Mikaeli is a 12-year-old boy. He is the oldest of three siblings in his family and a student. Unfortunately, he had to discontinue his studies due to mobility challenges caused by a congenital condition in his left foot. His father is struggling to find appropriate treatment for him, which is causing a lot of stress for the family. The condition causes an inward and downward twist in his left foot, and his parents are concerned about the potential implications on his future if left unaddressed. Mikaeli’s father, a farmer, serves as the primary breadwinner for their family of three children. Despite his efforts on the farm, the income generated from sales is insufficient to cover all their expenses. In response to this financial gap, the father takes on casual jobs to supplement their income. However, even with these combined efforts, the funds they currently generate are inadequate to meet the medical costs associated with their son’s condition. Fortunately, Mikaeli's family traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Kafika House. There, the team will begin clubfoot treatment on December 29th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $935 to fund Mikaeli's clubfoot repair. After treatment, Mikaeli will eventually walk comfortably and wear regular shoes. Mikaeli’s father says: “I wish for my son's leg to be normal so that he can return to school and continue his education.”

23-year-old Roth lives with his parents and three younger siblings in Kampong Thom province in Cambodia. His parents are rice farmers, while his two sisters and one brother are all in school. On August 5, Roth fell off his motorbike and injured his left knee. He went to the local provincial hospital, where the wound on his knee was stitched up. However, Roth is unable to put weight on or to extend his knee. He is in pain, and cannot work in the rice fields with his parents. After reading about our medical partner on their Facebook page, Roth consulted with their doctors. They determined that Roth has a completely torn patellar (knee) tendon, which requires surgery. If left untreated, this injury could result in other foot and leg problems, such as inflammation and pain in the ligaments in the soles of his foot, and tendinitis in other parts of his foot. He might also develop arthritis. Surgeons from our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, are scheduled to perform patellar tendon repair surgery on December 5th, at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre. Roth needs your help to fund the $572 cost of the procedure, hospitalization and rehabilitation. Roth said: "I hope I can walk more easily with no pain or swelling after this operation, so I can return to help my family with the rice crop."

Romeo is a physically active father from the Philippines. Romeo currently lives with his wife since all their children already have their own families. They rely on Romeo's monthly pension which is just enough for their daily needs. Their children chip in for their expenses too but as a father, Romeo wants them to use the money for their own families instead of giving it to him and his wife. Romeo loves to play chess, jog, and play tennis. However, his symptoms now physically limit him. Last November, Romeo won a consolation prize of a sack of rice at a community raffle. When he lifted it, he felt pain but ignored it thinking about how happy his wife will be upon bringing home the prize. Since then, Romeo has dealt with inguinal hernia. This hernia causes him to feel weak and because of his condition, he cannot do physical activities like he used to. Fortunately, on February 16th, Romeo will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center, Our Lady of Peace Hospital. A portion of the cost of Romeo's treatment is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation. Our medical partner is raising the remaining $1,103 to cover the cost of his surgery and care. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Romeo shared: "My pension will never be enough to pay for a surgery to treat me. So thank you very much for helping me even though I am already old."