Nidhi is a 16-year-old girl from India. She lives in Mirzamurad, a village near Varanasi in northern India. She lives with her parents, two sisters, and a brother. Her father works as a halwai, preparing traditional Indian sweets to support the family. Nidhi is currently in the 9th grade and loves dancing. When she was just 2½ years old, Nidhi accidentally fell into a container of hot sugar syrup being used to make gulab jamuns, a sweet dessert. She sustained severe burns to her right chest and arm. Although she received wound care at the time, her family was unable to access reconstructive surgery. As Nidhi grew, the burn scars tightened and developed into contractures, affecting her right breast and elbow. These scars have restricted movement and altered her appearance during adolescence, a time when many young people become increasingly aware of their bodies and self-image. Nidhi's family learned about our medical partner, G.S. Memorial Plastic Surgery Hospital and Trauma Center, and sought treatment. On June 19th, specialty surgeons will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help release the tight burn scars on Nidhi’s right chest and elbow, improving both movement and comfort. The procedure is expected to increase the range of motion in her arm, making everyday activities such as dressing, writing, carrying schoolbooks, and participating in household tasks easier. The surgery will also address the contracture affecting her right breast, allowing for more normal development and reducing the physical discomfort and asymmetry caused by the scar tissue. By reducing the limitations caused by her burn scars, the surgery will allow Nidhi to participate more freely in school, social activities, and her favourite hobby, dancing. Now, she needs help to fund this $1,442 procedure. Nidhi shared, "I hope this treatment will make everyday activities easier for me."

Zakayo is a bright, energetic boy from Tanzania. He currently lives with his aunt, who has lovingly taken responsibility for his care. Zakayo’s burn injury occurred last year when a fire caught his clothes. Although the wounds eventually healed, they left severe contractures across his right axilla, elbow, and wrist, leaving his arm stiff and limiting the movement of his hand. In October, Zakayo underwent an extensive reconstructive surgery that included Z-plasties and skin grafting to release the contractures in his axilla, elbow, and wrist. His recovery was successful, and he now has far better mobility in his arm, which has brought great joy to him and his family. Today, Zakayo is ready for the next stage of his treatment, a contracture release on the small finger of his right hand. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Zakayo receive treatment. On December 16th, surgeons will perform a burn contracture release surgery. Now, he needs help to fund this $717 procedure. Zakayo's father says, "Everyone at home is excited about Zakayo's recovery, and we are praying that all goes well during his next surgery."

Sok is a 36-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He lives in Kampong Spueu province with his wife and two children. His oldest child is in ninth grade, and his youngest is in fourth grade. While Sok works in the rice fields, his wife has a job in a nearby garment factory to help support the family. During his free time, he enjoys Sok enjoys chatting with friends in the village and drinking coffee. Two years ago, Sok was involved in a motorbike accident that caused left-sided paralysis. Since then, he has been unable to move his left arm and hand and struggles with daily activities. He needs to undergo a tendon and nerve repair procedure to help regain strength and mobility. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is helping Sok receive treatment. He is scheduled to undergo the tendon and nerve repair procedure on November 17th. Sok can contribute $100, but needs help to raise $601 more to fund his procedure and care. Sok said, “After the surgery, I hope that I will be able to return to my job and earn money to support my family.”

Zahiret is an eight-year-old girl who lives in Antioquia, Colombia with her mother and her brother. The family lives in a modest home located in a squatter settlement. Zahiret is a very tidy, quiet, and reserved girl. She enjoys combing her hair, spending time with her little cousins, and playing with her little brother, whom she also enthusiastically accompanies to soccer games. At school, Zahiret stands out for her good behavior and discipline. Zahiret recently attended a routine medical appointment with her mother, where her teeth were found to have deteriorated due to cavities. Upon the recommendation of the doctor, she was referred to a pediatric dentist, who advised that treatment under general anesthesia was necessary in order to facilitate the treatment procedure, given its complexity. To help Zahiret, our medical partner, Clínica Noel, is raising the funds for the surgery. The surgery treatment costs $868 and has been scheduled for October 20th. Once completed, it will hopefully allow Zahiret to live more comfortably and confidently. Zahiret's mother says: "I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the people who will make this process possible for my daughter. Your generous gesture will prevent the treatment from being prolonged, and that means a lot to us. Thanks to your help, Zahiret will be able to regain her smile and the quality of life that every child deserves."

62-year-old Mao lives with his wife in Kandal province in Cambodia. Both he and his wife have retired from rice farming, and are supported by their two children, who work in local factories. About three months ago, Mao developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, so that 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 he is not able to go places on his own. When Mao learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On September 1st, doctors at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre will perform phacoemulsification cataract surgery, and implant an intraocular lens in Mao's right eye. After recovery, Mao will be able to see clearly. Mao and his family are able to contribute $100 towards the cost of his treatment and need help raising $163 more to fund the procedure. Mao says: "I hope I can see more clearly after the treatment, so I can drive my motorbike again, and go places on my own."

Kimleng is an eight-year-old student from Cambodia. His family lives in Kampong Cham province, where his father works as a taxi driver, and his mother sells fruits from a small fruit stand on the side of the road. Kimleng has two siblings. His oldest brother is married and has a child, and his sister is in grade 12. Kimleng is in second grade and enjoys learning about Khmer history. At home, he likes to play with toy cars and eat chicken with noodles. For the past several years, Kimleng has been experiencing swallowing problems with frequent sore throats and fever. He often struggles to breathe at night, accompanied by loud snoring. The snoring disrupts his sleep, and he often misses school because he is tired and feels poorly. Kimleng was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, which, if not treated, will cause his symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $345 to fund a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for Kimleng, which is scheduled to take place on July 4th. Surgeons will remove his tonsils and adenoids, hopefully relieving Kimleng of his symptoms and helping him live much more comfortably. Kimleng's mom shared: "I am hopeful that he will be able to eat better after this operation and sleep at night without snoring."

Naw Cho is a 34-year-old woman from Burma. She lives in Karen State, Burma. She stays with her three-year-old daughter while her husband works elsewhere and supports her and her daughter monthly. Naw Cho shares this income with her parents-in-law, who live in a separate house. This money is enough to cover their general household expenses and basic healthcare. In her free time, Naw Cho loves playing with her daughter. She hopes to open a small shop to earn money and send her daughter to school. In 2018, while eating breakfast, Naw Cho opened her mouth and suddenly heard a loud sound in her jaw. She was unable to speak, and her jaw swelled up. After three days, she went to a local clinic that gave her an injection, which helped reduce the swelling. Three years later, her gums began to swell once again, and she sought treatment again. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she was unable to receive treatment. Without the financial means to visit a private hospital, she relied on herbal medicine, which provided no relief. Uncertain of where else to seek help, she stopped pursuing medical treatment. Naw Cho's condition slowly worsened, causing much pain and discomfort. She has difficulty eating and speaking. Naw Cho sought treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund. She is now scheduled to undergo mass removal surgery on May 22nd. She is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Naw Cho said, “I feel happy now that I know there are people who can help me."