Serey is a three-year-old boy from Cambodia. He lives with his parents and three older siblings. His father works as a construction worker, and his mother works in a mango jam factory. His siblings are all students. In his free time, he enjoys playing with toy cars and eating all kinds of soup, especially lemongrass sour soup. Serey was born with syndactyly of both hands, meaning his 3rd and 4th fingers on both hands are fused. This makes it difficult for him to use his hands comfortably and affects his confidence around others. Fortunately, on April 23rd, our medical partner, the Children's Surgical Centre, will assist Serey in undergoing syndactyly repair surgery to separate and release the fused fingers. This procedure will cost $462, and Serey needs your support to fund the surgery. Serey's father said, “After the surgery, I hope that my son will be able to use his hands more freely and comfortably in his daily life. I also hope he will gain confidence, no longer feel shy about his appearance, and be able to interact and play happily with others like any other child.”

Pheareak is a 33-year-old soldier living in Preah Vihear Province, Cambodia. He lives with his wife, who works in a garment factory, and their son, who is a kindergarten student. In his free time, he enjoys playing volleyball with friends in the village. About six months ago, Pheareak had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the eardrum, in his right ear to perforate. For this reason, Pheareak experiences ringing in his ear, hearing loss, and ear pain. He experiences difficulty hearing, which affects daily communication and quality of life. The ear pain also causes discomfort, especially in cold weather. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is helping Pheareak receive treatment. On April 2nd, he will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in his right ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Pheareak can contribute $100, but needs help raising $263 more to fund his procedure and care. Pheareak said, “After the surgery, I hope that the ringing in my right ear and hearing loss will improve, the pain in my ear will go away, and I will be able to hear normally again.”

Sisay is a healthcare worker from Ethiopia. At just 26 years old, this young man is a vital heartbeat for the healthcare center where he works. As a key member of the staff, he serves as the bridge between the clinic and the community. At home, he is the pillar for his two siblings, balancing the roles of breadwinner and protector. However, a grueling battle with chronic tonsillitis is slowly silencing the very voice he needs to build his career, and has made it challenging to do his work. Sisay shares how heartbreaking it is when the illness breaks his focus, keeping him from the job he loves. About one and a half years ago, Sisay began experiencing a difficulty in breathing, fever, pain, and exhaustion. Every day is a grueling battle against a searing sore throat, transforming his essential duties, from warmly greeting patients to managing a relentless stream of phone calls, into a profound and painful struggle. Sisay was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils, which, if not treated, will cause his symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Despite the constant pain, he continued to serve at his local health station. He knew a tonsillectomy was necessary, but a lack of specialized doctors and medical equipment in his area kept that relief out of reach. The moment he heard about a new opportunity for care at our medical partner's care center, he was filled with hope. He arrived at Saglan Waje General Hospital, clutching his referral papers, ready for a second chance. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $700 to fund a tonsillectomy for Sisay, which is scheduled to take place on March 7th. During the procedure, surgeons will remove his tonsils, hopefully relieving Sisay of his symptoms, and allowing him to go back to work with ease. Sisay says: "I am so excited for the opportunity to interact freely with my siblings again, instead of just collapsing into bed exhausted every night. I feel ready to truly show up for my patients as well as my siblings, and build the stable, happy future we all deserve together."

Amos, who is 32 years old and single, lives in Narok County in Kenya. He works as a small scale farmer. Amos had just finished watching a football match on February 4th, when an argument broke out among his friends. Trying to be the peacemaker, he stepped in to calm the situation, but was struck with a forceful blow to his face. Despite the pain, Amos hoped that it was something minor, and took pain relievers. Two days later, however, his jaw had become severely swollen, and the pain was unbearable. He sought help at a nearby hospital, where scans revealed that his jaw had been fractured in three places. He was immediately referred to our medical partner's care center, AIC Kijabe Hospital, for specialized care. Amos requires a mandible Open Reduction Internal Fixation (ORIF) surgery to repair his jaw, and to prevent long-term complications. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On February 12th, Amos will undergo the fracture repair procedure at AIC Kijabe Hospital. This procedure will help relieve his pain and enable him to eat, speak, and get back to good health. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,115 to fund this procedure. Amos said: “I’ve been on a yoghurt and mashed food diet for a week now. It feels like my teeth are falling out. The pain is unbearable.”

Moulan is a four-year-old kindergarten student from Cambodia. She lives with her parents in a small neighborhood in Battambang province. Her father is a public servant, and her mother works at a construction equipment shop. She is the only child of the family. She is a smart kid who enjoys writing and reading Khmer literature and playing with toy cars and dolls with her cousins. Her favorite dishes are pizza and various kinds of soup. She dreams of becoming a soldier when she grows up. Moulan was born with amniotic band syndrome, resulting in the absence of her right leg. After undergoing a modified Marquardt procedure with fibula reconstruction, she developed a below-knee amputation stump infection. It causes pain and mild discharge, preventing her from maintaining proper hygiene, wearing her prosthetic leg, and walking comfortably. When Moulan's parents learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), they traveled for six hours to seek treatment. On January 22nd, surgeons at CSC will perform a debridement procedure to treat the stump infection and promote healing, allowing her to wear her prosthetic leg, reduce pain, and regain the ability to walk and move independently. Now, Moulan needs help to fund this $417 procedure. Moulan's mother said, “After the surgery, I hope that my daughter will properly heal, so she can wear her prosthetic leg and walk around easily.”

