Sursdey is a five-year-old preschooler from Cambodia. She lives about three hours away from the capital city, Phnom Penh. She has a seven-year-old brother in second grade and a younger brother who is two years old. Sadly, her father has recently passed away, so her family resides with her grandmother in Kampot province, where her mother works as a teacher. Sursdey has just started kindergarten and has decided that she wants to become a teacher when she grows up. At home, she enjoys playing with her brothers or with dolls. Her favorite food is eggs, which she likes either fried or mixed with rice. Sursdey was born with syndactyly of both feet and her right hand. This means that her right 3-4 fingers are fused, and her 1-2 and 3-4 toes are fused on both feet. The fusion of her fingers significantly impacts her fine motor skills development. Although she doesn’t feel pain, holding a pencil or a cup is difficult. Additionally, due to the syndactyly of her toes, wearing shoes is challenging. Fortunately, on July 9th, surgeons will perform a syndactyly repair procedure to separate and release the fused fingers and toes. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $462 to fund this procedure. After surgery, the affected fingers and toes can develop correctly, which should prevent potential bony fusion and further complications. In addition, she will be able to wear shoes comfortably. Sursdey's mother said, "After this operation, I hope my daughter can hold a pencil, wear shoes, and have fingers like other children when she starts school."

Dickson is a four-year-old boy from Tanzania. For him, communication is shaped by his cultural background, as he speaks only the Maasai language. Despite this, he finds ways to express himself, and his quiet yet observant nature allows him to connect deeply with those who understand him. Dickson’s family lives a traditional pastoralist lifestyle, relying primarily on livestock for survival. Their livelihood revolves around cattle and goats, which provide milk and, occasionally, income through sales. Dickson was diagnosed with bilateral genu varus, a condition that has affected the strength and alignment of his legs. Several factors could cause this condition, such as growth disorders, vitamin deficiencies, or excessive fluoride found in contaminated drinking water. As a result, the knees can be angled inwards or outwards, making it difficult to walk and may cause long-term joint damage. With the surgery, Dickson will have the chance to run and play more freely with other children, bringing hope to his family for a stronger and healthier future. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $810 to fund treatment for Dickson. The procedure is scheduled to take place on August 19th at our medical partner's care center, Kafika House. Treatment will hopefully restore Dickson's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Dickson's father says, "I hope my boy will be able to walk our cattle just like his older brothers because it's our wish for him to be part of our culture."

Sokin is a 61-year-old widow with seven grown children, and lives in the Kampong Cham province of Cambodia. Her oldest children work in a clothing factory, while one daughter stays at home to look after Sokin's grandchildren and another son works in Korea. She enjoys managing her household, playing with her grandchildren, and visiting with neighbors. Many years ago, Sokin fractured her left thigh bone in a motorbike accident. She initially underwent surgery and recovered. However, four months ago, she fell while trying to escape from a snake and fractured the same leg again. Since then, she has been experiencing pain when walking, and has been using crutches to move around. The injury limits her ability to take care of her home and grandchildren. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On July 14th, Sokin will undergo a fracture repair procedure. Surgeons will stabilize the bone using metal and add a bone graft, which will support optimal healing and enable her to walk independently, without needing crutches. Sokin has contributed $100 to her medical costs, but she needs an additional $500 to fund this procedure. Sokin shared, "After surgery, I hope that I will be able to walk again without the use of crutches, and have no more pain."

Twesigye is a farmer from Uganda. He is married with five children. Ten years ago, Twesige developed an epigastric mass that is increasing in size. This mass causes him pain and discomfort. Twesigye traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On August 21, surgeons will remove the mass. Now, Twesigye needs help to raise $187 to fund this procedure. Twesigye says, “I will celebrate when this condition is relieved and I resume with cultivation to support my family.”

Kataribabo is a retired tailor from Uganda. He is married with ten children. Now, he helps his wife with farming. Six months ago, Kataribabo developed an inguinal hernia. This causes him pain and discomfort. If not treated, it may result in hernia twisting and blocking. Fortunately, on July 24, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $219 to fund Kataribabo's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Kataribabo says, “I hope to get fine after surgery for good health.”

Choeun is a food vendor from Cambodia. She has four sons, three daughters, and 15 grandchildren. She likes to listen to monks pray on the radio. One year ago, Choeun developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her clouded vision and photophobia. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Choeun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for an hour and a half seeking treatment. On September 6, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification 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 $211 procedure. She says, "I want see better and I look forward to taking care of my grandchildren, and recognizing their faces once again."

Sambo is a farmer from Cambodia. She has two sons. She likes to watch Thai films on TV. Two years ago, Sambo developed a pterygium in his left eye, causing her irritation and burning. 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. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Sambo learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. Sambo needs 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 $201. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for September 10. She says, "I hope my vision improves so I can return to work."

Ream is a six-year-old boy from Cambodia. He has one brother. He likes drinking coca cola and playing with his friends outside. Two years ago, he received a poorly administered injection, causing a flexion contracture of his right knee. He is unable to fully bend and move his right knee. When Ream learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On June 5, surgeons at CSC will perform a quadricepsplasty procedure of his right leg to help him walk again. Now, Ream needs help to fund this $413 procedure. His mother says, "I hope my son can bend his leg again and start school soon."

Margaret is a farmer from Kenya. She is 56 years old and a mother of six. She plants maize and beans for domestic use. Margaret lost her husband in 1992. Two weeks ago, Margaret tripped and fractured her left hand. She has currently lost function of her hand and cannot perform routine tasks. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On April 19, Margaret will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. We hope that with treatment, Margaret will be able to return home and work normally. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $771 to fund this procedure.

Kimheang is a factory worker from Cambodia. She has one daughter and two sons. She likes to bake and sell her baked goods. Three years ago, Kimheang was in a motor vehicle accident that caused a fracture in her right knee. She went to an emergency clinic and doctors fixated hardware to heal her fracture. Now, the hardware is causing her pain and needs to be removed. It is difficult for her to walk. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On April 27, Kimheang will undergo a hardware removal procedure, which will cost $214. This procedure will help her walk easily again. She says, "I hope I am feeling better after the operation and can walk without pain."

Chhay is a baker from Cambodia. He has two sons, six daughters, and twelve grandchildren. He likes to watch music videos and boxing matches. He likes to make desserts. Four years ago, Chhay developed a cataract in each eye, causing him blurred vision, clouded lenses, and photophobia. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Chhay learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for one and a half hours seeking treatment. On April 26, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $398 procedure. He says, "I think my vision is improved so I can continue my business selling desserts and recognize faces of my loved ones."

Wendy is a 14-month-old girl from Guatemala. Her family cannot afford to give her a nutritious diet filled with protein, calories, and nutrients. She has been diagnosed with acute malnutrition. She has little energy to grow, and her immune system is weak and vulnerable to illness. She is also at risk of chronic disease and delayed development. Fortunately, Wendy began malnutrition treatment on November 24, 2016. Wendy lives with her father, aunt, and cousins in an adobe home with a tin roof. Her father works as a day laborer, and her aunt takes care of her. Even though they want the best for Wendy, they cannot afford this $512 treatment. While malnutrition can have devastating effects, it is also very treatable. Growth monitoring, micronutrients, and food supplementation will help Wendy recover. She will gain weight and grow taller to catch up with other children her age, and her immune system will grow stronger. Community health workers will teach her mother about creating a nutrient-rich diet from limited resources. Treatment will give Wendy a chance to grow healthy and strong.