Sorim is a 12-year-old student in grade five. He has two younger siblings - a one-month-old brother, and an eight-year-old sister. His parents are rice farmers in Kampong Chhnang province. In school, he enjoys Khmer literature and would like to be a doctor when he grows up. Sorim's favorite meal is fried eggs and chicken soup. At home, he enjoys playing with toys with friends, reading books, and swimming in the lake near his house. When he was six months old, the middle and ring fingers of his right hand were burned in a cooking fire. He did not receive any care, as his parents had no money for treatment. Burn scar contractures have developed, tightening the skin around his burn. Now he cannot extend his fingers and it is difficult for him to carry things or hold a pencil to write in school. When Sorim's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On November 21st, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to to help him to use his hand again. Now, their family needs help to fund this $495 procedure. Sorim said: "My friends make fun of my hand, and it makes me feel bad. I hope I can use my fingers after surgery and I won't have any pain."

Brigitte is a 2-year-old baby girl and the only child in her family. Her parents shared how talkative she already is and they are hopeful for her bright future. Brigitte's parents sells clothes at the local market and work hard to earn enough to make ends meet. Brigitte has been diagnosed with bilateral genu valgus, also known as knock knees, which makes it difficult for her to stand and walk. Her legs bow inward so that her knees touch. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Brigitte on April 16th. Treatment will support Brigitte's mobility, allow her to participate in all kinds of new activities, and greatly decrease her risk of future complications. Brigitte’s mother shared, "My daughter’s legs are so badly deformed, please help correct her leg. We have no means of affording the treatment cost."

Emmanuel is a 14-month-old baby from Kenya and the only child to his parents. They live together in a single-rental house in the Nyanza region of Kenya. His father is employed in an electronic shop as a shop attendant. His mother is a full-time mom. Since 8 months ago, Emmanuel has had an inguinal hernia. This hernia causes him pain and discomfort. Fortunately, on February 28th, he will undergo repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $423 to fund Emmanuel's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. “To be honest raising the amount asked is beyond us. It will take years,” says Emmanuel’s father with gratitude.

Rottana is a two-year-old girl from Cambodia. She has one sister. She likes playing with toys with her friends. Six months ago, she was burned by a very hot pot that fell on her. Burn scar contractures have developed, tightening the skin around her burn. It is difficult for her to use her fingers. When Rottana learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for half an hour seeking treatment. On March 9, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to to use her fingers easily again. Now, she needs help to fund this $448 procedure. Her mother says, "I hope my daughter can have a successful surgery so she can regain function in her fingers."

Rosa is suffering from malnutrition and is far below the average height for her age and weight for age. Her family is extremely poor – her mother works embroidering blouses and selling them at market, but her father is an alcoholic and so he spends most of the little money her mother earns on alcohol. This has created a very difficult situation for Rosa’s mother who is spread thin both energetically and economically, trying to care for Rosa and her siblings (ages 4 years old and 2 years old). At the moment Rosa’s diet is all liquid – breast milk and coffee. She has not received any solid food partly because her mother was unaware that it is important to start introducing solid food at 6-months and does not have much money to buy enough food for her husband, children and herself. Rosa is already showing developmental delays - at 7 months she cannot yet sit on her own. Rosa lives in an adobe mud house with her mother and siblings. Her father lives there too, but as an alcoholic he often sleep in the streets. This treatment will supply Rosa with the growth monitoring, micronutrient and food supplementation, and medication for her to recoup some of the weight and height she has lost, and increase her overall caloric intake. Her mother will receive intensive nutrition education thus building her confidence and ability to care for Rosa and her other children throughout their childhood. Intervention now will prevent the future devastating effects of malnutrition, and give Rosa the chance to live a healthy productive life.