Samuel is a 15-year-old from Kenya and the second born in his family of four children. He recently sat for his class eight exam and hopes to be an engineer in the future. He was supposed to undergo circumcision a few weeks ago, which was organized and sponsored by their local church, but he missed it due to his birth condition. Samuel is being raised by a single mother, who washes clothes for a living. She is requesting financial assistance to be able to pay for Samuel's proposed surgery. Samuel was born with hypospadias, a condition that causes urinary dysfunction. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and will be at risk of infertility. Fortunately, Samuel is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on November 30th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $847 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Samuel jokingly said, “I want to transit and become a man like the rest of my peers. I also want to become an engineer in the future. This condition is making me feel out of place and need to be treated.”

Oun is a 58-year-old grandmother. She and her husband are farmers in a rural area about two and a half hours from the capital Phnom Penh. They are parents to two sons and one daughter and proud grandparents of three grandchildren. In her free time, she likes to watch Khmer dramas on TV. Oun has spent the majority of her life outside, which has exposed her to sunny, dusty, sandy, and windy conditions which has contributed to her condition. Seven years ago, Oun developed a pterygium in her right eye, which is a non-cancerous growth of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage, wind or dust and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. This causes her irritation and burning. The condition has significantly impacted her vision. It is difficult for her to engage in social activities, read, watch television, or even recognize faces. When Oun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. Oun needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. The total cost of her procedure is $225. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for March 8th. Oun said, "I hope after surgery my eye will not be red or irritated. I hope to have no worry and go back to planting rice."

17-year-old Kim Leng lives in Phnom Penh with his mother, younger sister, and several members of his extended family. His mother works as a cleaner in a bank, while other members of the household help support the family by working in local service jobs. Kim Leng is a senior in high school. He hopes to attend university, and to obtain a job in marketing or sales after he has graduated. In April 2023, Kim Leng was in a motorbike accident, and injured his right leg. There was nerve damage to his right ankle, but he was unable to afford the treatment from the local trauma center. As a result, he has developed foot drop, which causes his right foot to drag whenever he walks. The foot drop - along with constant discomfort - renders Kim Leng unable to pursue his daily activities. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is here to help. On December 12th, Kim Leng will undergo a tendon transfer procedure at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, which will improve the function and mobility of his leg. Now he needs your help to fund the $572 cost of the surgery. Kim Leng shared: "I hope I can walk like before the accident and play soccer again."