Ephantus is a 28-year-old security guard from Kenya. He is the sole breadwinner for his wife and their five-year-old child. His modest salary is not enough to cover the cost of a critical surgery. Raised by a single mother who is a farmer, and with an elder sister who works as a street vendor, Ephantus' family is unable to contribute the funds needed for his medical care. In May 2024, shortly after starting his job, Ephantus was involved in a workplace incident while directing cars in a hotel parking lot. When he asked a visitor to reposition a poorly parked car, the driver became enraged, deliberately drove into Ephantus, and ran over his right leg after he fell. The incident resulted in a severe ankle fracture, with bones exposed. Ephantus was rushed to a hospital, where he received immediate care and underwent surgery to have an internal fixation device inserted into his leg. Unfortunately, two days after his discharge, Ephantus’ leg began to swell and showed signs of infection. Ephantus underwent another surgery to remove the internal fixation device and began receiving regular treatment for his wound. Despite this, his leg has continued to suffer from recurring infections, and doctors have now recommended a skin graft surgery to aid in his recovery. Ephantus remains in pain, unable to walk properly or work to support his family. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, can help. On September 16th, Ephantus will undergo a debridement and skin graft procedure to relieve his pain, restore his mobility, and allow him to return to work. He needs help to fund this $1,185 surgery. Ephantus shared, “I am in so much pain and stressed because I’m away from my family, and no one is providing for them.”

Ishmael is a 60-year-old farmer and lives in Kambanizithe village, where he is a senior chief. He grows maize and groundnuts to support his family. Ishmael shares his home with his wife and four grandchildren. Since January 2023, Ishmael has had a right inguinal hernia. It started with swelling and a sharp pain, which worsened over time. In July 2024, Ishmael traveled to our medical partner's care center, Nkhoma Hospital, where the diagnosis was confirmed, and surgery was recommended. With all hope, he believes that this procedure will cure him of his pain for good. He will return to farming and provide for his family again. The longer he stays with this condition, the greater the risk of permanent complications such as a strangulated hernia which can be life-threatening as it leads to severe inflammation of the intestine and sepsis. On August 22nd, Ishmael will undergo hernia repair with mesh surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $500 to fund Ishmael's hernia repair surgery, which will allow him to live more comfortably. Ishmael says, “I’m looking forward to a prolonged life so that I continue to support my family and resume working on our farming business.”

Tamiru is a brave and bright five-year-old boy from Ethiopia who loves playing with friends and exploring new ideas. Tamiru comes from a large family with nine children—four daughters and five sons. His father is a farmer, but as the parents have aged, they can no longer work the land. Two of Tamiru's married sisters and their husbands support their parents by farming a portion of the family land. Three of his brothers work as daily laborers, while two younger brothers continue their education. Amidst these challenges, the family has faced immense hardship. One sister, who moved to Addis Ababa four years ago for domestic work, went missing after just one year. Despite their desperate search for her, the family has been left in distress, and the emotional toll has been heavy. Tamiru's mother carries the burden of daily life, managing the home and caring for the family. She struggles with her health, suffering from the effects of smoke from cooking fires and the relentless demands of their difficult living conditions. Their home, made of mud, was damaged during the war, and they now live in a makeshift tent against a crumbling wall, constantly fearing for their safety. With limited access to food, they often go hungry, surviving on just one meal a day or sometimes none at all. Tamiru has faced his own health challenges since birth, suffering from a painful left inguinal hernia, a condition that results from a weakness in the abdominal wall. This condition requires urgent surgery to prevent serious complications, and it has taken a toll on both him and his family, weighing heavily on their spirits. Tamiru's mother expresses the family's struggles, saying, “We never had the chance to go to school. We can’t read or write. I fear for my child’s health, and it has been incredibly difficult. We are thankful for the support we’ve received from the social worker to get here - to the city and to the hospital, but we need your help.” Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Tamiru receive treatment. On October 7th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Center. Once completed, this procedure will alleviate Tamiru's pain and discomfort and prevent future medical complications. Now, Tamiru's family needs help to fund this $512 procedure. Tamiru's father says, “I hope that this surgery will treat his condition and allow him to live normally, free of any complications. I place my trust in God's hands and in the skills of the doctors.”

Amaani is 16 months old and is the only child of his parents. Amaani's father was unable to care for Amaani as a baby as he was still in school. Amaani was raised by his grandmother so that his father can continue his schooling. Amaani's father completed university last year and is currently searching for a job with hopes to be able to provide for his young family. Since January 2024, Amaani has had a recurring hernia. He underwent a herniotomy on his left side, but now needs surgery on his right side. Amaani is in pain, unable to eat well or play with other children. Fortunately, on July 23rd, Amaani will undergo surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $201 to fund this procedure that will help relieve him of pain and allow him to live more comfortably as he grows. Amaani's grandmother says, "I have hopes that he will have a successful surgery and he will be able to join fellow children and play without pain."

Chetra is a 39-year-old man from Cambodia. He has three sisters and one brother. His parents are divorced, so he lives with his mother and a niece. He and his mother work long hours outside in the rice paddies. They exchange the leftover rice they do not eat for vegetables and other items at the local market. In April 2024, during a rainstorm, Chetra fell off his motorcycle onto a pile of sharp roofing, cutting deeply into his right forearm. He visited a local clinic, where he was told he had a deep tendon, muscle, and nerve injury, but they were only able to suture the superficial injury. Since then he has lost strength in his arm, has limited range of motion, decreased sensation in his fingers, and chronic pain. It is difficult for him to grasp objects or use any farm equipment to harvest the rice. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre can help. On October 14th, Chetra will undergo surgery to repair his tendon injury and nerve damage. His family is able to contribute $100 but needs help to raise $472 more to fund this complex surgery. This will cover the surgery, post-operative care, medication, and rehabilitation. After surgery and rehabilitation, Chetra should be able to regain strength in his arm and return to farming to support his family. Chetra said, "I need to work to support my mother. I hope after this operation I can use my hand again."

