Rabiya is a 19-year-old bright and determined university student from Ethiopia. Rabiya shares that being in university is a truly exciting chapter of her life. Between her university studies and being a rock for her two brothers, she stays incredibly busy. But lately, a cyst on her left wrist has been causing her much discomfort. Five months ago, Rabiya felt a sudden, distracting tingling and itchy sensation in the wrist. What started as minor swelling quickly took a turn for the worse; within just a month, the discomfort transitioned into severe, persistent pain. For a busy college student, the pain is affecting even the simplest tasks. Typing up a paper, scribbling notes during a lecture, or carrying heavy textbooks across campus became difficult, which has affected her studies. Rabiya traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On March 14th, surgeons will perform an excisional biopsy to remove the mass. Now, Rabiya needs help to raise $750 to fund this procedure. She says: "More than anything, I’m looking forward to the freedom of moving my wrist without a second thought. I can’t wait to dive back into my studies and my role as a sister, fully present and pain-free."

Chanthorn is a 41-year-old chef from Cambodia. He lives in Kandal Province with his brother, who works as a chef for weddings. They support each other, earning money to care for their elderly mother, who is 76 years old. His father passed away 30 years ago. In his free time, he enjoys planting vegetables around his home. In February 2015, Chanthorn sustained an electric shock injury to his left shoulder, causing severe damage to the shoulder joint. He underwent surgery to stabilize the injury with screws, but later developed an infection that required removal of the hardware. He has experienced chronic pain and stiffness in his left shoulder for many years. The condition limits his shoulder movement and makes it difficult for him to use his arm comfortably during daily activities and while working as a chef. When Chanthorn learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for four hours seeking treatment. On July 20th, surgeons at CSC will perform a joint arthrodesis procedure to fuse his left shoulder joint and to help him to use his arm more comfortably and continue his daily activities and work more easily. Chanthorn is contributing towards the cost of his treatment, but needs help raising $561 more to fund the surgery. He says, “I have lived with shoulder pain for many years. I hope this surgery will reduce my pain, help me use my arm more comfortably, and allow me to return to my daily activities without constant discomfort.”

Eve Christa is a joyful 11-month-old baby girl baby girl from Burundi. When her older twin brothers were born, her parents hoped for one more child, a little girl to complete their family. When Eve Christa was born, it felt like a miracle. For seven months, Eve Christa developed as a healthy, calm baby girl. Her brothers adored her. One day, Eve Christa's mother left her for a few hours with a trusted neighbor, so she could go to the market. Eve Christa was seven months old. Upon returning back home, she found her daughter severely burned. Her neighbor shared that there was an accident in the kitchen and Eve Christa sustained the burns from boiling hot water. Eve Christa's mother rushed her to the hospital, where she was admitted for several days. She was in pain and even with medication, she would scream through the night. Her mother slept beside her, holding her hand and praying for the pain to go away. When the wounds began to heal, the doctors shared more heartbreaking news; the severe burns had caused contractures on Eve Christa's hands. Her skin had tightened, and her fingers could not move properly. She struggles to crawl and grab toys, but it's difficult, given her condition. She still experiences pain due to the condition. A specialist advised that Eve Christa needed to undergo a contracture release and a skin graft, so her hands could regain function. The news worried Eve Christa's parents. Her mother is a homemaker, while her father works casual jobs to help sustain the family. His income is often not enough for their living expenses. One of Eve Christa’s older twin brother also has hearing problems, that needs treatment that the family cannot afford. Fortunately, our medical partner, is helping Eve Christa receive treatment. On August 18th, surgeons will perform a skin graft procedure to release the contractures, so her fingers can move again. This will give her a chance to use her hands to play, eat, and even write one day. Now, Eve Christa's family needs help to fund this $375 procedure. Eve Christa's mother said, “Please, I am sincerely seeking your support. I do not have a job, and my husband’s modest income is only enough for food. Christa was born healthy, but now cannot use her hands due to the burns. Please help my baby girl so she can get relief from the pain."