Falesi is 43 years old and a mother of six children from Malawi. She lives with four of her children. As a single mother, she works as a domestic worker, doing all she can to provide for her children and keep them in school. In January 2026, Falesi began to experience troubling symptoms, including a small lump on the right side of her neck. At first, she did not think much of it, but over time it grew larger. As it increased in size, it began to affect her daily life. She started experiencing chest pains and frequent headaches. At times, she struggled to eat and swallow properly, making even simple meals difficult. Worried about her condition, she went to the hospital, where doctors examined her. She was diagnosed with a thyroid cystic mass. The thyroid is the gland located in front of the neck and produces thyroid hormones. These hormones are responsible for functions such as metabolism, growth, and other bodily functions. Falesi needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $491 to fund Falesi's treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on April 16th at our medical partner's care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland to restore her health. Falesi said, “I believe this surgery will improve my life greatly. I want to be strong again so I can continue caring for my children. This support gives me hope that I will be well again.”

Akshay is 18 years old and lives in Palamu, Jharkhand, India. He lives with his parents and older sister. His father is a farmer. When Akshay was six months old, he fell into a chulha, a cooking stove with an open fire, and burned his right hand. The burn caused a contracture; the skin healed tightly, and over time his hand became restricted in movement. He has lived with this since he was a baby. The contracture on his right hand makes daily tasks difficult. At 18, with a father who farms and a family that depends on physical work, this has been a real limitation in his day-to-day life. When Akshay learned about our medical partner, G.S. Memorial Plastic Surgery Hospital and Trauma Center, he and his mother travelled 6.5 hours seeking treatment. On October 1st, specialty surgeons will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help him regain function and mobility in his hand. Now, he needs help to fund this $1,442 procedure. Akshay shared, "I am hopeful I will regain full function of my hand."

Sakun is 85 years old and a mother of seven children from Cambodia. She lives in a small neighborhood in Takeo province with her third daughter, who works as a farmer. Her other children are married and live in nearby villages. Although her family lives close by, she relies heavily on her daughter for daily support, as she has no job and very limited financial resources. Despite these challenges, she finds peace in simple moments, especially when listening to monks' sermon in her free time. Sakun recently slipped and fell in her bedroom, resulting in a left femoral neck fracture on her hip. Since the injury, she has been in severe pain and is unable to walk, leaving her completely dependent on others for mobility and even basic daily activities. The sudden loss of independence has been both physically and emotionally difficult for her. Sakun was referred to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) for treatment. On March 18th, Sakun will undergo a hip hemiarthroplasty procedure, which will cost $712, covering both surgery and post-operative care. During the procedure, surgeons will operate on her left hip to stabilize the fracture, relieve her pain, and restore her ability to walk. This surgery offers her not only physical healing, but also the hope of regaining her independence, rebuilding her strength, and returning to her normal daily life with dignity and renewed hope. Sakun said, “After the surgery, I hope I can walk again without pain, regain my strength, and return to my daily life with independence and hope for the future.”

Sreyka is eight years old and a second-grader from Cambodia. She lives in a rural area in Koh Kong province with her parents and her brother. Her father works as a boat driver, and her mother works in a garment factory. Despite their modest income, her parents work very hard to provide for their children’s education and daily needs. Sreyka enjoys studying math, playing hide and seek with her friends, and watching cartoons. Her favorite meal is lemongrass sour soup. She hopes to become a nurse in the future so she can help other people. Sreyka was born with a cleft lip and palate, which was repaired when she was a baby. However, there is still a gap in her upper gum where teeth should grow. Without further treatment, her permanent teeth may not grow properly, and she may continue to face challenges with chewing, speaking clearly, and smiling confidently. Sometimes, she feels shy because of the gap in her teeth. The family traveled for six hours to reach our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). On March 4th, she will undergo an alveolar bone graft surgery to repair the gap in her upper gum. With proper treatment and recovery, her permanent teeth will be able to grow normally. This will help her chew food more easily, improve her speech, and give her the confidence to smile freely. Her journey to CSC brings hope that she will grow up healthy, confident, and able to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse. Sreyka and her family need help raising $665 to fund her procedure and care. Sreyka said, “I feel shy sometimes because of the gap in my teeth, but I hope this treatment will help me smile confidently and speak clearly. I want to feel happy and confident like other children.”

Panha is a nine-year-old student from Cambodia. He lives with his parents, who sell groceries in a small booth, and his younger brother, who is two years old. He is in the 5th grade, and enjoys studying mathematics, eating fried pork, playing football with his friends in the village, and doing his homework. He dreams of becoming a police officer when he grows up. Recently, while playing with his friends, Panha fell and fractured his left elbow. He is experiencing significant pain, has difficulty moving his arm, and is unable to lift his hand, which makes daily activities and schoolwork challenging. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On February 5th, Panha will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $600. This treatment will help relieve his pain, restore movement of his left arm, and allow him to use his hand easily again so he can return to school and focus on his studies. Panha's mother said, “After the surgery, I hope my son will be able to use his hand easily again and be free from pain, so he can grow healthy and focus more on his studies.”

