Ro is a 21-year-old grocery seller from Cambodia. He is the middle child among three siblings and lives with his oldest sister, her husband, and their two children. He dropped out of school in grade 9 to help his sister sell groceries from a roadside stall. He lives near the beach in Preah Sihanouk province and enjoys going there most days after work with his friends. On July 31st, 2024, Ro was in a motor vehicle accident that resulted in a fracture of his lower left leg. Although he underwent surgery at a referral hospital, his leg is out of shape, and he experiences mild pain while walking, caused by a bent plate. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On January 2nd, Ro will undergo a fracture repair procedure which will improve the position of his leg and reduce pain, allowing him to walk more comfortably. Ro's family can contribute $100 but needs your help to raise $383 more to fund his procedure and care. Ro shared, "I hope I can walk and work without pain and not have this problem anymore."

Birtukan, a 15-year-old girl from Ethiopia, is locked in a heartbreaking struggle with a chronic illness. Her youth is overshadowed by persistent pain that has tragically barred her from the classroom, leaving her emotionally adrift and isolated. Her mother is a single parent facing insurmountable challenges. She works tirelessly, each hour a testament to her love. Every resource is stretched thin, every penny allocated to the relentless pursuit of medical treatments that could offer a glimmer of hope for Birtukan. Providing basic necessities for the family has become a constant, exhausting battle. Birtukan suffers from osteomyelitis, an infection within the bone which causes inflammation and destroys bone tissue. She needs surgical treatment, but her family is unable to afford the cost of treatment. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is helping Birtukan receive treatment. On March 5th, she will undergo a procedure known as sequestrectomy, where surgeons will remove dead bone and tissue within the infected area. Now, Birtukan's family needs help to fund this $900 procedure. Birtukan says: "I look forward to being able to go back to school, reconnect with my friends, and live a healthier life without pain."

Makara is a four-year-old boy who lives with his mother, older sister, and grandparents in Kandal province, Cambodia. His mother and grandparents work as rice farmers to support the family. Makara does not attend school yet, but his mother plans to put him in kindergarten next year. At home, he enjoys playing outside with his sister and their friends in the village. Makara was diagnosed with early-onset bilateral Blount’s disease, a condition that affects the growth plates around the knees. His leg alignment has caused his legs to bow outward, which has worsened as he grows, making it difficult for him to walk. To correct this, Makara will undergo proximal lateral tibial 8-plate hemiepiphysiodesis on both legs, a surgical procedure that will support the realignment of the bones by restricting growth on one side. Makara and his mother traveled for two hours to reach our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, for his surgery on February 5th. This surgical procedure is used to gradually correct the bowing of his legs, which will cost $506, including post-op care and physiotherapy. Small metal plates will be placed on his shin bone to slow down growth on that side, allowing the inner side to catch up and straighten his legs over time. The procedure will help improve his walking ability and overall leg function as he grows. Makara's mother shared, "My wish is my son will be able to walk more easily and start school without any problems."

Heng is a 33-year-old construction worker from Cambodia. He has six siblings in total and lives with his mother, oldest sister, and two nephews in Phnom Penh. His mother is a housewife, while his oldest sister, who is divorced, works at a local retail shop to support the family. In his free time, Heng enjoys watching soccer and boxing on his phone. In January this year, Heng accidentally injured his right foot while playing soccer. He visited a clinic where surgical hardware was affixed to stabilize the injury and aid in the healing process. Although the initial surgery helped, Heng still experiences some discomfort from the hardware, and has not been able to resume work. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On December 5th, Heng will undergo a hardware removal procedure, which will help him walk comfortably again, and allow him to go back to work. Heng is able to contribute $50 towards the cost of his treatment and needs help raising $254 more to fund the procedure. Heng says, "I look forward to having the surgery so that I can return to work to support myself."

Akim is a 17-year-old high school student from Uganda. He is the third born in a family of four children, all of whom are currently attending school. Akim has a passion for music and hopes to one day become a radio presenter. To support their family, his father works as a welder, and his mother manages their home. For the past three years, Akim has dealt with a hydrocele, which is a swelling in a sensitive area. This makes it difficult for him to walk around with ease. He sought medical care at our medical partner's care center, Nyakibale Karoli Lwanga Hospital, and his doctor recommended he undergo surgery. His parents share that due to financial constraints, they are unable to fund their son's needed procedure. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), can help. On August 2nd, Akim will undergo hydrocele repair surgery at Nyakibale Karoli Lwanga Hospital. AMHF is requesting $146 to fund Akim's surgery. Once completed, this procedure should allow Akim to live more comfortably and confidently. Akim's father says, “I think that he will get healed after surgery and will be able to continue with school in good health.”

“We are the same as any parents: we only want the best for our son,” says the mother of Anselm, a 2-year-old boy from Kenya. Anselm’s mother recently noticed that her son had an empty scrotal sac. “Having already raised three children, she knew straight away that this was not normal and sought help at her nearest clinic,” says our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). “Further investigation revealed that Anselm had undescended testes,” continues AMHF. If untreated, Anselm could be at risk of developing testicular cancer or hernia. Anselm also risks infertility in the future. “Surgery is required to help Anselm,” says AMHF, “but with limited finances, his family is unable to raise the funds to pay for his surgical care. Anselm’s mother sells secondhand clothes with an average daily income of only $2. His father is unemployed and is trying desperately to find a job to support his family,” which currently lives together in a single-room rental house. For $570, we can fund Anselm’s double orchidopexy procedure, during which doctors will surgically move the undescended testes into the scrotum and permanently fix them there. This operation will reduce Anselm’s risk of developing the aforementioned complications. “We pray that someone can help him,” says Anselm’s mother. Let’s help fund Anselm’s surgery!