Nabulu is a 2-year-old girl from Tanzania and the youngest of six children in her family. Her father is a livestock keeper, providing sustenance and income for the family. In February, there was an accident in which Nabulu suffered severe burns from boiling milk. The family rushed Nabulu to the hospital, where she received two weeks of intensive wound care. As her wounds began to heal, burn scar contractures formed around her arms, severely limiting her range of motion and functionality. The scars on her elbows and wrists have left her unable to perform basic activities, hindering her ability to explore and learn. Nabulu’s parents, aware of their limited resources, were hesitant to seek treatment for the contractures until they learned about the positive impact of our medical partner’s work from a former patient. Touched by the transformation they witnessed, Nabulu’s family reached out for help, hoping to provide Nabulu with a brighter future. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Nabulu receive treatment at their care center. On December 13th, surgeons will perform a burn contracture release surgery to improve the functionality in her arms. AMH is requesting $639 to fund this procedure. Nabulu’s mother said: “I hope my daughter won’t have to live with these defects throughout her life. I hope this treatment will bring about a positive change.”

Sothany is a 23-year-old woman who lives with her mother and father in the Prey Veng province of Cambodia, where her parents are rice farmers. She has four brothers and four sisters. When Sothany was younger, her parents noticed that her spine was not straight; however, they could not afford proper healthcare for her. As she has grown up, she has had more noticeable changes, including uneven hips and shoulders, prominent ribs, and a shift of her waist and torso to the side. For the past few years, Sothany's disability has increasingly affected her breathing as her rib cage presses against the lungs, making it more difficult to breathe. Sothany is very self-conscious about her spinal deformity and limited mobility. As a result, she quit her job in a clothes factory and stays home with her mother. She makes homemade videos to sell lotions and creams on social media. Her parents first heard about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), in early 2020. However, they were unable to travel due to COVID pandemic travel restrictions. Today, Sothany's symptoms have greatly increased including muscle imbalance, pain, and difficulty breathing. Sothany and her parents traveled for two and a half hours to our medical partner to seek intervention for her disability. Sothany will undergo a posterior spinal fusion with implants at CSC's care center on August 1st. Sothany is contributing $100 to pay for her care, and CSC is requesting the remaining $1500 to fund the procedure. This will cover radiology, medications, surgery, and post-op physiotherapy care. Sothany said, "After surgery, I hope my spine will be straight. I want to walk with my friends and not have hard breathing, work to support myself, and not be ashamed of my back."

Mon, a homemaker and devoted mother to a four-year-old daughter, works part-time as a waitress while her husband earns a living as a motorcycle taxi driver. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends during her free time. Last year in September, Mon began experiencing a hard abdomen and uncomfortable bloating. If she overeats, she has difficulty breathing and feels pain. Following a diagnosis of a right ovarian cyst, she has been recommended to undergo an oophorectomy, a surgical procedure aimed at removing her ovaries. Fortunately, Mon is scheduled to undergo her oophorectomy on June 15th. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, requests $913 to cover her procedure and care costs so she can heal. Mon said, “It’s good that you save so many people with the same condition. Not many can save lives like this.”

Yam is a 50-year-old vendor of traditional Khmer cakes. She has three daughters and five grandchildren. She lives with her youngest daughter who is a garment worker. When not cooking or selling cakes, she likes to play with her grandchildren and listen to the news on the radio. One year ago, Yam developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her photophobia, difficulty seeing in low or bright lights, and blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on her own. When Yam learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled far across the country for eight hours seeking treatment. On May 3rd, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery, and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly again. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. "I hope after surgery I can see better. I want to be able to sell Khmer cakes to help support my daughter's family as I did before," says Yam.

Channy is a 60-year-old rice farmer with one son, two daughters, and six grandchildren. Channy lives with her daughter who works in an office. Her husband is a monk. Five months ago, Channy developed a pterygium in right, causing her itchiness and tearing. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Channy learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. Channy needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. The total cost of her procedure is $225. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for April 7th. Channy says, "I really hope the irritation goes away after surgery and I can go outside and do things more easily."

