Michael is 54 years old and a pedicab driver from the Philippines. He transports people and things using a bicycle with a passenger sidecar. Michael lives with his two sons. One of his sons works in construction, while the other is a housekeeper, and together they help Michael cover their household’s regular expenses. Two months ago, Michael began to experience troubling symptoms, including persistent abdominal pain. He was diagnosed with gallstones and has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, his symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), Michael is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy on February 7th. A portion of the cost of the procedure is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is raising the remaining $1,031 to cover the cost of Michael's surgery and care. Michael shared, "I cannot afford surgery, but I also couldn’t wait any longer for treatment because I need to support my family. Once the operation is finished, I look forward to getting back to normal. I can’t express how thankful I am for this opportunity."

Markon is a spirited young boy, full of life and energy from Ethiopia. He enjoys playing with his father, engaging with his surroundings, and sharing joyful moments with his brother and family. Living in a modest iron-sheet house, Markon’s family consists of his hardworking father, a daily laborer in home finishing, and his caring mother, a devoted housewife. Together, they navigate the challenges of life with their four children, three sons and a daughter. However, their lives took a difficult turn when Markon’s mother fell gravely ill, forcing the family to sacrifice their home to fund her treatment. Their financial situation became increasingly precarious, and the burden weighed heavily on his father, especially after Markon’s mother lost her eyesight due to her illness. Despite these hardships, Markon’s father persevered, striving to provide for his family’s needs as best he could. Over a year ago, Markon started to complain about discomfort around a sensitive area in his body. Concerned, his parents took him to a local health center, where he was referred to a specialized hospital. Markon was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. He needs surgery to reduce his risks of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Markon will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on February 20th and AMH is requesting $754 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Markon’s father expressed, "I hope for my child to receive the best possible care and lead a joyful life. I am deeply grateful to the staff at BKMCM and to all the generous donors who support children like my son. Helping these children is truly a blessing, and I believe that through this support, they will be empowered to flourish and thrive."

Both is a three-year-old kindergarten student from Cambodia. He lives with his parents in Kampong Cham Province and is the only child in the family. His father works as a car repairman, and his mother is a grocery seller. He enjoys reading and writing Khmer, playing with toy cars and balls, and eating fish sour soup. When he grows up, he hopes to become a doctor. For the past year, Both has been experiencing difficulty breathing, loud snoring during sleep, and difficulty eating. The condition affects his breathing, sleep, and eating. His frequent symptoms cause discomfort and may affect his overall health and daily activities. Both was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, which, if not treated, will cause his symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $345 to fund a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for Both, which is scheduled to take place on June 11th. Surgeons will remove his tonsils and adenoids, hopefully relieving Both of his symptoms and helping him live much more comfortably. Both's mother stated, “After the surgery, I hope my child will be able to breathe normally, sleep better without snoring, and eat comfortably. I hope his health and quality of life will improve.”