Baby Desta is a seven-month-old girl who lives in Ethiopia with her parents and two older brothers. She is active, cheerful, and loves smiling. Her father works as a daily laborer, while her mother is a homemaker. Despite limited income, her parents remain committed to fulfilling their children’s needs. Baby Desta was born with a condition called Hirschprung's disease. This is where a portion of the intestine does not have proper nerve function, causing bowel dysfunction. When she was about two weeks old, Baby Desta’s abdomen started to swell, prompting her mother to bring her to a health center. At the health center, the family was referred to a higher-level hospital. Baby Desta was admitted to the hospital, and doctors advised that she would require surgery to remove the affected part of the bowel, or she would continue to have symptoms and be at risk of serious complications. This greatly concerned her parents, who worried they could not afford treatment. Thankfully, after a long and stressful journey through multiple health facilities, the family was referred to our medical partner’s care center, BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre. Baby Desta will undergo surgery on November 2nd. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,500 to cover the cost of the procedure and related medical care. Baby Desta’s mother shared, “Thank you so much to everyone. May God protect you in your work and continue to bless you as you help others. Thank you for your kindness and support.”

Koemsing is a cheerful two-year-old girl from Cambodia. She lives in Preah Sihanouk Province with her parents and older sister. Her father works as a construction worker, while her mother stays at home to care for the children and manage the household. She enjoys playing with toys with her older sister, and her favorite foods are sour fish soup and strawberries. When she was 10 months old, Koemsing accidentally sustained burns to both hands after coming into contact with fire while playing with her siblings. As her burns healed, severe scar contractures developed in both hands, causing stiffness and deformity. She has difficulty opening her hands, grasping objects, and performing everyday activities appropriate for her age. When Koemsing learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for seven hours seeking treatment. On August 10th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to improve the movement and function of her right hand. This surgery will help her grasp objects more easily, play more independently, and perform everyday activities with greater ease. Now, she needs help to fund this $652 procedure. Koemsing's parents shared, “We hope this surgery will give our daughter the chance to use her hands more freely, become more independent, and enjoy the childhood every child deserves.”

Alemayew is a teenage boy from Ethiopia. This 14-year-old student is one of nine children growing up in a large, hardworking family. He lives with his father, who works as a farmer, his mother, who is a staff member at a flower factory, and his seven brothers and one sister. One year ago, Alemayew started to experience discharge and pain in this leg. Following his review at our medical partner's care center, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, doctors have recommended that Alemayew undergo a sequestrectomy, a surgical procedure involving the removal of fragments of infected, dead bone or tissue. If not treated, it can lead to recurrent infections that may result in life-threatening complications. Fortunately, on July 1st, he will undergo repair surgery. Alemayew's family needs help raising $900 to fund his procedure and care. Once completed, this procedure will alleviate his symptoms and prevent serious long-term complications. Alemayew's parents shared, "We are forced to watch our son in pain as we do not have the money for the surgery. We're asking for your help."