Ariona is a two-year-old toddler from Uganda. She is the firstborn in her family. Her parents' main source of income is small-scale farming. They own a two-room mud house for shelter. They work hard to take care of their child and to develop their family. Ariona has had a swelling on her abdomen for one year. The swelling has gradually grown in size and is now causing her pain. Her parents worry that if not treated, she will keep experiencing pain. Her mother brought her for medical treatment at Rushoroza Hospital, a surgery to remove the swelling was recommended, but her family cannot afford the costs. Ariona and her mother traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On December 13th, surgeons will remove the mass. Now, Ariona's family needs help to raise $145 to fund this procedure. Ariona's mother says, “I believe the surgery will be successful and she will live an improved quality of life. She will be relieved from the chronic pain.”

Alex is the 3rd born in a family of four children and hails from Longonot, Naivasha, in Nakuru county. His mother told us he likes playing with other kids at home. Alex came to Cure Hospital accompanied by his mother, Grace, a housewife, and his father, farmer. Alex was born with multiple disabilities - spina bifida, hydrocephalus, and bilateral foot deformity. He underwent treatment for spina bifida when he was five days old, and hydrocephalus treatment was done at the age of eight months. Currently, he tiptoes as he walks and often falls. He is scheduled to undergo bilateral serial casting and then foot reconstruction surgery. The treatment will be impactful to the young boy because he will be able to walk, run, and play like other children and continue with his education uninterrupted. Alex's mother said, "I believe the joy of a mother is to see her children growing well and not with challenges, and therefore, I would love to see Alex walking normally like other children if given assistance."

Ly Heng wants to be able to write in school and play sports with his friends. He is a 7-year-old first-grader from Cambodia who lives in Prey Veng province with his parents, who work as rice farmers. Ly Heng loves soccer, cartoons, and Cambodian-style pork fried rice. At around age 4, his parents noticed that he was unable to grip objects, which has gotten progressively worse over time. He is unable to lift his arm and has limited hand function. He feels embarrassed at school and is unable to do everyday tasks. Ly Heng's family traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. This is the only center in the country where this speciality treatment is available. On November 1, he will undergo surgery. After recovery, he'll be able to use his arm and hand. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Center, requests $709 to fund this procedure.

Brenda is a small-scale farmer from Uganda. She is the second-born in a family of five siblings, all of whom are married and self-employed. Brenda's husband works as a builder in the local community, earning a modest income to cover their family's essential needs. Brenda completed her education up to secondary class four and pursued training and certification as an account assistant. However, she was unable to find a job in this field and had to switch to farming to ensure their family's food security. During her free time, Brenda enjoys spending time with her family. Brenda is currently expecting her third child and has received a full package of antenatal care from our medical partner's care center. Her doctors recommended that she deliver via a cesarean section because of two previous scars, as she delivered her first and second child through emergency C-sections. By undergoing a C-section to deliver her new baby, the doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Brenda undergo a C-Section on October 5th. This procedure will cost $252. Brenda said, “I will be glad when am assisted to deliver my baby for a good pregnancy outcome, and I can resume farming for the betterment of my family.”

Tola is a three-year-old who needs burn treatment so he can grow up active and healthy. He lives in Kandal province with his parents and two siblings. His mom sells rice and his dad is a fisherman. Tola loves playing with his siblings, toy cars, and eating mangos. When he was eight months old, Tola burned his right hand in a pot of rice. Burn scar contractures have developed, tightening the skin around the burns. He has limited function in his fingers, and his parents are worried it will affect him starting school next year. When Tola's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), they traveled there hoping for treatment. On October 23, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to to improve function in his hand. Now, his family needs help to fund this $495 procedure. Tola's mother says "I hope he can use his hand better for eating, and playing, and learning to write when he starts school."

Agnes is a mother of three children, aged between 3 to 7 years old. She works as a tailor who mends clothes for a living while her husband works on construction sites. Income from this job is inconsistent and often negligible. They live in a one-room rental house in a semi-rural town. Earlier this month, Agnes was involved in a road accident while traveling from church. She reports that the brakes of the car they were traveling in failed and they rolled off the road. She was rushed to Kijabe Hospital where she was stabilized and an X-ray revealed a right distal radius fracture. It is difficult for her to use her hand, and she is in constant pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On July 14th, Agnes will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help her heal without a deformity. It will also enable her to use her hand again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,500 to fund this procedure. Agnes says, “This accident got us unaware. I broke my arm but I am glad it can be rectified. I thank God my life was saved but I still need this treatment to avoid having a deformity. ”

62-year-old Sarom is a retired garment factory worker from Phnom Penh in Cambodia. Unfortunately, Sarom was widowed eight years ago when her husband passed away after being in a traffic accident. Together, they had two daughters, three sons, and four grandchildren. Sarom now lives with her elderly mother and youngest daughter, spending her days caring for her mother. About four years ago, Sarom developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. In addition to the discomfort caused by the cataract, Sarom's vision is impaired. Sarom sought treatment from our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. On April 26th, doctors at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre will perform phacoemulsification cataract surgery and implant an intraocular lens in her right eye. After she has recovered, Sarom should be able to see clearly once again. Now, Sarom needs help raising $253 to fund this procedure. Sarom shared: "I hope after surgery that I will be able to do my housework and take care of my mother and grandchildren well."