Soy is a 66-year-old rice farmer. She and her husband have three sons, six daughters, and many grandchildren. They live with their oldest daughter who is also a farmer. Due to her age and poor vision, she no longer works in the rice field. At home, she likes to listen to the monks pray on the radio. Two years ago, Soy developed a cataract in her right eye causing her sensitivity to light and blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Soy learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On September 15th, doctors will perform phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $229 procedure. Soy shared, "after surgery I hope my eye can see clearly again. I want to go to the rice field to help my husband. And I want to plant vegetables around my house for sale to earn money to support my family."

Solita is a 3-year-old from Cambodia. She is the only child in her family. Her mother is a factory worker, while her father repairs motors. Solita likes to play with toys and watch cartoons on TV. Overall, Solita is in good health, but has some problems with her left hand. Two years ago, she was burned by fire on her left fingers. After the accident, her family took her to a provincial hospital, where she was treated with medicine and dressings for 10 days. Unfortunately, burn scar contractures have developed, tightening the skin around the finger. It is difficult for her to use her hand, and she cannot carry or hold anything. When Solita's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), they traveled there hoping for treatment. On February 3rd, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help her use her fingers easily again. Now, she needs help to fund this $477 procedure. Her parents shared, "We hope our daughter's fingers will be better and the procedure will improve her ability to do daily activities."

Mach is a 70-year-old grandmother with one daughter, one son, and four grandchildren. She lives in a remote province of the northwest of Cambodia with her nephew. Mach used to be a bacon seller, but now she cannot work because she cannot see well. Her husband passed away in the Khmer Rouge regime. In her spare time, she likes to listen to monks preaching on the radio. One year ago, Mach stopped seeing normally out of her left eye. The retina of Mach's left eye had detached, causing her partial blindness. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Mach learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for eight and a half hours seeking treatment. On February 4th, eye surgeons will perform a retinal detachment repair procedure in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $648 procedure. Mach shared, "I hope I can see well again, I am afraid now. I want to take care of myself, and go back to join ceremonies at my pagoda."

Anam is a 9-year-old from Cambodia. She is in the fourth grade and shared that her favorite subject in school is math. She enjoys eating fried meat and drinking fresh milk. Her mother is a farmer, and her father works in Thailand to earn a living for their family. Five years ago, she received multiple injections at a medical clinic for unknown reasons. Since then she has had problems and infections on her right thigh. Her knee is stiff, and she is unable to fully straighten her leg. She cannot walk well, or run like her friends. When Anam's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, they traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On February 17th, surgeons at CSC will perform a quadricepsplasty procedure of right thigh and knee to help her walk again. Now, Anam's family needs help to fund this $430 procedure. She is hopeful to have full function of her leg and keep up with her friends when they play in the future!

Brianna is a young girl from Tanzania. Brianna is a beautiful, friendly and cheerful girl, the only child to her parents. When Brianna was a year old, in her playful mode, she accidentally dipped her left hand in the boiling cooking oil where her mother was cooking from. She was rushed to the hospital where the burns were attended to. However, the burns healed with contractures that have affected her ability to fully utilize her left hand. Her mother sells food at a local Swahili restaurant in order to support the family. The family was not able to fully raise the money for contracture release for Brianna. Her grandmother provided them with some funding and her fingers were partly released. She, however, needed further contracture release. She was brought to our plastic clinical camp whereupon review, she had surgery recommended. The family is not able to meet the cost of treatment and so appeal for financial assistance. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Brianna receive treatment. On September 24th, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery to release the two fingers allowing Brianna ability to fully utilize her left fingers. Now, she needs help to fund this $608 procedure. Brianna’s grandmother says, “Please help treat my granddaughter her parents have not been able to afford her treatment cost.”

Nareth is a 15-year-old girl from Cambodia. She has two sisters, one brother, and hopes to become a tailor when she gets older. When she was eight years old, Nareth had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in her left ear to perforate. For this reason, Nareth experiences discharge, itchiness, pain, and hearing loss. She has difficulty communication clearly with others and can no longer attend school. Nareth traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On September 17th, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in her left ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $423 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Nareth's mother says,"I hope that my daughter's surgery goes well so I won't have to worry about my daughter's condition and she will feel better."