Kalyan, a 13-year-old seventh grader, lives with her mother and brother in Kandal province in Cambodia. She enjoys studying home economics and Khmer literature and would like to be a singer when she grows up. Kalyan was born with a spinal condition called listhesis, which is an unnaturally mobile vertebra that moves, leaves its normal position, and can cause different complaints when it compresses nerves and other vertebrae. Listhesis can be caused by a bone abnormality, trauma from an accident or injury, or result from a fracture or a tumor. Pinched nerves and chronic back pain are common symptoms of this condition, as is loss of flexibility and possible paralysis. Kalyan is frequently unable to attend school due to her condition. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. Specialty surgeons at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre can fuse her spine to avoid any further damage to Kalyan's back, while also alleviating her pain. Kalyan and her mother need your help to raise the $1,500 cost of the surgery, implants, hospitalization, and post-op medication. After recovery from the procedure, which is scheduled for February 7th, Kalyan's spine will be more stable, and she will be able to engage in all of the normal activities of a 13-year-old. Kalyan's mother shared: "I hope my daughter will no longer have pain and she can go back to school."

Teddy is a 64 year old retired teacher, living with her husband in Uganda. Both Teddy and her husband work as small scale farmers, planting beans and potatoes, primarily for their own, personal consumption. For the past five years, Teddy has been having lower abdominal pains that are relieved temporarily by medication. She also experiences nausea and headaches almost all of the time. As her pains have recently increased in severity, Teddy decided to seek treatment at Rushoroza Hospital, where she was diagnosed with uterine fibroids. Teddy has had to stop working due to her ongoing symptoms, and she cannot raise the money to cover the costs of the hysterectomy that the doctors have told her that she needs. ur medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is seeking $319 for Teddy's procedure, which is scheduled to take place on December 2nd, at Rushoroza Hospital. Teddy looks forward to being able to resume living and working, free from her current pain and symptoms. Teddy says: “I finally have hope of living a normal life once again. I pray for a successful surgery so that I may be able to continue with farming and my life."

Sornn is a 41-year-old rice farmer, living with his wife and three children in Kampong Cham province in Cambodia. In February 2019, on his way back from the farm, Sornn was in a motor vehicle accident and sustained a fractured left femur and tibia. He went to the government hospital, where doctors placed hardware in his leg, to stabilize the fracture. Now, Sornn's bone is properly healed, but he has lingering discomfort from the hardware that remains in his leg. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On February 3rd, Sornn will undergo hardware removal surgery at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, which will cost $304. With the removal of the hardware from his leg, Sornn's chronic discomfort will be alleviated. Sornn said: "I hope that after the metal is removed, I will heal quickly and can work hard to feed my family."

Naanyo is a nine year old girl who lives with a small and loving family, consisting of her parents and two siblings. When she is not in school, she enjoys watching television and helping her mother to cook, wash and fetch water. She told us that also has fun playing with her school friends, especially when she pretends to be a police woman. When Naanyo was two years old, she was in an accident that resulted in burns on her left hand. She was treated at a local dispensary, and was sent home. However, after the burns healed, Naanyo developed burn scar contractures, which make it difficult for her to move her hand. Her parents were unaware that the contractures could be treated, until on a recent visit to a doctor, they were informed that surgical intervention could resolve Naanyo's condition. The doctor helped the family travel to Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre, where Naanyo was assessed and scheduled for surgery, which will take place on October 12th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is here to help Naanyo access the care that she needs, despite the fact that her parents can't afford the $874 required for the surgery. They are appealing to you to help cover the cost of this procedure, which will make such a difference in Naanyo's life. Naanyo’s mother says: "We did not know that our child’s condition is treatable, but it is better being late than never.”

Eng is a 43-year-old tuk tuk taxi driver. He and his wife, who works in a garment factory, have one son and one daughter. In his free time, Eng enjoys listening to music, watching boxing on TV, and spending time with his family. Last September, Eng was in a motor vehicle accident that fractured his left tibia. He went to a local emergency clinic, where doctors fixated hardware to heal his fracture. Now, the bone has healed, and the hardware in Eng's leg needs to be removed. The metal hardware is currently exposed, causing Eng to experience pain when he walks. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), can help. On August 12th, Eng will undergo a hardware removal procedure to allow his leg to fully heal. CSC is requesting $304 to fund this surgery, and Eng was able to gather $100 to contribute to his care. Eng said, "After surgery, I hope I will have no pain in my left leg and I can return to work to support my family."

Eng is a 62-year-old rice farmer. He is married and has one son, two daughters, and seven grandchildren. Both he and his wife are farmers. When not outside working, he enjoys listening to the news and to monks pray on the radio. One year ago, Eng developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him light sensitivity, blurry vision, and eye tearing. 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 Eng learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On October 5th, doctors will perform a small incision 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 to fund this $253 procedure. "I hope after surgery I can see better. I would like to go outside to visit our pagoda and return to the rice field to support my family," says Eng.

