Ilhaam is a seven-year-old girl from Tanzania. She lives with her parents and her younger sister, the only surviving children after her parents tragically lost their first set of twins shortly after birth. Ilhaam is a cheerful child who enjoys playing with other children in her neighborhood. She loves singing and dancing. Ilhaam’s father works as a primary school teacher and is the sole provider for the family. Although he works hard to support his household, the cost of surgery is beyond what he can afford. Her parents are hopeful that with support, their daughter will receive the treatment she needs to walk comfortably and return to enjoying childhood activities. Ilhaam has been diagnosed with unilateral left valgus, a condition where the left knee angles inward. Several factors could cause this condition, such as growth disorders, vitamin deficiencies, or excessive fluoride found in contaminated drinking water. As a result, the knees can be angled inwards or outwards, making it difficult to walk and may cause long-term joint damage. Over time, Ilhaam's condition has worsened, and she has begun experiencing pain while standing or walking for long periods. Her parents first sought help at a nearby health facility where they were told that her bones might be weak and she was given calcium supplements. Despite following the advice, her condition did not improve. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $631 to fund treatment for Ilhaam. The procedure is scheduled to take place on March 10th at our medical partner's care center, Kafika House. Treatment will hopefully restore Ilhaam's mobility, allow her to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease her risk of future complications. Ilhaam's father says, "I only wish to see my daughter walk, dance and play without pain, and grow up like other children."

Kena is eight-year-old energetic boy from Ethiopia. Kena is in the second grade and lives with his parents and his sister, but lately, his presence at school has been missed due to recurring bouts of tonsillitis. This chronic condition has temporarily sidelined him, pausing both his education and playtime. Two years ago, Kena began experiencing snoring, fever and recurring sore throats. This creates a difficult cycle of sick days that keeps him out of class and fun, active games he should be playing with his sister. He also experiences high fevers that keep coming back and a sharp, burning pain whenever he tries to swallow. This makes eating and drinking a daily struggle, often leaving him feeling completely exhausted and without energy. Kena was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils, which, if not treated, will cause his symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Thankfully, our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital can help. They are requesting $700 to fund a tonsillectomy for Kena, which is scheduled to take place on March 4th. Surgeons will remove his tonsils, hopefully relieving Kena of his symptoms and helping him live more comfortably. Kena says "I am so excited for the opportunity to get back to school and play with my friends. I really miss eating the snacks I love! Because of my tonsils, swallowing feels like a sharp fire, which makes eating feel like hard work. I know my mom and dad are worried, and I think the best part for them will be seeing me smile and run around with all my energy again."

Fozan is a beautiful four-year-old boy with a bright smile from Ethiopia. He loves playing football, solving puzzles, and singing children’s songs. He also enjoys spending time playing with his older brother. Fozan is the second child in his family. His mother is a housewife, and his father works as a taxi driver. The family lives in a rented house and works hard to provide for their children. The condition came to the family’s attention when Fozan’s aunt took her own baby to a clinic for a procedure. During the visit, the doctor discovered that her baby had an undescended testicle and explained the condition to the family. After learning about this, Fozan’s aunt informed her brother. When Fozan’s father checked his son, he noticed that one side of Fozan’s scrotum appeared empty and immediately took him to a clinic. The doctor explained that surgery was needed at an early age, which made the family feel anxious and worried about the condition, and the doctor referred them to another hospital for further evaluation and treatment. At the referral Hospital, doctors confirmed the need for surgery. Fozan was placed on a waiting list, and the family waited anxiously for three months. Later, when Fozan’s father returned to check on the waiting list, the hospital staff informed him that they had tried to contact the family but could not reach them by phone. They also told him that Fozan had been referred to Bethany Kids for treatment. Soon after, Fozan and his father visited our facility, where Fozan was carefully examined. Fozan was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remain undescended. If left untreated, Fozan has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Fozan will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on March 13th. AMH is requesting $754 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Fozan’s father conveyed his gratitude, stating, "I am truly delighted with the service and hope the surgery will be successful. I am excited, especially when the doctor told me that my child's surgery will be performed laparoscopically."