Chantha is a 42-year-old mother from Cambodia. She has two sons whoa re both in primary school. She and her husband sell drinks and snacks to travelers on a corner along a busy road in Prey Veng province. In her free time, she helps her children with their homework. Since birth, Chantha has had a rare, slow-growing, non-cancerous tumor called a chondroma that developed on the end portion of her right thigh bone. In rare cases, a chondroma can turn into cancer. Three weeks ago, she was in a road traffic collision, injuring her right leg. Her leg is swollen, she is unable to walk, and she is in pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On July 5th, Chantha will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will allow the surgeons to remove the chondroma, stabilize the bone, and restore her mobility. This will decrease her pain and help her walk easily again. Chantha's family was able to contribute $100 towards her medical care but need help raising the remaining $383 to fund the procedure. Chantha said: "I hope to return home soon to care for my children and be free from pain."

Srey Rout is a 23-year-old factory worker from Cambodia. She lives with her parents, two siblings, and grandmother. She is the oldest among her siblings, who are both still in school. Her mother works in a factory and her father is a rice farmer. Currently, Srey Rout works alongside her mother to support the family. When she is not working, Srey Rout helps to care for her 80-year-old grandmother. Srey Rout was born with bilateral cleft lip and cleft palate, a condition affecting the development of her facial and dental structures. Since infancy, she has undergone several surgeries to address the gap on both sides of her upper lip and the opening in the roof of her mouth. These conditions have made it challenging for her to speak clearly and have resulted in dental and facial asymmetry, including missing or misaligned malformed teeth. She has recently experienced complications from previous surgeries. Surgeons need to remove unhealthy bone and create a flap to cover the exposed bone. This will involve delicate localized adjustments in her bone structure. When Srey Rout learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On July 2nd, surgeons at CSC will perform a remodeling of the maxillary bone with a mucosal flap to cover exposed bone, and the removal of previous plate and screws to improve her overall facial symmetry, correct skeletal misalignment, and enhance her dental function and appearance. Srey Rout's family is able to contribute $100 towards her medical costs but needs help raising the remaining $573 to fund the procedure. Srey Rout said: "I have had many operations and hope that soon I can chew food and be able to smile."

Meet Huoy, a 24-year-old man from Cambodia. He lives with his wife, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and brother-in-law in Pursat province. His wife is six months pregnant with their first child and stays home to help manage the household. In his free time, Huoy enjoys watching sports on TV with his friends at the village coffee shop. On July 26, 2024, Huoy was in a motorcycle accident, where he was hit from behind by a speeding car, falling hard on his right shoulder. He sustained multiple injuries including paralysis of his right arm due to nerve injuries. He sought treatment from a local clinic near his house but is unable to use his arm and hand. He has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his right side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. Huoy used to work as a cashier but has been unable to work since the traffic accident, and his arm is non-functional. He has shoulder pain and weakness in his right hand, and is unable to raise his arm. Huoy is worried he will not be able to support his family, especially after his first child is born. Huoy traveled to our medical partner's care center, Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, to receive treatment. On September 12th, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, he hopes to use his right arm again to work. Huoy is able to contribute $100 but needs help t raise $609 more to fund his treatment and care. Huoy says, "After this operation, I hope to use my arm again to find a job to help my family and take care of my wife and baby."

Samai lives with his wife and three daughters in Kratie province in Cambodia. He and his wife make Khmer rice noodles to sell. His eldest daughter, aged 13, dropped out of school after grade six to help her parents with the noodle business. His other two daughters, aged 10 and seven, are still in primary school. In his free time, Samai enjoys watching the news on his phone. On August 11th, 2024, Samai had a motor accident that caused trauma to his right leg. He was taken to a referral hospital in Kratie province, where doctors recommended surgery. However, due to financial difficulties, he sought traditional treatment instead. Now, Samai experiences hip pain that makes it difficult for him to sit, and his right leg is stiff during internal rotation. He currently relies on crutches to walk. Samai traveled for two hours to visit our medical partner, the Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). On October 10th, surgeons will perform an open reduction procedure on his right hip to correct the dislocation and relieve his pain. Samai can only afford $100 for his care and needs assistance with the remaining $385 to fund his surgery. After treatment, he will be able to walk independently and more comfortably, improving his mobility and quality of life. Samai said: "I hope that after the surgery, I can walk without crutches and return to helping my wife without pain."

Nhan is a 69-year-old widowed vegetable seller from Cambodia. She has three children and fifteen grandchildren. She raised her children on her own after her husband died during the Khmer Rouge regime. Nhan had a stall in the local market where she used to sell vegetables but has had to retire due to her deteriorating vision. Her children help support her by working as rice farmers or at local factory jobs. In her free time, Nhan likes listening to Buddhist radio and spending time with her grandchildren. About six months ago, Nhan developed a cataract in her left eye. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, so it is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. Nhan now experiences watery eyes 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. Nhan learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, and traveled for three and half hours seeking treatment. On October 14th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Nhan is able to contribute $50 for the procedure and needs help to fund the remaining sum of $203. Nhan says: "I look forward to having my vision improved, so I can go to places on my own, and go back to selling vegetables in the market."