Kanha is a four-year-old girl from Cambodia. She is the middle of three children and lives with her parents and two brothers in Kompong Thom Province. Her father repairs cars, while her mother sells groceries. Her older brother is 8 years old, and her younger brother is 12 months old. She enjoys eating fried pork and chicken and spending time playing with her toys. About five months ago, Kanha suffered extensive burns to both feet in a house fire. She was initially treated at a governmental hospital before being referred to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), for continued care of the burn scars and resulting contractures. Severe burn scar contractures have developed on both feet, restricting their movement and previously making it difficult for her to walk. The tight scars have affected the position and function of her feet and make it difficult to wear shoes. On September 15th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help release the tight scars and support better positioning of both feet, making it easier for her to move and walk as she continues to recover. Now, she needs help to fund this $652 procedure. Kanha's mother said, “I hope this surgery will help my daughter’s feet heal in a better position and make it easier for her to walk. She is still very young, and I want her to be able to move freely, play with other children, and grow up without being limited by her injuries.”

Dah is a 29-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her husband and son in a refugee camp in Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand. Originally from Karen State, Burma, they fled to the refugee camp due to armed conflict in their village in 2023. Her husband is a day labourer outside of the refugee camp, while she is a homemaker and looks after her young son. During her free time, she enjoys cleaning her house and cooking nice meals. In the future, she hopes to return to her village with her family and resume farming. Dah is pregnant, and her doctors recommend that she deliver via a cesarean section because of a high-risk pregnancy. This way, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is helping Dah undergo a C-Section on June 19th. This procedure will cost $1500, and Dah needs your support. Dah shared, “Here I cook, clean the house and take care of my family. I miss my village and my paddy farm, where I used to be a farmer. I hope to go back home.:

Devan is a five-year-old boy whose family hails from Elgeyo Marakwet County in Kenya. Devan lives with his aunt, who has been his primary caregiver since he was two years old. His aunt shared that Devan is the second-born child of her brother, and during Devan's early childhood, he and his sibling experienced significant neglect. Their parents were constantly in conflict and eventually separated, during which time the children were reportedly left without adequate food and care. This is when Devan's aunt chose to adopt and take responsibility for the two children. Devan's aunt is a single mother who separated from her husband about ten years ago. She has three biological children of her own and is now raising a total of five children. After leaving her marital home, she relocated to her maternal village, where she lives in a small rented house. To support her household, she earns a small income by washing clothes for neighbors. Despite her efforts, she reports that life has been extremely difficult, and meeting basic needs remains a daily struggle. Devan is currently enrolled in PP2 at a local school. While at school one day, he slipped and fell, sustaining an injury to his hand. He was initially taken to a nearby health facility; however, due to limited equipment and capacity, he was referred to our medical partner's care center, AIC Kapsowar Hospital. Upon arrival, Devan’s hand was swollen, painful, and he was unable to use the affected limb. An X-ray done showing a fracture of the upper arm bone. An orthopedic surgeon has recommended an open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) procedure for proper management of the fracture. Devan's aunt, however, has no financial capacity to meet the cost of the required surgical procedure and associated hospital bills. She is therefore requesting financial support to enable Devan to receive the necessary treatment. Presently, it is difficult for him to use his hand, and he is in pain Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On January 19th, Devan will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. The procedure will alleviate his pain and treat his condition. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $861 to fund this procedure. Devan's aunt says, "My nephew just had a fall, I didn't know it would come to a point when he would need surgery. Please help him so that when he fully recovers, he can go back to school."

Mitchelle is a 12-year-old girl from Kenya. She is shy but determined. Mitchelle is in eighth grade and dreams of becoming a teacher one day. Her inspiration comes from her English teacher, whose passion and eagerness in the classroom motivate Mitchelle to pursue the same path and help others learn. We met Mitchelle at CURE Children’s Hospital, where she had come for treatment, accompanied by her parents. Her mother is a peasant farmer who works hard to support the family and ensure her children have the opportunity to go to school. Mitchelle was born healthy and grew up like any other child. However, last year, while visiting her aunt, something unusual was noticed. As Mitchelle bathed, her aunt noticed a pronounced bend in her spine, affecting her posture while standing, walking, and causing pain while bending. Concerned, she immediately informed Mitchelle’s parents and advised them to seek medical help. Her aunt also told them about the CURE mobile clinic in Kabarnet, encouraging them to attend so that Mitchelle could be examined by specialists. Physicians at AIC Cure International Hospital determined that Mitchelle should undergo a procedure called a spinal fusion. This surgery fuses two or more unstable vertebrae together to reinforce the back structure with the goal of reducing pain and easing symptoms. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,500 to fund this procedure. The treatment is scheduled to take place on March 19th, and once completed, it will hopefully improve Mitchelle's quality of life. “I am looking forward to getting better so that I can stand upright, return to school comfortably, and continue working hard to become a teacher one day,” Mitchelle shared softly.

