Vireak Thet is a happy two-year-old boy from Cambodia. He lives in Phnom Penh with his parents and grandmother. His mom stays at home to care for him, and his dad works as a motorbike taxi driver. To supplement their income, his grandma sells ice cream from a cart in front of their home. Vireak Thet loves playing with the other children in the neighborhood, and eating ice cream from his grandma's cart. Last year, Vireak Thet accidentally burned his right hand with hot cooking oil. Burn scar contractures have developed, tightening the skin around his index and middle fingers. It is difficult for him to use his hand for every day activities. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), can help Vireak Thet. On August 9th, surgeons at CSC's care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery to to improve the function of his hand. Now, his family needs help to fund this $495 procedure. His mom shared, "I hope he can move his fingers freely and be able to use his hand when he starts school."

Seng Toek lives in a rural village in Kampong Cham province, with his wife and two daughters, ages seven and one. At home, he likes to grow local vegetables to support their life together. Recently while collecting coconuts for food, a large one fell on his right shoulder. Despite being unable to use his shoulder or arm after the incident, he did not immediately seek healthcare because he could not afford it. Seng Toek is in constant pain and worried that he cannot support his family if he cannot work. A villager told him about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, where disabled Cambodians can receive healthcare. Seng Toek traveled for three hours to receive help for his shoulder and arm where surgeons told him he has a dislocated shoulder - this is an injury in which the upper arm bone pops out of the cup-shaped socket that's part of the shoulder blade. Seng Toek requires surgery to put the ball of his upper arm back into the socket and needs help to pay for the $485. This will cover all tests, surgery, post-operative care, and rehabilitation for his arm. Seng Toek said: "After surgery, I hope that I can work again and won’t have pain."

Muong is a 73-year-old rice farmer who together with her husband has one daughter, five sons, and many grandchildren. They live with their daughter who is a garment worker. As she is older and has challenges seeing clearly, she stays home to care for her grandchildren. In her free time, she likes to listen to the monks pray on the radio. Three years ago, Muong developed a cataract in her right eye causing her blurry vision, tearing, and sensitivity to light. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Muong learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On September 15th, doctors will perform small incision 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. Muong shared, "I hope I can see well again after surgery, I can recognize my grandchildren's faces and can cook well. And I want to go to the pagoda again."

Joseph is a 9-year-old boy and bright student. His family hails from the Mathare neighborhood in Nairobi County in Kenya and he is the 1st born in a family of 2. Joseph's family lives in a one-roomed rental house in a difficult area of the capital city. His mother is a cook at a nearby school and father is a casual laborer at construction sites within Nairobi. They don't earn much and it is often hard to get by. At the age of 1, when Joseph was learning to walk, he accidentally fell on a pot of boiling water and sustained severe burns on his left hand. He was rushed to Machakos General Hospital where he was given first aid to prevent the burn from extending and also relieve the pain. His left hand now has severe contractures and he cannot use it in his normal duties. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Joseph receive treatment. On October 27th, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery. The surgery will restore the functioning of his hand and enable him to live a comfortable life. However, his family is not in a position to raise the required amount of money. Now, they need help to fund this $840 procedure. Joseph's mother says, “We are unable to raise the estimated cost of this surgery but we would like to see our son using his hand fully. Any help for my son to undergo surgery will be appreciated."