Nikay is a cheerful, five-year-old girl living in Kampong Speu province, Cambodia, with her parents and younger brother. Her father works for a construction company and her mother is a garlic farmer. Nikay is in her last year of preschool and will start kindergarten in the autumn. She loves painting, drawing, playing with her brother, and learning to write the Khmer alphabet. For the last four years, Nikay has been experiencing sore throats and difficulty swallowing. Frequent illness has caused her to miss school and keeps her from being able to play with her friends. Nikay was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, which, if not treated, will cause her symptoms to persist, and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $265 to fund a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for Nikay, which is scheduled to take place on May 3rd, at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre. Surgeons will remove her tonsils and adenoids, relieving Nikay of her symptoms, and helping her to live much more comfortably. Her parents shared: "We just want our daughter to grow up with good health."

Masiaya is a two year old baby boy. He was the fifth child born to his mother, who is a second wife to her husband. The family resides in a remote area called Oloirobi, located within the Ngorongoro area. They are members of the Maasai community, and Masiaya's father is a cattle breeder. While playing with his brother, Masiaya was accidentally pushed, and he fell into an open fire. When Masiaya was rescued, he was rushed to a nearby hospital. Sadly, despite treatment, the wound on his head has never healed properly. He has been treated at different hospitals, but he still has a wound on his head. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is here to help. On February 27th, surgeons at Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre will perform burn contracture release surgery to help Masiaya heal completely, and to reduce the risk of infection. Now his family needs your help to fund this $874 procedure. Masiaya’s mother says: “I am constantly worried about my son’s health because the head is such a sensitive part of the body.”

Thida is a happy 4 year-old girl, living in the capital city of Phnom Penh, with her parents, grandmother and her younger brother. Her grandmother looks after the children while Thida's mother works in a nearby factory, and her father sells second hand phones in the market. Thida loves watching cartoons, and playing with her brother. Thida was born with polydactyly of her right hand. This means that she has an extra thumb, which makes it difficult for her to use her hand. Her parents want her to have full function of her hand when she starts kindergarten next year. Fortunately, on May 25th, surgeons will perform a polydactyly repair procedure, to remove Thida's extra digit. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $299 to fund this procedure. After the surgery, Thida will feel more comfortable, and she will be able to use her hand easily. Thida's grandmother shared: "We just want Thida to have surgery so she can use her hand well and start school."

Mey Ching comes from Banteay Meanchey province in Cambodia. She lives with her parents - her father is a cook and her mother is a factory worker. She has a 15-year-old brother in grade seven and a 13-year-old sister in grade four. Mey Ching should be in second grade but is not currently in school because of her disability. She stays at home and likes to paint, watch TV and sit outside with her parents. Since birth, Mey Ching has had a condition with both of her legs which have become increasingly bowing outward at her knees. She cannot walk far and is in pain when she does. This has prevented her from attending school and socializing with peers. Mey Ching's parents traveled eight hours to Children's Surgical Centre for a diagnosis and treatment. Doctors have tentatively diagnosed her with a condition found in children that affects the growth plates around the knee. The disease causes the growth plate near the inside of the knee to either slow down or stop making new bone. She will need an operation to correct both of her bowing tibias. If not treated, it can lead to progressive deformities of her legs however surgical treatment will correct her bowed legs. Mey Ching's family needs help to pay for this $521 procedure at CSC to save their daughter from permanent disability. Mey Ching's mother said: "We are so worried that Mey Ching will never walk or attend school. We are hopeful that the doctors at CSC can fix her legs so she can go to school and play with friends."

Meet Rachana, a three-year-old preschooler living in Cambodia. She and her sister love to play with dolls, and Rachana also likes to draw. Three weeks ago, Rachana developed chalazion in both eyes, causing her irritation and itchiness. A chalazion is an inflamed cyst in a patient's tear gland, which can make it difficult for a patient to see clearly. Rachana and her grandmother sought help from our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. On February 1st, surgeons at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre will remove the cysts through a chalazion excision procedure. After she has recovered, Rachana's symptoms should improve. Rachana and her family need your help to raise $210 to fund this procedure. Rachana's grandmother said: "I want the surgery to remove the cysts so I don't worry anymore."

28-year-old Rady is a mother of an eight-year-old daughter and a three-year-old son. She lives with her husband and children in Cambodia, where her husband works long hours in construction. Rady is a homemaker, who loves to cook for her family and to play with her children. About two years ago, Rady developed a cataract in her right eye. As a result, Rady lives with discomfort and impaired vision, making it difficult for her to function as independently as she used to. Rady traveled to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, for treatment. On February 2nd, doctors at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre will perform cataract surgery and implant an intraocular lens in Rady's right eye. Now, she needs your help to fund this $253 procedure. Rady said: "I hope after surgery I can teach my daughter reading and writing, and I want to grow mango and guava to sell to earn more money for my family."

