Kenneth is a 63-year-old small-scale farmer from Malawi, married with four children aged between 18 and 35 years. All his three children have moved out of home except the last born child, who currently in secondary school and stays with an aunt in Blantyre. Kenneth practices small-scale farming together with his wife. He enjoys a meal of nsima served with local chicken and vegetables. One year ago, Kenneth started experiencing on-and-off swelling in a sensitive area. He visited two different hospitals and received the same diagnosis of right inguinal hernia. His surgery, which was originally planned for March of this year, was postponed because of high blood pressure. Currently, he is having frequent episodes of swelling and pain, and he is mostly confined to lying down as he is unable to engage in other activities. This has affected his role as a provider for his family. Kenneth's brother advised him to seek help at our medical partner's care facility, Partners in Hope Medical Center. Kenneth traveled over 300km from Blantyre to the facility in Lilongwe, and his brother's wife accompanied him to hospital. Surgery was recommended to treat his condition, but Kenneth is unable to raise the full amount needed. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Kenneth receive treatment. On April 24th, surgeons at PIH will perform a hernia repair surgery to treat his condition, ease his pain and help him live more comfortably. Now, Kenneth needs help to fund this $575 procedure. Kenneth says, “I cannot wait to receive treatment, I wish to no longer have to lay down because of my condition.”

Veasna is a two-year-old toddler from Cambodia. He is an only child, and lives in a multi-generational home with four other family members. His mother sells farm produce in the local market, and his dad is a rice farmer. One of his aunts works at the front desk in a motorbike repair shop. Veasna spends most of his time at home with his grandmother. He loves playing with other kids in the village and watching cartoons. In June 2023, Veasna burned his right index finger on a hot stove. His mother treated the injury at home with cold water and wound dressings. Unfortunately, burn scar contractures have developed, tightening the skin around his burn. It is difficult for him to use his hand, and he experiences much discomfort. When Veasna's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he and his mother traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On April 22nd, surgeons will perform burn contracture release surgery to help restore function in his hand. Veasna's family are able to contribute $100 towards the cost of his treatment and need help raising $395 more to fund the procedure. Veasna's mother says: "I hope he can use his hand easily again in the future, be able to hold objects and play."

Yuth is a 65-year-old rice farmer from Prey Veng province in Cambodia. He is married with seven children, and currently lives with his wife, one of his children, and her spouse. Yuth's wife and daughter also work as rice farmers, while his son-in-law works as a construction worker. In his free time, Yuth enjoys watching the news with his family. A week ago, Yuth discovered an ulcer in his mouth that has been getting larger, causing difficulty in speaking and eating. He has been experiencing pain, redness, swelling, and purulent discharge. He is concerned that it may be cancerous. Yuth traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On April 22nd, surgeons at Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) will remove the mass, relieving his pain, swelling and preventing further infection. Yuth is able to contribute $50 towards the cost of his treatment, and needs help raising $223 more to fund the procedure. Yuth says: "After the surgery, I hope the mass will disappear and I will no longer experience the pain and swelling in my mouth"