial septal defect, and improve his quality of life. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the cost of U Sanda's procedure and care. U Sanda said, “All of the costs of my previous investigations were covered by my best friend. If BCMF and the donors do not help me, I would choose to suffer rather than continue receiving treatment, because I know the cost is very expensive.”

Mesa is 10 years old and a Grade 4 student from Cambodia. He lives with his parents and younger brother in Kompong Spue Province. His parents run a small shop where they take photos for students and print documents. He enjoys math at school, looks after his younger brother, and plays football with friends in his village. His favorite meal is lemongrass sour soup with eggs. When Mesa was one year old, he was burned by hot water, causing an injury to his left hand. He received a skin graft to the back of his hand at a governmental hospital, followed by a release of the fourth web space about a year later. He has since developed burn scar contractures between the second, third, and fourth fingers. The scars between his fingers restrict the spaces between them and make it difficult for him to fully straighten his left-hand fingers. He sometimes struggles to hold objects, and the appearance of his hand makes him feel shy around other people. Mesa's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, and sought treatment. On September 15th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help open the tight spaces between his fingers and improve the movement of his left hand, making it easier for him to straighten his fingers and hold things. Now, he needs help to fund this $652 procedure. Mesa's father said, “I hope this surgery will help my son straighten his fingers and use his left hand more easily when holding things. I also hope that as his hand improves, he will feel less shy and more confident around other people.”