Hai is a 21-year-old construction worker from Cambodia. During his free time, he plays football and helps his family on their farm. Hai has chronic otitis media -- or chronic ear infections -- also coupled with a perforated tympanic membrane. According to our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), “When Hai was 12 years old, he began experiencing chronic discharge from his left ear. Over time this infection has perforated his tympanic membrane and caused hearing loss, tinnitus, and pain.” Hai says of his condition, “It is difficult for me to communicate with other people because I cannot hear well.” Hai travelled two hours to reach CSC, accompanied by his aunt. With $399, Hai will receive a myringoplasty, a procedure in which a surgeon will repair the hole in Hai’s eardrum with skin grafts. After the surgery, the discharge and pain will stop. Hai will experience fewer ear infections and his hearing will improve. Hai shares, “I hope the ear discharge stops and I will have good hearing."

Meet Phanna, an active 12-year-old boy who lives in Cambodia. Phanna is in sixth grade and enjoys playing football with his classmates. A few months ago, Phanna fell off his bicycle and dislocated his right elbow. Now, he cannot bend his right arm without pain. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), shares that he needs an operation to repair his right arm. Phanna is eager to get better after trying traditional Khmer treatment for one month with no improvement. He and his mother traveled five hours to CSC. For $405, Phanna will undergo surgery to repair his elbow joint. In this surgery, sutures will be used to hold the bone together while it heals. After treatment, Phanna will be able to bend his right arm with ease and without pain. Phanna is excited to get better. He shares, "I want to be a footballer when I grow up."

Hun is an 80-year-old mother and grandmother living in Cambodia. She and her husband have one son, one daughter, and five grandchildren. According to our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), Hun enjoys visiting the pagoda to meditate and listen to the monks pray. Three years ago, Hun developed a cataract in each eye. A cataract is the clouding of the eye lens, making it difficult or impossible to see. CSC explains, “The cataracts cause her to be partially blind and afraid of the sunshine.” Approximately 19,000 of the 28,000 Cambodians who become blind annually lose sight because of cataracts alone. With $225, Hun will receive a small incision cataract surgery. Both of Hun’s old eye lenses will be removed and replaced with artificial implants. After this operation, Hun will be able to see clearly once again. “I want to see everything clearly again so I can walk anywhere by myself, see the faces of everyone clearly, and help my family take care of the grandchildren at home," Hun adds.

Meet Caroline, a playful four-year-old girl from Uganda. Our medical partner, the Kellermann Foundation (KF), tells us: “Caroline is the third of four children. She loves to play with her siblings when she is well.” Caroline has acute malnutrition -- a condition that occurs when the body absorbs fewer nutrients than it needs to be healthy. Linked with her malnutrition, Caroline also has diarrhea and edema. Her doctor explains, “Malnutrition or diarrhea alone can have a detrimental impacts on childhood growth and cognitive development. Together they are even more dangerous.” To support their large family, Caroline’s mother keeps a vegetable garden and creates mats to sell within their community. Her father works as a lumberjack. However, their combined income is not enough to cover the cost of Caroline’s treatment. For $375, Caroline will be treated for malnutrition--simultaneously resolving her related symptoms. During her ten days at the hospital, Caroline will receive therapeutic milk, a nutrient-rich food supplement that will gradually restore essential nutrients to her diet. This procedure will rebalance Caroline’s nutrition levels and strengthen her immune system. “Treatment will address diarrhea, malnutrition, and dehydration,” her doctor says. “After treatment, Caroline will return to normal growth and development patterns.” “I am thankful for your support and feel very fortunate. I wish all children could be helped like this,” Caroline’s mother shares.

Meet Julius, a 17-year-old student from Kenya. The sixth born out of eight children, Julius lives with his siblings and parents on their small plot of land. According to our medical partner, African Mission Health Foundation (AMHF), the family relies on this, “small piece of land that they have planted vegetables and potatoes,” to put food on the table. Last week, Julius, “was in a motorcycle accident while he was on the way to their local town,” AMHF shares. The accident left his face, “slightly swollen and he has lost a few front teeth.” In addition, he sustained two severe fractures on his right hand, preventing him from working or participating in school. Julius comes from a modest household—AMHF explains that his father “carries luggage for people while his mother collects firewood and sells it to their neighbors.” With their limited income, “Julius’s family has not been able to raise the money needed for his treatment.” With $1,410 in funding, Julius will undergo an open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) procedure. Following surgery, his bones are expected to grow back in place, allowing Julius to regain full use of his hand after recovery. Although Julius has two fractures in his right hand, AMHF reports, “His doctors are hoping to treat both fractures within one hospital stay.” In addition to his surgery, Julius will also spend the seven-days in the general ward, granting him access to all of the medical care he needs to have a safe and speedy recovery. AMHF expects, “that after the surgery, Julius will be able to use his hand freely again and he will not suffer from infection.” Julius shares, “I want to get treated before school resumes so that I can be on my way to recovery and only miss school when I come to the hospital for follow up. I want to one day have a good job and help my parents.”

Meet Orbele, a 15-year-old boy from Tanzania. Orbele lives with his aunt, uncle, and three cousins. According to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), Orbele is a “polite boy who enjoys studying mathematics and history.” Outside of school, Orbele used to enjoy playing soccer, but due to bilateral genu valgus ("knocked knees"), he is currently restricted to a more sedentary lifestyle. Bilateral genu valgus occurs when the knees angle outwards, ultimately causing the lower legs to be positioned away from each other. While this is a common condition in very young children and typically resolves itself naturally, Orbele’s case has only worsened with time. “Orbele’s legs started to bend inwards when he was nine years old,” explains AMHF. Now, “he is unable to walk without knocking his knees. The condition has affected his gait and ability to walk or run quickly—he also complains of pain, especially on his left knee after walking a long distance.” Unless he receives treatment, Orbele risks developing osteoarthritis. AMHF says that while his aunt and uncle “love Orbele very much and would like to see him able to walk like he used to,” they do not have the income to cover his treatment costs and support the rest of the family. With $940, Orbele will undergo surgery to straighten and realign his legs. Included in the total cost of treatment, Orbele will receive specialist care from Plaster House—a rehabilitation program. During his three months at Plaster House, Orbele will have two weeks of intensive physiotherapy, which will be critical to his successful recovery. Following surgery and rehabilitation, AMHF shares, “Orbele will be able to walk properly and will decrease his chances of developing osteoarthritis at a young age.” Orbele shares, “I dream of becoming a primary school teacher!”