John is an 11-year-old quiet boy from Meru County in Kenya. John's story is a journey of compassion and the unwavering support of a dedicated well-wisher. His origin is drawn back to Tanzania, where he was disowned by his birth parents due to a congenital disorder on his feet. His present guardian adopted him, offering not just a home but a sense of belonging. John has clubfoot, a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. Both his feet are affected. The condition causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. John was diagnosed during a mobile clinic held by our medical partner's care center AIC Cure International Hospital. He underwent a successful surgery on his left foot, which is now healed. He is currently in the hospital to undergo reconstruction of his right foot. He has in the meantime been undergoing serial casting to adjust the position of his foot to achieve the desired correction. Fortunately, our medical partner African Mission Healthcare, is helping John receive treatment. On March 21st, surgeons at AIC Cure International Hospital will perform clubfoot repair surgery to improve his mobility. John aspires to go back to school and study hard so that he can be a doctor someday. Now, John's family needs help to fund this $1,286 procedure. John shared, “I am looking forward to seeing my foot corrected, to walking properly, playing football with my friends, continue with my studies like other children and achieving my dream of becoming a doctor in future so that I can impact the lives of children born with clubfoot and other physical conditions."

Savan is a 69-year-old retired rice farmer. He lives in Prey Veang near the border of Cambodia and Vietnam with his family. He and his wife have three sons, four daughters, and twelve grandchildren. His youngest daughter still lives at home and helps support the family by working at a local construction company. At home, Savan and his wife like taking walks, spending time with family, caring for his chickens, and watching the news. About three months ago, Savan developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, so it is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. He has been having difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about potential falls while walking, which has made him reluctant to venture out independently. When Savan learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On April 1st, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, Savan needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Savan shared, "I hope after surgery my eye can see better so I can easily go out in the village on my own and help take my grandkids to school."

Kyu is a 43-year-old teacher from Burma. She lives with her mother, husband, and two sons in Yangon Division, Burma. Kyu’s mother is retired, and her two sons are students. Kyu’s husband works as a motorcycle taxi driver. Kyu is a high school teacher who conducts classes from her home. Their combined monthly income is sufficient to cover their basic living expenses but they are not able to save money. When they have health issues, they rely on a nearby clinic for medical attention. In her free time, she enjoys reading books and she'd like to be able to continue teaching her students at home once she feels better. Kyu 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. Kyu is scheduled to undergo heart surgery on February 4th to correct the atrial septal defect and improve her quality of life. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to support the cost of Kyu's procedure and care. Kyu said “Since my heart condition worsened, I couldn’t teach my students due to my fatigue. Now I felt very happy when I learned that the BCMF organisation would support my surgery. Without the help of these donors, I couldn’t afford the treatment. I would like to be thankful to all donors and BCMF for supporting my surgery.”