U Than is a 60-year-old man from Burma. He lives with his daughter, son in-law and his three grandchildren. Two of his grandchildren go to school while the youngest is still at home. His daughter works to maintain their home and her husband works in agriculture. Toward the end of September, 2026, U Than began to experience lower abdominal pain and constipation. He tried medications from the pharmacy with little relief. On October 1st, 2026, he went to a clinic where he received medication that alleviated his symptoms temporarily. However, on October 20th, 2026, his symptoms returned. A care provider completed an ultrasound and suspected a bowel obstruction, so U Than was referred to our medical partner's care center, Mae Sot Hospital (MSH), for further evaluation. At MSH, a CT scan was completed, which revealed a mass in his colon that his doctor suspected was caused by colon or cecal cancer. The doctor recommended surgery to remove the mass and potentially the colon. Currently, U Than is experiencing severe pain which is preventing him from sitting, walking, or sleeping. U Than has sought support for his treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund. He is now scheduled to undergo mass removal surgery on October 28th and is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. U Than's daughter said, "I worry about where to look for money for my father's treatment. I cannot sleep due to this stress, and my father also cannot sleep due to his pain. We feel sad that we do not know where to look for money to borrow. Thank you for your support."

Zakiri is a bright eight-year-old boy from Malawi. The third-born in a family of four children, Zakiri is in Standard 2, and is eager to continue learning and spending time with his friends. His mother says he has always grown well, reaching his developmental milestones on time, and there was nothing unusual about his health until two years ago. For two years, Zakiri has had an inguinal hernia, a condition that occurs when abdominal tissue protrudes through a weak spot in the lower abdominal muscles, causing a bulge in the groin area. At first, Zakiri would complain of abdominal pain and headaches whenever the swelling appeared. Concerned, his mother took him to several clinics hoping to find a solution, but the problem persisted. As Zakiri prepared to start another school year, she became increasingly worried that the condition would interfere with his childhood and education. In August 2026, she took him to a local hospital, where a clinician advised that he be referred to Nkhoma Mission Hospital for further assessment and treatment. For Zakiri’s mother, making the journey to Nkhoma was not an easy decision. She and her four children live with her parents, her sister, her sister's child, and her brother’s child. Zakiri's father works in South Africa and only sends money occasionally, while his mother depends mainly on farming to support the family. Despite these challenges, she followed the clinician’s advice and brought Zakiri to Nkhoma Hospital, where his right inguinal hernia was confirmed, and surgery was recommended. However, the cost of treatment was more than she could afford. Zakiri’s mother is hopeful that the support will make it possible for her son to receive the treatment he needs. Fortunately, on September 16th, Zakiri will undergo hernia repair surgery at Nkhoma Hospital. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $421 to fund Zakiri's hernia repair surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on September 16th and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live a healthier life. Zakiri's mother said, "I wish to see him healthy again, back in his classroom. I hope that once his hernia is repaired, no illness will stand in the way of Zakiri growing, learning and enjoying his childhood."

Garoma is a farmer from Ethiopia. This 70-year-old farmer has worked the land all his life alongside his wife, who farms with him. Together they raised eight children, four sons and four daughters. He lives in a rural area with two of his children and his grandchildren, and he still farms to feed the family and pay his grandchildren's school fees. For more than thirteen years he has lived with an enlarged prostate, known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Three years ago his symptoms became much worse. He went to the nearest health centre, but there was no surgeon there who could operate, so he was sent home to cope as best he could. His condition has now grown serious. He travelled to the city, where his eldest daughter lives, to find proper care. Doctors there confirmed the diagnosis and told him he needs surgery, but his family cannot afford it. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $900 to fund the procedure. The treatment is scheduled to take place on October 29th and, once completed, will improve Garoma's quality of life. Garoma shared, "I just want to live without this pain and discomfort, and without the shame I carry every day."