Kalyan, a 13-year-old seventh grader, lives with her mother and brother in Kandal province in Cambodia. She enjoys studying home economics and Khmer literature and would like to be a singer when she grows up. Kalyan was born with a spinal condition called listhesis, which is an unnaturally mobile vertebra that moves, leaves its normal position, and can cause different complaints when it compresses nerves and other vertebrae. Listhesis can be caused by a bone abnormality, trauma from an accident or injury, or result from a fracture or a tumor. Pinched nerves and chronic back pain are common symptoms of this condition, as is loss of flexibility and possible paralysis. Kalyan is frequently unable to attend school due to her condition. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. Specialty surgeons at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre can fuse her spine to avoid any further damage to Kalyan's back, while also alleviating her pain. Kalyan and her mother need your help to raise the $1,500 cost of the surgery, implants, hospitalization, and post-op medication. After recovery from the procedure, which is scheduled for February 7th, Kalyan's spine will be more stable, and she will be able to engage in all of the normal activities of a 13-year-old. Kalyan's mother shared: "I hope my daughter will no longer have pain and she can go back to school."

Kim is a 43-year-old married father of a 15-year-old son. While his family has a rice farm and tends farm animals to sell at the market, Kim also works in the city in construction, to add to the financial support for his family. When he is home, he enjoys meeting with his friends, and watching boxing on TV. In May, Kim was in a motor collision with another motorbike, badly injuring his left shoulder and forearm. He went to the local hospital, where he underwent surgery, and had hardware placed that would hold the fractured bones in his arm together. Despite the surgery, his forearm continues to be very painful, and he experiences tingling in his fingers, although he can't move them. In addition to these symptoms, his fingers are bent into a claw like position, because of damage to a major nerve that controls the muscles in his hand and arm. His arm is weak, and he cannot work with his left hand, so he is unable to pursue jobs in construction. The loss in pay from his construction work has made it difficult for his family financially, and Kim is worried about their future. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is here to help Kim access the care that he needs. Children's Surgical Centre is requesting your help to fund a $572 procedure, which is scheduled for September 12th. During this surgery, physicians at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre will perform a nerve exploration and a bone graft, to complete the repair of Kim's arm, enabling him to return to his construction work, and to a life without pain. Kim shared: "After surgery, I hope my arm will have no more pain, I will heal soon, and will be able to work with my hand for my family again."

Ann is a 34-year-old widow and a mother of two children, ages 13 and 8 years old. She does odd jobs at a nearby small hotel; though she shared that her medical condition makes it hard to work. Ann started having epigastric pains in 2015 and has being treated intermittently for ulcers. She said that sometimes all her income goes to treatment, and yet she doesn’t get well. Recently, the pain became worse, and she was taken to different hospitals over the weekend before being brought to Nazareth Hospital, where she was admitted. A scan showed Cholelithiasis, and since she has severe pain on and off, the Surgeon recommended she should go for Cholecystectomy (surgical removal of the gall bladder) immediately. Unfortunately, her medical insurance (NHIF) did not approve her case, so she needs $788 to fund her surgery. If not treated, Ann will continue to experience the pain and may have complications like pancreatitis, blockage of the gall bladder with inflammation of the gall bladder. She is in severe pain already. “I am desperate, the doctor says I have to be operated on tomorrow but have no money to pay, and NHIF did not approve my application. Any support given, I will appreciate, at least to have my life back. I am the hope of my children who are still young,” said Ann quietly.

Aalyia is an adorable nine-month-old infant who lives with her parents and two brothers in Haiti. Aalyia has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of her condition, the circumference of Aalyia's head has been increasing. Without treatment, she will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, Project Medishare, is requesting $897 to cover the cost of surgery for Aalyia at Hospital Bernard Mevs. This is the only site in the country where this care is currently available, and the procedure is scheduled to take place on September 1st. This critical treatment will drain the excess fluid from Aalyia's brain to reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, she will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. Aalyia's family shares that they hope their child will live a great life.

