Zanila is a four-year-old girl from Dedza District in Malawi. She is an only child in her family, and is currently enrolled in primary school. Zanila’s parents are small-scale farmers, growing maize for consumption and groundnuts for commercial purposes. Recently, Zanila had climbed a guava tree to collect some fruits when she fell, sustaining an elbow fracture. She was rushed to a nearby health center where a supracondylar fracture diagnosis was confirmed, and her family was referred to our medical partner's care center, Nkhoma Hospital for treatment. Zanila is presently in pain and unable to attend school or play with her friends. Her family is however not able to afford the surgery cost. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Zanila receive treatment. On April 9th, surgeons at Nkhoma Hospital will perform an open reduction and internal fixation surgical procedure to repair the fracture and restore functionality. Now, Zanila's family needs help to fund this $525 procedure. Zanila’s mother says, “I am looking forward to my daughter’s treatment and recovery.”

Theare is a 15-year-old student from Cambodia. He has two older brothers and they live with their grandmother and cousins in Battambang province. His parents are divorced and his mother works in a clothing factory in another province to support her children. In school, he is in grade five and enjoys classes about Khmer history. He would like to be a teacher when he is older. At home, he enjoys soccer, but cannot play due to his condition. Two years ago, he was riding with his brother on a motorbike and fell, suffering a severe injury to his left tibia or shin. His leg became red, swollen, and painful. His grandmother took him to a local hospital, where he had several different surgeries. Unfortunately, none of the surgeries repaired his leg and has since been diagnosed with a delayed union fracture or a fracture that will not heal without intervention. The local surgeons told his grandmother they could not do any more surgery to fix his leg as Theare needed a more complicated procedure that would entail internal fixation and bone grafting. His current condition hinders his mobility, forcing him to rely on crutches and endure constant pain, impeding his ability to keep up with school and indulge in his love for soccer. When Theare learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for six hours seeking treatment. On March 12th, surgeons at CSC will perform a joint arthrodesis procedure to fuse his left tibia and to correct the non-union. This will help him walk unaided and help relieve the pain. Now, Theare needs help to fund this $600 procedure. Theare said, "I hope to walk with no pain and continue my schooling."

Sovan is a 73-year-old widow. She has two sons, four daughters, and 13 grandchildren. She lives in Phnom Penh province with her oldest daughter and her family. When she was younger, she wove and sold Khmer-designed cloth, but now she has retired and spends her days inside, helping with cooking or visiting her local pagoda to pray. A year ago, Sovan developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her tearing, blurry vision, and difficulty recognizing the faces of her family. She is most afraid that she will fall when crossing the dirt road near the house or taking the steps up to the pagoda. 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, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on her own. When Sovan learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for one and a half hours seeking treatment. On March 12th, doctors will perform small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Sovan shared, "I hope after surgery I can see and go outside to join ceremonies at the pagoda, do housework, and take care of myself."