Melau is an eight-year-old girl from Tanzania. She is the fifth child in a large family, and her parents depend on livestock and farming for income. Access to specialized care has been limited due to distance and cost. When she was younger, Melau accidentally got burned by hot milk. She now has a severe burn scar affecting her right wrist and hand. The injury led to deep burns and later severe tightening of the scar, leaving her wrist stiff and her hand function reduced. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Melau receive treatment. On February 17th, surgeons at their care center will perform contracture release surgery and a skin graft to give her a chance for improved independence and daily function. Now, she needs help to fund this $832 procedure. Melau's father says, “Her wrist is very tight and painful, and she cannot use her hand normally for playing or helping at home.”

Ann is a bright 12-year-old girl from Kenya. She is the firstborn in a family of six children and is a fourth-grade student. She dreams of becoming a doctor so that she can one day support vulnerable children in her community who often struggle to access healthcare services. Her father is a small-scale farmer who works hard to support his family. Ann has clubfoot in both feet, a condition that has significantly affected her mobility. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. She is unable to stand upright or walk long distances. Living in a hilly and rocky area has made everyday activities, including attending school, extremely challenging. To ensure that she does not miss classes, her father has often had to pay for motorcycle transport to take her to and from school despite the financial burden and the long distances involved. Ann experiences teasing from some of her peers, which has affected her confidence and social interactions. Ann is currently receiving treatment at our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital, and is scheduled to undergo serial casting followed by corrective surgery to address her condition. This treatment is expected to improve her mobility, restore her confidence, and allow her to walk, learn, and thrive like other children her age. On June 10th, Ann will undergo clubfoot repair surgery, and our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,286 to fund Ann's treatment and care. After her recovery, she will be one step closer to achieving her dream of becoming a doctor and making a difference in the lives of children facing challenges similar to her own. “I would love to have feet just like my friends and other children,” Ann shared. “I want to recover fully, walk confidently, and live a normal life just like my friends,” she added.

Jorgelis is a 10-year-old student from a town in Antioquia, Colombia. She is cheerful and intelligent, with a sweet energy that is contagious and leaves a special impression on everyone around her. Jorgelis dreams of becoming a great doctor when she grows up so she can help others. Since she was a few months old, Jorgelis has had an umbilical hernia, a condition in which a small portion of abdominal tissue protrudes through the navel. This condition causes discomfort or tenderness, especially when crying, coughing, or straining. The discomfort can also make it hard for kids to do everyday childhood activities, such as playing and jumping. If left untreated, there is a risk of developing future health complications. Jorgelis needs to undergo surgery to correct the hernia and prevent potential future complications. Fortunately, on May 28th, she will undergo repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Once completed, this procedure will allow her to live more comfortably. Our medical partner, Clinica Noel, is requesting $1,005 to fund Jorgelis's surgery. Jorgelis's family shared: "We would like to express our deepest gratitude to everyone who has made this donation for the surgery possible. This support means the world to our daughter and to us as a family. We trust in God and the doctors that everything will go well and that her recovery will be quick and successful. What we long for most is to see her healthy, happy, and full of life, so that she can continue to grow and fulfill her dream of becoming a doctor and helping many people."