Rachel is an active and social 12-year-old girl from Kenya. Despite her challenges, she remains hopeful and optimistic about her future. Rachel is currently in Grade 7, but has paused her studies due to her medical condition. Two days after Rachel was born, her mother noticed that Rachel's head was enlarging and that her eyes appeared sunken. Rachel was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. Rachel underwent shunt insertion surgery to drain the excess fluid, but the shunt failed within days. Rachel and her mother then journeyed 130 kilometers to our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital. There, Rachel underwent a successful shunt revision surgery, and her mother’s joy was beyond words. They returned home, and life improved significantly. Unfortunately, hydrocephalus shunts can become blocked over time, making revision surgeries necessary. Rachel has had two more surgeries at three and seven years of age. She now requires another shunt revision surgery, so that she can resume her daily activities like other children her age. Without surgery, Rachel will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $719 to cover the cost of surgery for Rachel that will treat her hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on February 13th and will drain the excess fluid from Rachel's brain. Rachel shares, "I am in pain, I haven't been able to go to school. I want to get better so that I can continue learning. I look forward to leaving the hospital feeling better so that I can go home, play with my siblings, and attend school."

Mosa is a cheerful 10-year-old boy from Phnom Penh, Cambodia. He lives with his mother, who works at a small local restaurant. His parents divorced 10 years ago, and he is the only child in his family. At school, his favorite subject is mathematics. At home, he spends his time playing soccer with his friends and doing his homework. He dreams of becoming a professional footballer when he grows up. Mosa was born with a cleft lip and palate, which was repaired when he was a baby. There is still a gap in his upper gum, where teeth should be. Without treatment, his permanent teeth will not grow properly, and he will struggle with chewing, speaking, and smiling confidently. Doctors at our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, explained that Mosa now needs an alveolar bone graft. This surgery will place bone in the gap of her upper gum, giving the teeth the support they need to come in straight. For Mosa, this surgery is the next step toward a healthy smile and a future where he can speak and eat without difficulty. He is also starting to feel insecure about his appearance, and his parents hope to increase his confidence. His surgery is scheduled on January 27th. Mosa's parents cannot afford the $665 cost of this procedure and need help to pay for the surgery and post-op care. Mosa's mother said, “After treatment, I hope my son can speak more clearly and feel confident to smile and socialize again, without being teased by other children.”

Sokny is a 61-year-old woman from Cambodia who lives with her sister and niece. She is not married and her family relies on one another for support. Her sister, now 80 years old, also requires care, and her niece does what she can to help support the household. Despite their combined efforts, they face ongoing financial hardship and daily challenges. In her free time, Sokny find comfort in listening to monks pray. About ten years ago, Sokny noticed a cyst on her neck. It has grown over time and now experiences ongoing pain and discomfort. She did not seek treatment earlier due to financial constraints, but now it has become a constant burden in her daily life. Sokny traveled to our medical partner's care center for evaluation. On March 18th, surgeons at Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), will remove the mass. Sokny needs help to raise $319 to cover the cost of this procedure. She said, “I have lived with this growing pain for ten years, and all I hope for now is a chance to be treated and live without suffering.”