Ra is a bright and cheerful eight-year-old. His parents are divorced and married to other partners, so he resides in Phnom Penh province under the same roof with his grandmother, two aunts, and a younger brother. Ra is in grade two at the public school, where his favorite subject is mathematics. At home, he likes to play with toys with his younger brother but dreams of being able to run and play with his friends. His favorite meal is fried meat, a dish skillfully prepared by his grandmother's loving hands. It is unknown how he developed quadriceps fibrosis in his left leg, which is a progressive loss of knee flexion due to fibrosis within the muscle developed in early childhood. His grandmother said he had treatment when he was one year old at a pediatric hospital. His condition makes walking very difficult and painful when he tries to flex his leg. Despite his desire to run and jump like other little boys, he is often left alone because he cannot keep up with others. When Ra's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he and his grandmother traveled there to seek treatment. On December 12th, surgeons at CSC will perform a quadricepsplasty procedure to improve his knee flexion and help him walk normally. Now, Ra's family needs help to fund this $482 procedure. His grandmother said: "My heart breaks when I see Ra try to keep up with other children. I hope he can walk soon after his operation and have a good childhood."

Mourine is a 9-year-old bright, social and friendly girl from Kenya. She is the firstborn of a family of two and hails from Merigi village in Bomet county. Her mother told us that she is very active while at school and at home, helping do household chores, including tending to a kitchen garden as part of her work. Mourine is passionate about studying and she told us that she aspires to become a neurosurgeon in the future! Mourine was first seen in August 2023 at our medical partner's care center (AIC Cure International Hospital) mobile clinic and scheduled to undergo serial casting. She comes from a humble background where her mother is a homemaker while her father is a farmer. Mourine has clubfoot of both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. This condition was not noticeable at a young age and her mother came to notice it when she was 4 years old. Mourine was taken to a hospital and the family were told that her foot needed to be corrected. They stayed home for quite sometime until they heard about AIC Cure mobile clinic and upon review, she was scheduled to undergo treatment. Currently Mourine walks with discomfort, is not flexible, and has pain when walking for a long distance. Fortunately, Mourine's family traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on January 30th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,286 to fund Mourine's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will be able to walk comfortably like other children, she will be able to play with her peers since there will be no pain and she will continue with her education without any challenge. She has a bright future ahead. Mourine said: "I'm looking forward to healing and walking comfortably to avoid people always asking me what is wrong with my foot."

Meng Lik lives in Kandal province with his parents and younger brother. His father works in construction, and his mom works in a nearby handbag factory. He enjoys running around with his little brother and watching cartoons. Two months ago, he was playing at home and fell with is left arm outstretched and dislocated his elbow. His family went to a traditional healer but Meng Lik is still in pain. They then brought him to a nearby clinic, where they were told he needed surgery. He's lost some function in his arm and hand, and is still in pain. A surgery can restore function in his arm and hand, and the Children's Surgical Centre is requesting $469 to cover his procedure, physiotherapy, and follow-up care. His mom shared, "I hope he can move his arm again and be able to play and start school next year."

Ny is a 66-year-old widow from Kratie province. She has one son, two daughters, and five grandchildren. Now retired, she spent most of her life working as a cleaner in the Kratie provincial hall and government offices. Her husband recently passed away from kidney failure, and Ny has since moved in with her oldest daughter, who is a rice farmer. Around two years ago, Ny developed a cataract in her right eye. Her symptoms include itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. Because her vision is impaired, she is reluctant to go out on her own. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is here to help. On September 6th, doctors at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre will perform small incision cataract surgery, and implant an intraocular lens in Ny's right eye. She should regain full vision after she has recovered from the surgery. Now Ny needs your help to fund this $253 procedure. Ny shared: "I want to be able to see so I can visit with my relatives and enjoy my life."

Abraham is a 15-year-old, social and shy boy. He is the firstborn in a family of two and hails from Konyao village in Kenya. We met Abraham at our Kacheliba mobile clinic accompanied by his auntie who is raising him. His mother passed away while he was at a tender age, and the auntie decided to take care of her two children since their father married another wife. Abraham's auntie works as a vendor selling vegetables at the local shopping centre. Abraham does not attend school because his left leg is bent inside, he cannot walk for long distances and constantly complains of pain while walking. He is scheduled to undergo left leg orthopedic surgery to correct the deformity. The treatment will be impactful to him because he will be able to walk confidently and continue with his daily duties uninterrupted. Their family is in need of support from well-wishers. “I am seeking for support to help this young boy undergo surgery so that he can walk like other children,” Abraham’s auntie told us.

