Khemara is an 11th grader who lives in Kampong Thom province with his parents and older sister. His parents work as rice farmers, and he has three older brothers who live nearby and help support the family. Khemara likes playing volleyball and his favorite subject is history. He hopes to get a good job or join the army when he finishes high school. In December, Khemara was driving near his home when a dog ran into the road, causing him to swerve and crash. The accident caused a fracture in his right arm. He was unable to afford the private clinic near his house, so he sought treatment from a traditional healer in his village. Unfortunately, the fracture has not healed. He has limited function in his right hand and arm and is in chronic pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On January 11th, Khemara will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $483. This procedure will improve his arm function and help him to perform his everyday activities again. He shared, "I hope I can use my arm like before and be able to do my schoolwork and I'd like to play volleyball again."

Jojina, a single mother from Malawi, is 52 years old and has five children ranging in age from 15 to 29. They all live together in a two bedroom house, in addition to Jojina's mother, her uncle who is blind, and her four grandchildren. She earns a living by brewing and selling a local brew. Fifteen years ago, Jojina noted a small swelling on her neck that was not painful at the time. At first, she thought it would go away on its own, but it instead got bigger. She visited different herbalists to no avail. In 2022, she visited a nearby hospital, and was referred to the regional hospital, where after examinations, a diagnosis of goiter was made. She was sent home and asked to wait for her surgery date. Early this year, she started experiencing breathlessness and neck pain. She is presently unable to carry heavy items on her head and can no longer work as usual, which has significantly reduced her income. Jojina made a decision to visit our medical partner's care facility, Partners in Hope Medical Center (PIH), after hearing that other people with similar problems had been assisted at the center. Early this month, her diagnosis was confirmed at PIH and a surgical intervention called thyroidectomy was recommended. Jojina could however not afford the cost of treatment. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Jojina receive treatment. On April 9th, surgeons at PIH will perform a thyroidectomy to alleviate pain and discomfort, and allow Jojina to resume work and continue supporting her family. Now, Jojina needs help to fund this $1,015 procedure. Jojina says, “I am patiently waiting to be free from my symptoms, be able to work pain-free, and carry items on my head after surgery.”

Mengse is a 15-year-old tailor, originally from Ratanakiri province in Cambodia. He and his family relocated to Phnom Penh in an effort to find better job opportunities. Mengse's father works as a cook for a company that caters weddings, while his mother sells vegetables in a local market. Mengse works as a tailor, but he is hopeful that he will be able to return to school. Mengse was born with a preauricular pit - a congenital condition where there is a sinus tract under the skin that shouldn't be there. It is manifested by a small hole located on his right ear. As often happens in these cases, this small hole has become infected, and a cyst has formed. As a result, Mengse experiences redness, swelling, pain, and discharge. Mengse traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On January 15th, surgeons from our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), will remove the mass at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre. Now, Mengse needs your help to raise $273 to fund this procedure. Mengse shared: "I hope I can have surgery so I can't feel pain, and so I can do my work and feel better again."