Stacy is a 10-year-old girl from Kenya. Since she was young, Stacy has grown up living in a children's home because neither of her parents is in her life. She shared that it was hard when she first arrived, but eventually Stacy started opening up and finding joy in the small moments, playing with her friends, and even enrolling in school. Currently in Grade 3, life has been a journey that has had lots of ups and downs. For years, Stacy has had an umbilical hernia, which is a tissue bulge in the belly button area, occurring due to a weak spot in the abdominal wall. Stacy has been experiencing on-and-off pain at the site and was on pain medication, which did not provide lasting relief. One day, the home management came across information online about our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital (BKKH). After a call to BKKH, Stacy was brought to the hospital, where she underwent a series of tests. Stacy's diagnosis was confirmed, and she has now been scheduled for hernia repair surgery on August 10th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Stacy receive treatment. The procedure will cost $585, and once completed, Stacy will live a healthier life, free from her painful symptoms. Stacy says, "I have had to stay back many times as my friends went to school because of the pain. I hope that after surgery, I won't have to skip school anymore."

Chiroeur is a 65-year-old widow from Cambodia. She has six children and lives with her youngest daughter, who is also a widow, and three grandchildren in Kratie province. Her daughter works as a rice farmer, and the grandchildren are in school. In her free time, Chiroeur enjoys taking care of and playing with her grandchildren. Three days ago, Chiroeur slipped and fell, fracturing her right femur. She first went to a Khmer traditional healer, but her condition did not improve. She then went to a hospital where an X-ray revealed that her right thigh bone was broken. Now, she is unable to walk and relies on a wheelchair for mobility. Doctors placed her in traction for several days to improve the bone's alignment, and now plan an open reduction internal fixation to repair her leg. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On December 6th, Chiroeur will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will restore her strength and mobility. Chiroeur's family can contribute $75 to her care but needs $408 more to fund the procedure. Chiroeur's daughter said: "I hope that after surgery, she will no longer experience pain and will be able to recover fully."

Sambath is a cheerful six-year-old boy from Cambodia. He lives with his three siblings and parents, who earn income by collecting plastic bottles for recycling. Two years ago, Sambath had an ear infection that caused the ear drums in his right and left ears to perforate. As a result, Sambath experiences ear discharge, hearing loss, and a history of snoring at night which has been exacerbated by an inflammation of the nose. His communication with others has been hampered, and he no longer attends school. Sambath and his mother traveled to our medical partner's care center to seek help for his condition. On March 20th, he will undergo a myringoplasty procedure to repair the eardrums on both of his ears, at Kien Khlang National Rehabilitation Centre. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $914 to cover medications, supplies, and inpatient care for the procedure. Sambath's mother says, "After surgery, I hope that Sambath will be able to speak more clearly, and that his hearing will improve. I would like for him to do well in school, and feel hopeful about the future."

Sopheaset is a five-year-old kindergartener from Cambodia. He lives at home with his parents and his three siblings. His mother is a housewife and his father is in the army. He is the youngest child, with one older sister and two older brothers. Currently, Sopheaset is in kindergarten, where he enjoys singing and music class. When he grows up, he wants to be a teacher. His favorite meal is candy and durian. In his free time, Sopheaset enjoys playing with toy cars and watching cartoons with his siblings. Since birth, Sopheaset has had a large congenital mole on his right cheek, which is a lesion appearing as a dark-colored, hairy patch of skin. Over time, the mole has increased in size and become slightly darker. Due to the condition, Sopheaset feels uncomfortable about his facial appearance and experiences feelings of being stigmatized by friends. Sopheaset and his mother traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On June 12th, surgeons at Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), will remove the mole. The family is able to contribute $100 towards his medical costs, but needs help raising the remaining $173 to fund the procedure. Sopheaset's mother says, "I hope that after treatment my son will feel better, and do well in school."

Eth is a 55-year-old cake seller from Phnom Penh, Cambodia. She has two sons, two daughters, and six grandchildren. She lives alone in Phnom Penh and visits her family and neighbors often. In her free time, she likes to listen to the news on the radio, and play with her grandkids. About two months ago, Eth developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her photophobia, itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, so it is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. 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. Eth was grateful to learn about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. On May 6th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Eth shared, "I hope after surgery I can see more clearly and spend more time selling cakes in the market and recognize my customers."

Hok Ly is a 6-year-old student from Cambodia. He lives with his mother, grandparents, and uncle in Kandal province. His mother works in a nearby clothing factory and his grandparents stay home to care for him. Hok Ly is in a local kindergarten, where he loves puzzles and recess. His hobbies are playing with his friends and eating local fruit. Hok Ly was born with syndactyly of both hands, a condition where some of his fingers are fused together. It is difficult for him to use his hand to grasp objects, or write letters. Fortunately, on May 2nd, surgeons will perform a syndactyly repair procedure to separate and release the fused fingers. Hok Ly and his family are able to contribute $100 but need to raise $344 more to fund this procedure. After surgery, he should feel more comfortable and will be able to use his hand easily. Hok Ly's mother hopes he will be able to use his hands more easily, especially in school and when eating.

