Non is a 45 year-old rice farmer and father of two. He lives in Kampong Cham with his wife, son, and daughter. Both Non and his wife work in a nearby rice paddy, and farm vegetables in the off season. In his free time, he enjoys playing soccer and reading the news on his phone. Four months ago, Non was driving home from work on his motorbike, when he hit a pothole and fell off and fractured his left arm. Non has been receiving treatment from a traditional healer in his village, but his arm has not improved. He traveled three hours to Children's Surgical Centre for consultation. After examination and x-ray, Non has been diagnosed with a fracture of his left ulna and dislocation of his elbow joint. Since the accident, he has been unable to work full-time, and has chronic pain in his left arm. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On November 20th, Non will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $483. This procedure will eliminate pain and improve function in his arm. He shared: "I hope I can have surgery so I can use my arm again for work and my every day tasks."

Judith is a small-scale farmer from Uganda. When she was young, she was in school only up to the 7th grade due to limited financial support from her parents. She now does farming together with her husband and it is through the sale of their farm produce that they are able to pay school fees for their three children. They live in a three-room mud house that was given to them by her father-in-law. Six years ago, Judith began to experience neck swelling that was noticed by her friends. They advised her to use herbs but that did not help. The swelling is painless except when she touches it. She has mild airway obstruction especially when she walks up the hill and when singing in church, which she loves to do. Last year she visited a doctor at Kabale Referral Hospital to seek treatment. Judith was diagnosed with a multi-nodular goiter and needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Judith receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on September 22 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. Judith says, “I believe that I will be singing in church comfortably again one day soon and hope to be able to proceed with farming for my family’s survival.”

Harrison is 54-year-old mechanic from Kamuguga Kiambu County, Kenya. He is married and a father of 8 children. Of these, 5 are still in school, and the other 3 have completed school, but only one works as a teacher. Harrison does works as a mechanic, while his wife sells green vegetables in a nearby market. About four days ago, Harrison was working on a vehicle when it accidentally moved and rolled over his right leg. An x-ray revealed an open fracture to the tibia (shinbone). The fracture causes him to experience a lot of pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH) can help. On August 14th, Harrison will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. Successful treatment will result in the fracture healing without deformity. AMH is requesting $1,049 to fund this procedure. “We support each other to care for our family. I hope this leg will be operated on and heal quickly so that I can go back to my job, and the pain is also too much for me. Kindly seek help on my behalf,” said Harrison.

Johnson is a 62-year-old father of five from Uganda. He is a retired primary teacher who now works in small-scale farming, often working alongside his wife. They rely on this farming to sustain their livelihood. For over two years, Johnson has had a right inguinal hernia. He has had symptoms such as swelling and pain in his right inguinal region. Initially, he tolerated the discomfort, but the pain worsened, leading him to seek medical help. Johnson is scheduled to undergo a hernia repair surgery on July 11th. Our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH) is requesting $230 to fund Johnson's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Johnson says, “I will be glad to have my life brought back to normal so that I can resume my activities for a living.”

Sok Din is a 13 year-old seventh grader who lives in Takeo province with his parents and two brothers. Both of his parents are rice farmers. Sok Din is one of the top students in his class, and he is hoping to study biology at university. When he was 10 months old, Sok Din burned his hand and lower leg in an accidental gasoline fire at home. Using their savings and borrowed money, the family travelled to Vietnam, so that Sok Din could be treated. Thankfully, the treatment was successful, and Sok Din returned home a few weeks later. Since then, however, scar contractures have developed, tightening the skin on his left hand, limiting his hand's functionality, and making Sok Din feel embarrassed at school. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is seeking $495 to fund burn contracture release surgery for Sok Din, which is scheduled for May 18th, at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre. After his surgery, Sok Din and his family hope that he will be able to use his hand more fully, and that he will no longer feel embarrassed at school.