Robert is a 3-year-old from Tanzania. He is shy when meeting new people, but is active and playful with other kids. Robert is the firstborn in a family of two children, and he enjoys spending time with his young sister, who is still a baby. Robert was diagnosed with bilateral genu varus, a condition that has caused his knees to bend outwards. With bilateral genu varus, the knees can be angled inwards or outwards, making it difficult to walk and may cause long-term joint damage. Several factors can cause this condition, such as growth disorders, vitamin deficiencies, or excessive fluoride found in contaminated drinking water. Robert's condition has been linked to fluorosis, a condition common in some regions due to the water quality. His parents first noticed the bowing of his legs when Robert was around one year old. Following advice from neighbors and relatives, they initially tried strengthening exercises, hoping this would resolve the condition. However, when his condition did not improve, they sought care at a nearby hospital, where Robert was given braces, though it was challenging to use these consistently, and the condition continued to worsen. After learning about our medical partner's care center, Kafika House, from a former patient's family, Robert's parents made the long journey to the hospital, hoping for a solution. On January 9th, Robert will undergo bilateral proximal tibial osteotomy (PTO) surgery at Kafika House. This treatment will restore Robert's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $810 to fund treatment for Robert. Robert's father said, "This condition has us concerned because of the pain he feels while trying to walk. I wish for the pain to stop so that he can walk and play freely."

Matiyas is a cheerful nine-month-old baby boy from Ethiopia. He loves playing with toys and puzzles and especially enjoys spending time with his parents. He is a sociable baby who brings joy to everyone around him. Matiyas was born with hypospadias, a condition that causes urinary dysfunction. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and will be at risk of future complications. Fortunately, on April 8th, Matiyas is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery with the help of our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare. Matiyas’s family is raising $1,293 to cover the cost of his procedure and care, which will allow him to live more comfortably. Matiyas’s mother said, “I am so grateful for the support provided to us. I hope Matiyas will be in excellent condition after the surgery. Thank you very much for this opportunity.”

Zakayo is a bright, energetic boy from Tanzania. He currently lives with his aunt, who has lovingly taken responsibility for his care. Zakayo’s burn injury occurred last year when a fire caught his clothes. Although the wounds eventually healed, they left severe contractures across his right axilla, elbow, and wrist, leaving his arm stiff and limiting the movement of his hand. In October, Zakayo underwent an extensive reconstructive surgery that included Z-plasties and skin grafting to release the contractures in his axilla, elbow, and wrist. His recovery was successful, and he now has far better mobility in his arm, which has brought great joy to him and his family. Today, Zakayo is ready for the next stage of his treatment, a contracture release on the small finger of his right hand. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Zakayo receive treatment. On December 16th, surgeons will perform a burn contracture release surgery. Now, he needs help to fund this $717 procedure. Zakayo's father says, "Everyone at home is excited about Zakayo's recovery, and we are praying that all goes well during his next surgery."

Sok is a 36-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He lives in Kampong Spueu province with his wife and two children. His oldest child is in ninth grade, and his youngest is in fourth grade. While Sok works in the rice fields, his wife has a job in a nearby garment factory to help support the family. During his free time, he enjoys Sok enjoys chatting with friends in the village and drinking coffee. Two years ago, Sok was involved in a motorbike accident that caused left-sided paralysis. Since then, he has been unable to move his left arm and hand and struggles with daily activities. 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 Sok receive treatment. He is scheduled to undergo the tendon and nerve repair procedure on November 17th. Sok can contribute $100, but needs help to raise $601 more to fund his procedure and care. Sok said, “After the surgery, I hope that I will be able to return to my job and earn money to support my family.”

Nwet is 41 years old and a mother of three from Burma. She and her husband live in a refugee village in Phop Phra District, Tak Province, Thailand. They moved from Burma to Thailand in 2020 in search of better job opportunities. Nwet's daughter and two sons are studying in Burma and live with her mother-in-law. She and her husband are agricultural workers. Since January 2023, Nwet has been experiencing troubling symptoms, including swelling on her left neck. She was diagnosed with thyroid goiter. The thyroid is the gland located in front of your neck and produces thyroid hormones. These hormones are responsible for functions such as metabolism, growth, and other bodily functions. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is helping Nwet receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on February 17th. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $1,500, and she and her family need help raising money. Nwet said, “Thank you so much to BCMF and the donors for helping me with my treatment cost.” Her husband added, “I am really grateful that my wife will receive support for her surgery costs. By ourselves, we cannot afford this. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart.”