Immaculate is a farmer from Uganda. She is a mother of two children and is expecting a new baby. During her free time, she enjoys farming and spending time with her family. Immaculate trained as a primary school teacher and practiced for 5 years at a nearby school. However, due to too much job pressure with low and delayed salary, she opted out and decided to practice subsistence farming together with her husband. Their income is still low and without a functional health insurance system in her country, healthcare costs are high for their family. Immaculate shared that she lost an earlier pregnancy on her way to the hospital. She worries that she labored at home for too long because of the cost of the care if they came to the hospital. Now she is expecting again and hopes that with support she can welcome a healthy baby to the world. Her doctors have recommended a C-section delivery so they can ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Immaculate undergo a C-Section on October 6th. This procedure will cost $252, and Immaculate's family needs your support. Immaculate says: “I hope to deliver my baby under your support as I am unable to raise money. Farming has not been very productive. I hope to continue working again soon after weaning my child.”

Chanrong is a 29-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He is married with two children. His wife also works as a farmer. In addition to growing their rice crop, they also grow vegetables and feed animals. During his free time, he enjoys listening to music, reading books, watching TV, and playing with his one-year-old and five-year-old children. In 2014, Chanrong was involved in a motorbike accident. This left him with a serious injury to his left shoulder and arm. He 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 a loss of function and sensation. Over time, he has lost the ability to flex or extend his elbow, wrist, and fingers due to nerve damage. He has also lost almost all sensation in his arm, leaving him with only a burning sensation. Fortunately, Chanrong traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. This is the only center in the country where the treatment he needs is available. On August 1st, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. The goal of this surgery is to improve functioning in his hand and arm. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $709 to fund this life-changing procedure. Chanrong says, "I hope after surgery my left arm is able to move and I can use it to support my family on our farm."

Leth is a 37-year-old construction worker and father. Because he and his wife are no longer together, he is only able to see his daughter - who lives with his ex-wife - on an infrequent basis. When he isn't at work or visiting with his daughter, Leth enjoys playing football and following current events. Ten years ago, Leth developed nasal polyps, which are noncancerous growths in the lining of the nasal passage. As a result, he experiences loud breathing, headaches, and a constant runny nose. All of these symptoms make it difficult for Leth to sleep, and he has also lost his sense of smell. He has tried many medicines from the local pharmacy, but nothing has worked. When Leth learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three hours to seek treatment. Thanks to the efforts of Children's Surgical Centre, on October 17th, doctors at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre will perform a nasal polypectomy, to remove Seth's polyps. After he has recovered, he will be able to breathe more easily, and to enjoy a more comfortable and healthy life. Now, he needs help to fund this $319 procedure. Leth shared: "I hope after surgery I can breathe better and not have bad headaches."

Loy is a 54-year-old farmer with four children - two sons, two daughters, and now four grandchildren. His youngest son is unmarried and lives with him and his wife - they are all rice farmers in a remote northeast province six hours away from Phnom Penh. In March 2022, Loy was in a motor vehicle accident and fractured in his left femur and tibia. After the accident, he could not afford to visit a clinic, so he went to a Khmer traditional healer who placed a bamboo splint on his leg. His left leg is now shorter than his right leg, and he is in constant pain. It is difficult for him to walk, so he must use crutches. He is unable to manage his farm and is worried he cannot feed his family. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On September 13th, Loy will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $483. This procedure will help him walk again and manage his farm to support the family. Loy said: "After surgery, I hope my left leg will be better, and I will be able to walk with no pain."

Monicah is a widow and a mother of six children, who lives in Kenya. Her husband died in 1999, and she has struggled to bring up all their children on her own. Monicah had a small business of buying and selling chicken. She developed ulcers and was being treated for her condition. About one year ago the pain became so severe that she could not live alone. So she decided to visit and live with her sister who is older than her but is strong and healthy. Since then, her sister has been taking care of her. Before visiting Nazareth hospital, Monicah had gone to different hospitals without getting much relief for her pain. At Nazareth, a scan confirmed that she had gallstones (cholelithiasis). She was advised to have laparotomy to treat the condition. Monicah is in much pain, and she cannot fund her treatment. Once she has the laparotomy, she will be able to live on her own and better support her children. She needs $788 to cover her surgery. Monicah says, “I am just there bothering my sister. I am unable to take care for my children, yet they need my support. I beg for help so that at least this pain will go away, and I may resume my usual life. I shall thank God for his intervention and pray for it."

Heng is a proud 49-year-old grandmother who works as a farmer in Cambodia. She has three daughters and five beautiful grandchildren. She and her husband both farm rice and vegetables on their ancestral land. During her free time, she likes to watch movies on the TV and cook Khmer treats for her grandchildren. Seven years ago, Heng developed a pterygium in her left eye, causing her to experience eye tearing, itchiness, and blurry vision. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. Heng has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Heng learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. On August 15th, Heng will undergo a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. The total cost of her procedure is $225, which covers supplies, treatment, and inpatient care for two days. Heng says, "I hope after surgery my eyesight will improve and I can go outside to plant rice again."