Amriya is a seven-year-old girl from Ethiopia. Being the youngest of five children, this young student grew up in a lively home, surrounded by her three older brothers and her sister. With her mother managing the household and her father working as a driver, she was raised in a busy, loving environment. Since she was just one year old, Amriya has suffered from chronic tonsillitis. This persistent health struggle has become a major roadblock to her early education. Because the illness brings frequent, painful episodes, she often misses precious days in the classroom. When she is in school, the lingering discomfort makes it incredibly hard for her to concentrate on her lessons. Just as she should be building her academic foundation, she is forced to fight this constant, exhausting battle with her health. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $700 to fund a tonsillectomy for Amriya, which is scheduled to take place on May 23rd. Surgeons will remove her tonsils, hopefully relieving Amriya of her symptoms and helping her live more comfortably. Amriya's parents shared, "Our greatest hope is for our youngest daughter to finally enjoy a healthy, normal childhood where she can focus on learning without the constant shadow of illness holding her back."

Muluwerk is a 28-year-old woman from Ethiopia. She and her husband have three young children—two sons and a daughter. Muluwerk has been facing a quiet, painful battle with a bone infection known as osteomyelitis. As a young mother caring for her children and home, she spends her days taking on physically demanding tasks. Muluwerk experiences pain, swelling, and other worrisome symptoms, making each day a showcase of her resilience. Muluwerk visited our medical partner's care center, Saglan Wajee General Hospital (SWGH), for help. After review, her doctors have recommended that she undergo a sequestrectomy, a surgical procedure involving the removal of fragments of infected, dead bone or tissue. If not treated, her condition can lead to recurrent infections that may result in life-threatening complications. Fortunately, on April 8th, Muluwerk will undergo repair surgery at SWGH's care center. Once completed, this procedure will alleviate her symptoms and prevent serious long-term complications. SWGH is requesting $900 to fund her procedure. Muluwerk said, "I am hoping to end this four-year cycle of suffering once and for all. By getting my mobility back, I can finally put all my energy into building a bright future for my family, free from the shadow of this recurring illness."

Martha is 46 years old and a mother of four from Ethiopia. Martha and her family are refugees who have been granted asylum by the Government of Kenya. Martha’s husband recounts how he narrowly escaped death and walked long distances to reach the border. Although he holds a master’s degree, securing formal employment has been extremely difficult. Currently, he earns a living through small-scale hawking within the neighborhood, while Martha works informally as a cook at a roadside kiosk. Six years ago, Martha began to experience troubling symptoms, including a small swelling on her neck that gradually continued to grow. Initially, it was painless, but over time she began experiencing headaches, eye pain, and sensations such as a rapid heartbeat. She sought medical care at a hospital, where tests were conducted, but she was informed that the results were inconclusive. She was diagnosed with multinodular goiter. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Martha receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on February 24th. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $633, and she and her family need help raising money. “We are refugees with no family members who can support us. We are praying for help so that I can undergo surgery, return to my normal life, and continue supporting my family,” said Martha.