Yohana is a five-year-old girl from Ethiopia. She is in kindergarten and is an active member of her household, supported by her mother and her father, an electrician and electronics maintenance staff member. Having dealt with chronic tonsillitis since she was a toddler, Yohana has spent over half of her life navigating the difficult challenges of this condition. For three years now, Yohana has been experiencing snoring, fevers, and a painful throat. These recurring infections, filled with frequent fevers and intense pain, have often pulled her away from her first years of school. They have also disrupted the energetic play she should be enjoying with her brother. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $700 to fund a tonsillectomy for Yohana, which is scheduled to take place on April 25th. Surgeons will remove her tonsils, hopefully relieving Yohana of her symptoms and helping her live more comfortably. Yohana's parents shared, "We hope the surgery will allow her to grow up to be active and energetic."

Ulemu is a friendly 11-year-old boy, the firstborn of two children from Malawi. The family lives in a small, single-room mud-built house with a thatched roof. His mother earns a living by selling tomatoes from a small bench outside their home, and the family depends largely on this income to meet their daily needs. Ulemu's mother shared that he has been experiencing pain that often starts in his groin area, and travels up towards his abdomen, around the navel. She noticed that the pain is particularly severe during cold weather. She took him to the referral hospital several times in search of medical help, but unfortunately the surgery list was always long, and he has not been able to receive the surgery he needed. After hearing from several friends that Nkhoma Hospital was providing surgical services, she decided to bring him there. Getting to Nkhoma was not easy for the family. Because of their limited resources, even finding transport was a challenge. The journey took around five hours, and during the trip, his mother had to carry Ulemu on her lap at times. At Nkhoma Hospital, Ulemu was assessed and diagnosed with a left 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. Doctors explained that he would need surgery to correct the condition. For Ulemu's mother, finally receiving a diagnosis brought some relief, but learning about the cost of treatment brought another worry. The family could not afford the surgery fees. Ulemu's illness has also affected his education. For a boy who has recently completed his primary school examinations, his mother hopes that treatment will allow him to continue with his education without the interruptions caused by pain. Fortunately, Ulemu is scheduled to undergo hernia repair surgery at Nkhoma Hospital. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $421 to fund Ulemu's hernia repair surgery. The procedure will take place on August 13th and, once completed, will provide Ulemu relief from the pain that has affected his childhood and education. Ulemu's mother said, “I want my son to receive the help he needs, so that he can be well again and continue with his education.”

Liza is a determined 18-year-old high school student from Cambodia. She lives in Kandal Province with her parents and two younger siblings. Her father works as a welder, and her mother stays at home to care for the family. She is the eldest child and is currently studying in Grade 11. Her younger sister is in Grade 9, and her younger brother is in Grade 6. She dreams of becoming a doctor one day and enjoys listening to music and reading books in her free time. Liza was born with severe spasticity affecting both her upper and lower limbs, causing abnormal muscle tightness and an abnormal gait. In November 2025, she received botulinum toxin (Botox) injections into her hamstrings and other spastic muscles in her lower limbs, which noticeably improved her walking for a period of time. However, about four months later, her condition gradually worsened again, and her right leg developed a contracture. This has made walking increasingly difficult and has limited her mobility and independence in daily activities. Although the previous treatment provided temporary improvement, the return of the contracture has once again made movement challenging and affected her confidence in walking. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is helping Liza receive treatment. On May 22nd, surgeons will perform a contracture release surgery to release the tight muscle and improve the position and movement of her ankle. This treatment will help her walk more easily, improve balance and comfort, and allow her to move with greater confidence. Liza's family can contribute $75, but needs help in raising $497 more to fund her procedure and care. Liza said, “When my walking improved before, it gave me hope for the future. I pray this surgery will help me walk better again so I can continue my studies and move closer to my dream of becoming a doctor.”