Leap is a chatty, two-year-old with a big smile. He lives with his parents and two older sisters in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Leap does not yet attend school, and likes playing with toys and falling asleep in his mother's lap. His father repairs cars for a living, while his mother is a homemaker. Leap's delivery was a difficult one, during which he suffered from an injury known as shoulder dystocia, which occurs when one or both of a baby's shoulders gets caught inside the mother's pelvis during childbirth. This often results in a brachial plexus palsy, when the neck of the infant is stretched during the birth process. The nerves responsible for providing feeling and movement in Leap's shoulder, arm, and hand have been affected, leaving Leap unable to move his right hand. Fortunately, on December 15th, specialty surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, will perform a tendon transfer, to improve Leap's shoulder function and the use of his hand. After surgery and rehabilitation at Kien Khleang Rehabilitation Centre, surgeons hope that Leap will have movement in his shoulder, and be able to use his hand. Leap's family needs your help to fund the $572 cost of the procedure, the hospitalization, and Leap's rehabilitation. Leap's mother said: "I hope Leap will be able to move his hand after surgery and use it well."

Su is 10-year-old girl who lives in Thailand. Both of her parents work for a community based organization helping others in their area. In her free time, Su likes to draw pictures and play with her friends. Su was born with clubfeet and a dislocated hip. She received corrective surgery in Chiang Mai with the help of our medical partner BCMF after she was born. During her last visit to the hospital when she was young, the doctor told her mother that they only had to return to the hospital when she outgrew her clubfeet correction shoes. However, her parents could never bring her back. In additional to financial constraints, their legal documents expired, and later when they had legal documents, they could not go to Chiang Mai due to covid-19 travel restrictions. In June 2022, Su started to experience pain in her right foot whenever she walked more than 10 minutes. She also experienced pain in her right hip for the first time when she walked. The doctor at Mae Sot Hospital diagnosed her with a dislocated hip and referred her to the larger hospital Chiang Mai for further treatment. In October an MRI was performed for Su and it was determined that she may need two surgeries: one for hrt hip and another for her clubfeet condition. The first surgery is for a hip replacement and the doctor scheduled her for surgery on November 25th so she can be out of pain as quickly as possible. Her family needs $1500 for her hip replacement surgery. Su's father said, "I am hopeful for my daughter to receive surgery soon. After surgery, I hope that she will be able to walk like other children and she will not be shy when she grows up. Now, when she goes to school, some of her friends tease her that she cannot walk properly like other children."

Phearun is a 33-years-old gardener. His wife works in a hair and nail salon. Together they have an eight-year-old son in public school and a two-year-old son who stays home with family. In October 2022, his left wrist was deeply lacerated, and he lost sensation in his fingers. His family took him to a government hospital for care but was unable to manage the nerve injury. Fortunately, the hospital transferred him to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, where doctors determined the laceration to his hand cut his nerves and tendons. This type of injury can cause damage to the nerves that control motor function and requires immediate nerve repair surgery to minimize long-term damage. Phearun has pain, weakness, numbness, loss of feeling, and doctors are unable to feel the pulses in his wrist. Phearun traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. He will undergo an exploratory procedure to repair the lacerated nerves and tendons and needs help to pay for the $572 procedure. This will cover his hospitalization, operation, medications, and post-operative rehabilitation. Phearun's wife said: "We are hopeful after the surgery that my husband can use his hand again to work to support and feed our family."

Nancy is a small-scale farmer from Kenya. Together with her elderly husband, they grow food crops for home use on their half-acre piece of land. She is a mother of eight children who are all adults. All her children don’t have a stable source of income at the moment. She needs care but does not have medical coverage and hasn't been able to raise the required amount for treatment. In early July this year, Nancy was tripped by her dog and fell on a stone, hurting the left side of her hip. She sustained a left sub-trochanteric fracture that is making her immobile. This is a fracture of the proximal femur located a few centimeters from the hip. She was taken to a nearby health facility and had an x-ray done after review. She was then referred to our medical partner's care center Kijabe Hospital for surgery. She is unable to walk and is currently using a wheelchair and although jovial and smiling, she is in pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On September 30th, Nancy will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will relieve her of her pain and help her walk easily again. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to fund this procedure. Nancy says, “I am unable to walk. I am desperate, and also struggling to pay for my treatment. I need this treatment to be able to get out of this wheelchair.”

