Ebenezer is a seven-month-old baby boy from Burundi. As his mother shared the journey that brought them to the hospital, little Ebenezer slept peacefully on her back, calm and unaware of everything happening around him. Ebenezer is the firstborn child in his family. According to his mother, the first days and weeks of motherhood have been far from what she had hoped. She has spent nights awake beside him, facing hospital stays, uncertainty, and the constant fear that his condition could become more serious. She and Ebenezer's father have remained hopeful despite their son's health challenges. The couple work as small-scale farmers to support their family. Soon after his birth, Ebenezer began to experience troubling symptoms, including an inability to pass stool, and his abdomen began to swell. His mother became deeply worried. She took him to a hospital where he was admitted and received treatment, but despite the efforts of the medical team, his condition did not improve. Eventually, the family was referred to our medical partner's care center, Kibuye Hope Hospital, for specialized care. Ebenezer has been diagnosed with Hirschpung disease, a congenital condition where a baby is born missing specific nerve cells in parts of the large intestine, leading to severe bowel blockages. Physicians recommend a laparotomy, which is a surgery that opens up the abdominal cavity to treat his condition. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $467 to fund Ebenezer's surgery. On September 22nd, he will undergo a laparotomy procedure at Kibuye Hope Hospital, allowing him a healthier life. Ebenezer’s mother shared, "Thank you to everyone who has supported us. We could never afford this treatment on our own, and our child needs care before his condition becomes more serious. May God bless everyone helping us and give us the chance to smile again with a healthy child."

Felix is a 30-year-old farmer from Malawi. He is married with one child, and enjoys playing soccer during his free time. Felix values an active life, but for the past seven months, persistent abdominal pain has made it difficult for him to enjoy the life he once knew. Early this year, Felix started experiencing a twisting pain, and burning sensation in his abdomen several times throughout the day. Seeking relief, he visited several clinics, but none provided a lasting solution. After an assessment at a district hospital, he was advised to seek specialized care at a facility that offers surgical services. Recently, Felix made the two-hour journey to Nkhoma Mission Hospital. At the hospital, he was diagnosed with an umbilical hernia, which is a tissue bulge in the belly button area, that occurs due to a weak spot in the abdominal wall. Felix was informed that he needed surgery, but the cost exceeded what he could afford. Having already spent a significant amount on seeking treatment and transportation, and with limited resources and a family depending on him, he is now seeking support to undergo the surgery. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Felix receive treatment. On September 22nd, he is scheduled to undergo hernia repair surgery to recover from the painful symptoms, allowing him to return to work, care for his family and go back to his everyday life. Now, Felix needs help to fund this $421 procedure. He says, “I am hoping that after the surgery, I will be free from this pain and able to return to my farm. I want to work hard for my wife and child, provide for my family, and enjoy playing soccer with my friends again. I pray that with this treatment, I can regain my strength and continue building a better future for my family.”

No is a 62-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He is married and has four daughters, one son, and six grandchildren. His wife stays home to care for their household while No is farming. When he has free time, he enjoys watching the news on his phone. About two years ago, No developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him to experience 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. No has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so he cannot go places on his own. When No learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On October 22nd, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, No will be able to see clearly. CSC is requesting $263 to fund his procedure. No shared: "I hope, after surgery, my eye can see better so I can go back to growing rice and plant some vegetables around my home."