Celeste is a 3 month-old infant from Colombia. She was born in Medellín, lives with her parents, grand parents and great grandparents in a little house full of 4 generations. Even though she is so young she is a lovely girl who already smiles and laughs with everyone that comes and tells her she is cute. Celeste has clubfoot of both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Celeste's family traveled to visit our Medical Partner Clínica Noel. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on December 18th. Our medical partner, Clínica Noel, is requesting $1500 to fund Celeste's bilateral clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will be able to learn how to walk properly and without pain as she grows up. Her mother said, "I hope you can help my little princess, since I found out at my pregnancy I have tried to learn about her condition so I can help her not to suffer and recover properly."

Yesica is an 8-year-old girl who lives with her parents and 2 younger brothers in a mining city high in the mountains of central Bolivia. Her father works in construction, and her mother is a homemaker. Yesica is in second grade and loves attending school and learning about science. Yesica was born with a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus, in which a hole exists between two major blood vessels near the heart. Blood leaks through this hole, leaving her weak and short of breath. Yesica needs surgery to heal this condition. Fortunately, our medical partner International Cardiac Alliance (ICA) can help. Yesica is scheduled for cardiac surgery on October 11th, during which doctors will sew the hole closed so that blood can no longer leak through it. After surgery, she will be able to be more active and grow up to be a strong young woman. Yesica's family and ICA need help raising $1,500 to fund the procedure and her follow-up medical care. Her mother shared, "Our family is very hopeful that Yesica will be stronger and healthier after her surgery."

Victor is a sweet and quiet three-year-old boy from Kenya. He is the secondborn in a family of three children. Victor's mother was recently diagnosed with arthritis and can no longer keep her previous job doing laundry for people. She is currently looking for another job. Victor's father makes and sells mandazi, a form of fried bread, by the roadside to help support their family. When Victor was two weeks old, his mother noticed that both testes were undescended. She took him to the hospital, where he was examined and diagnosed with bilateral undescended testes. He was referred to another facility in Nairobi for treatment. On arrival, he was examined and booked for a clinic. Victor attended clinics for a few weeks. Fortunately, all worked out well for him. In one of the clinic reviews, the testes were found to have descended, and his parents stopped going to the clinics.  However, when he was two years old, his mother noticed that one testis was not detectable. After seeking medical attention, Victor was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, Victor has an increased risk of developing testicular cancer and fertility problems in the future. Due to his condition, he is also at risk for hernias. At his appointment, it was found that he has already developed a right inguinal hernia. Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo surgery to rectify both of the conditions. Victor will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). He is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on July 25th. AMHF is requesting $646 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Victor’s mother says, “I feel bad that I cannot raise the required amount of money to cater for my son’s treatment.”

Reach is an inquisitive two-year-old toddler from Cambodia who loves playing with toy cars and eating his favorite meal: fried meat with milk! He has an older sister, who is in primary school. His father works as a policeman, and his mother works as a seller at the local market. When Reach grows up, he wants to be a policeman just like his father! For about a year, Reach has been experiencing fevers, snoring, a sore throat, and difficulty swallowing and drinking. Despite his mother taking him to multiple medical clinics, his condition has not improved. Reach was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils and adenoids. If not treated, his symptoms will persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $265 to fund a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for Reach. On August 8th, surgeons will remove his tonsils and adenoids, hopefully relieving him of his symptoms and helping him live much more comfortably. Reach's parents share that they hope he will feel better soon and sleep easily at night.

Ath is a 54-year-old rice farmer. He is married and has two daughters, three sons, and six grandchildren. He lives with his wife, who farms the ancestral land with him. At home, he likes to listen to the news and boxing matches. Two years ago, Ath developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him photophobia, tearing, and blurry vision. 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 Ath learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On October 17th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and place an intraocular lens implant in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Ath says, "I hope after surgery my vision can improve so I can go back to working in the rice fields again. I want to be able to see the faces of my grandchildren and walk them to school."

Theary is a six-year-old student in first grade. She has a new younger sister who is three months old. Her father is a garment worker and her mother stays home to care for the new baby. She loves the alphabet and wants to be a teacher when she grows up. When not in school, she enjoys playing with toys with her friends, watching cartoons on TV, and drawing pictures. She enjoys drinking fresh milk and when her mom makes fried vegetables with meat to eat. A couple of years ago, she was playing with friends near a fire and was burned on her right thigh and leg. Although Theary's wounds healed with treatment, she was left with scar contractures on her right knee, making it difficult for her to walk and to sleep at night. She was referred to Children's Surgical Centre for specialty surgery. Surgeons determined she needs a release of the contracture of her right knee along with a skin graft to help her heal. On May 10th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help her walk easily again. Now, her family needs help to fund this $495 procedure. Her mother said: "I hope after surgery Theary can walk and can go to school again."