Rany is a 27-year-old soldier from Kampong Speu province in Cambodia. He lives with his parents, who are rice farmers, and his brother, who works in an office. When he has free time, Rany likes to play football and have coffee with his friends. In October 2022, Rany fell off his motorbike and injured his right arm. He visited the provincial hospital and was then transferred to a government hospital. He was unable to lift his right arm, but an X-ray showed nothing abnormal, and he was sent home. Several months later, still unable to lift his arm, he went to the army hospital, where doctors suggested that he consult with doctors at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. He has since been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his right 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 a loss of function and sensation, which is why Rany can't lift his arm. On April 25th, Rany will undergo brachial plexus repair surgery at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, the only facility in the country where this treatment is available. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $709 to fund this procedure. After recovery, Rany should regain some function in his arm. Rany said: "I hope I will be able to use my right hand again and return to the army base to work."

Win is a 50-year-old man from Burma. He lives with his extended family in a village in Karen State, which is an area under conflict and violence. He and his wife have four children, and three grandchildren. Win, his wife, two sons and one of his sons-in-law are farmers, while his two daughters are homemakers. Win lost vision in his right eye in the middle of 2022. Two months after this occurred, the vision in his left eye blurred, until he could only perceive light. He was diagnosed with glaucoma in his left eye, and as a result of his impaired sight, he had to stop working. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the cost of eye surgery for Win. On April 3rd, doctors at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital will operate and, after recovery, Win will be able to see clearly again. Now, he needs your help to fund this $1,500 procedure. “I feel stressed and worried about my life," Win said. "I want to go back to work after my surgery.”

Un is a 61-year-old grandmother who dotes on her seven active grandchildren. She and her husband are rice farmers and have three sons and four daughters. One daughter lives with them and helps with housework and cooking. About one year ago, Un developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her blurry vision and photophobia. She is afraid to use her stove because she cannot see numbers or dials, and is afraid she might injure herself or her daughter. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, thus is unable to travel on her own. When Un learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours to seek treatment. On March 9th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery to implant an intraocular lens in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Un said, "My eye feels cloudy and I can't go outside to help with the rice crops. I hope after surgery I can see more easily and go outside by myself."

Reach is a cheerful, four year old kindergartener. He loves painting, watching cartoons, and playing with his older brother. Soon after he was born, Reach developed cataracts in both of his eyes, causing him to have cloudy lenses and blurry vision. He struggles to see things clearly, and is uncomfortable going outside and doing things on his own. Reach's parents brought him to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, for evaluation and treatment. On March 1st doctors at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre will perform a lensectomy, and implant an intraocular lens in each eye. After he has recovered, Reach should be able to see clearly. Now, his family needs your help to fund this $443 procedure. Reach's mother said: "I hope my son can see and be able to keep up at school."

Queen is a sweet 11-month-old from Tanzania. She is the youngest child in her family of eight children. Queen is very curious and charming; when she was at our medical partner’s care center, she could not stop playing with the other children. Her family is from a remote part of Western Tanzania, and her parents farm maize and beans. Queen’s mother shared that the recent weather changes made it hard for them to cultivate maize, and they are now dependent on their cultivation of beans. The low harvest also means there are not enough surplus crops to sell and earn money to support the family’s basic needs. Queen has clubfoot of both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape, which causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Queen’s family was able to travel to our medical partner’s care center for assistance. On February 7th, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery that will allow Queen to walk easily and wear shoes as she grows up. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $935 to fund this procedure. Queen’s mother says: “I am worried that my daughter will be so limited when she grows up. I hope she gets the treatment for her condition.”

Mary is a 51-year-old mother of one and considers herself blessed as she was unable to conceive for a long time. As a single mother, Mary rents a two-roomed semi-permanent house where amenities are outside of the house. She is a farmer and supports herself with the little produce grown on her farms. For the past five years, Mary has been experiencing severe lower abdominal pains. She has been diagnosed with multiple uterine myomas. Recently, the pains have been quite severe, affecting her ability to work and move comfortably in day-to-day tasks. This has affected Mary's performance and she hopes to be treated and relieved of the pain. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. On January 19th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center. Mary needs help raising $219 to fund her procedure and care. Once recovered, Mary will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Mary says “I will praise God when the condition is no more so that I can live a better life and do farming to sustain myself."