Elsa is a cheerful two-year-old girl from Tanzania. Her bright smile easily draws people to her. Elsa is naturally curious and loves to follow her mother around, trying to copy simple chores and play with whatever she can reach. When Elsa was younger, she suffered a burn injury on her left arm, face, and body. Although the wound eventually healed, it left behind tight scar tissue around her elbow. As she grew, the scar tightened further and developed into a contracture, preventing her from fully bending and straightening her arm. This limitation now affects many of her daily activities, from feeding herself and holding toys to supporting herself properly while playing. Simple childhood actions that should come naturally require extra effort. Her parents first tried local treatment options, but they did not have access to specialized reconstructive care. With limited income and many competing household needs, traveling for advanced treatment was not easy. They continued to hope for a solution as they watched Elsa adapt to her limitation, even though it slowed her development compared to other children her age. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Elsa receive treatment. On February 17th, surgeons at their care center will perform contracture release surgery and a skin graft to restore movement in her elbow. This procedure will free the tight scar tissue and allow her arm to move more normally, followed by therapy to rebuild strength and flexibility. With successful treatment and rehabilitation, she is expected to regain functional use of her arm and participate more fully in play, learning, and self-care as she grows. Her family is deeply hopeful that this intervention will give her the freedom to use her arm without restriction. Now, she needs help to fund this $832 procedure. Elsa's mother says, “She cannot fully bend and straighten her arm, making it hard to feed herself and play.”

Grace is a two-year-old girl from Burma. She lives in a refugee camp in Mueang Mae Hong Son District, Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand. Ten years ago, her parents moved to the camp to escape the fighting in their village in Burma. Grace lives with her parents, older sister, two aunts, uncle, and her uncle’s wife. Grace’s mother raises pigs and chickens to sell in the camp, and her father is a day laborer. Since birth, Grace has had a hernia granuloma. Currently, Grace’s umbilicus produces bloody discharge every day. While Grace does not experience any pain, her mother’s anxiety grows each passing day. Fortunately, on January 19th, Grace will undergo hernia repair surgery at Mae Sot General Hospital, our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund Grace's hernia repair surgery. The procedure will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably. Grace's mother shared, “I worry about what will happen to her if she doesn’t have this issue fixed now. The doctors told us that we needed to go to Chiang Mai for her treatment, which would cost a lot of money. We can't afford that. We don’t know what will happen to her.” Grace’s mom is extremely thankful to the donors for their financial support. She said, “Thank you so much to the donors for helping my child. I want to say so much, but I don’t know what to say. God has finally found a way for my child to receive treatment.”

Erick is a calm and polite 15-year-old boy from Kenya. He loves watching movies and playing football, though his feet have limited his ability to play to the fullest. Recently, Erick completed Grade 9 and is eagerly waiting to join Grade 10. He dreams of becoming an IT expert one day. Erick was brought to our medical partner's care center, AIC CURE Hospital, by his cousin. His parents recently traveled to Saudi Arabia seeking greener pastures, after struggling for many years without employment. Erick has clubfoot in both feet, a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Living with the condition for close to 16 years, Erick has faced daily challenges, including criticism and mockery from friends at school whenever he walked. This made him feel left out and discouraged, but he never gave up hope. Hope came when one of the principals at his school connected his family with AIC CURE Hospital. Upon review, Erick was scheduled to begin serial casting in preparation for surgery, starting with his right foot. The treatment will improve his foot position and strengthen his mobility. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Erick receive treatment. On December 11th, he will undergo clubfoot repair surgery, getting him closer to his dream to walk better, run, and play football confidently. Now, Erick's family needs help to fund this $1,286 procedure. “I have lived with this condition for so long, but now I hope to walk, run, and play football like other kids. I want to show my friends that I can do it too,” Samuel shared.

Nan Lae is a 15-year-old girl from Burma. She lives with her parents, her two younger siblings in Karen State, Burma. Her father is a rice farmer, and her mother is a homemaker. She had to stop studying after the fourth grade due to her family’s financial difficulties. The family earns money from harvesting and selling rice, and their income is just enough to cover their daily expenses. In 2023, Lae noticed swelling in her gums. She visited the local clinic with her mother, where the medic removed a mass in her gums. The swelling disappeared, but after a year, the mass returned. Lae continues to experience swelling around her gums and difficulty opening her mouth. She can only chew on her left side because her right side is swollen. Nan Lae sought treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund. She is now scheduled to undergo mass removal surgery on November 12th, and needs help to raise $1,500 to cover the cost of her procedure and care. Lae shared, “I cannot eat; sometimes I have to avoid chewing hard food.” Her mother added, “I want her to recover from this as soon as possible. She has already suffered for two years.”