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."

La Min is a 21-year-old young woman from Burma. She lives with her aunt in Bangkok, Thailand. She moved to Bangkok from her village in Karen State, Burma, in 2023 in search of better job opportunities. She worked as a waitress, but had to stop because of her health. La Min has a heart condition that requires replacement of two heart valves -the aortic and mitral valves - and repair of the tricuspid valve. These valves control the blood flow between the chambers of the heart and are necessary to prevent long-term damage to the heart and lungs. Currently, La Min experiences fatigue and a rapid heartbeat while walking even short distances, poor appetite, and chest pain. Even though she has lived with her condition almost all her life, she still experiences anxiety and stress during her episodes. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 for this complex surgery. The treatment is scheduled to take place on April 10th and, once completed, will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably and have a more active and healthy life ahead. In the future, La Min hopes to continue to work in Bangkok and save enough money to return to her village in Burma. There she dreams of opening a restaurant and selling Thai food. She said, “When I lie down at night, I hear my rapid heartbeat and have trouble falling asleep. When I am very tired and experience heart palpitations, I worry that my heartbeat will stop suddenly. I want to know what the world is like without my heart disease.”

Gezu is a 20-year-old man from Ethiopia and a determined ninth-grade student. He works hard to balance his education with the work needed to support his family, including his four brothers and three sisters. Six months ago, he suffered a severe electrical burn to his left palm while trying to fix an electrical issue. Although he received immediate care at a nearby clinic, the treatment was not sufficient to ensure a full recovery. Due to severe scarring, his palm is locked into a claw-like shape, making it impossible to hold the tools needed for farming. This injury has left him frustrated and physically weak compared to his siblings. Between the demands of work and the trauma of the accident, he has fallen behind in his studies and lost his self-esteem. When Gezu learned about our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, he traveled for four hours to seek treatment. On February 18th, surgeons will perform a burn contracture release surgery, this will allow him to use his hand for planting and return to his education. He is determined to succeed in his classes and work alongside the other staff members in the fields once again. Now, he needs help to fund this $500 procedure. Gezu said, "I believe this surgery will give me back the life I was building. More than anything, I want to work the land alongside my family again. I don't want to just watch anymore—I want to use my own hands to do the work that used to come so naturally to me."