Andrew is a two-year-old boy from Uganda. He is the lastborn in a family of three children, with an older brother and sister who are both attending school. His mother is a small-scale farmer and his father earns a living through boda-boda transport. Andrew can speak a few words in his local language and is a playful and cheerful child who is just beginning to take his first steps. Since shortly after birth, Andrew 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. His mother was initially advised to wait and give him time to grow before further intervention. Over time, however, the swelling began to appear more frequently and worsened, affecting his ability to walk and causing him to fear movement due to pain. Recently, he has become increasingly irritable, crying frequently and vomiting after eating. Fortunately, on May 5th, Andrew will undergo hernia repair surgery with the help of our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare. His family is seeking support to raise $230 to fund the surgery, which will allow him to live more comfortably and pain-free. Andrew’s mother expressed, “My greatest wish is to see my son get better. If I were financially able, I would do everything possible to ensure that he undergoes the surgery. Unfortunately, at the moment, I am unable to afford the cost, yet surgery is the only option for his complete recovery. I therefore humbly seek your support.”

Robinas is an intelligent 11-year-old boy who lives in Ethiopia with his parents and cousin. His father is a teacher who works hard to provide for the family, while his mother has been living with a chronic illness that has kept her at home for several years. Despite these challenges, his parents have remained committed to supporting both his education and his health. Robinas is on a full scholarship at a private school, where he consistently ranks among the top students in his class. His dedication and hard work have earned him several medals in recognition of his outstanding academic performance. Outside the classroom, he enjoys playing football, reading books, and spending time with his cousin. Robinas was born with hypospadias, a condition that causes urinary dysfunction. Although his parents noticed the condition at birth, they were advised to delay surgery until he was older, as the procedure would be safer once he had developed further. Over the years, the family visited several hospitals but were consistently told to wait. Eventually, doctors at a private hospital confirmed that Robinas was eligible for surgery; however, the cost was beyond the family’s financial means. They were then referred to a public hospital, where they faced a long waiting list. This prolonged waiting period has been emotionally difficult for the family, especially as Robinas has begun asking his father why he is different from other boys. After six months, the family finally received wonderful news. They were informed that Robinas had been referred for surgery at our partner’s medical care center, BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre (BKMCM). Robinas is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on June 29th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,293 to cover the cost of his procedure and care. Robinas’s father shared, “Thank you so much for BethanyKids’s help with the children and for supporting my son. I feel terrible when I’m unable to afford that surgery, but the support means so much to us. Thank you again, God bless you all.”

Vy is a 76-year-old retired rice farmer from Prey Veng province. She is a widow, as her husband died due to lung disease. She has one son, six daughters and ten grandchildren. Now, Vy lives with her youngest daughter, who works as a garment factory worker. She enjoy to listen to the monks' sermons on the radio in her free time. About three years ago, Vy developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and severely blurry vision. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, so it is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so she is not able to go places on her own. When Vy learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On March 16th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, Children's Surgical Centre is requesting $263 to fund this procedure. Vy said, "I hope after surgery my eye can see better, so I can easily recognize my relatives and go far places on my own. I also look forward to going to ceremonies at the pagoda."