Deogratious is a father of twelve from Uganda. His eldest child is married with five children while the lastborn is 11 years old and in primary school class four. Only four of his children are still in school. He does farming together with his wife and they own a four-room mud house for shelter. Deogratious developed two bilateral gluteal swellings five years ago that started small but later progressively increased in size. They were painless at that time. He has never visited any medical facility for treatment. Now, he feels severe pain and can no longer sit or sleep comfortably. If not treated, the masses are likely to get infected, making the problem even more serious. Deogratious traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On September 29th, surgeons will remove the mass. Deogratious needs help to raise $145 to fund this procedure. Deogratious says, “I pray that I may get well through surgery. I finally hope that I may be able to live a normal life once again. I will continue with farming to sustain my family.”

Poeun is a 70-year-old grandfather with two daughters, five sons, and six grandchildren. He takes care of his grandchildren when his children go to work. Eight years ago, Poeun developed a severe ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membranes, or the ear drums, in both of his ears to perforate. As a result, Poeun experiences hearing loss, pain, and discharge, and it is difficult for him to communicate clearly with others. Poeun traveled to Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, the care center of our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, to seek treatment. On June 7th, he will undergo a procedure on both ears, during which doctors will close the perforations. Children's Surgical Centre is requesting $914 to fund this procedure, and to cover Poeun's medications, supplies and inpatient care. Poeun says: "I hope after surgery my hearing improves and the pain stops."

Agrath is a beautiful seven-month-old baby girl. She is a healthy and happy little girl raised by a single mother and her grandmother. Agrath was born with bilateral clubfoot, a congenital musculoskeletal malformation that causes the foot to twist of our shape, ultimately impairing the ability to walk. She was scheduled for corrective casting once she was given her diagnosis, but it was too expensive for their family to cover. Understanding the financial challenges the family was facing, and the potential dangers associated with discontinuing treatment, the doctors referred Agrath's family to the Plaster House to seek help. Fortunately, on May 13th Agrath will undergo clubfoot repair surgery at our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $935 to fund Agrath's clubfoot repair. After treatment, her legs will be corrected and she will be able to grow up walking, running, and playing like other kids. Agrath’s grandmother says, “I am a widow and my granddaughter’s father is nowhere to be seen. We have no means of affording the surgery costs. Please help us.”

Mab is a 34-year-old electrician. He has two children, with his oldest son is seven years old and his newborn daughter at two months old. In Mab's free time, he enjoys playing volleyball with his friends. Last December, Mab was in a motorcycle accident that caused a brachial plexus injury on his left side. The brachial plexus is the nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in a loss of function and sensation. After the accident, Mab's family took him to a local hospital for treatment; however, his left arm is still immobile, and he has shoulder pain. The doctors referred him to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), for review, where they determined his shoulder is partially dislocated, and he has no elbow or wrist flexion. CSC is the only treatment center in the country that can help Mab receive the treatment he needs. On April 5th, he will undergo brachial plexus repair surgery that will allow him to use his hand again. CSC is requesting $696 for the cost of this surgery. Mab was able to gather $100 to contribute to his care, as well. Mab says, "I hope my arm will regain strength, and I can return to work."

Minea is a sweet, nap-loving two-year-old boy. He is the first child in his family, and his parents work as rice farmers. They shared that Minea loves to play with toys and take a good nap, if not two, every day! Minea also loves to eat and cuddle with his parents. In December 2021, Minea and his mother were in a motorcycle accident that injured Minea's left shoulder. His parents took him to the local hospital for X-rays and care; however, his shoulder is still dislocated, meaning he cannot lift his arm or grasp objects with his hand. Minea has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his left side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. Minea's family brought him to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), in February to undergo physiotherapy for his injury. Since there has been no improvement after three months of physiotherapy, CSC's specialty surgeons determined that Minea needs to undergo a nerve transfer surgery to heal. CSC is the only center in the whole country where this treatment is available, and, on April 21st, Minea will undergo surgery. His doctors shared that, after recovery, his nerve graft should regenerate so he can use his arm again. CSC is requesting $709 to fund this procedure. Minea's parents hope their child will have a successful surgery and he will be able to fully use his hand as he grows up.

Socheat got married last month and was excited to start building his life ahead. He works in a food store and in his free time, he likes to play volleyball, football and listen to music pop songs. In early March, however, Socheat injured his left elbow while playing football. Now he is in pain and cannot move his arm or work. He went to a private clinic but could not afford the treatment, so his neighbors suggested he visit our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, for medical care. Surgeons diagnosed a dislocated right elbow and recommend a reduction procedure and cast for several weeks to help him heal. This procedure will repair his elbow and give him full use of his arm once he has recovered. Socheat will be able to return to work and support his new family. Now he needs help to fund this $412 procedure. He told us, "I hope my elbow will be better, and I can use my arm again to return to work to support my wife."

Thach is a 39-year-old woman. She happily shared that she and her husband have been married for ten years, and they have two young sons, who are both in primary school. Thach works in a garment factory, while her husband is a farmer. When Thach is not working, she helps her husband raise chickens and vegetables to sell at the local market. She tries to relax at the end of the day by watching some news on the television. Ten years ago, Thach developed an ear infection that caused the tympanic membrane, or the eardrum, in her left ear to perforate. As a result, she experiences chronic pain and hearing loss that worsens if she has a fever. She visited a few local clinics for treatment but has been unable to find relief from her symptoms. As this condition makes it difficult for her to communicate with others, Thach noted she believes she has lost several job opportunities due to her hearing and frequent infections. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), can help Thach receive treatment to finally heal. On March 9th, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in her left ear, during which surgeons will close the perforation. CSC is requesting $464 to fund this procedure, covering medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Thach shared, "I hope that my hearing will be improved, and I will not have any more discharge or pain."

Rin is a traditional Khmer cake seller from Cambodia. Her husband died during the Khmer Rouge regime many years ago. She also shared that her son and daughter have passed away. Rin lives alone and makes Khmer cakes to sell at the market. She spends her time meditating and going to the pagoda. Three years ago, Rin developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her blurry vision, photophobia, and sometimes tearing. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on her own. When Rin learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On February 4th, doctors will perform a 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. Rin says, "I hope after surgery I can see well so I can take care of myself and be independent."

Lek is a 68-year-old who is married with three sons, three daughters, and many grandchildren. She lives with her husband and one of their sons, and they are vegetable farmers in Kampot Province in rural Cambodia. When she is not cooking, cleaning, or selling vegetables at the local market, Lek finds it calming to listen to the local monks pray on the radio. Two years ago, the retina of Lek's left eye detached, causing her deteriorating vision. She noticed a change in her eye, but could not afford to see anyone to help fix it. When Lek learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four and half hours seeking treatment. On January 12th, eye surgeons will perform a retinal detachment repair procedure in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $648 procedure. "I hope after surgery my eye will get better. I can look after my grandchildren, cook for them, and walk them to school," shared Lek.

Phat is a 50-year-old laborer. He is married and has two sons, two daughters, and one grandson. Phat lives with his wife and their children. At home he likes to watch Khmer boxing on TV. One year ago, the retina of Phat's left eye detached, causing him partial blindness and tearing. When Phat learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On October 26th, eye surgeons will perform a retinal detachment repair procedure in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $648 procedure. Phat says, "I will feel happy when my eye heals because I can return to working and helping my wife on the rice field."