Peter is a 75-year-old man from central Kenya who has never been married and has no children. He is the thirdborn in a family of 10 siblings, all of whom are now adults. Peter previously worked on his small farm to support his basic needs, but he had to begin depending on his family members once he grew older and became unable to continue farming. On July 12th, Peter was hit by a sports motorcycle, causing him to sustain an injury to his left leg. An X-ray was taken at a nearby hospital, which showed that Peter fractured his left tibia and fibula. If left untreated, he risks developing a bone infection, since it is an open fracture. His injury can also result in a malunion, meaning the bones may not heal in their proper position, potentially impairing functioning of the bones and limb. Fortunately, his brother brought him to our medical partner's care center. On August 15th, Peter will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help ensure he heals properly, and it will allow him to walk again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,049 to fund this procedure. Peter says, “My brothers have been feeding me, but this is too much for them. They have no money to pay for my treatment. Please help so that at least I can be able to move around and also become less of a burden.”

Jeremy is a beautiful five-year-old boy from Kenya who has autism. To support their family, his mother manages their home and cares for her children, and his father currently works as a mechanic. His parents share that their income is just enough to sustain the basic needs of their family of six. On July 7th, Jeremy was playing with his brother when he fell and broke his leg. An X-ray scan showed that he has a fracture of his femur bone on his right leg. Since the incident, he has been experiencing severe pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, can help. On July 12th, Jeremy will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will allow his injury to heal and help him walk again. Now, our medical partner is requesting $1,049 to fund this procedure. Jeremy’s mother expressed, “I am desperate and worried...I am pleading for assistance so that soon he can be treated. I thank God in advance."

Chamnan is a 34-year-old merchant. He is married and is the proud dad to two daughters. In his free time, he enjoys playing football. About ten years ago, Chamnan had an ear infection that caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in his right ear to perforate. As a result, Chamnan experiences ear discharge, pain, and ringing in his ear. It is difficult for him communicate clearly with others, which makes work difficult for him. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), is helping Chamnan receive treatment. On June 2nd, he will undergo a myringoplasty procedure on his right ear, during which surgeons will close the perforation. Now, he needs help raising $487 to fund his procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Chamnan shared, "I hope my ear discharge stops and my hearing finally improves."

Phearum is an energetic 5-year-old girl. She is not yet in school and has a six-year-old sister in first grade who she likes to keep up with! Her parents are seasonal farmers and have several cows. She enjoys playing with toys, watching TV, and going to the market with her mother. She shared that her favorite meal is Khmer noodles and milk. In 2021, Phearum was burned on her left hand by a cooking fire. Her mother took her to a local provincial hospital for medical treatment. After the wound healed, the skin tightened around the burn site, and she was left with contractures on her left wrist and a deformity of her finger. The scars are itchy and keep her from being able to do all she used to. She is starting to feel self-conscious of the look of her hand too. A local hospital referred her to our medical partner Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) for help. There surgeons recommend a Z-plasty procedure to improve the functional and cosmetic appearance of her scars. On May 9th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help her to grasp objects and use her finger again. Now, her family needs help to fund this $495 procedure. Phearum's mother said: "I am hoping my daughter can have her burn scars fixed, and she can use her hand well again."

Leang is a 76-year-old widow with one daughter, two sons, and six grandchildren. She lives with her daughter, who is a farmer. When she is not cooking or helping her daughter to care for the grandchildren, she enjoys listening to the monks chant on the radio. Five years ago, Leang developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her sensitivity to light and blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces. She is also worried about falling when walking, so she is not able to go places on her own. When Leang learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On April 21st, doctors will perform a small incision cataract 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 $253 procedure. Leang shared, "After surgery, I hope I can see better so I can take care of myself. I want to go to the pagoda by myself and visit with my neighbors without being afraid I will fall."

Lai is a 58-year-old motorcycle taxi driver. He has one son, one daughter, and two grandchildren. Lai lives alone in the city, and his children work as farmers. In his free time, he enjoys listening to the news on his phone. Two years ago, Lai developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him blurry vision and sensitivity to light. When Lai learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On April 5th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help raising $229 to fund his procedure and care. Lai shared, "I hope after surgery my eye can see clearly so I can drive my motorcycle and earn money to support my living."

Hiram, an eleven year old boy, lives in Mombasa county in Kenya. He is the lastborn in a family of three and has two sisters. He is raised by a single mother who sells fish for their daily living. Hiram is in grade five and was born with club feet, which he lived with until this year. He had never been to any hospital for help until they heard about CURE hospital's mobile clinic in Mombasa. Fortunately, Hiram was able to undergo treatment for his right foot last September and the surgery was successful. Hiram is so happy to have undergone the first surgery on his right foot and is optimistic that even his left foot will be corrected well now too. Hiram is scheduled to undergo surgery for his left foot at our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital on July 20th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,286 to fund Hiram's clubfoot repair. The treatment will be of great impact to him because he will finally be able to put on both shoes, walk confidently, play football (which he is very excited for) and continue with his studies uninterrupted. “I am grateful to the donors for providing support to pay for my right foot which has healed well. I am looking forward to walking, playing with my friends, and continuing with school,” Hiram told us.