Heang is five years old and a first-grader from Cambodia. He is the middle of three children and lives with his parents in Kampot Province. His father works as a grocery seller, while his mother stays home to care for the children and manage the household. He enjoys reading and writing Khmer, watching cartoons, and playing with his little sister. He especially likes vegetable-filled soups. When Heang was two years old, he burned his left hand in a fire while his family was having a barbecue. He received treatment at a private clinic, but the injury later healed with scar tissue that gradually caused contractures in his left index and middle fingers. The tight scars restrict movement in his left index and middle fingers, making it difficult for him to fully straighten them. This may also affect his ability to grasp and hold objects comfortably with his left hand. When Heang's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), they traveled for five hours seeking treatment. On September 17th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to give his affected fingers more flexibility and improve how he can move his left hand. This may make it easier for him to hold objects, play, and take part in everyday activities as he continues to grow. Now, he needs help to fund this $652 procedure. Heang's mother said, “I hope the surgery will help my son straighten and move his fingers more easily. I want him to be able to hold things with both hands, play with other children, and enjoy his childhood without his hand limiting him.”

Thoon is a 13-year-old girl from Burma. She lives with her parents in Phop Phra District, Tak Province, Thailand. They are originally from Karen State, Burma. They moved to Thailand in search of better job opportunities. Her parents are agricultural day laborers. In her free time, she loves to play with her friends or watch movies on her mother's phone. On July 9th, 2026, Thoon and her friends got into a motorbike accident. An X-ray showed that she fractured her left leg and jaw. She cannot walk and is in pain. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Thoon will undergo surgery to reset her fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for July 15th. After surgery, Thoon will be able to walk again, look after herself, and help with household chores. Her family needs help raising $1,500 to help fund the cost of her procedure and care. Thoon's mother said, "We are unable to borrow money for her surgery. Thank you for helping my daughter."

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.:

Eimy is a newborn baby from Bolivia. She lives with her two older brothers, her mother who is a homemaker, and her dad who works as a roofer. When Eimy was born, her mom noticed that her face looked blue, she was breathing fast, and could not breastfeed well. Eimy was diagnosed with a cardiac condition called transposition of the great arteries. The two major arteries connected to the heart are attached to the heart in an anatomically abnormal configuration, meaning that blood cannot flow normally through the heart and body. Doctors explained that she needed urgent surgery. On May 19th, Eimy will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, surgeons will detach the two arteries and reattach them in their normal positions, so that blood can flow normally. Eimy's family needs help to fund the costs of cardiac care and surgery. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, requests $1,500 to cover the cost of cardiac exams and diagnostics, surgical costs, follow-up care, and medications. Eimy's mother says: "I have so many feelings right now, but I trust that my baby will have a successful surgery. I am so grateful to be here."

Aitana is a young girl from Bolivia. She lives with her mom and her dad, who have a small convenience store. Aitana has a twin sister and an older brother; they live in the northern part of Bolivia. Where they live, there are no cardiologists. So, when her mom noticed that her heart was beating too fast, she took her to a different area where she found out she had a heart condition and needed surgery. Aitana has a cardiac condition called an atrial septal defect. A hole exists between the two upper chambers of her heart: blood leaks through this hole, leaving her weak and short of breath. On April 15th, Aitana will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, surgeons will sew a patch over the hole so that blood can no longer leak through it. Aitana's family needs help to fund the costs of cardiac care and surgery. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, requests $1,500 to cover the cost of cardiac exams and diagnostics, surgical costs, follow-up care, and medications. Aitana's mother shared, "We were looking forward to this day, I trust everything will go well, I pray for that."

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.

Swalehe is a two-year-old boy from Tanzania. He lives with his parents and two older siblings. His father earns a living pushing a market cart and transporting goods for customers, while his mother stays at home caring for the children and managing the household. Swalehe was born with fused fingers on both hands and fused toes on his left foot. As he has grown, these conditions have affected the development of his fine motor skills and his balance when walking and playing. Initially, the family was not sure if these conditions could be treated. Thankfully, they learned about our medical partner's care center, Kafika House, through a friend whose child had received successful care there. The family travelled to Kafika House, where doctors recommended surgical treatment. Without treatment, Swalehe will continue to experience functional limitations. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Swalehe receive treatment. On February 18th, surgeons will perform contracture release surgery and a skin graft to give Swalehe the chance to grow, play, and develop with greater independence and confidence. Now, he needs help to fund this $832 procedure. Swalehe's mother says, “His fingers are joined and tight, so he cannot grasp or release objects properly.”

Chakriya is a 39-year-old man from Takaeo province, Cambodia. He lives with his wife and two children. His oldest child is in kindergarten, and his youngest child is two years old. His wife stays at home to look after the children and manage household tasks. In his free time, he enjoys planting vegetables around his home and listening to music. For the past 14 years, Chakriya has been living with ankylosing spondylitis - a chronic inflammatory arthritis primarily affecting the spine, causing back pain, stiffness, and inflammation, especially the base of the spine and pelvis. Around one year ago, Chakriya began experiencing pain in his right hip, which has caused difficulty walking and limited his ability to perform daily tasks independently. He had previously undergone a total hip arthroplasty on his left hip in 2014 with the help of our medical partner. Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). Chakriya decided to travel back to CSC for treatment on his right hip. On January 16th, he will undergo a hip replacement procedure, which will cost $1500, including surgery and post-op care. Chakriya and his family can contribute $50, and need support for the remaining cost. Surgeons will operate on his right hip to relieve pain and improve mobility, allowing him to move comfortably and return to work. Chakriya said, "After the surgery, I hope that I will be able to walk easily and no longer have hip pain, so I can do my job properly."

Ellen is a 50-year-old nurse from Malawi. She is a single mother of two boys aged 22 and 16. Each month, she earns about $420, which covers household needs and her children’s school fees. For about 21 months now, Ellen has been experiencing abdominal pain accompanied by uncomfortable gynecological symptoms. Since August 2024, she has undergone numerous tests, which were costly and strained her finances. She has been diagnosed with Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia grade III (CIN III), the most severe form of precancerous cervical cell changes. If left untreated, it can progress to invasive cervical cancer. Removing the affected tissue prevents this progression. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,363 to fund Ellen's surgery. On December 10th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center. Once recovered, Ellen will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain, and prevent future medical complications. Ellen says, “With your support to undergo surgery, I know I will get better, continue caring for my children as their breadwinner, and keep serving the nation as a health worker.”

Roth is 32 years old and lives with his parents in Kampong Speu province, Cambodia. His four siblings have all married and moved out of the family home. Roth helps his parents in the rice fields. In his free time, Roth likes exercising and checking his social media. One year ago, Roth began experiencing pain in his right hip, which has made it difficult for him to walk and to go about his daily activities. The condition appeared to develop naturally, without trauma or accident. He had previously undergone a total hip arthroplasty on his left hip in 2012 at our medical partner's care center, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). Roth decided to travel back to CSC for treatment on his right hip. On November 10th, Roth will undergo a hip replacement procedure. His family can contribute $100, but needs help to raise $1,400 more to fund his procedure and care. After his surgery, Roth should be able to walk without pain and return to work. Roth said: “I hope that I will be able to walk easily and no longer have hip pain, so I can help my parents in the fields again.”