Sam is a rice farmer from Cambodia. She has one son and enjoys spending time with her family. 43 years ago, Sam had an ear infection. This infection caused a cholesteatoma, or an abnormal skin growth, to develop in the middle ear behind the ear drum. For this reason, Sam experiences inactive ear discharge, hearing loss, and tinnitus. It is difficult for her to hear, and she often experiences ear discomfort. Sam traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On March 19, she will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure in her left ear. During this procedure, ENT surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $842 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. She says, "I really hope my hearing is improved and I can more easily listen to my family members and return to work."

Thun is a grandmother from Cambodia. She has eight children and six grandchildren. She is a rice farmer and enjoys spending time at home with her family. Four years ago, she started experiencing pain in her knee. She is finding it difficult to work and walk. Fortunately, Thun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. At CSC, surgeons can perform a total knee replacement to relieve Thun of her pain and allow her to walk easily. Treatment is scheduled for January 12, and Thun needs help raising $1,025 to pay for this procedure. She says, "I want to be able to take care of my grandchildren."

Nwet (BB) is a 23-day-old boy from Burma. He lives with his family in a village in Karen State. When he was born, the nurses noticed a protrusion on the back of his skull, a neurological condition called encephalocele. The protrusion is very sensitive. Nwet (BB) was born with encephalocele, a type of neural type defect characterized by sac-like protrusions of nervous tissue through openings in the skull. Both incomplete bone fusion in the skull and incomplete closure of the neural tube contribute to this condition. If left untreated, the lump will continue to grow, heightening the risks of developmental delays and permanent neurological impairment. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to help cover the cost of corrective cranial surgery for Nwet (BB), which is scheduled to take place on January 15. Surgeons will remove the protrusion and correct the skull defect, hopefully eliminating the risk of future neurological complications and allowing Nwet (BB) to develop along a healthy trajectory. Nwet Yee, his mother says, "I am worry for my son but I cannot do anything for him. I hope that the surgery will make him well and become a normal person like other children."

Pov is a farmer from Cambodia. He has one son and enjoys spending time with his family. Two years ago, Pov had an ear infection. This infection caused a cholesteatoma, or an abnormal skin growth, to develop in the middle ear behind the ear drum. For this reason, Pov experiences headaches, tenderness on his ear, ear discharge, hearing loss, and tinnitus. He's running out of money to keep treating it at the pharmacy near his village, and he's worried his hearing loss will get worse. Pov traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On December 12, he will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure in his left ear. During this procedure, ENT surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $842 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. "I hope my brother can stop the pain and discharge from his ear," says his sister.

“I like watching and helping my mom prepare some tea and simple meals," Laurent says. "When I grow up, I would like to become a famous chef." Meet Laurent, a seven-year-old boy from Tanzania. “Laurent was born with a congenital deformity of the foot, which is forcing him to use the lateral aspect of his feet for walking. If not treated, Laurent will most likely develop early osteoarthritis of the small bones,” reports our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Laurent is the oldest of three children in his family. He enjoys playing soccer, singing, and dancing. “Laurent’s parents are small scale farmers. They rely on growing and selling maize, beans, sunflower, and peanuts. Laurent’s parents try very hard to take good care of their children, but their seasonal income is not enough to cover their basic needs as well as pay for the treatment which Laurent needs badly,” continues AMHF. For $1160, AMHF can operate on Laurent to fix his clubfoot. After treatment, “Laurent will be able to step on his feet normally. His gait will improve and he will have a reduced risk of developing osteoarthritis at a young age," adds AMHF.

Meet Dinkmekar, a two-year-old girl and only child to her parents. Dinkmekar was born without an anal opening and cannot pass stool normally. As a result, she experiences pain and difficulty since she must pass stool through the vagina. Dinkmekar will continue to experience pain if this condition is left untreated. In order to treat Dinkmekar, our medical partner can perform an anoplasy, in which the anus will be moved to an appropriate place within the muscles. “We expect after surgery, Dinkmekar will be able to pass stool normally. She will grow up healthy and normally,” explains our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Dinkemar’s father works as a farmer with very little income, and, to support her daughter’s condition, Dinkmekar’s mother stays at home. They are unable to raise the funds for the surgery. Dinkmekar's mother dreams of “seeing my baby stay happy all day without being in pain.” For $1500, we can provide Dinkmekar with this life-saving surgery and help both her and her parents lead healthy and happy lives!