Chhoeun is a 37-year-old tuk tuk (rickshaw) driver who lives with his wife and three children in Cambodia. In his free time, he enjoys helping around the house, playing volleyball, and watching news and sports programs on television. “Chhoeun was hit by a moto in August of 2015,” our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), tells us. “His right patella was fractured. There is swelling around his knee, and it is painful for him.” The patella—more commonly known as the kneecap—shields the knee joint and connects muscles from the thigh to the lower leg. Falls or injuries involving direct impact to the kneecap are common causes of patellar fractures. In addition to pain and swelling, bruising and difficulty walking are also significant symptoms. “I can't go to work to earn money to support my family,” shares Chhoeun. “My wife spends her time and money taking me around to be treated." Doctors at CSC will perform an open reduction and internal fixation to reposition and set Chhoeun’s broken patella so that it can heal properly. $405 covers the cost of surgery, a two-week hospital stay, five days of post-operative care, and six follow-up appointments during the first year after surgery. After surgery, “the fracture of Chhoeun's right patella will be repaired,” says CSC. “He will be able to walk properly again.” "I hope that my husband will be able to walk without pain again and do some things by himself,” shares Chhoeun’s wife.

Kagezi is a 45-year-old laborer from Uganda who works for a brick-making and sand-mining business. He came to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), with a five-year history of pain and swelling in his inguinal and scrotal regions. Kagezi’s symptoms are the result of a bilateral inguinoscrotal hernia, a protrusion of the intestines through weak points in the abdominal muscles. The protrusions present as painful bulges in the left and right groin, and the pain increases with coughing, bending at the waist, or lifting heavy objects. “If not treated,” explains AMHF, “Kagezi is at risk of intestinal obstruction, incarceration, and strangulation.” Because of the hernia, Kagezi does not make as many bricks as he used to, and he is unable to carry heavy items. His inability to work makes it difficult for him to support his family or raise money to pay for his medical care. “He tried contacting his siblings,” AMHF tells us, “but they also did not have money.” For $220, Kagezi can undergo hernia repair, in which a surgeon pushes the protruding tissue back into the abdomen and sews together the weakened muscle with a synthetic mesh. Over time, muscle tissue grows into and around the mesh to strengthen the area. Funding also covers the cost of 14 days of hospital care, including labs and medications. After surgery, Kagezi looks forward to returning to work and being able to split firewood without discomfort. “Thank you for offering to give me help,” he shares. “God bless you.”