Elvis is a primary school student and the eldest of three children. Elvis's father is an electrician while his mother is a small-scale farmer. Their family owns a three-room mud house. For two months, Elvis has had a right hydrocele that has caused swelling on his groin. Elvis's mother discovered this condition while he was bathing. As time went on, the swelling increased in size, and while Elvis reports minimal pain, he does have constant headaches and feels unwell. This condition prevents Elvis from participating in movement and activities he enjoys, like football. Elvis was examined at Rushoroza Hospital and hernia repair surgery was recommended, but his parents cannot afford the procedure at this time. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, are helping Elvis's family raise $170 to fund this life altering surgery. Once completed, this procedure will allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Elvis's father shared, “I am very much worried about my son’s condition if not treated on time. I pray that he may get well with surgery so that he can continue with studies.”

Grace is a one-year-old baby girl, who is the third born in her family. Grace and her siblings are cared for by their aunt, as their parents have chronic medical concerns that prevent them from being able to provide for their children. For the past eight months, Grace has lived with an umbilical hernia. The hernia causes her pain, especially when she is laughing or crying. When the hernia was first discovered, Grace was brought to the hospital, where it was recommended that she wait until she was a year old before being treated. Now that Grace has reached her first birthday, she needs to undergo surgery, to prevent the risk of strangulation of the hernia. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $230 to fund Grace's hernia repair surgery, which is scheduled for January 19th, at Karoli Lwanga Hospital, Nyakibale. Once completed, this procedure should allow Grace to live free of her current discomfort. Grace's aunt says: “I will be glad when Grace is relieved of this condition, and she stabilizes to enable her to live in good health.”

Katelyn is an eight-year-old girl from Kenya. She is the middle child, with her older sibling being 11 years old and her younger sibling being two. Her father previously worked as a butcher in their hometown, but he has since stopped and currently does not have a source of income. Her mother is a homemaker and takes full-time care of the children. They all live together in a rental house. Katelyn was born with an ear condition, which has caused her to experience hearing loss. She eventually had to stop attending school due to her condition. She is currently unable to communicate with others despite her having some speech. Last month, Katelyn's parents took her to Kenyatta National hospital to receive medical care. After undergoing an audiogram scan, it was confirmed that Katelyn has moderate to profound hearing loss. Her doctor recommends that she receive hearing aids since this would help with her hearing and likely her speech as well. However, her family is not able to pay for them due to financial constraints. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Katelyn receive treatment on August 5th. Now, Katelyn's family needs help funding these $1,171 life-changing hearing aids. Katelyn's mother shares, “We didn’t know that she could not speak because she is unable to hear! Doctors have said that it’s possible for her to both hear and speak if she gets the aids.”

Onesmus is a cheerful and friendly 7-year-old student from Kenya. His father is a minibus taxi driver, and his mother sells vegetables to locals. Onesmus is the firstborn of three children in his family. He has a brother who has the same condition as him, and they both require surgery. Onesmus was born with hypospadias, a congenital condition that causes urinary dysfunction. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and will be at risk of infertility. Onesmus is visiting our facility for the second time. He and his brother both underwent first stage hypospadias repair about a year ago. Now, they must undergo a second and final stage repair for full functioning of the affected area. Onesmus's family has insurance, which is paid for by the government through the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF). However, NHIF could not approve surgery for both brothers, so only one surgery will be funded. Due to financial constraints, their parents are unable to fund Onesmus's procedure. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), can help. Onesmus is scheduled to undergo second stage corrective surgery on July 25th at our medical partner's care center. AMHF is requesting $874 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Onesmus's mother shares, "I am really looking forward to my son's well-being. I believe all will be changed by the end of the procedure.”

Khem is a cute five-month-old boy. He is the first child in his family and loves to fall asleep to the sound of his mother's voice. His mother is a homemaker and his father is a local grocery seller. Since he was born, Khem has had a cataract in his right eye, causing him to have a white pupil. He cannot follow his mother's face and she is worried he cannot see out of that eye. On May 3rd, doctors will perform lensectomy and place an intraocular lens implant in Khem's right eye. After recovery, baby Khem will be able to see clearly. Now, their family needs help to fund this $253 procedure. His mother said, "I hope he will be able to see well like other children."

Mario is a playful two-year-old boy from Cambodia. He is the only child in his family. He lives with his mom and dad in a small rented house. To support their family, his father works as a garment worker, and his mother stays home to care for him. Mario loves to eat porridge and play with his toy cars! A month ago, Mario developed a chalazion, which is an inflamed cyst in a patient's tear gland. His condition causes him to experience swelling, itchiness, and discomfort. It also makes it difficult for him to see clearly. Fortunately, Mario's family traveled for one hour to seek treatment from our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. On July 19th, surgeons will remove the cyst through a chalazion excision procedure. After recovery, Mario's symptoms should improve. His family needs help raising $210 to fund this procedure. Mario's father shares, "I hope his eye gets better so I can return to work and not worry about him so much."