Mdoe is a 14-year-old boy from Kenya. Shortly after his birth, Mdoe showed signs that his intestines were not working properly. He was brought to several hospitals, but was not given a clear diagnosis. Mdoe's condition worsened. He was visibly in pain, restless, and crying constantly. Mdoe's mother was determined to find help. She took him to a larger facility, where doctors explained that his intestines were intertwined and that he would need surgery. He would require a colostomy bag to help him pass stool. After a few days of monitoring, they were discharged. But only days later, complications arose, and Kinago underwent surgery at the same hospital. Life after surgery was far from easy. His mother took him for clinic checkups several times, striving to remain consistent with his care. But back at home, reality pressed in. Both parents engage in small-scale farming, stretching each harvest to provide for their eight children. Eventually, the cost of continued clinic visits became impossible to sustain. Now fourteen, Mdoe has never been able to attend school. It breaks his heart to watch children his age walk to class while he remains at home. His condition requires him to change his colostomy bag regularly, yet he has been using the same one since early childhood. Some schools refused to admit him. Over time, discouraged and burdened by school fees, his mother stopped trying. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, can help. On February 12th, Mdoe will undergo abdominal surgery that will improve Mdoe's quality of life. His family needs help raising $1,081 to fund his procedure and care. Mdoe's mother shared, “It is painful when your child asks you why he cannot go to school like other children. I see the longing in his eyes, and I wish I could take this condition away from him. I may not have wealth, but I have never stopped fighting for him, even when the journey felt too heavy for my shoulders.”

Akshay is 18 years old and lives in Palamu, Jharkhand, India. He lives with his parents and elder sister. His father is a farmer. He studied until the 8th grade. When Akshay was six months old, he fell into a traditional cooking stove and burned his right hand. The burn caused a contracture, where the skin healed tightly, and over time, his hand became restricted in movement. He has lived with this since he was a baby. The contracture on his right hand makes daily tasks difficult. At 18, with a father who farms and a family that depends on physical work, this has been a real limitation in his day-to-day life. When Akshay learned about our medical partner, G.S. Memorial Plastic Surgery Hospital and Trauma Center, he and his mother traveled 6.5 hours to receive treatment to release the post-burn contracture of his right hand. On July 1st, specialty surgeons will perform a burn contracture release surgery so he can regain function and mobility in his hand. Now, he needs help to fund this $1,442 procedure. Akshay shared, "I want my hand to work properly so that I can help my family."

Shuayib is a cheerful, active, and outgoing six-year-old from Ethiopia. He is in the second level of preschool, where he is doing well in his studies and dreams of a bright future. Shuayib also enjoys playing football, rock-paper-scissors, and spending time with his friends. His mother is a homemaker, and his father works as a daily labourer to support their family. Shuayib was born with hypospadias, a birth condition that affects the urethra and can lead to complications later in life if left untreated. Learning about his condition was emotionally challenging for his family. When they brought him to a hospital, the doctor informed them he would need to undergo three surgeries. He underwent his first procedure, and then a year later, he underwent the second. Unfortunately, after the surgery, he developed an infection that blocked the urinary tube. With proper medical treatment, the infection was completely cured. Six months later, Shuayib was referred to our medical partner's hospital, BethanyKids, for further review and treatment. Shuayib's doctors at BethanyKids explained the procedure to his parents and scheduled his surgery. After many years of worry and hardship, his family was grateful to learn that the surgery would be financially covered and Shuayib would finally receive the help he needed to heal. His parents expressed their appreciation for the kindness of the staff, saying, "We are so happy to be here. The staff treated us with great care, provided us with clear information, and gave us hope. We are truly grateful." On June 5th, Shuayib will undergo corrective surgery to treat hypospadias. This procedure will relieve him of discomfort and the risk of developing future complications. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,293 to cover the cost of his procedure and care. Shuayib's father said, "We have no words to express our thanks. May God bless all of you and provide for you as you have provided hope for us. We pray that God grants you good health, long life, and continued strength. Thank you to all the staff for your kindness, care, and politeness. We are truly grateful for everything you have done for our child."