Phalen is a happy 9-year-old 3rd grader who lives with his parents and 3 brothers. His mom stays at home to care for the children, and his father is a police officer. Phalen loves math and basketball. At home, he enjoys playing with his brothers and eating Cambodian fish soup. In the future, he would like to be a police officer, just like his dad. Since the age of three, Phalen has been experiencing a sore throat and difficulty swallowing that has become worse over the last month. Frequent illness has caused him to miss school, and he is not eating as much as he used to due to discomfort. Phalen was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, which, if not treated, will cause his symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) will help by performing a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for Phalen, which is scheduled to take place on July 17th. Surgeons will remove his tonsils and adenoids, hopefully relieving Phalen of his symptoms and helping him live much more comfortably. Phalen's parents are able to contribute $100, and they need help with $265 to fully fund the procedure. He shared, "I hope I can go back to school soon and feel better. I also want to sleep well at night."

Doreen is the firstborn in a family of three children, raise by a single mother. She now earns a living through tailoring, which she learned from a friend. One year ago, Doreen began to experience symptoms, including a small painless swelling on her neck, which has grown over time. Currently, she experiences airway obstruction especially while sleeping and when she walks too fast. She can no longer carry a heavy load on her head because of neck pains. In June 2023, Doreen attended a medical camp in Kabale municipal. There, she was diagnosed with a multinodular goiter, or an enlarged thyroid, and was referred to our medical partner's care center Rushoroza Hospital for surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Doreen receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on August 25th at our medical partner's care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $333, and she and her family need help raising money. Doreen says, “I want to look and feel normal again through surgery. I pray for a successful surgery. I will continue with tailoring after complete recovery.”

Sophal is a 30-year-old construction worker. Recently married, he resides in Kampot province with his wife. His parents and spouse are engaged in rice farming, while Sophal transitioned to a construction position last year. In his free time, he likes to take out a wooden boat and fish on the river. One year ago, he fell 6 meters at work and fractured both legs near the heel bone. He went to a referral hospital, and doctors fixated hardware to heal the fracture in both legs. Now, the bones are united, and the pins placed during the prior procedure are causing him discomfort and difficulty walking. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On August 10th, Sophal will undergo a hardware removal procedure, which will cost $304. This procedure will eliminate pain, infection risk, and help him walk easily again. He shared, "I don't want to feel the metal anymore. I want to be more comfortable so I can do better at my job."

Mey Horng is a 19-month-old toddler from Cambodia who lives in Prey Veng province with his parents and older sister. Both of his parents work in a nearby clothing factory, and his sister attends first grade in the local elementary school. Mey Horng's favorite things are playing with toy cars, running around with his sister, and drinking milk. In December 2022, Mey Horng accidentally put his hand in a pot of boiling rice. During the healing process, burn scar contractures have developed, tightening the skin around his burn and fusing three of his fingers together on his left hand. It is difficult for him to use his hand and his parents are worried he won't develop his fine motor skills. When Mey Horng's parents learned about our medical partner Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), they traveled two hours seeking treatment. On August 3rd, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to improve his hand function. Mey Horng's parents are able to contribute $100 towards the cost of the surgery and need help with the remaining $495 to fully fund the procedure. His mom shared, "I hope my son can use his hand again so I don't worry anymore."

Vanna is a 49-year-old woman who lives in Kampong Cham province with her mother and her sister. Her mother is a rice farmer, and her sister works in a local factory. Vanna has been blind since 2000, when she was the victim of an acid attack by her neighbor. The attack melted her eyelids, nose, and upper lip. Since then, she has had various facial surgeries and skin grafts. Due to her scarring and blindness, she feels she has no creative outlets, does not leave the house, and is lonely and depressed. Recently, she has had increased pain radiating from her back to her neck. This condition is caused by scarring and contractures from acid burns. Skin contractures occur when the burned skin heals and forms scar tissue that tightens and restricts movement. The scar tissue can cause the affected area to become stiff and limit the range of motion. Vanna traveled to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, hoping for treatment. On June 14th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to relieve the pain and help her move her neck more freely. Now, she needs help to fund this $495 procedure. Vanna said: "I hope I move my neck and will no longer have so much pain. I will be very thankful if the doctors can do this."