Merge is a 3 year-old child from Ethiopia. She is a beautiful young girl who loves to play with toys and her brothers. She loves to wear new clothes and shoes - her dad shared that she is always asking for new clothes and shoes. Merge loves being around people. Her dad is a farmer with a large family, his older children out of the house and living their own lives. Seven children are still with their parents. Her mom spends her day taking care of her child, collecting firewood from the woods, and pouring water from a long distance from a manual well. She carries the water jar and the sticks on her back. They harvest once a year. Their income is limited to sustain the needs of their household. Merge was born with anorectal malformation and she was referred to Addis Ababa referral hospital and underwent two surgeries. But now she developed an incisional hernia. Fortunately, on February 9th, she will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $512 to fund Merge's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably and confidently as she grows. Merge's dad said, “I hope she will heal. That will make me happy. I will send her to school and I want her to become a doctor.”

Ronan is a hardworking father from the Philippines. He lives with his partner and their two children. Ronan works as a kitchen assistant, while also taking on side jobs to better provide for his family. Since he was in third grade, Ronan has dealt with an indirect inguinal hernia. His family consulted with doctors when he was a child, however, he was never able to have surgery. In the meantime, he lives with constant pain and is limited in the activities in which he can engage, which affects his ability to work. Our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines, is seeking $1,103 to fund Ronan's hernia repair surgery, which is scheduled to take place on April 26th, at Our Lady of Peace Hospital. Ronan said: "I thank everyone who is willing to help me with my condition. This will definitely be life-changing. I am very excited so thank you very much for your help and generosity."

Im is a grandmother from Cambodia. Her husband passed away twelve years ago. After the passing of her husband, Im moved in with her daughter and her family. Her other two sons live nearby, and help support the family by working in clothing factories. Since retiring from rice farming ten years ago, Im helps care for her seven grandchildren, and enjoys going to volunteer and pray at the village pagoda in her free time. About three months ago, Im developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on her own. When Im learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On February 6th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and implant an intraocular lens in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. She shared, "I hope after surgery my eye can see better so I can easily go out and take care of myself without everyone worrying about me."