PengEang is an 11-year-old student in grade four from Cambodia. He and his family come from Mondulkiri province, approximately five and a half hours from the capital of Phnom Penh. PengEang has one sister and two brothers. His father is a pepper farmer and his mother stays home to care for the children. PengEang enjoys mathematics and playing badminton. PengEang would like to be a policeman when he grows up. About a year ago, PengEang fell hard on a tile floor while playing with his brothers and fractured his left elbow. He had surgery with implants to stabilize the bones to heal the fracture. The fracture has healed, but PengEang still feels chronic low-level pain in his elbow. The hardware is uncomfortable and it is difficult for him to extend and flex his elbow. He would like the hardware removed. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On April 2nd, PengEang will undergo a hardware removal procedure which will cost $304. The hardware removal will help him heal completely and complete the rehabilitation of his arm. PengEang's mother said, "We hope my son will no longer have pain, and he can be healthy after the metal is removed from his elbow."

Tha is a 63-year-old grandfather. He is a rice farmer and lives in Kampong Speu province with his wife and one daughter. They have two sons, five daughters, and six grandchildren. His wife watches most of the grandchildren and makes sure they get to school. His daughter works in a garment factory and helps with cooking. At home, Tha enjoys listening to radio news or monks' prayers. Five months ago, Tha developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him blurry vision and difficulty seeing in bright or low light. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, so it is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on his own. When Tha learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On January 24th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Tha said: "I feel bad and it is hard to even see the faces of my family clearly, I hope after surgery my eye can see better and I can go back to growing rice."

Saroeun is a 43-year-old mother of three from Cambodia. She lives in a village with her husband, son, and two daughters. Her husband is a mechanic, and both of her daughters work in a nearby garment factory. Her son is still in school. In her free time, Saroeun enjoys cooking, spending time with her family, and watching Cambodian dramas on TV. About one year ago, Saroeun developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so she cannot go places on her own. When Saroeun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On May 10th, doctors will perform cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. CSC is requesting $253 to fund this procedure. Saroeun contributed $75 to her care Saroeun shared, "I hope I can see clearly and start a new job to help support my family."

Beatrice is a one-month-old baby from Kenya. She is the youngest in a family of nine children. Due to the ongoing rain shortage, the parents have had to go out of their way to do casual jobs to provide for the family. The family has no insurance and cannot raise the required funds for her surgery. Beatrice was born at home, and immediately, her mother noticed she had swelling on her back. Referred by a friend to BethanyKids, her family traveled for two days and brought her in for an examination. Beatrice was born with spina bifida, a type of neural tube defect in which the spine does not properly close around the spinal cord. Without treatment, Beatrice is at risk of lower-limb paralysis, infection of the exposed nervous tissue, development of tethered cord syndrome, and possible developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,151 to cover the cost of Beatrice's spina bifida closure surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on March 8th. This procedure will hopefully spare Beatrice from the risks associated with her condition, allowing her to grow and develop along a healthy trajectory. Beatrice’s mother says, “I was confused when I first saw the condition my child has, and I did not know what to do. I’m really looking forward to her surgery.”

Oun is a 75-year-old retired rice farmer. She lives in Pursat province, revered as one of the holiest sites of Cambodian Buddhism. Her husband died of lung disease many years ago, so she lives with her son, his wife and her grandchildren, who are all rice farmers. When not helping out in the house, she likes visiting the local pagoda to listen to the monks pray. Four years ago, Oun developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her tearing, blurry vision, and photophobia. Oun has to spend her days inside the house due to light sensitivity from her cataract, and she cannot do what she normally likes to do. 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 Oun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for six and a half hours seeking treatment. On January 3rd, doctors will perform phacoemulsification and place an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Oun said: "I hope my eye can be fixed, so I can continue to spend time with my family and recognize faces."

Toeur is a 58-year-old widowed rice farmer from Cambodia. He has three sons, six daughters, and ten grandchildren. Since his wife has unfortunately passed away, he now lives with his youngest son. Due to his condition, he spends much of his time indoors listening to the news on the radio. One year ago, Toeur developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him to experience eye tearing and blurry vision. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so he is not able to go places on his own. He shares that he is lonely without his wife and that being unable to go outside due to his poor vision makes him unhappy. When Toeur learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. On August 1st, doctors will perform cataract surgery and place an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help funding this $253 procedure. Toeur says, "I would be very happy to go outside by myself and see all the faces of my grandchildren again."