Rachel is an active and social 12-year-old girl from Kenya. Despite her challenges, she remains hopeful and optimistic about her future. Rachel is currently in Grade 7, but has paused her studies due to her medical condition. Two days after Rachel was born, her mother noticed that Rachel's head was enlarging and that her eyes appeared sunken. Rachel was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. Rachel underwent shunt insertion surgery to drain the excess fluid, but the shunt failed within days. Rachel and her mother then journeyed 130 kilometers to our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital. There, Rachel underwent a successful shunt revision surgery, and her mother’s joy was beyond words. They returned home, and life improved significantly. Unfortunately, hydrocephalus shunts can become blocked over time, making revision surgeries necessary. Rachel has had two more surgeries at three and seven years of age. She now requires another shunt revision surgery, so that she can resume her daily activities like other children her age. Without surgery, Rachel will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $719 to cover the cost of surgery for Rachel that will treat her hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on February 13th and will drain the excess fluid from Rachel's brain. Rachel shares, "I am in pain, I haven't been able to go to school. I want to get better so that I can continue learning. I look forward to leaving the hospital feeling better so that I can go home, play with my siblings, and attend school."

Pheareak is a 33-year-old soldier living in Preah Vihear Province, Cambodia. He lives with his wife, who works in a garment factory, and their son, who is a kindergarten student. In his free time, he enjoys playing volleyball with friends in the village. About six months ago, Pheareak had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the eardrum, in his right ear to perforate. For this reason, Pheareak experiences ringing in his ear, hearing loss, and ear pain. He experiences difficulty hearing, which affects daily communication and quality of life. The ear pain also causes discomfort, especially in cold weather. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is helping Pheareak receive treatment. On April 2nd, he will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in his right ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Pheareak can contribute $100, but needs help raising $263 more to fund his procedure and care. Pheareak said, “After the surgery, I hope that the ringing in my right ear and hearing loss will improve, the pain in my ear will go away, and I will be able to hear normally again.”

Moe is a 15-year-old boy from Burma. He lives with his parents, sister, and two brothers. His father works as a day labourer, while his mother is a homemaker who sometimes takes on laundry jobs to help support the family. Moe completed grade three but had to stop his education in 2024 because of his health. He was diagnosed with a heart condition that requires valve replacement. Heart valves control the flow of blood between chambers, but certain conditions may narrow the heart valve or cause the blood to flow backwards. Normal valve function is necessary to prevent long-term damage to the heart and lungs. Currently, Moe experiences fatigue, loss of appetite, dizziness, and sometimes feels uncomfortable while sleeping at night due to squeezing and radiating pain around his chest and back. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a heart valve replacement for Moe. The treatment is scheduled to take place on July 17th at our medical partner's care center, Kasemrad Prachachuen Hospital, and once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. Moe's mother shared, "Thank you to the donors and the organisation for supporting my son’s surgery. We are very grateful. As day labourers, we do not have enough money. I am not healthy enough, and while doing laundry to earn extra income, I feel exhausted. Without your support, we would face unbearable financial burdens and could not afford the surgery. Thank you very much for your help.”