Travis is a wonderful baby boy from Tanzania. He is his single mother's only child. He spends most of his time with his grandmother, as they both have a strong bond. His mother is very hard working; she works a nine-hour job throughout the week. Because of this, she has limited time with her son. Travis has clubfoot of both legs. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape, causing him to have difficulty sitting and standing. Since his father does not provide any support, Travis depends fully on his mother for his daily needs. They live near the town center, and due to inflation and the high cost of living, his mother's income only caters to their basic needs. Travis was brought to the hospital by his grandmother seeking financial support for his treatment. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre, will perform clubfoot repair surgery for Travis on September 2nd. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $935 to fund Travis's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to sit and walk comfortably without support. Travis's grandmother shares, “I look at how my daughter struggles to raise my grandson on her own. It is hard and this weighs on her every day. I hope her son will get better."

Win is a 34-year-old mother of two from Thailand. She works as an agricultural day laborer to support her two children who live with her relative. Last month, Win was walking down the stairs in front of her home when she suddenly slipped and fell. This fall caused a fracture of her lower right leg, preventing her from both standing up and straightening her right leg. She first tried to treat herself with traditional medicine, but when she saw no improvement, she sought medical attention at a clinic. Win's lower right leg is currently swollen and in a lot of pain. She cannot straighten it nor put any weight on it. Because of the pain, she is experiencing difficulty sleeping and a loss of appetite. To get around, she is using a wheelchair provided by the clinic. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Win will undergo surgery to reset her fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The treatment is scheduled for August 5th and will cost $1,500. This procedure will help her walk again and return to work to support her children. She said, “I felt very happy when I learned that an organization will support the cost of my surgery. I am very thankful to all the donors and the organization for their support."

Kea is a student who lives in a rural province of Cambodia with his parents, who are farmers, and his younger brother and sister. When he was 11, Kea had a severe ear infection that caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in his left ear to perforate. As a result, Kea experiences pain and discharge from his ear. He also has difficulty communicating with others. Kea traveled to visit our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), to receive treatment. On September 1st, he will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in his left ear. During the procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Now CSC is requesting $464 to fund his procedure. This will cover the cost of medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Kea shared, "I hope my hearing will improve and the the infection and pain will go away."

Seyha is a four-year-old boy. As an only child, he lives with his mother and father, who is a taxi driver, in Kandal province in Cambodia. Seyha has not yet started school, so he spends most of his time with his mom, visiting friends, or playing football outside his house. Two months ago, Seyha started experiencing a sore throat and difficulty swallowing and sleeping. It is hard for him to eat and drink. Seyha 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 (CSC), is requesting $241 to fund a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for Seyha, which is scheduled to take place on July 20th. Surgeons will remove his tonsils and adenoids so Seyha can feel better and have a higher quality of life as he grows. Seyha's mother said, "I hope that he can feel better soon, so that he can start school with his friends on time."

Mengsim is a 49-year-old tour guide from Cambodia. He is married and lives in the province with his wife and two sons. Mengsim's wife sells soft drinks from their home. In December 2020, Mengsim was in a car accident that caused paralysis of his right hand. This injury, a branchial plexus nerve injury, can cause him to lose feeling and control of his shoulder, arm, and hand. Mengsim is unable to lift his arm and he cannot work. Mengsim traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On June 23rd, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, He will be able to use his arm again. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $696 to fund this procedure. Mengsim shares, "I am thankful that I will be able to return to work when my arm heals so I can support my family."

Nabimanya is a student in secondary school, and shared that he prefers sciences to arts and dreams of becoming a doctor. He also loves playing football. His father is a teacher and his mother is a small scale farmer. His parents are separated and he's an only child in his family. Nabimanya stays with his grandmother, who is a small scale farmer earning a living from her banana plantation to support his education. For eight years, Nabimanya has had a painful hernia in his lower left abdomen. This hernia causes him pain and discomfort, especially when he plays football. This is also affecting his studies. Fortunately, on May 25th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $230 to fund Nabimanya's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Nabimanya says, “I hope to resume with school in good health once I have fully recovered.”