Moses is a 27-year-old man from Kenya. He is single and lives with his parents. He earns a living selling second-hand shoes, while his father works as a construction worker. On January 1st, 2026, Moses was involved in a road accident. He was traveling on a motorbike when another motorbike lost control and struck him on the right side, causing injuries to his right arm and right leg. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where first aid was administered, and he was subsequently discharged. Moses later came to our medical partner's care center, AIC Kijabe Hospital, for further treatment and has since undergone several surgeries to manage injuries to his arm and leg. His recovery has been steady; however, further imaging revealed that his jaw was fractured and requires a mandible ORIF. Since the accident, Moses has been unable to open his mouth and has been on a liquid diet. He is currently in pain and requires surgery, but his insurance coverage has been fully exhausted. The family already has an outstanding hospital bill and has been unable to raise additional funds. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On January 16th, Moses will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will enable him to undergo the necessary surgery, begin his recovery, and resume a normal diet. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,115 to fund this procedure. Moses says, “I am in constant pain. My mouth feels stuck, and I haven’t been able to eat properly since the accident.”

Ashley is a 15-year-old student from Kenya. On her way back to boarding school after the Christmas holidays, the bus she was in was involved in a road accident along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway at around midday. The bus was carrying Ashley and other students from her school. Following the accident, well-wishers rushed the students to the hospital. Upon arrival at our medical partner's care center, AIC Kijabe Hospital, Ashley underwent an X-ray that revealed a fracture and a deep cut on one of the fingers of her right hand. Ashley is in significant pain and discomfort. Her doctors recommended that a debridement surgery needed to be performed within 24 hours. If the surgery is delayed, she is at risk of losing her finger. Ashley's parents shared how distressing it has been to watch their daughter endure so much pain. Ashley’s father, in particular, is financially overwhelmed, coming immediately after the festive season and during the back-to-school period. In their current situation, the family is unable to raise the funds required for the emergency surgery. Ashley’s family is therefore appealing for medical and financial support to enable her to undergo the procedure. They are trusting that with timely treatment, Ashley will recover fully and return to school. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Ashley receive treatment. On January 7th, she will undergo a surgical procedure at AIC Kijabe Hospital to treat her condition. Now, Ashley's family needs help to fund this $505 procedure. Ashley says: “I am afraid that without the surgery, I might lose my finger. It would affect my confidence and make daily activities harder. This surgery would mean a lot to me.”

Sambath is a seven-year-old student from Cambodia. He lives in Phnom Penh with his parents and two younger siblings. His parents work in a grocery store to support the family. Sambath is in first grade and enjoys his math class and recess. In his free time, he likes playing with his friends and playing games on his mom's phone. Sambath was born with torticollis, a condition where the neck is twisted, causing the head to tilt at an angle. He cannot turn his head, experiences pain, and feels self-conscious at school. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is helping Sambath receive treatment. On November 11th, surgeons will perform a contracture release surgery to help improve his neck function and self-confidence. Now, he needs help to fund this $572 procedure. Sambath's father said: “After the surgery, I hope that my son will be able to turn his head more easily and have no pain, so he can grow healthy and focus on school.”

Hser is a 60-year-old man from Burma. He lives with his wife, children, and grandchildren in a refugee camp in Sob Moei District, Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand. His daughter is a teacher, and one of his sons is a day laborer. Hser and his wife run a small grocery shop in the camp. Every month, they receive money on a cash card from a charity organization in the camp. They also raise chickens and a pig for their own consumption. They receive free basic healthcare in the refugee camp. Since 2021, Hser has had an inguinal hernia. Hser is in a lot of pain. He experiences swelling, as well as a burning and aching sensation, preventing him from performing his daily tasks. Fortunately, on November 10th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at Mae Sariang Hospital, our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,468 to fund Hser's hernia repair surgery. Once completed, Hser will be able to live more comfortably. Hser said, “I would like my discomfort to disappear, and I would like to be able to work properly. I hope my problem will be treated after my surgery."

Leah is 39 years old and a small-scale farmer from Kenya. She and her husband are poultry farmers. One month ago, Leah began to experience troubling symptoms, including severe backaches and abdominal pain. She was initially treated with medication, but her condition worsened. As the pain persisted and her abdomen became swollen, scans revealed a perforated intestine, requiring emergency surgery. Despite the procedure, Leah continued to experience intense abdominal pain and had to undergo a second surgery during which a portion of her intestine was removed to aid her recovery. Subsequent scans have now revealed fluid buildup in her pelvic area, leaving her in severe pain and unable to heal properly. She was diagnosed with an acute abdomen, and doctors recommended a laparotomy, which is a surgery that opens up the abdominal cavity to treat her condition. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,500 to fund Leah's surgery. On February 3rd, she will undergo surgery, which will, hopefully, greatly improve her quality of life. Leah says, "I haven't been able to move from this bed. I am exhausted, and my stomach is swollen and in pain."

Sopheak is a 36-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He lives in Prey Vaeng province with his wife, who is also a rice farmer, and their four children. During his free time, he enjoys gardening and growing vegetables around their home. Sopheak slipped and accidentally cut his right forearm on a sharp zinc sheet while making some home repairs around one month ago. He needs to undergo a tendon and nerve repair procedure to help regain strength and mobility. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is helping Sopheak receive treatment. He is scheduled to undergo the tendon and nerve repair procedure on October 2nd. Sopheak can contribute $50, but needs help to raise $651 more to fund his procedure and care. Sopheak shared, "After the surgery, I hope that I will be able to use my hand properly again, so I can return to my job and help my family."